Page 69 of The Art of Loving Lacy
“I also wanted to thank you guys for helping Rob the other day,” Sheila said. “Marriage can be hard sometimes, and we kind of fell down the rabbit hole for a few days. It can be hard when you’re separated for long periods of time. But Robby’s working on his…stuff, and I’m working on mine.” She smiled at Rob. “We both realized how much we didn’t want to lose each other.” Sheila turned back to Dane and Lacy. “Thank you for being there for him.”
“Rob’s like a brother to me.” Dane looked at his best friend and diving partner; one tree-trunk arm rested across the back of Charlie’s chair, the other on his lap. A five-o’clock shadow peppered his tanned cheeks. He looked strong and healthy, so much different from when Dane had picked him up at the police station.
“I’d walk to the ends of the earth for him,” Dane said. “He’s a good man, Sheila, and I’m just sorry that I didn’t notice that things were falling apart so I could step in and help.”
“Thanks, Dane,” Rob said with a flush on his cheeks.
“We all have our rough patches. We’ll work on schedules, Sheila. I know it’s rough with the kids, and I appreciate you allowing Rob to travel so much. I don’t know what I’d do without him,” Dane said.
“Neither do we,” Sheila said, turning a warm gaze to Rob.
DANE AND LACY said good night to Rob, Sheila, and the kids, and then they drove to the cottage to take a walk along the beach. The temperature had dipped as the evening wore into night, and they snuggled against each other as they walked on the cold sand.
“I really like Sheila a lot. I’m looking forward to hanging out with her and the kids tomorrow,” Lacy said.
“I’m glad. She’s a really nice person, and Rob’s a great guy, despite his recent issues,” Dane said.
“I know. You don’t have to try to sell me on him. I like him a lot, and it’s obvious how close you two are,” Lacy said.
“Were you okay back there? I thought I picked up on something…” Dane let the sentence hang in the air between them.
Lacy wrapped her arm in his and rested her head against his shoulder. “I had a talk with Danica tonight. She brought up some stuff that’s probably way too early to be thinking about, but now I can’t stop thinking about it.”
“What kind of stuff?” Dane asked.
“Like what happens when this trip is over.” Lacy looked up at him.
Dane stopped walking and faced her. Her eyes were wide and worried as they searched his. He held on to her, probably too tight, but the thought of losing her again rattled his nerves.
“I’ve been thinking about that, too,” he admitted. “I don’t know if it’s too early to think about it or not, but it’s where my mind traveled…” He shrugged. “Lacy, seeing you with Rob’s kids made me think all sorts of things that are probably wrong to think about so soon.”
“Yeah? Like what?” she asked.
Kids, marriage, growing old together.He didn’t want to scare her off, but he wanted her to know how immense his feelings had grown.
“The same kind of thing. What’s next. Kids.”
Lacy touched his chest and smiled. “Kids? Really?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I was watching you with Katie and Charlie, and for the first time ever, my mind put me and children together in the same sentence, led by you.”
“I love kids.” Lacy’s eyes lit up. “Gosh, you’re thinking even further ahead than I am.”
Dane pulled her close and kissed her lightly on the lips. “I don’t know what it is between us, but I can see us together when we’re old and gray. What I can’t imagine is a life without you by my side.”
“Me either,” Lacy said. “It’s the in between I can’t figure out.”
“I’m not sure what the answer is. I know you love your job. You came here to save your career.”
“I came here to be with you,” Lacy said.
“I’m just a bonus to your fluffy little vacation on the Cape. Oh, and a path to a promotion,” he teased.
“You’ve got me all figured out. So, Mr. Braden, what happens after the fluffy little vacation is over?”
I wish I knew.
They walked hand in hand. The sounds of crashing waves filled the gap in their conversation.
