“Yes,” the girls chimed, and started to run down the pier.
“Walk,” he bellowed, and their run became a fast walk.He then offered the rest of his bait to another family that had just arrived.
“Your teacher voice is very effective.”Sarah laughed.It was a tinkly laugh he loved to hear.
“I heard you tell Mrs.Field your sister’s getting closer to her due date.”he said, picking up the bucket of crabs.
“Yes, due any day now.”
“And you’ll go out and see her.”
“Maybe.I need to arrange things with Graham first.He said he would take Riley while I’m gone, but with Tanis’s condition, I’m not as confident that he’ll be available when I need him.”
“I could take her,” he offered, then nearly bit his tongue.What was he doing?They’d already crossed the line from shared cat parenting to going on outings togetherwithoutthe cats.
“Thanks for the offer.”
“But…?”
“No buts.More like an ‘and.’And… I’ll think about it.My other option is to take Riley with me if you could watch Dash.”
“Dash is always welcome,” he laughed.“As is Riley… and you, of course.”
“Thanks.”She set down the trap she was carrying and hoisted her backpack higher on her shoulder.
“Do you need help?”
“No, just needed to shift the load a little,” she said.“I’m fine.”
They walked along the shore toward the car.
“Would you like some ice cream?”he asked.“It’s a tradition for Sally and me whenever we’re down here.”
“Ice cream before lunch?”She frowned, and for a moment he was unsure.Maybe she was one of those moms who didn’t allow sugar.But then he saw her smile.
“I think it should be okay today, though I like to ensure Riley has some protein before her sugar as a rule.Too much sugar makes her wiggly.”
“We won’t make a habit of it,” he said.“Besides, we still need to get these crabs home and cooked.The kids can run around outside in the meantime.”
“Lead on,” she said, pointing in the direction of the ice cream shop.“I hope they have mint chocolate chip.I haven’t had that in years.”
“Gertie has a lot of flavors.If not rum and raisin, then I’m sure we will find others that are just as good.”
“Nothing like rum and raisin, but maple walnut is a close second.”
“Hey, wait up,” he said, as her pace quickened.
She turned back.“Hurry up then.Now that you’ve planted this idea in my head, I can’t wait to see what Gertie’s got.”
“So the rumor is true?”he asked, when he caught up with her.“The way to a woman’s heart is through dessert?”
“Never doubt it, Simon.Ice cream, chocolate.Yep.Bring it on.”She caught up to the girls and, he presumed by their reaction, shared the news.
He was glad Riley was having a good day after the disappointment of not seeing her father.He wanted to give both Riley and Sarah more good days like this one.
“Come on, Daddy!”Sally said, motioning for him to catch up.“It’s almost our turn.”
“Coming,” he said.He walked toward them, wondering how he might bring them into his life, and Sally’s life, on a more frequent basis.
