Chapter 211
Nadine and Carl came over, asking Daisy if she wanted to try out the water slide.
Daisy glanced at the colorful water slide in the distance and eagerly nodded her head.
The slide was on the yacht, indoors, and heated like a hot spring, so it wasn’t cold even in the middle of winter.
It was the kind of fun that both kids and adults could enjoy, though it was mainly the domain of teenagers and children.
Charlene and Granger tried it out a few times but soon lost interest.
However, Daisy, Nadine, and Carl were having the time of their lives.
Charlene settled into a nearby chair, soaking up the warmth like she was relaxing in a hot tub.
Just then, Granger handed her a drink.
Thanks,” Charlene said, accepting the glass.
“No problem,” Granger replied, taking a seat not too far from her. “How old are they?”
“Daisy’s 16, and Carl’s 14.”
“Do you often bring them out for a fun day like this?”
Charlene shook her head. “Used to, but I’ve been caught up with work lately, so not as much.”
Granger’s phone rang, interrupting the conversation.
Seeing the caller ID, he excused himself. “I’ve got to take this.”
“Sure,” Charlene nodded.
Granger stepped a bit farther away before answering. “Thorne.”
“Where are you?” Thorne’s voice came through.
“On a yacht.”
“Out on the sea?”
“Yeah,” Granger replied, his gaze drifting back to Charlene. “Something up?”
“Yeah, Minnie wanted to hang out with Daisy. Told me to give you a call.”
“We’re out at sea right now. Maybe next time.”
“Alright.”
Thorne kept it brief and hung up.
By lunchtime, the five of them gathered for a seafood feast.
In the afternoon, they lounged on the deck, soaking up the sun and trying their hand at fishing. Eventually, Daisy, Nadine, and Carl wore themselves out and, after a bit of fishing, dozed off on the lounge chairs. Granger had some business to attend to and made a few calls from afar. When he returned, he saw Charlene absorbed in a book.
Though he had studied finance in college, the book she was reading looked familiar.
He quickly realized it was the same one he often saw Thorne with.
Watching Charlene engrossed in her reading, Granger paused for a moment.
It took a while before Charlene noticed him again when he adjusted the blanket over Daisy, which had been
‘stirred by the sea breeze.
Granger took a seat and remarked, “That book… you read it often?”
He emphasized “also,” hinting at another reader.
Charlene immediately understood he meant Thorne.
She nodded. “Yeah.”
Her focus on the book, her demeanor… it reminded Granger a lot of Thorne.
It wasn’t about their looks, but rather the intensity in their expressions.
In that moment, Granger realized that Charlene and Thorne were, in some ways, kindred spirits, sharing a love for the same field.
With that in mind, they should have plenty to talk about.
However…
Remembering the rumors about their marriage, Granger’s eyes darkened.
People claimed she tricked Thorne into marrying her. He took their word for it without doubting. But after hanging out with her more, he felt she wasn’t really like that.
Her thoughts didn’t seem that complicated.
After dinner, the yacht began heading back to shore.
By the end of the day, Nadine, Carl, and Daisy had grown quite close.
Even with Granger, Nadine and Carl seemed at ease, casually waving goodbye as they left. “See you next time, Granger.”
Granger nodded, his gaze shifting to Charlene. “See you next time.”