Tides of Hope (15 page)

“Maybe I shouldn't have. But I can't ignore the chemistry, either. I have a lot of fears to get past before this could ever work, though.”

“I do, too. I lost one family to the sea. I have to admit I'm more than a little concerned about getting involved with a woman who spends most of her days on the water. But I'm beginning to accept that what happened to Nicole and Aaron was a tragic fluke. A bad combination of circumstances that would never happen again. I'm not there yet, though. So we
both have issues to work through. We'll just have to proceed with caution. Fair enough?”

“Yes. Caution is good. And speaking of caution, why don't Maddie and I meet you there?”

“Sure. If that makes you feel better. About one o'clock?”

“Perfect.”

“In the meantime, get some sleep.”

She sighed. “Why do I think that will be harder than ever?”

A soft chuckle came over the line. “Join the club. Good night, Kate.”

The way he said her name set her pulse tripping into double time again. “Good night.”

Returning the phone to its cradle, she tried once again to focus on her editing task. And once again, she found it hard to concentrate.

But this time, fatigue wasn't the culprit.

T
he next week passed in a blur for Kate. Between subbing, finishing the manuscript, seeing to the repair of the
Lucy Sue'
s propeller and dealing with another asthma attack, she found herself relying on adrenaline to get her through to the weekend. Her path didn't cross once with Craig's, though she did manage to finally return his sweater via Edith. But her days were so busy she didn't have a spare minute to think of him.

As she dragged herself out of bed Sunday morning, exhausted and beset by serious qualms about agreeing to explore their relationship, she considered canceling the picnic. But Maddie—and Vicki—would be too disappointed. This didn't have to set a precedent, though, she reminded herself as she grabbed a towel from the linen closet and headed for the shower. If things were too uncomfortable during today's outing, the solution was simple. Don't repeat it.

With an exit plan in mind, Kate felt somewhat reassured. But when she and Maddie arrived at church and she saw Craig and Vicki sitting behind Edith and Chester, she steered Maddie into a pew on the other side.

“Why can't we sit by Vicki?” Maddie's query carried
throughout the church, and the foursome on the other side turned in unison.

Pasting on a smile, Kate waved at the other group and bent down to whisper to Maddie. “Because I don't want you and Vicki talking during the service. We'll see them afterward.”

Though her daughter pouted, Kate was glad she didn't put up a fuss.

Despite her best efforts, Kate found it hard to give the service her full attention—reminding her of the first time Craig had shown up at the church.

As the last hymn wound down, she took Maddie's hand and exited. Again, like the first time, she was tempted to flee. But running from her feelings wasn't going to change them. Craig had had the courage to address his head-on, and she needed to follow his example. So she stood her ground.

When Craig stepped out the door a couple of minutes later, followed by Edith and Chester, he released Vicki's hand and the little girl ran toward Maddie. The two youngsters started an enthusiastic conversation while Kate waited for the adults to catch up.

Edith beamed at her as they drew close. “What a perfect day for a picnic on the beach. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.”

If she'd had her druthers, Kate wouldn't have told the Lighthouse Lane matchmaker about the outing. But the girls had been jabbering about it all week. No way could she have kept it a secret. Instead, she'd done her best to downplay the excursion.

But Edith hadn't bought it. Today the twinkle in her eye was more pronounced than ever.

“We're still on, aren't we?” Craig asked.

“Yes. I should have called this week to see if I could bring anything, but my schedule was crazy. It's not too late, though. Would you like me to pick up a contribution at the store before we join you?”

“No, thanks. I've got it covered.”

“We'll see you at one, then.” She reached for Maddie's hand. “Come on, honey. We have to go home and change our clothes.”

“Wear those cute white shorts with the green top,” Edith offered. “That would be perfect for the beach.”

Kate shot her a silent back-off warning. The shorts were a tad too snug and the boat-neck top tipped too low for Kate's comfort level. She rarely wore the outfit. And Edith knew why.

