Page 42 of Miracles and Marriage
“Glad we were handy,” Cal said.
Zoe smiled at the mother and at little Justin.
“You have a beautiful boy,” she said.
The mother smiled proudly and nodded. “Thanks again.”
Cal held the door for Zoe and they returned to the sidewalk.
“We can return to the cottage, if you like,” she said when they stepped out.
“We haven’t seen every place on the other side of the street,” he said, glancing around.
“I knew it. You’re bored.”
The quiet lifestyle of this sleepy shore town wouldn’t appeal to a man like Cal. He hobnobbed with business titans and heads of state.
He threw his arm around her shoulder and moved her closer to the wall to let another couple pass by.
“I’m not at all bored. I’m not interested in driftwood plant holders, or candles, but I am interested in the various ways people find to create products out of wax or what is essentially flotsam. This is a different kind of economy than I normally deal with, so it’s fascinating people can actually make a living out of driftwood.”
“Innovative, don’t you think?”
Zoe hoped she didn’t give herself away. She could scarcely think, only feel the warmth from his arm across her shoulder, and the blossom of hope in her heart for a baby. Cal would make such a great father.
He nodded, eyeing a particularly fanciful planter in the window.
“Where would someone put that?”
She tilted her head while looking at it, trying to breathe normally.
“I have no idea. On the porch of a beach cottage, I guess. I wouldn’t take it home with me.”
He took her hand, lacing his fingers with hers.
“You relieve my mind. Come on and let’s find a sidewalk café by the water where we can get some coffee.”
“We had coffee less than an hour ago.”
She turned and fell into step with him. It felt special to be holding hands.
“I drink coffee all morning long, don’t you?”
“Only days when I’m stressed.”
“So today isn’t one of them. Good. I still want coffee,” he said.
They wandered down to the water’s edge. The breeze was stronger near the sea. Anyone looking at them would believe they were lovers, out to explore a new place. She could almost believe it herself.
There were several docks with various types of boats bobbing against their ropes. More than one café dotted the block, but none had sidewalk seating this time of year.
“It’s too cold to sit outside,” Zoe said as they entered one establishment. “But come back in summer, every single place along this stretch of road has outside seating and we’d likely not find a spot.”
“We could be awaiting the arrival of our child next summer.”
Zoe swallowed and nodded, wishing there was some guarantee.
By the time they headed back to the cottage, clouds had moved in and the wind had changed directions, now blowing from the north. A storm looked inevitable.
