Page 28 of Miracles and Marriage
He’d donned dark pants and a black sweater, which defined his wide shoulders and broad chest to perfection and made him look slightly mysterious. Zoe realized she didn’t know this man she’d married as well as she thought. Maybe in business, but his personal life was a complete unknown. She felt her heart kick up another notch. It was going to be a long evening.
“Did you ever go to the beach as a child?” she asked when they headed out.
“Uncle Hal took us for a week every couple of years when I was younger. We went to Virginia Beach. Always in thesummertime and it was always crowded. This is different. We’re the only people on the beach.”
“It’s crowded here in the summer months, but only the year-round people in town use the beach this time of year. And a few crazies like me. I think I prefer winter to summer. Though I do like to swim.”
“Ever do any sailing?”
“From time to time. One of my brothers loves it. He has a boat he keeps up at Annapolis. We all go out on it at least once each season. I think he’d live on it if he could. Do you sail?”
“I have. I like it, but owning a boat is a big commitment and so is Protective, Inc. That’s where my focus lies at the moment.”
“How did you get into this business, I mean actually start up a company that provides protection to high-profile people?” she asked.
“Saw the need and stepped in. I had training in the Rangers, which prepared me for strategic planning of protective measures. The rest is learning as we go, seeing what works, what can be improved, tapping into the brains of the people who work with me. Keeping abreast of new technologies.”
“What do you see changing if you become a father?” she asked.
“When I become a father. Spending more time at home. Learning how to take care of a child.” He glanced at her again. “I’ll be there for the kid.”
She tried to imagine him holding an infant, but she could more readily picture him fighting terrorists.
When they returned to the cottage, it was time to begin preparing dinner. Zoe was glad of the task as it kept her from dwelling on this odd arrangement. She’d known and admired Cal for a long time, yet felt awkward and uncertain around him with the changed circumstances.
“Need help?” he asked, walking into the spacious kitchen.
“Since we planned on spaghetti, you have your choice of fixing the garlic bread, the salad or pasta. I’m good on the sauce.”
“I’ll start on the bread,” he said.
A few moments later they were companionably working side by side at the counter.
“I thought your cooking was limited to omelets and ordering pizza,” she said, watching him expertly slice the bread and smear it with a garlic-butter spread they’d purchased.
“This is hardly gourmet cooking. Uncle Hal made sure I knew how to do things, I choose not to. This is different. Any idiot can prepare garlic bread.”
“My brother Sean can’t.” She thought about it for a moment. “Or maybe he just pretends he can’t to get out of helping. I wouldn’t put it past him.”
“Sean, older or younger?”
“He’s older by two years, and another one of twins. Declan is his. You’d think my mother would have caught on after they were born, but nope, she then had me and Chloe.”
“Four kids, a houseful,” he said.
Zoe laughed softly. “Actually I have ten brothers and sisters, there are eleven of us.”
“Good grief.”
Cal stopped work to stare at her.
“Unexpected in an only child raised by an uncle, I expect,” she said with a smile. “Actually it does shock most people in this day and age. Large families aren’t in vogue anymore. But Mom and Dad love us all and I can’t imagine not having so many brothers and sisters around.”
“No wonder this place is so large,” he said glancing around.
“It still gets crowded in summer.”
“Had things been different, did you want a large family?” Cal asked, wrapping the bread in aluminum foil and turning to check if the oven had been turned on.
