Page 3 of Miracles and Marriage
“Actually, I can. That’s what Gabe and I have.”
“But if you wanted children, at least you’re married. I’m not even seeing anyone,” Zoe said.
“That’s because you’re too involved with Cal.”
“I’m not involved with my boss,” she denied quickly.
Immediately his image came to mind—tall with dark brown hair and a body to die for. He turned the heads of lots of women, but never settled on one. She pictured his concentration at work. The serious focus of his eyes on the reports. Running his hands through his hair when frustrated. His laughter if they took a break and ordered pizza while staying late because of some crisis.
“Not that way, silly. I mean too caught up in work. You’re more of a workaholic than Gabe is. If Cal says he needs you, there you are. I’m surprised you’re not at work right now,” Chloe said.
“Now you’re being silly. I’m not there all the time.”
Though she did work more closely with Cal than any other analyst. But that was because he needed her.
“I enjoy what I do. I thought I could have my career for a little longer and then think about getting married and starting a family,” Zoe said pensively.
“Well, you’d enjoy finding someone with lots in common and falling in love. Set some boundaries—let Cal know you can onlywork for eight hours a day, not twenty-four. You have time. Just not as much as you always thought. The doctor didn’t say get into hospital next week.”
“She did say soon. There’s always so much to do at the office. The business keeps expanding as Cal’s reputation grows. He’s really providing a terrific service with fabulous results.”
“Great, he can hire some more help if business is booming. Let him deal with that. Your next assignment is to find a husband, get married and start that family,” Chloe said.
Zoe sighed. “That sounds so calculating. These days a woman doesn’t really have to be married to have a baby.”
She always thought she’d fall in love like her twin, with a man who was perfect for her. One who also wanted a large family. Was that a pipe dream?
“You’re not thinking of a sperm bank?” Chloe asked, the incredulity coming clearly across the phone line.
“No. I can’t imagine raising a child alone. Wait, before you say a word, I know you’ll be there for me as will the rest of the family. But I want my baby to have a father. Can you imagine our lives without Dad? I’m not sure that would be fair to a child, to deliberately bring him or her into the world with no father. I mean it’s one thing if something happens, but to start out that way, I’m not sure.”
“You have five brothers, each would be a perfect father figure. Gabe would as well.”
“It’s not the same thing as having your very own. So even if I don’t marry the father, I want a man who’ll be a part of the child’s life forever.”
“Women who fall in love and get married don’t even get that guarantee,” Chloe said.
“I want it anyway.”
Her sister thought for a moment. “I guess it’s worth a shot. Maybe you’ll fall for a man and get married and end up with a dozen kids.”
“Or maybe find someone I really like, who is good father material and wants a baby without all the ties and commitment of marriage,” Zoe said thoughtfully. “I mean, how much do I really want to be tied down? I’d be there for the baby, but I still want to work. What if a husband didn’t want that?”
She didn’t even want to think about giving up her career.
“Ties and commitment are necessary with a child,” Chloe said. “And you’re strong enough to stand up for yourself married or not. It’s not an either or decision.”
“You’re right. Still, I’d have to choose a daddy carefully, whatever else happened.”
Zoe rose early the next morning. The sun was peeping above the horizon, below the clouds that were rapidly dissipating. She hoped it’d be a better day than yesterday, but the pain that woke her didn’t hold much promise. Staying another day meant she’d need to visit one of the grocery stores. The canned goods that stocked the cottage cupboards didn’t offer the variety she craved.
But she couldn’t face that now. Groaning slightly, she curled up in a ball.
Waking an hour later, she felt awful. She made it to the bathroom and her pills. After a few minutes, she headed back for bed when someone knocked on the front door. She debated letting them stay there, she longed for bed. But curiosity more than anything won out and she went to the door.
Opening it, Zoe stared at Cal Callahan standing on the porch, towering over her. His expression was impossible to read. He wore a suit, the tie loosened. He hadn’t shaved yet that morning and the shadow of his beard made him look more rugged and masculine than normal.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
