Page 27 of Miracles and Marriage
“How were things in the office?”
“Hectic as usual. But I cleared my calendar for Tuesday and can rearrange a couple of appointments Wednesday morning.”
He began to talk about an upcoming visit of an important businessman from Brazil, and Zoe shifted gears into business mode. Chloe would be horrified to find a newly engaged couple preferred to talk business than about themselves, but Zoe felt closer to Cal discussing business than their marriage.
Once the conversation ended, Zoe called her mother to make sure no one had plans for the sea cottage. October was not amonth most of the family liked to visit the beach. She loved walking along the windy coast and watching the breakers. But next week she didn’t want anyone to arrive unexpectedly. No one planned to use it that her mother knew about.
“You’re taking some time off, honey?” her mom asked.
“Might go there for a couple of days. I love it in the fall.”
“I prefer it warm and sunny.”
“It’ll probably be sunny,” Zoe said, knowing her mother loved sitting on the warm sand beneath a wide umbrella and reading.
She rarely went into the water or into the sun, but enjoyed being lazy and watching others take advantage of the water.
“But not warm. Bundle up well.”
Zoe agreed, smiling. No matter how old she was, her mother was still Mom.
Despite the fact it wasn’t a love match, or even an auspicious night as her calendar reminded her when she checked, Zoe wanted something nice to be married in and something sexy to wear that first night.
She was having second thoughts, and third and fourths as well. During the day, she tried to ignore the upcoming nuptials and treat Cal like she’d always done. But during one staff meeting, her mind wandered to what it would be like to be married to him. He was a dynamo around the office, expecting the most from those who worked for him. He knew his business and made sure everyone was on the same wavelength for various projects. He was tough but fair. And unswerving in his goals.
Of course he was also the best looking male in the office, in her opinion. Could she really be married to him?
At night she dreamed of a future with a small baby crying for cuddling, Cal hanging over her shoulder as she nursed their child. It was the getting-to-that-point that she glossed over. But anticipation built, alternating with delight and dread. One night before too long she and Cal would make love.
That thought scared her to death.
Late Tuesday afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Jedidiah Callahan headed east to the beach. The ceremony had been brief, and rather perfunctory, Zoe mused as Cal’s car sped along. The judge who married them had read the words from a book and seemed bored by the process. The witnesses were his secretary and law clerk. No one from Zoe’s family was there. Cal had no one to attend.
Zoe glanced at her left hand. The plain gold band Cal had placed there gleamed in the sunshine. Because the marriage was to be secret she hadn’t thought about rings. She wouldn’t wear it after today. Not in the office, not at home. She clenched her hand into a fist as if to hold on tight. For today, however, anyone they met could know they were married. Her heart warmed slightly at the sight of the gold band.
“Do we need to stop for groceries?” he asked after a long silent spell.
“Unless you want to eat out every meal. There are only canned and packaged goods at the cottage. We never know if the power has gone out, so don’t keep perishables unless someone’s in residence. I cleared out the fridge when I left last time,” Zoe said. “Practically speaking, it’d be better to eat in. Going to the local restaurants could give rise to gossip that would get back to my family.”
“Tell me the best place to stop,” he replied with a quick, enigmatic look at her.
“Steubensville would be a good place. It’s not too far from Seagrass Point that cold foods would get warm, but not so close we’d likely run into anyone who knows me. My family has been staying off and on at Seagrass Point since my grandfather was a kid.”
Being in a clandestine marriage would take some getting used to. Zoe wasn’t used to subterfuge. Every time she hadan attack of conscience, she remembered the possibility of not being able to have a baby. She wasn’t sure she could stand the well-meaning sympathy of others if that turned out to be the situation. Better to protect herself from future pity.
The cottage was cold when they entered. Zoe quickly fired up the wall heater while Cal brought in their bags and the sacks of groceries.
“It’s only four o’clock. Too early to start dinner. Why don’t we change and take a walk along the beach,” she suggested.
Even though the house was huge by most standards, she felt it shrink with Cal in the room. She’d pointed out one of her brothers’ rooms as a place Cal could use for the night.
“Good idea. You can tell me all about growing up spending summers here,” he said.
The beach had held Zoe’s heart since she’d been a little girl. She’d always loved the timelessness of the breakers, the soothing calmness being here brought.
Today her nerves were stretched tight. She was counting on the ocean to work its magic to help her relax.
Cal looked more masculine than ever when he joined her a short time later. She’d put on warm jeans and a sweatshirt. Her jacket was lightweight but should help if it was windy.
