Package Deal(8)

“Marc or Marcus. Either is fine.” He bent down and offered his hand to the child.

Cecelia took it then looked down at her feet, suddenly acting shy.

Talk to him. Remember your manners. “Cece?” she prompted.

“Hi.” Her daughter said quietly.

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

“I guess we’re ready.” Amanda reached for her sweater, motioned to her daughter, and they followed Marcus down the stairs and to his car. Cecelia climbed in the backseat, put on her seatbelt and opened her book.

Marcus looked in the rearview mirror at Cecelia and grinned. “What would you like to see first, Miss Curiosity?”

“That’s not my name.” Cecelia sat back against the seat and turned away from him. “And I’d rather read my book.”

“As long as you don’t get carsick.” Marcus turned to Amanda. “What’s your pleasure, Professor?”

“I vote for the boats, and then maybe that road everyone talks about, the one that wanders around the cliffs and has great views of the islands? I’m not quite sure how to get there.”

“Got it.”Minutes later he stopped the car near the marina. “Here we are—plenty of boats. It’s a little choppy today and not the best time of year for it, but you might want to take a whale-watching cruise. We have resident orcas in the bay.” He looked into the backseat.“Do you know what orcas are, Miss Curiosity?”

“No.And you’re interrupting me. I was at an exciting place.” Cecelia frowned at Marcus.

“Cece. That was not polite.” First she barely talks, now she’s being snippy. Amanda’s hand accidentally brushed against Marcus’ arm as she turned to look at her daughter. The contact sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. “Will you please apologize to Professor Dunbar?”

Cecelia put down her book with a dramatic sigh. “My name is Cecelia, not Miss Curiosity. And I apologize.” Her daughter glared at her. “But I was at a very good part.”

“What book are you reading?” Marcus smiled at the little girl.

“Narnia—it’s got a bunch of stories.”

“A series, that’s what they call it. That was one of my favorite series when I was a little girl.”

Cecelia stared back at him, a grin starting at the corners of her mouth. “You were never a little girl.You’re a man!”

“Well, then I guess I was a boy when I read them. Come on, let’s walk on the dock.” He climbed out of the car. When Amanda and Cecelia emerged, he reached for Cecelia’s hand. “The dock can sometimes move with the wakes of the boats when they go by. I don’t want you falling into the water. You’d look kinda funny with seaweed in your hair.”

She giggled, took his hand, and reached out to hold Amanda’s hand, too.

Amanda smiled to herself. That’s better. Maybe this won’t be a disaster after all.

The three of them walked to the end of the dock. Marcus jumped up and down at the end of the floating portion and it rocked.

Cecelia laughed. “That was fun! Can I do it, too?”

“Sure! Let’s see how much we can make it move.” And he jumped again.

As her daughter laughed and jumped with this man Amanda was sure had not expected to include Cecelia in his tour, Amanda broke out in a wide smile. He was being a good sport. Score one for him.

Marcus looked over at her and winked. “Let’s find that road with the view.”

They drove for a few miles in silence and stopped at a small deli. The islands to the south seemed to float on the calm water, several small sailboats dotting the blue of the protected bay.

“It’s time for lunch,” he announced.

“I’ll take care of this,” Amanda insisted. She ordered sandwiches and drinks and the three of them sat down at a table in the sun. After their lunch, Marcus drove them along the beach. They watched as two harbor seals played near the shore.

Amanda looked at her watch.

“Do you need to get back home?” Marcus brushed his hair out of his eyes.

She nodded. “I’m not quite done with my class preps. I like to be at least a few lectures ahead.” She pointed to the backseat. “And, she’s snoozing, so I think it’s time we started back.”

“Okay.” Marcus reached for her hand where it rested on the seat between them.

After a moment, she pulled it away, her lips curving upward.

“I won’t bite.”

“I didn’t think you would.” But she refused to look at him, surprised that she felt so warm after his brief touch. He was nice. And the way he was with Cecelia, he reminded her of one of her grad school friends. He, too, had accepted her daughter into the adult gatherings where the students—mostly married—had also brought their children. It pleased her to see that Marcus was not put off by Cece’s presence.