Page 81 of The Cottage on Pelican Bay

He shook his head. “They became plum ridiculous.”

“Well, you won’t have that problem anymore because I’m your girl.”

His hands tightened at her waist. “Yes, you are definitely my girl, and I would love for us to attend church services with your dad sometime.”

“Good. He’ll like that. Oh, I almost forgot,” Margie said in an excited voice. “Bellamy called this morning. Catalina Cove Hospital made her an offer and she accepted it.”

Levi’s face lit up. “That’s great news. That means she’ll be moving here.”

“Yes, in September. Dad invited her to stay here but she wants her own place. She’ll be coming back in a few weeks to check out places. She wants to rent for a while before she buys anything.”

“That’s a smart idea.” Then he said, “I have something to ask you.”

“What?”

“I’m invited to a wedding in a few weeks in Phoenix. Will you attend with me as my plus-one?”

“I would love to. Thanks for inviting me.”

“Thanks for agreeing to go with me.”

“Come on,” she said, taking his hand and leading him toward the kitchen. “You can tell me more about it over breakfast.”

After making love a few more times, Saint and Zara had gone swimming. The fog had lifted and after an hour or so of frolicking in the bay, they pulled the chaise lounges together and were wrapped in each other’s arms, kissing while intermittently sharing words of love.

“I love you, Zara.”

“And I love you, Saint.”

Saint doubted he would ever tire of hearing Zara say those words. In between their lovemaking they had agreed that when she returned to Boston, whatever it took, they would remain together. She would come here to visit more frequently, and he would go see her in Boston. They had no problem engaging in a long-distance relationship.

She’d told him about her plans for the building she’d bought and asked for his suggestions on a few things. They figured it would be another week or so before they heard anything about the legitimacy of the treasure map. He had a two-day business trip to New York and would be leaving on Tuesday. He invited her to come with him and she accepted. She would use that time to check on the boutique she had there. He in turn would go with her to Boston for a few days when she left next week. It had been years since he’d visited the city and he wanted to see the place she considered as home.

He’d given her more details of his conversation with Mia and how he honestly couldn’t believe she thought he had been pining for her, just waiting for her to return to him. What was even more disheartening was that their parents had undoubtedly assumed the same thing, even after he’d told them countless times that he had moved on. Like he’d told Zara, in a way he was glad she’d suggested he go see her. Not for closure but for affirmation.

“Sierra called while you were out here inflating the beach ball. She and Vaughn invited us to dinner. You want to go? I think they miss Teryn already.”

Saint knew from a conversation he’d had with Vaughn a couple of days ago that Teryn had left for a two-week camping trip with their church. “I’d rather stay and make love to you, but I guess we have to eat sometime.”

“Yes, food is important,” she said, smiling over at him. “We need to keep our strength.”

“And replenish our energy,” he said, leaning in and capturing her mouth again.

“This is for you, Saint.”

He turned away from the refrigerator where he’d just grabbed a beer. Zara was standing in the middle of the kitchen with the painting she’d been working on in front of her. It was the one he’d yet to see. For some reason, she’d kept it covered whenever he was there. It was covered now.

Placing the beer bottle on the kitchen counter, he moved toward her. “Did you paint another vacant building, sweetheart?” The painting she’d given him weeks ago was hanging on the wall in his bedroom. Whenever he saw it, he was reminded of her and all the talented gifts she possessed.

She grinned. “Not quite.”

“Then what did you paint this time?”

“It’s not what but who,” she said, uncovering the painting and holding it up for him to see.

Saint stared at it. Zara had painted him standing on the pier with his business jacket slung over his shoulder and an intense look on his face. His features were clearly defined, down to his eye color. The blue ocean water surrounding the pier was a perfect backdrop. Even the sky ahead was a captivating blue with a pelican flying about.

“Well,” she hedged. “What do you think?”

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