Page 19 of Miracles and Marriage (Making a Family #5)

By carefully arriving at work each morning after she knew Cal was there, Zoe avoided seeing him unless he called a meeting. She always left promptly at five to head off any chance of an after-work encounter.

Friday morning she wasn’t feeling well. She knew her period was about to start and knowing what to expect, took a handful of pills.

Sometimes she could head off the pain if she acted early enough.

There was too much to do to take another day off.

If this could only have waited another twenty-four hours, she could stay in bed all day Saturday.

By midafternoon, Zoe had to leave for home.

She could barely stand upright the pain was so intense.

Driving wasn’t easy, but knowing the sooner she got home, the sooner she could get some relief made it possible.

Almost doubled up by the time she reached her apartment, she headed right for the bathroom and more of the pills she’d taken that morning.

Changing into an old flannel nightie that was loose and soft, she crawled into bed and curled into a ball. No baby on the way. For a moment tears threatened. She fought against them. She knew it would be a long shot to get pregnant at all, much less the first time. Still, she had hoped.

Once the analgesic took effect, she dozed off.

The phone woke her.

“Hello?”

If it were Chloe, she’d ask her to come over. She would like something to eat but couldn’t face making anything herself.

“Are you coming with me to Richmond?” Cal asked.

She’d forgotten he’d asked her last Monday and she’d never answered. They’d gotten sidetracked.

At least she hadn’t heard any gossip this week. Maybe Sally Ann had more discretion that Zoe thought.

“Not this weekend,” she said, barely suppressing a moan.

“What are you doing?”

“Right now I’m curled up in a ball trying to fight the pain,” she said.

“Cramps?”

“That’s an understatement. I can hardly stand, much less take some car trip to Richmond. You don’t need me. It’s your family estate.”

“I’ll be right over.”

“No, I—”

She was speaking to an empty line. He had hung up.

Great,exactly what she didn’t need. If she ignored the door when he rang the bell, maybe he’d go away.

Not if she knew Cal. He was more likely to get the landlord and have him open the door, claiming she was too ill to reach the door. Cal never made things easy.

Yet she was touched he was coming to see her. Once he’d seen there was nothing he could do, he’d be off to Richmond.

For a few precious moments, she felt cherished. Odd from such a solitary, independent man.

She got up and splashed water on her face. Donning a robe, she went into the living room and curled up on the sofa to await Cal. In less than ten minutes he knocked on the door.

Opening it she leaned against it and looked at him.

“I can manage,” she said.

“I’m sure you can,” he said, walking past her and reaching back to shut the door. “But you don’t have to manage alone. What do you need?”

“Relief,” she said, holding her abdomen.

It felt as if a dozen knives were cutting into her.

“You’re as pale as snow,” he said, studying her for a moment.

“I have some pain medication. Which doesn’t completely block it.”

Zoe walked to the sofa and sank down on it, bringing her knees up and encircling her legs with her arms. This was the best position for the maximum relief. The only thing to do was ride it out.

He looked momentarily helpless. It was odd seeing Cal with that expression. She always thought he could handle anything from terrorists, to members of Congress, even foreign dignitaries who demanded so much attention.

But here was something no one could do anything about until she saw the surgeon.

“Thanks for stopping by, but there’s nothing you can do. I’ll be back to work on Monday, most likely. You go on to Richmond.”

Cal shook his head.

“I’m staying. Have you eaten?”

When she shook her head, he glanced toward her kitchen.

“Want an omelet?”

“That sounds nice,” she said.

It’d give him something to do and she was hungry. It’d be nice to have something more substantial than a cup of soup, which was all she felt like preparing.

She leaned back and closed her eyes as she listened to him work in her kitchen.

She didn’t have any pets due to her erratic work hours.

She’d moved out on her own once she could afford it with the then new position at Protection, Inc.

She was used to being alone so it felt strange to hear him in the other room.

She wondered how she’d adjust to being married—if it had been a real marriage. The give and take of sharing a space with someone. Learning his habits as he learned hers. Growing together until the sounds the other made would be normal, and being alone wouldn’t be.

Cal had suggested they move in together.

She’d have to explain to everyone in her family about the wedding if not the reason for it.

Too much trouble to change things back if she couldn’t have a baby.

Better to leave things as they were. But she did appreciate the help, much as she valued her independence.

He wasn’t going to use this as more leverage to try to get her to agree to moving in together, was he?