“I haven't decided what to wear yet.” She directed her next remark to Craig. “See you soon.” Taking a firmer grip on Maddie's hand, she led the little girl toward her car.

And as she buckled her in, slid behind the wheel and aimed the car toward home, she wished she felt as much in the driver's seat of her life as she did in her car.

 

“When is Maddie going to get here?”

At Vicki's question, Craig finished spreading a large blanket on the beach and checked his watch. “In a few minutes, honey. We're a little early.”

She hovered close, casting a skeptical eye at the breakers. “Is the water going to come up here?”

Smiling, he sat on the blanket, took off his deck shoes and rolled his jeans up. He'd planned an early arrival for this very reason. Vicki had never been on a beach, and he'd been concerned that the waves would frighten her.

“No. It creeps up very slowly, and then creeps back out again. See that line of shells?” He pointed out the high water mark, denoted by various bits of refuse from the sea. “That's as far as it comes, unless there's a bad storm. And today is sunny. See how pretty and blue the sky is?”

She looked up at the cloudless expanse above her but still cast a wary eye at the water.

Craig unbuckled her sandals, stood and took her hand. “Let's see if we can find some pretty shells.”

He led her to the high water mark, then gradually closer to
the water, until a larger wave sent an arc of water high enough to tickle their toes. Vicki squealed and scampered back, tugging on his hand.

Craig chuckled and stayed where he was. Leaning down, he drew a smiley face in the wet sand with his finger. “This is even better than crayons.” Edging toward the water as Vicki clung to his hand, he drew the sun. “What would you like to draw?”

She eased closer to examine his handiwork. “A flower.”

“Good idea. Let's see you do it.”

Keeping an eye on the waves, she drew a facsimile of a daisy.

“Very good,” Craig praised her. “That's better than—”

“Vicki!”

At Maddie's shout, his daughter straightened up and took off at a run for the approaching duo.

Craig stayed where he was, glad his dark glasses hid the appreciative gleam he knew was sparking to life in his eyes. Maddie, already barefoot, was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, like his daughter. But it was Kate who drew—and held—his attention.

She'd exchanged her church clothes for beige capri pants and a green-and-beige striped knit top that showed off her slender figure to perfection. Although she'd restrained her hair at her nape with a barrette, he was enchanted by the few springy curls that had escaped to frame her face. She, too, wore sunglasses, hiding her glorious green eyes, but she could do nothing to disguise the soft, appealing curve of her lips.

As they drew close, Maddie grinned and waved. “Hi, Lootenin.”

“Hello, Maddie.”

Showing no compunction about getting close to the water, she scampered straight toward the breakers, splashing through the waves as they washed over her feet. Emboldened by her friend's confidence, Vicki fell in behind her.

“Don't get too wet, Maddie,” Kate called.

Busy dodging waves, the youngster didn't acknowledge the directive.

“Good thing I brought a change of clothes.” Kate shook her head and set down the kid-size pails and shovels she'd been lugging. Shrugging the large beach bag from her shoulder, she let it drop to the sand beside the blanket he'd spread.

“I should have brought an extra set of clothes, too.”

Kate dismissed his concern with a wave. “Vicki will be fine. I'm just overprotective about Maddie because of the asthma.” Kicking off her flip-flops, she sat on the blanket and gestured toward the large brown bag and small cooler on one edge. “What's for lunch?”

He dropped down beside her. “I went to Something Natural and got sandwiches and cookies. I hope that's okay.”

“Perfect.” A soft smile touched the corners of her lips. “Mac and I used to do this a lot. Pick up sandwiches and head for the beach.”

“He sounds like he was a great guy.” Craig didn't especially want to talk about Kate's husband, but if anything was going to develop between them they had to get comfortable with each other's pasts.

She fixed her eyes on the distant horizon. “He was. Every day with Mac was an adventure. And special days were amazing. One year on my birthday he enlisted Edith's help and scoured the local gardens to fill the house with flowers so we could have a picnic in a garden despite the rain.

