Sarah woke feeling warm and well-rested. Her head was nestled on a pillow her face pressed close to Lucas’s while his arm draped over her waist their bodies a hair’s breadth apart. Looking over her shoulder she saw most of the bed behind her meaning she had moved closer to him during the night. But when?
“Sarah?”
She turned back to see him calmly watching her.
“…I’m sorry,” she said after a moment. “It seems I’ve invaded your space.”
“I don’t mind,” Lucas said his lips twitching with a smile. “You started whimpering in your sleep so I reached for your hand. We must have moved closer after that. Were you dreaming about him?”
Sarah frowned, “I don’t remember. Maybe? Did it go on for long?”
“No. Just a few minutes.”
“Thank you.”
“I really didn’t do anything.”
“You were here. You stayed. That means more than you know.”
He smiled smoothing her hair, “Always.”
“So…about your mother and sister…are you sure you want to go through with it?”
“It’s done. I’m cancelling their accounts and cutting them off from all Stanton assets. They’ll have to sell their dresses and jewelry just to get by unless they find jobs. Madeline is fired and removed from the payroll. They’ll all be banned from the Stanton office, properties and my personal properties. I’m going to sell the mansion they have been squatting in.”
“Isn’t that the Stanton estate?” Sarah asked.
“It’s just a house, one we don’t really need and I don’t have any attachment to it,” Lucas said. “I prefer the house in Astoria, plus grandma’s here…and your place in Vermont. I don’t think there’s any need for more than that is there?”
“My place in Vermont?”
“I hope I’ll be welcome.”
Sarah bit her lip. Her home in Brattleboro was her retreat, her sanctuary. Could she share it with him? A week ago the answer would definitely be no…but now…
She couldn’t deny it was still awkward at times but it felt nice to have him close. It was just like she originally hoped when they were married. This felt nice. Finally she said, “Let’s see how this weekend goes and I’ll consider it.”
Lucas broke out into a wide grin, “Deal.”
* * *
After breakfast William took out the large mini-van. It was equipped with a hydraulic lift capable of loading Alice’s wheelchair. They followed the van in the SUV much to Zoe’s disappointment as she wanted to ride with her great-grandmother. Once they reached the Aquarium William took his leave promising to return when they were done.
Zoe happily walked alongside her great-grandmother as they toured the outdoor exhibits first. She proudly shared the bits of knowledge keepers at the other zoos she visited told her about the sea lions and penguins she had already seen. Though Lucas was a little jealous he did not have his daughter’s undivided attention he didn’t mind sharing as he and Sarah trailed a step behind holding hands.
They snapped several photos of Zoe running around coral formations and a kelp forest dome. Unsurprisingly the touch pool was her favorite. She giggled as she pet marine snails, sea urchins and crabs. Even Alice, who hated all things fish, seemed to enjoy it even petting a snail. A close second for the three-year-old was the Ocean Wonders Exhibit.
Zoe marveled at the fish and especially the sea turtle that seemed to take particular interest in her. After a lunch of oven-fired pizza and boardwalk fries, they went to the Aquatheater Show. They followed up with a Wildlife Encounter which had Zoe giggling when one of the sea lions kissed her.
Returning to the villa they laid Zoe down for a much needed nap and spent time on the veranda with Alice catching up with each other. Sarah didn’t seem particularly surprised to learn Alice had purchased Briarwood Books. It certainly made sense why Ruth never seemed to run out of funds when it came to promoting Rosemary. By the same token she also didn’t seem surprised Lucas paid a clandestine visit to Brattleboro.
She still wasn’t sure how she felt about possibly meeting with her brother. Sarah couldn’t remember the last time she had a conversation with Samuel and found herself agitated at the prospect of seeing him face-to-face.
“I’ll be right with you,” Lucas assured her. “You won’t have to face him alone if you’re nervous. You don’t have to see him at all if you don’t want to.”
