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

“You’re getting too philosophical for tonight. Go to sleep and tomorrow see what your sister turns up.”

“Goodnight,” she said.

Zoe fixed her tea and went to the living room.

Turning off the lights, she opened her drapes and gazed out over the lights of Washington.

Sipping the warm beverage she thought about her evening.

The highlight had been the conversation with Cal.

What did that say about her chances of finding Mr. Right?

How odd her sister thought she should be on the lookout for someone like Cal.

He was handsome in a very sexy way, if she let herself think about it.

Mostly she considered him her boss. And she’d decided early in her tenure with Protection, Inc.

not to become involved with a fellow employee.

She’d heard of office romances gone bad.

Her job had been too important to her to risk it.

For a moment she wondered what it’d be like to be romanced by Cal. Fleeting, at best. He had a different girlfriend every few months. She’d rather spend hours each week working with him, than be one in a long line of dates.

She finished her tea and went to bed. Tomorrow would provide new opportunities.

Saturday Zoe spent thoroughly cleaning her apartment. Not that it was messy, mostly dusty and needing some freshening. She wasn’t home enough to clutter up things. Once done, she changed into clean jeans and a pink top and headed for her sister’s. They had planning to do.

Chloe and Gabe had a luxury apartment near Dupont Circle, a neighborhood in Washington for young professionals, with outdoor cafés and a wide variety of ethnic restaurants.

The shops were upscale and unique, a pleasure to browse through.

Parking was a problem, so Zoe took a cab.

Just as she arrived, it began to rain. So much for planning a quick walk and coffee at one of the cafés, she thought.

When Zoe reached her sister’s apartment, Chloe was waiting. She threw open the door and reached out to hug her.

“Come in. Gabe’s away for a few days, so it’s just us. Isn’t the weather a bummer. I thought we could take a walk and talk.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

They grinned at each other. They’d shared that bond all their lives.

“I can order in. A caramel macchiato for you, right?” Chloe asked.

“And you’ll have the double cap,” Zoe said, taking off her jacket. “Where is Gabe off to this time?”

“Brussels. There’s some big NATO event going and they’re using super computers and he’s needed to make sure they run with no glitches.”

“And you didn’t want to go?” Zoe asked.

“Not this time. I have a big deal about to close. I want to be here for that.”

Chloe was in real estate, selling homes in an area of Washington that catered to embassy personnel and members of Congress.

“Let me order the coffees and then you and I need to discuss this situation. I can’t believe we didn’t know this would become a crisis. Surely something else can be done to help you,” Chloe said.

Zoe filled her in on all the doctor had to say.

“There’s no guarantee I can even get pregnant. But if I want a chance at a baby of my own, I need to at least try,” she ended.

“Did the doctor give you a time limit?” Chloe asked.

“No, but each month the pain gets worse. It must be getting worse, this month is the first time I’ve missed work.”

“Maybe you didn’t tell me the full extent of everything.”

Zoe shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I guess it’s a matter of how long I can hold out. Dr. Wright wanted to schedule the op at my last visit.”

“Hold on a little longer. Let me tell you about this friend of mine in the office. He’s about our age and never been married. So no ex-wife to bore you with.”

“Do you think he’s interested in marriage and kids?”

“With the right woman, of course.”

Zoe didn’t take her sister’s assertion to heart. But what did she have to lose? If he turned out to be the man of her heart, she’d be forever grateful.

“So tell me more about him,” Zoe said.

Cal threw his pencil on the desk and rose, pacing around the office.

He couldn’t concentrate. The normal appeal of the job was missing.

Saturdays usually allowed him to catch up.

He was too distracted to concentrate. This was going on too long.

He wasn’t sleeping well and knew he had to get beyond the grief he held for a baby he’d never known.

He went to the window. The rain slanted down, blurring his view. It looked cold. As cold as he felt every time he thought about Suzanne and her unconscionable act.

Comparing her with Zoe came naturally these days.

One woman casually and callously ended a baby’s life before it even had a chance.

The other was doing all she could to be able to have a baby that she’d cherish all its life.