“But my favorite birthday was the year he set up a formal dinner on the beach at Great Point, complete with white linen tablecloth, china and silver. He even rented a tux, and we danced barefoot in the sand while some of his musician friends entertained us.”

“Wow.” He would never in a million years have thought of such a romantic gesture, Craig acknowledged in dismay. “That's a hard act to follow.”

She took off her sunglasses, letting him see into her eyes—and her heart. “Everyone has their own gifts to offer and is special in their own way, Craig. Just like you told Vicki.”

His throat tightened, and he touched her hand. “Thanks.”

“Mommy, I'm hungry. When are we eating?”

The girls ran up, their feet spraying sand in all directions. He withdrew his hand, and Kate brushed the grains off the blanket as he reached for the bag.

“How about now?”

“Now is good,” Vicki declared, plopping down.

As Craig unpacked the food and Kate distributed it, the girls chattered, ending the adult conversation. But once the meal was over and they scampered off with buckets and pails to build a sand castle, calm descended again.

After stowing the remains of their lunch in the cooler, Craig stretched his legs out in front of him, crossed them at the ankles and leaned back on his palms as he watched the little girls.

“I think I've discovered the nation's untapped energy source.”

Chuckling, Kate stifled a yawn. “The Energizer Bunny has nothing on kids, that's for sure. I wish I could tap into it.”

He took in the faint shadows under her eyes, the weariness at their corners. “You look tired.”

“Busy week.”

“Why don't you stretch out and rest for a few minutes? I'll watch the girls.”

She caught her lower lip in her teeth, obviously tempted. “That wouldn't be very polite.”

“Kate, we're not teenagers on a first date. You don't have to dazzle me with your sparkling wit or keep me entertained every minute. I'm content just to share the afternoon with you.”

“If you're sure…”

“I'm sure.”

Capitulating, Kate pulled a rolled-up beach towel from
her bag, stretched out and positioned it under her head. “I just need ten minutes.”

“Take as long as you like. I'll enjoy the scenery.”

Five minutes later, based on her even breathing, Craig knew Kate had fallen into a sound sleep. And as he'd told her, he took the opportunity to enjoy the view.

Of her.

In slumber, she appeared younger and more vulnerable, he reflected, tracing the graceful curve of her cheek and the dusting of freckles on her nose. Sleep had wiped the tension from her features, erased the faint furrows of worry that often marred her brow. A slight breeze played with the unruly curls around her face, and he wondered if they were as soft as they looked.

Now wasn't the time to find out, he told himself, tamping down the temptation to reach over and touch one. Not while she was sleeping. But before this day ended, Craig intended to satisfy his curiosity.

 

A child's shriek tugged Kate back from the depths of oblivion. It was Maddie!

Struggling to rouse herself, Kate tried to sit up. But a gentle, firm hand pressed her back.

“Maddie needs me!” She fought against the restraint.

“Relax, Kate. She's fine. They're trying to catch a seagull.”

Craig's voice.

Blinking, she shaded her eyes and waited for the last vestiges of sleep to vanish. They were on a picnic. On the beach. He was watching the girls while she took a quick rest.

Except she had a feeling it hadn't been quick.

“How long did I sleep?”

“Forty-five minutes.”

Embarrassment warmed her cheeks, and she sat up. “Sorry about that.”

“No problem. I wasn't bored.”

She shoved a few loose tendrils of hair back from her face, uncertain how to interpret that comment. “Kids are better than TV in terms of entertainment value,” she ventured.

“So are other things.” He took off his dark glasses, giving her a glimpse into eyes that had darkened in color and grown restless as the sea before a storm. “You're very beautiful when you sleep.”

Her heart slammed against her rib cage and her breath lodged in her throat. Though she tried for a teasing tone, she couldn't quite pull it off. “Not so much when I'm awake, huh?”

“Even better then.”

He reached over and captured one of her curls, working it between his fingertips as a slow smile lifted his lips. “Just as soft as I expected.”

Kate cast a quick glance at the girls, who were engrossed in digging a moat around their castle.

“They've seen me kiss you before, Kate.”