“No. I promised I wouldn’t run away anymore,” Sarah said. “But I want to meet him first before deciding whether to let him meet Zoe.”
Lucas nodded.
“That’s more than fair,” Alice agreed.
“What about you?” Sarah asked. “Are you going to do anything about my father stealing all that money?”
“The money doesn’t bother me,” Alice shrugged, “the fact it was meant for you does.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to start looking for him,” Sarah shook her head. In truth she hadn’t thought much about him.
“Reno,” Alice answered easily. “I could have him dragged back here with one phone call.”
“No,” Sarah shook her head. “I don’t have anything to say to him.”
Alice nodded. For her it was enough Sarah herself had returned with Zoe. There was no reason to dredge up the past. After a time she asked, “And your mother and sister?”
“By Monday they will be penniless and homeless,” Lucas said.
“Good, everything should be done before the book party. That is your day and we don’t want anything to disrupt that.”
Sarah blushed. She supposed she should get used to being the center of attention but it still made her uncomfortable. Lucas squeezed her hand in silent support. He couldn’t wait for everyone to finally know how amazing she was. It would truly be an eye opener for New York.
“Mommy?”
“Oh hello, sweetheart,” Sarah turned seeing Zoe in the doorway.
The three-year-old rubbed her eyes as she approached with Daisy trotting alongside her. Zoe crawled onto the couch between her pants tucking herself against her father who leaned down and kissed the top of her head.
“Did you sleep well?” Sarah asked.
“Ah-huh,” Zoe nodded. “What are we going to do tonight?”
“We are going to have dinner with your grandmother and then…we’re going to the park,” Lucas said.
“What park? Like Central Park?”
“No. Luna Park.”
“It’s like a carnival,” Sarah explained.
“Are there rides?”
“Yep. Rides and games and junk food,” Lucas said.
“Yea!” Zoe giggled. “Can Daisy come?”
“Sweetie,” Sarah shook her head.
“We can bring Daisy if you want,” Lucas said.
“Yea!”
Sarah shot Lucas an exasperated look.
“It’s a public boardwalk,” Lucas shrugged. “Pets are allowed as long as they are on leashes.”
Zoe bounced in her seat giggling with excitement. It was going to be just like the county fair only this time her dad was coming too. They were going as a real family.
* * *
Zoe bounced along between her parents holding their hands as they wandered along the crowded boardwalk. Daisy trotted along on her leash and earned several admiring glances. Sarah and Lucas shared chuckles as the three-year-old looked at everything in fascination.
“Ooo! Can we go on that one! And that one!” Zoe let go of one of their hands to point out the rides that caught her eye. “Ooo! And that one!”
Their first stop was the pavilion housing the carousel. Lucas hung back with the dog while Sarah and Zoe waited in line eventually making it to the ride. He was ready with his phone to take pictures as Zoe giggled and waved from her horse. The next ride Zoe settled on was the Grand Prix. This time Sarah took the dog letting Lucas ride with the ever-eager toddler.
When it was their turn they climbed into the colorful race car. Lucas let Zoe take the controls as the car cruised around its track. Sarah snapped pictures happy to have someone else’s help in wrangling the three-year-old for a change. Daisy took festive atmosphere all in stride. The young pup had plenty of experience in crowds thanks to Zoe’s desire to take it everywhere.
Not surprisingly the Tea Party ride caught Zoe’s attention. She had seen advertisements for Disney World so she was quite familiar with the park’s tea cup ride and the one at Luna Park looked very similar. This time Sarah rode with her helping her use the center wheel to control its spin. Lucas watched the pair laughing and enjoying themselves glad they were both so carefree.
They paused for carnival food and Lucas spent a decent amount of time trying to remember when he last had so much deep fried confections let alone the pure sugar of cotton candy. Carrying Zoe on his shoulders they continued to wander the park. He held Sarah’s hand as they walked. Suddenly his phone buzzed with an alert.