Why hadn’t fate denied Suzanne a pregnancy and granted an easy time for his analyst?

Talking with Zoe at the shore had reaffirmed his faith in women.

She wanted a baby desperately. He’d heard all his life how his mother had so longed for a child she’d risked her own life, and lost. Those were the kind of women that kept the species going.

He wished he could do something for Zoe.

He was in the business of providing solutions, why couldn’t he find one for her?

He turned and looked at the stack of folders on his desk. Maps lined one wall, on sliding bars to move in and out of the forefront. He’d built up a good security business over the last twelve years. The need continued unabated and the company was growing to meet demand.

But Suzanne’s heinous act had knocked him off his original course.

He’d thought he’d find a woman to admire, respect and want to build a life with.

She’d provide him with children who could inherit the business, make his uncle a grandfather.

Someone to spend holidays with, share celebrations and downturns.

He wanted to offer more for any children he may have than he’d been given. Not that his uncle didn’t do his best. Part of the reason Cal pushed so hard to make a success was for a future generation.

That had ended before it even had a chance.

Anger at Suzanne flared all over again. How could she have had an abortion just to keep from stretch marks and morning sickness?

They’d used protection every time. Only something had happened.

There could have been choices, except she’d had the abortion before telling him she was pregnant.

He’d spent as much time and anguish over her as he wanted.

She was out of his life. He hadn’t dated anyone in the last ten months.

He’d been gifted with keen insight in security measures.

Why hadn’t that extended to Suzanne and her intentions?

He fisted his hand again, wanting to hit out, assuage the thirst for revenge.

There was nothing he could do to change the past, only mourn the outcome.

He only wished the grief at the loss of the baby would fade as quickly as the feelings he once thought he had for Suzanne had vanished. Life was unfair, as his uncle often said. Zoe longed for a baby. He should have slept with her if there was to be a mistake, not coldhearted Suzanne.

The phone rang. Glad for the distraction, Cal answered on the second ring.

“Mark here. I made a hash of things,” his friend said.

Cal leaned against the desk.

“What are you talking about?”

He had a good idea, but didn’t want his friend to know his part of connecting him with Zoe, or that he’d already spoken with Zoe.

“I took Zoe out to dinner the other night and spent the entire time talking about Wendy. How dumb can one man be?”

Cal thought about his own connection with Suzanne and how he’d misjudged her.

“Join the club. It’s a man thing—act dumb around women.”

Mark sighed. “Think so?”

“What happened?”

“Nothing. I took her home. She smiled all night long but never gave any indication she wanted a kiss or anything. So I thought I’d play it cool. Then I called her last night and only got her answering machine. I’ve called twice today. She never answers. Guess I need to take the hint, huh?”

“Give her a day or two and try again. If she doesn’t take that call, then give up,” Cal suggested.

He knew Zoe didn’t want more dates with Mark, but he hated his friend sounding so down.

“Maybe. Or maybe I need to get my act together first and get over Wendy. I thought I was ready, obviously not.”

The two talked for a short time. When he was off the phone later, Cal considered himself lucky he’d been able to get over Suzanne. He hoped he never became so caught up with another person he couldn’t function any better than Mark if the relationship ended.

He picked up a folder and rose. He’d stop by Zoe’s desk to see if she were in. She often worked on Saturdays. He shook his head, what was he doing—he didn’t need to see her today. Monday would be time enough. Only he continued heading toward her office.

Zoe wasn’t at her desk.

He was about to leave when he saw a piece of paper on the floor near her printer. Unlike Zoe to have anything out of place. He crossed and picked it up to place on her desk. Glancing at it Cal was startled to find it was a checklist of some kind—for a father for her baby.

He put down his folder, nudged her door closed and sat behind her desk, his eyes taking in the list of attributes she wanted in the father of her baby.

Athletic (no sedentary lifestyle)

Knowledgeable about many things (to better teach our child)

Interested in childhood events (school plays, field trips, prom)

Strong interest in education (college)

Interest in finer things (Art galleries, Smithsonian, Kennedy Center)

Sense of family (there until adult at least)