Chapter 285 - Claimed By My Stepbrother (Cadell Security Series)
Hallick’s POV
‘I want to file for divorce.’ Seona’s words are still bouncing around my head hours later as I sit in one of the chairs that I’ve pulled behind the counter, placing it in the middle of the gap between the front of the shop and the space where the blonde is working. After her sudden declaration, I had driven us home on autopilot, going through the motions of showering, eating some lunch before following her down to the bakery where Mackenzie was waiting for us.
The baker was ecstatic to see us both, making sure that Seona was completely happy to take over before picking up Maxton from his high chair and waving to us before rushing out the front door.
I sit awkwardly straight in my seat, my gaze darting across the face of each person to walk past the window as my mind continues to short circuit. Seona wants to file for divorce, she wants to leave the asshole completely. She’ll be free . .
Then what? My stomach churns slightly, if Seona is breaking away from Davis completely then she’ll soon be moving on with her life. She’ll no longer need a bodyguard, once Davis is gone, she’ll be ready to move on, start living.
I don’t know why this is such a shock to me, I knew our time was limited, despite them not saying anything, I’m sure the Cadell brothers are starting to wonder when I’m coming back to do my actual job.
I always knew that I couldn’t stay with the slender blonde forever, I just . . didn’t really think it would be over so soon. The Cadell’s have paid my wages for the entire time I’ve been here with Seona, but this was never supposed to be a long term solution, only a temporary situation until Noah’s sister had healed and had some sort of idea on what she was going to do. Well now we are here, the young woman I met at the hospital has been replaced by a new, stronger version, one that knows her own mind and doesn’t feel like she’s to blame for the problems of everyone else.
The bell above the door jangles and I look up automatically, taking in the stooped form of an elderly gentleman as he shuffles up to the counter.
‘Good afternoon sir, welcome to Sweet Temptations, what can I get for you today?’ Seona asks, smiling brightly at the older gentleman.
Blinking up wearily at the woman in front of him, the old man frowns slightly before he focuses on her. I see his features soften as he returns her smile, something I’ve noticed people seem to do around her. There is something about Seona that just makes people feel at ease, a gift that welcomes them.
‘Well good afternoon to you’ the gentleman replies in his frail raspy voice, ‘I am here visiting my granddaughter, she has invited me for dinner, she just had a baby, I’m going to meet him for the first time’ he tells the blonde, a twinkle of happiness in his expression.
Seona presses her hand to her heart, a sigh of excitement leaving her, ‘oh how wonderful, you must be so excited’ she gushes warmly.
The old man nods, his wrinkled face beaming, ‘first great grandson’ he tells her, ‘I’m pleased as a pickle, first boy to be born since my younger brother! Everyone from my sisters, me, my brother and our kids, all had girls, so I’m just giddy about it. Oh! not that I don’t love my daughters, grand daughters, and my two great grand daughters’ he adds hastily making Seona giggle.
‘Hey, there is nothing wrong with being excited about a first great grandson after all those girls’ she soothes him, ‘doesn’t mean you love the other grandchildren less, I’m sure you’d be just as excited even if he had been another girl.’
The elderly gentleman nods, ‘yeah’ he agrees gruffly, ‘I do love them all, especially the kiddies, between you and me, they make me feel young again, watching their antics. I spend a lot of time around other old folks, it’s nice, but there is only so many games of bridge and playing guess who died last week before you need to get away.’
Seona nods, resting her arm on the top of the case, ‘well, I assume you popped in to pick up something yummy?’ she prompts him.
The old man nods, running his gaze over the case in consideration. ‘I want to take my granddaughter something, you know, for her’ he murmurs. ‘Everyone always brings gifts for the baby, they forget that the new mother is recovering too. My Yvonne, she didn’t have it easy with her little one, hard pregnancy . . I just want her to know that her grandpa loves her and is so proud of her.’
Seona nods in understanding, picking up a cupcake box and sliding open the door to the cabinet. ‘What were you thinking?’ she asks him, ‘does Yvonne have a favourite flavour or decoration?’
The gentleman frowns as he thinks, ‘she always liked flowers’ he muses, ‘loved them. My late wife had the green thumb, her garden was always blooming with different types and Yvonne would come with her Momma, rush straight down there and pick a bouquet to take home with her.’
Seona is already reaching into the case, picking up a beautifully crafted cupcake that has a rose made out of fondant on top.
‘How about this one?’ she offers, showing the man, ‘it’s German chocolate with a cookies and cream filling.’
The older gentleman glances at it, his smile growing as he nods, ‘yes, I’ll take that one’ he agrees happily.
Beaming, the young woman places it in the box, preparing to shut the lid when the old man stops her, ‘can you pick out five more?’ he asks hopefully, ‘I think a half dozen is a better gift than just one, don’t you think?’
Seona laughs as she nods, ‘picking out five other flavours and placing them in a bigger box before transferring the first too. Sealing it up, she places the box into a bag and hands it over to the gentleman who takes it happily, handing her some bills and waving his hand when she tries to give him change.
‘Don’t worry my dear’ he tells her, ‘you keep it, a thank you for helping an old man out.’
Seona blushes as she places the change by the register, waving to the old gentleman as he shuffles back to the door, opening it and disappearing outside.
‘That must be so nice’ Seona murmurs, as she stares after the man, ‘to get to that age and have family who want to share their joy with you. I hope . . . ‘ she drops her gaze, looking pensive before shaking her head and forcing a smile again. ‘Never mind, I wonder if we’ll get any more customers today, maybe I should tidy up the case a little, there are a few gaps in the trays and I don’t want people to think badly about the shop.’