Page 60 of A Future in the Bay

“Oh my goodness,” Gwen said. “This is the best cake I’ve ever had.”

He nodded emphatically. “Paige!” he called to the young baker. “This is amazing!”

Paige laughed and flushed, looking pleased. She was soon surrounded by people congratulating her on the success of her cake. Gwen overheard several people say, “I’m definitely going to check out your website,” and a few people asked her about baking for their private events.

Michael went up to Paige and gave her a hug. “Thank you so much, kiddo. We couldn’t have asked for a better wedding cake.”

“Oh, of course.” She smiled, her eyes shining. She looked both thrilled and relieved.

“I’m wondering if you have the time to work for me again this summer,” he said, grinning at her.

“Oh, well, I?—”

“Not as a barista. As our exclusive bakery supplier. A business partnership with Tidal Wave Coffee. What do you say?”

Paige’s jaw dropped, and then she started to grin. “Yes! That would be amazing.”

Josie gave her sister a hug, and Gwen couldn’t help smiling. She liked the young woman and was glad that she was finding success—it was clear that she deserved it. Gwen had never tasted such a flavorful, mouthwatering cake, and she knew that Paige must have worked very hard to become that good at baking.

Isaiah and Gwen stood to the side of the reception area, continuing to stand as they enjoyed their cake. When it was announced that people could go up for seconds, they both got a second slice of cake, both of them trying the kind they hadn’t chosen the first time. Gwen found the chocolate cake to be every bit as delicious as the lemon cake.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time the first dance,” a teenage D.J. wearing a bowtie announced into a microphone. “Michael and Caitlin O’Neil, please take your places on the dance floor.”

“Oh,” Gwen cooed, placing her hand on her heart. “I love first dances.”

Isaiah turned to her with a sweet smile, and then both their attention were caught by the sight of Michael and Caitlin stepping onto the dance floor together, holding hands. The dance floor was a makeshift one made of wood and placed under the strands of lights. Gwen thought the scene looked marvelously picturesque, with the moonlit ocean sparkling behind the newly-wedded couple.

A sweet love song began to play over the speakers, and Michael took Caitlin in his arms. Slowly, the two of them began to waltz across the dance floor. It was an imperfect waltz—Michael stumbled a few times, which made his bride laugh. Gwen felt tears spring into her eyes as she watched them—she’d never seen a couple look so much in love before.

Suddenly, she heard someone gasp nearby. She looked over and saw Alissa clinging to her husband’s arm and staring down at the sand below her. It was damp underneath her legs.

“What happened?” Isaiah asked, looking around in confusion.

Gwen, quick to realize what was happening, answered his question. “Alissa’s water just broke. She’s about to have her baby.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Dane turned to his wife, wondering what had happened. He’d never heard Alissa gasp like that before—clearly something was wrong.

She held tightly to his arm, her eyes wide.

“What is it?” he asked.

“My—my water broke,” she whispered.

His jaw dropped and his mind began to race. Instantly he went into protector mode, determined to take care of her and make sure that everything worked out just fine. In the back of his mind, he felt a surge of excitement that he was about to meet his son, but he remained focused on what he needed to do.

“Okay,” he said. “We’re getting you to the hospital.”

His wife blinked, still holding tightly to his arm. She seemed a little stunned—he knew she hadn’t been expecting this to happen at all—neither of them had been.

By then, enough people had realized what was happening, and murmurs of surprise and concern were rippling through the guests. There was enough of a hubbub that Michael and Caitlin noticed, and they stopped dancing. The second Caitlin looked at her sister, she seemed to know what was happening, and she hurried over to her side.

“It’s time?” Caitlin asked, taking Alissa’s hands.

“I guess so,” Alissa said breathlessly. “But don’t stop your dance! I hate to interrupt your wedding like this.”

“Nonsense!” Caitlin said. “This is so much more important than our wedding.”

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