Page 71 of Miracles and Marriage
Calling Chloe, she told her where she was going.
“Honestly, girl, you go there more in winter than summer,” her twin said.
“Best time, quiet, no people around. Beside, I want to be by myself for a while.”
“Burning the candle at both ends?”
“No. Some thinking to do.”
“About?” Chloe sounded cautious.
“About ending this farce of a marriage and scheduling the operation.”
“What are you talking about? You have hardly given yourself a fair chance at getting pregnant.”
“It’s complicated.”
Chloe was quiet for a moment.
“You’ve fallen for Cal, haven’t you? He’s so blind. Tell him.”
“That is the last thing he wants. He only agreed to help me because I wanted it so much.”
And because of his lost baby and his uncle’s death. But Zoe wasn’t sharing Cal’s private business even with her sister.
“I’ll go with you.”
“I don’t need handholding.”
Then suddenly she wanted her sister to go. Maybe talking things through would help.
“Pick me up when you leave,” Chloe said.
“Around ten,” Zoe said.
For the first time since she’d made her decision, she felt like the future might not be impossible to live through.
She packed a few things. Called the office to let her supervisor know she was taking off for a few days. She debated not calling Cal, but remembered the last time she’d tried to dodge him.
He answered after one ring.
“Callahan.”
“Cal.” Zoe kept her tone light though her throat ached with tears. “I’m taking off for a few days. Chloe and I are heading for the beach—where else?”
“Anything wrong?”
“No.” She took a breath. “Just some girl time. I’ll call you when I get back.”
“I’m glad you called. I have a last minute meeting scheduled in San Francisco. I’ll be gone for a couple of days but back by Sunday. I’ll come by your place on my way home.”
She started to argue, but didn’t.
“Fine.”
He’d find out Sunday night that she wasn’t home. And he’d be too tired after his trip to hunt her up at the cottage.
“Have a good trip, new business, I hope and not a crisis.”
