But with that thought, a wave of sadness drifted over her. All this fuss for the wedding. She was married.
Married.
To a nice guy. A handsome guy. And Cal would have a better chance of keeping Scotty.
Greta walked up and hugged her.
Cal crossed the room and her heart beat faster the closer he got to her.
“I hear we have a honeymoon to attend.” Cal winked at her.
“I guess we do.”
“Here are the directions.” Bella handed her a piece of paper. “Why don’t you guys run by your places and grab an overnight bag and head out? Tomorrow when you get back, you can get Cal and Scotty settled into your cottage.”
“Thanks for everything, Bella. The wedding was wonderful. It was kind of you to have it here.” Cal smiled at Bella.
“I was glad to do it. Now you two run along. You can get to the beach before nightfall and take a walk. I know Becky Lee loves her beach walks.”
Becky Lee hugged Bella and whispered in her ear. “You’re the best.”
Jenny came walking over. “Here’s the picnic dinner. Can’t have you two starving.”
Cal reached for the basket and warmth from his other hand spread through her arm where he had taken her elbow. He led her out of the house into the early evening sunlight.
“A honeymoon. Well, I never.” Cal grinned.
~ * ~
They did get to their beach cottage before sunset. Cal carried in their overnight bags and Becky Lee carried in the picnic basket.
“Well, it’s a cute cottage.” Becky Lee walked through checking it out and admiring the beachy decor. “Two bedrooms. I’ll set the picnic basket in the kitchen.”
Cal put the bags in the separate bedrooms. Becky Lee noticed he gave her what she would consider the master bedroom. He really was a considerate man.
Becky Lee opened the basket. “We have a six of beer, a bottle of wine, sandwiches, fruit, and some slices of pie.”
“Quite a feast. Did Bella make it?”
Becky Lee laughed. “No, I doubt it. Izzy has her strong suits, but cooking isn’t one of them. It looks like food from Magnolia Cafe. I’ll throw the beer in the fridge, though they had it packed in ice. Do you want to take a walk on the beach?”
“That sounds good.” Cal waited for Becky Lee to put the beer and fruit in the small fridge.
They headed out the door and across the road to the beach. Becky Lee kicked off her shoes and stepped onto the warm sand. The heat of the day was behind them, and the sky was beginning to turn a brilliant orange-pink.
Cal slipped off his shoes and fell into step beside her. They walked along the water’s edge. The water gently lapped the shore, more lake-like than ocean. A blue heron stood on the shoreline. Becky Lee paused to watch the majestic bird and its antics. The bird stretched its wings, hopped along the shore a bit, then with a whoosh of its large wingspan, it swooped up into the air.
“A blue heron.” Becky Lee nodded toward the bird flying away into the distance.
Cal put a hand up to shade the rays of sun from his eyes and looked in the direction of the giant bird. “They really are magnificent birds, aren’t they?”
She couldn’t agree with him more. They continued along the beach as the sunset grew more brilliant with each passing minute.
“That’s some sunset.” Cal paused and stared in the direction of the setting sun. “Honestly, maybe I don’t take the time to look at many sunsets, but that has to be one of the most beautiful ones I’ve ever seen.”
Becky Lee had to agree with him on that, too, and she was a person who always did look up to check the sunset. “It’s beautiful.”
They stood in silence, side by side, as the sun slid below the horizon and the sky burst into flames. It seemed sacrilegious to talk in the presence of such splendor.
The sky darkened and a few stars began to blink in the distance. “I guess we should head back to the cottage.”
Cal nodded. He reached over and took her hand and tucked it in the crook of his elbow. It surprised her, and yet it didn’t. They’d connected somehow, standing there in the remarkable miracle of nature and its brilliant sunset.
~ * ~
Cal held open the cottage door for Becky Lee to go inside. She brushed the sand from her feet and stepped in. He did the same but left the door open with just the screen door closed. The night had cooled and the humidity dropped. A cool breeze blew in from the ocean.
“Let me set out dinner.” Becky Lee headed toward the kitchen.
“I’ll help.” Cal trailed after her, content and relaxed.
They ate their picnic supper, then went out to sit on the wide front porch, choosing the comfortable swing hanging in the corner. Cal took a beer with him, and Becky Lee had a glass of wine.