Page 20 of A Future in the Bay

“Hey, technically we’re both aliens. Neither of us is from here.”

“Hmm, true.” She glanced at her watch, still chuckling. “I should get back in there. Got a lot of kiddos to teach. You text me if you need something, okay?”

“Will do! Have fun with the kiddos.”

“Have fun with the power tools.”

He grinned. “I always do.”

Olivia went back inside, and he smiled to himself as he went back to work. He was looking forward to reaching out to Gwen and getting to know her better.

“That was probably the best chicken alfredo I’ve ever had. Thank you, sweetheart.” Josie patted her stomach contentedly, glancing at her husband Wesley as they stood in their little kitchen together. “That sauce was incredible.”

“The sauce was store bought,” he said, grinning. “But thank you for the compliment.”

She laughed. “Yes, but you added butter and garlic to it. I saw you. And everything else was cooked just right too.”

For a moment, they stood there nuzzling noses, and she felt a rush of contentment.

“I’d better start on these dishes before they get too crusty,” she finally said, drawing back and gesturing to the sink.

They’d decided to take turns with cooking and washing up afterward. Since Wesley had cooked their meal for that night, it was her turn to clean up the dishes.

“Let me help you,” he said, opening the cupboard to grab some Tupperware for the leftovers.

“No,” she protested, tugging on his shirt sleeve. “You made the dinner.”

“I know, but now I want to stay here with my wife and help clean up the kitchen.” He wrapped his arms around her and rocked her back and forth a little, dancing with her in the middle of the kitchen.

“Okay.” She laughed, leaning into the dancing. Privately she vowed to herself that she was going to help him with the dishes the next time it was his turn. “You’re trying to win the Best Husband of the Year Award, aren’t you?”

“How could you tell?” he teased, and she could feel him chuckling.

“I have my ways,” she said. “And I’ll give you a tip—right now, the judges are leaning heavily in your favor.”

“Wow,” he said, dipping her backward. “I hope I win.”

Both of them were laughing as he lifted her back onto her feet and they finished doing the dishes together. It didn’t take a great deal of time, especially with both of them working together, and soon they were setting the last pot down into the dish drainer.

“I’ve got to make a phone call, sweetheart,” she said, kissing him. “It shouldn’t take long.”

“To your mom?” he asked, clearly excited for her and the way her relationship with her mother was improving.

She shook her head, smiling. “No, but I did get to talk to Mom yesterday and she’s doing great. Tonight I’m calling Caitlin—I asked Paige if she’d be interested in baking the cake for Caitlin and Michael’s wedding. I don’t know if Caitlin already has someone lined up or not, but I wanted to ask her.”

“That’s a great idea,” he told her. “Paige would knock a wedding cake out of the park.”

“I know! And I’m sure Caitlin feels the same way—but I have to ask her and see if she’s already got someone to bake the cake or not. I hope she doesn’t—this could be such a greatopportunity for Paige. Most of Blueberry Bay will be at the wedding, so it would be a wonderful way of showing everyone what she can do.”

“Well, I’m excited to hear what Caitlin says. I have a feeling Paige is going to be making Michael and Caitlin’s wedding cake.”

She grinned at him and stepped into their bedroom to make the phone call. She dialed Caitlin’s number and then sat down on the edge of the bed, smiling a little as she listened to it ring.

“Hey, Josie!” Caitlin’s voice said cheerfully from the other end of the line. “How are you doing?”

“Hey!” Josie grinned as she heard her friend’s voice. “I’m doing great, how about yourself?”

“Oh, busy.” Caitlin laughed. “It’s been a lot trying to plan this wedding—but I’m sure you know all about that! How’s married life?”

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