Taking out his phone he looked at the message from Alan: It’s done.
“Something wrong?” Sarah asked.
“Not at all,” Lucas shook his head. “Everything is perfect.”
Sarah gave him a curious glance as he smiled and kissed her hand.
“Promise.”
She let it go as Zoe spotted the next ride she wanted to try. This time Lucas took her on Magic Bikes that looked like a cross between a hang-glider and a bike. The riders had to pedal and controlled how it rose and fell. Though Zoe had a great time Lucas found his legs were aching and knew he’d be sore the next morning.
For the next hour Zoe rode to her heart’s content splitting her time between the tea cups, one of the kid-friendly roller coasters as well Fire Patrol which had its riders in bright red firetrucks armed with water guns so they could put out the burning buildings making it a ride and a game all in one. By the time they called it a day and headed back to Alice’s villa Zoe was out cold.
Lucas carried her inside while Sarah held open the door despite William on hand. The butler chuckled at the exhausted three-year-old. Between the aquarium and the amusement park she already had a full weekend of fun and there was still tomorrow.
Laying Zoe down in her bed they retreated downstairs to the study where Alice was eager to hear about their outing and see the pictures they took. She watched Lucas carefully noting his new relaxed attitude.
“So what are your plans for tomorrow?” Alice asked.
“Well, we still have to hit the beach,” Lucas said with a wink in Sarah’s direction.
She blushed.
“Then I suppose we have to head back,” Lucas said. “We have some shopping to do for the book party…and I have to see my mother.”
Alice raised an eyebrow at that.
“She’s going to have to vacate the mansion so it can be sold,” Lucas said.
Alice nodded.
“Are you really okay with that?” Sarah asked looking from one to the other. “I mean, it’s the family estate.”
“Oh that thing was my husband’s idea,” Alice shrugged. “He hated the city so he wanted a place in the country. I for one prefer the city. The countryside is too quiet. I like the hustle and bustle.”
“What about this place?” Sarah asked. She couldn’t remember when it was purchased but even though it was probably a smaller, quieter neighborhood back then it had certainly changed.
“This was our winter home when I was working and we couldn’t drive upstate everyday in the inclement weather. Herbert never liked this place. He said the beach attracted a bad crowd. Too noisy. Everything was always too noisy.”
“Still, all the memories…”
“My memories are up here,” Alice tapped her temple. “The mansion is just a place. Besides, I haven’t been there for years. Anything I would want in it was already moved here. But you should take anything you want. Artwork, furniture, books…help yourselves.”
Sarah and Lucas shared a look. Lucas wasn’t particularly interested in anything but Sarah liked antiques so there were plenty of furnishings she would like. Come to think of it…all the furniture at the Astoria house was new and modern since most of it came from his condo. It was a sharp contrast to the furnishings in the farmhouse that Sarah had chosen. Perhaps he should reclaim some of the furniture from the mansion before it was sold…or maybe Sarah would want to decorate it herself.
“What do you think?” Lucas finally asked.
“About?” Sarah gave him a curious glance.
“Is there any furniture for the mansion you want to keep?” he asked.
“Me? But…”
“Or if you rather we can shop estate sales and antique shops to refurnish the house.”
“What’s wrong with the furniture you have?” Sarah asked.
“It’s not really your style. I want you to feel comfortable,” Lucas said.
“Oh.” Sarah felt her face warm. Was he really asking for her permission? Was he really concerned about making her feel at home?
“…I mean…if I can convince you to stay,” Lucas hurriedly added afraid he had pushed her too far.
“Yes,” Sarah said to stop him from blundering on. “I always like projects so I can find a few things for the house.”
Lucas breathed slowly and let himself relax. Why was it so difficult to have a simple conversation with Sarah when he could face down a dozen board members at one time?
Alice quietly sipped her tea with an amused smile. If she had any insights into his dilemma she wasn’t sharing.