Page 48 of A Journey in the Bay

“Yes, please.”

“Coming right up.” Michael started making her iced coffee. “Would you like company on the walk over to Little Clams?”

“Sure, that would be great,” Caitlin said. “I’m sure Pearl would be really happy to see you.”

Michael topped off her coffee with some milk and popped a lid on it. “Let’s go.”

They walked out together, sipping their coffees. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since their kiss on the boat. Had he ever felt like this, just walking side by side with anyone? Like the simple act of walking somewhere was somehow better than it was before?

The two of them made small talk on the walk over about how things were going on the ship, and soon they were at Little Clams. The center was chaotic, with kids and their parents coming in and out of the building. Michael opened the door for Caitlin and they were bombarded with even more noise. Kids were shouting and playing on the tumble mats across the room, teachers were trying to tame them, and parents were trying to find their kids.

Pearl emerged from the crowd, rushing toward Michael and Caitlin.

“Mommy, they’re having a kids surfing competition,” Pearl blurted, almost tripping and falling. “Kids need a parent to teach them how to surf and there’ll be a competition and everything.”

“Wow, that sounds cool, sweetheart.” Caitlin smoothed her hand over her daughter’s flyaway curls. “But I don’t know how to surf.”

Pearl’s excited grin melted into a frown, her brown eyes filling with tears.

“Dad would do it with me if he was here!” Pearl sniffed and stormed past them to the cubbies. She grabbed her backpack and headed out the door.

Caitlin sighed, squeezing the bridge of her nose. Her cheeks were flushed, but not in the pleased way that she was when she walked into Tidal Wave Coffee.

“Sorry,” Caitlin murmured, heading out behind Pearl.

Michael grabbed the door again and Caitlin walked through it with a sigh. Pearl hadn’t gone far and clearly knew where she was going. He and Caitlin caught up with her, but stayed behind, their silence awkward.

“It must be hard for her to understand what’s happening,” Michael said low enough for Pearl to not hear. “I’m sure she’s lashing out because she doesn’t know what else to do.”

“I think so too.” Caitlin sipped her coffee, her lips lingering around the straw for a few moments. “She just wants to be loved and supported. That’s all I can do, really.”

“True,” Michael said. “And you’re doing a great job of it.”

“It doesn’t feel like it right now.” Caitlin let out a bitter snort. “I never want her to feel like she’s being left out of anything, but at the same time, I don’t know how I could possibly learn to surf and join the competition with her.”

“No pressure, but I’d be happy to do the competition with Pearl.”

“Really?” Caitlin slowed, looking up at him with wide eyes. “You’d really do that?”

“Of course I would. I’ve taught a lot of kids how to surf and Pearl seems excited.” Michael stopped to give her a kiss. “I’d be happy to.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Dane pulled his house keys from his pocket, sifting through them to find the one for the back door. He took a deep breath and unlocked the door, bracing himself for facing Johanna. He hadn’t spoken to her since he went after Alissa around lunch, so they were overdue for a chat.

It was better this way—Dane had calmed down enough to have a rational, calm conversation. And it had taken him quite a while to get there. He had sat with Alissa for the rest of lunch, gently rubbing her back and calming her down. Seeing her so upset had stirred a fire in him, one that he had to suppress.

He’d spent most of the afternoon back at the office angrily tapping away on his keyboard, trying to think of how he was going to talk to his mother. She had never been this way with any of his ex-girlfriends, and now she was treating her future daughter-in-law like this?

He was quickly reaching the end of his patience, but he kept his love for his mother at the front of his mind. He didn’t want the rift between them to grow, and telling her his concerns in a less-than-calm way was the fastest way to put distance between them.

He heard the TV on in his living room and followed the sound. Johanna was watching a period drama, a mug of tea in her hand.

“You’re home,” Johanna said, reaching for the remote. She seemed to know what was coming—she muted the TV and turned her full attention toward him.

“I am.” Dane sat down in the armchair adjacent from the couch. “What you said to Alissa was completely uncalled for, Mom.”

Johanna cupped her mug of tea. “I just want what’s best for you.”

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