Sea Glass Island (Ocean Breeze) - By Sherryl Woods Page 0,103

in so many ways for his family. Either she was starry-eyed, or this new leaf Sam had turned over ran even deeper than Samantha had realized.

Sophia glanced down at the baby in her arms. “I think she’s down for the count,” she whispered.

“I’ll take her up to bed,” Samantha said, reaching for her. “Thanks for sticking around.”

“We’ll see you in the morning,” her father said. “How’s ten o’clock?”

“I’ll meet you there,” Samantha said. “If Gabi and Wade haven’t turned up to take over with the baby, I’ll call to postpone.”

“They’ll be here,” Sam predicted. “I’m surprised Gabi hasn’t called a dozen times already to check on her.”

“She has,” Samantha told him, laughing. “Grandmother fielded the first half dozen, Ethan took a couple and I spoke to her at least twice before I told her I wasn’t answering the phone again.”

Sophia laughed. “I remember that stage. We all survive it. I’ll have to tell her that.”

“Please do,” Samantha said, turning for the stairs. “Good night,” she called back softly, but when she glanced their way, she noted they were gazing at each other in a way that suggested no one else mattered.

What, she wondered, was in this ocean air? The most unexpected love stories seemed to be unfolding all around.

21

As anticipated, Gabi and Wade arrived at Cora Jane’s just as Samantha was getting the baby fed.

“Some honeymoon,” Samantha commented when they walked into the kitchen.

“We’ll take a proper honeymoon later,” Gabi said, already reaching for the baby.

“When Daniella is in college, I imagine,” Wade commented, though his own gaze was on the baby, too.

“You do realize if this protective phase doesn’t wear off, your child is going to stage a teenage rebellion the likes of which this family’s never seen,” Samantha told them.

“This little angel?” Gabi said skeptically. “No way.”

“Just remember how you felt when Mom hovered,” Samantha said. “I fielded bitter complaints from you and Emily daily.”

Gabi stared at her and shuddered. “True, but I realize now that she was just making up for Dad being absent,” she said, the defense more automatic than heartfelt.

“It doesn’t change the fact that the hovering made you a little nuts,” Samantha said. “I’m just saying that even babies probably need their space.”

“Wait till you have one, then tell me that,” Gabi countered.

Samantha laughed. “Okay, you’ve got me there. I’ll probably be worse than you’ve even dreamed of being.”

“What’s on your agenda for today?” Gabi asked. “Do you have plans with Ethan?”

“No, but I am supposed to meet Dad and Sophia over at that property he owns to see if I could convert it into a theater. Dad was going to arrange for Tommy to meet us there.”

Wade’s eyes lit up at the mention of a renovation. Though he was making more money these days with his wood carvings that were shown in their new gallery, he still loved doing restorations and custom cabinetry. “What time?” he asked.

“Ten o’clock.”

“I’ll come, too,” he offered. “Won’t hurt to have another pair of expert eyes.”

“Great idea,” Gabi enthused. “I was going to take Dani to day care, then stop by the office for a couple of hours. We could all meet later for lunch at Castle’s. I can’t wait to hear what you think about that property. I’m so anxious to know that you’re moving forward and staying right here, Samantha. It’s going to be so great.”

“It will be,” Samantha agreed, finally allowing herself to get totally caught up in all the positives about making this move. “And meeting for lunch sounds like a plan. Wade, are you taking your own car, or do you want to ride over with me?”

“I’d better take my own car,” he said. “We’ll probably be heading in different directions at some point. I might even try to persuade my bride to play hooky from work after lunch.”

“There you go!” Samantha said approvingly. “The honeymoon phase lives on, after all. I’m so relieved.”

She caught the look between her sister and Wade and concluded she was intruding into that phase at this very moment. “I’m off to get dressed,” she said, but no one appeared to be listening. It was getting to be a pattern around here.

* * *

Ethan was relieved to find that he had a jam-packed schedule at the clinic Thursday morning. The afternoon would be taken up with a Project Pride field trip to Corolla to see the wild horses on the beach. With luck, there wouldn’t be a spare second in there for his mind to wander to thoughts