Page 45 of Miracles and Marriage
The thought of going back to bed flashed into her mind. She turned away, testing the heat of the pan.
“I thought we’d return to Washington,” Zoe said.
“Time enough tomorrow morning. If we leave early, we can arrive at the office before nine.”
He crossed to her and put a finger beneath her chin, raising her face. Kissing her briefly, he looked deep into her eyes.
“I say we take today for ourselves and face the world again tomorrow.”
“And do what all day? We have some books—”
He put his finger across her mouth.
“We start with breakfast and see where the day takes us.”
Not a very good plan, Zoe thought as she began cooking, but she couldn’t think very well when he was touching her.
Early Monday morning Cal drove them back to Washington. He’d originally planned to return on Sunday, but after Saturday night would not deny himself more time with Zoe. Saturday night she’d been responsive and passionate, which had surprised him. She was an outstanding analyst—detailed,questioning, dissecting facts. He had superimposed that trait on all aspects of her life, but she’d proved him wrong in that regard.
She didn’t analyze everything. She gave her entire being into the moment, making love with enthusiasm, holding nothing back.
He’d turned his phone on before they left the cottage and it had already rung twice. It rang again and he glanced at the caller ID. Emily. He’d better take this one.
“Yes?” he answered.
In no time his secretary began bringing him up to speed on various situations. He would have wished for more time to transition from the weekend at the cottage.
It had been relaxing and informative. He wanted to process what he learned about Zoe and figure out the best way to deal with each other over the years to come.
Refusing to admit he had enjoyed himself more than he’d hoped, he tried to catalog every aspect from running along the beach Saturday morning, to sitting on the porch while the rain isolated them, to strolling along the sidewalk in Waterford. He wouldn’t forget the rather quiet weekend in a long time. There were too few respites like that in his life.
When Emily finally ran down, he assured her he was on his way in and would arrive at the office soon.
“We can go directly there if you like,” Zoe said.
She’d been quiet during the drive and Cal had given up trying to gauge her mood.
“I can take time enough to drop you at your place,” he offered.
There had been a slight awkwardness Sunday morning, but that had passed, only to appear again this morning. Was that going to be the pattern after every night together? He gave some thought to their moving in with each other. It would resolve theawkwardness and give them a chance to learn more about each other faster.
Would she be amenable to his suggestion?
What would it be like to make love to her each night? Wake up with her each morning? Share a home?
He’d always thought in the back of his mind he’d have children. But he’d never really envisioned being married or pictured the day-to-day details like eating breakfast together, sharing a bathroom, a bed.
He admitted a marriage like he envisioned would never have worked with Suzanne. Or any of the other women he’d dated over the years. He’d been on a fast track to get Protection, Inc. off the ground and build it up to the level it had attained. He liked taking beautiful women to places to show off, but in retrospect, they had all been too self-absorbed to be marriage material. But Zoe was different. He was learning they shared similar values. He liked being around her.
“I’m going to be pretty busy this week,” Zoe said.
“At work?”
“And afterward. I have plans,” she said, not looking at him.
So much for the idea they’d gone past the awkwardness or that she’d even consider moving in with him.
“Next weekend I’ll be busy,” Cal said. “I’m driving down to Richmond to start the sorting process. I don’t want the house to sit empty for long. Want to go with me?”
