Page 76 of Deep Waters
He slipped below deck, returning with a wood cutting board loaded with cheese, strawberries, sliced apples, and crackers, a bottle of sparkling wine clutched beneath his arm. He’d nestled a bundle of lavender in the center, something sparkly wrapped around the delicate stems.
“I may have rushed my plans just a bit, but it seemed like the right moment,” he said sheepishly, tugging the ring from the tiny bouquet.
I spread my fingers, and he slipped the ring over my knuckle, nestling it into place. He’d chosen a simple band with channel-set stones, aware that I’d have to take anything more ostentatious off for work. It settled on my hand like it was meant to be there, and I admired the sparkle.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, cupping his chin for a kiss. His mouth was soft, almost reverent, and I sighed, unable to imagine a more perfect moment.
“Can I interest you in some champagne?”
I laughed, the sound snatched away on the wind, carrying my happiness beyond our tiny deck. “I think we’ve established that you can interest me in just about anything, Zach Fenwick.”
His eyes darkened. “Challenge accepted.”
Epilogue – Zach
“Is she in her office?” I asked as I slipped inside San Juan Marine Repair.
Rae’s dad lounged in the small waiting area. He looked up from behind his newspaper, scowling over the top. “She’s working too hard. You need to take better care of my daughter and grandbaby.”
The old coot was as cantankerous as ever. The urge to remind him that he’d taken her for granted for years and that there wasn’t a chance in hell I was following in his footsteps melted on my tongue. He’d softened considerably in the last few months, and I didn’t need the drama. I needed my wife.
“Yes, sir.”
I picked my way through the shop, watching Rae from the door to her office. She frowned down at the paperwork in front of her, rubbing one hand across her burgeoning belly. Our baby must have kicked, because she flinched, smiling down at her lap.
If I could have turned into a puddle on the floor, I would have. Two years of marriage, and I still couldn’t quite believe how much my world revolved around Rae.
She looked up, catching me staring, and raised one dark brow. “Husband. You have some explaining to do.”
I grimaced. So she’d seen the text message. Trust Gran to try to have the last word. She hadn’t even goaded me privately. Just dropped it like a bomb into the group chat.
Gran: Don’t forget, I have naming rights for that baby of yours…
“In my defense, I do have a plan.”
“Tell me you didn’t really make a deal with your grandmother to name our firstborn?”
“It’s not like it’s legally binding…” I trailed off. “We weren’t even married at the time.”
“Zach. This is our first baby. I love your grandmother, but you know I’d never have agreed to this.”
She sounded exasperated, and I couldn’t blame her. I’d had the fun part. She’d been doing all the work. Her morning sickness was no joke. I’d rubbed her back, feeling helpless, after she collapsed in front of the toilet following her bouts with nausea. Harlow at the bakery had joked that our baby would be ninety percent bread, thanks to all the loaves of sourdough I bought to make toast for Rae in the mornings.
“Captain, it’ll be fine, I promise.” I grinned, flashing my dimple. “After all, Fenwick is a name.”
She groaned, drawing the sound out until it was almost a whine. She ended it on a chuckle, the low sound scraping along my nerves, sending a ripple of want through me. My wife had never looked sexier. Face and body round with our baby.
I moved in, drawing her from her chair and into my arms. Her bump created distance between us, her belly nudging me.
She wreathed her arms around my neck, and I took their weight, rubbing at her lower back, trying to ease the tight muscles there. She moaned softly, resting her head on my shoulder. I smiled into her hair, loving that she snuggled against me so easily. Like it was the most natural thing in the world for us to touch.
“How’s the old man taking you working part-time?” I asked.
“Surprisingly well. I never thought a grandbaby would make him eager to hand over the reins here, but he keeps making noises about wanting to trade me places and watch the baby when I come back to work.” She shook her head, eyes wide. “I can’t believe he’s the same man.”
“You have a great track record for changing men for the better.”
She snorted. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment for you or for me.”
