“We use most of our space for merchandise.” There was an office, of course, but she wasn’t willing to speak with him in the shop. It was hers; it was not to be soiled with personal problems. “Why don’t we take a walk outside? Margo, I’ll be back shortly.”

“If that’s what you want.” Margo smiled thinly at Peter. “Be sure to give our best to your fiancée, Peter. Kate and I were just saying how delighted we are you’ve found your match.”

“I’m sure Candace will find your sentiments . . . entertaining.”

Laura merely shook her head at Margo, to forestall another, pithier comment. “I won’t be long.” She opened the door herself, waited for Peter to step through onto the veranda.

He didn’t care for Cannery Row or what he considered its carnival atmosphere. It was crowded, noisy, inconvenient. “This is hardly private, Laura.”

She smiled at the people strolling on the sidewalk, the busy families, the snarled traffic.

“Nothing’s so private as a crowd.” Without asking him what he preferred, she moved to the curb to wait for a break in traffic. “We find the location quite a plus. We lure in a lot of browsers who come to the Wharf, or wander down after a tour of the aquarium.”

Idly brushing her hair back as the breeze teased it, she started across the street, wanting to be closer to the sea. “And, of course, it’s pleasant being able to take a break now and again and come out to watch the water, feed the gulls.”

“You’ll hardly keep a business afloat by daydreaming over the sea.”

“We’re managing.” She leaned on an iron rail, skimmed her glance over waves and boats. Gulls fluttered and sent a young girl into excited laughter when they landed one by one on her knee as she sat with a bag of crackers. “What do you want, Peter?”

“To discuss Allison and Kayla.”

“All right.” She turned to him, leaned back. “Allison is doing very well in school. Her grades are exceptional. I’m sure you’d approve. Kayla’s having a little trouble with math, but we’re working on it.”

“That’s hardly what I—”

“Excuse me, I’m not finished.” She knew he wasn’t interested, but she was revved. “Ali played Clara in the Nutcracker production put on by her ballet class last December. She was beautiful, and she cried afterward because her father hadn’t come as he’d told her he would.”

“I explained that I had a conflict.”