The Coastal Kids Medical Group had been a godsend after Russell left her. Dr. Brewer had hired Renee despite the fact that she had an English literature background rather than a scientific one. She was paid generously and been privileged to work a flexible schedule, meaning she could see Tansy off in the morning and be waiting for her at home in the afternoons.
Even though Tansy’s childhood days were long gone, Renee would never jeopardize her position at the practice.
It kept her feeling balanced, stable, needed.
Dan Hanlon was hot—but so what? The last handsome man who made her heart flutter had left her alone and rejected.
She released the drain and fumbled with the faucet.
Time for a cold shower.
Chapter Nine
I really don’t think they’re up there.”
“Well, I really think they are,” Sadie retorted to Ethan, giving the creaky ladder a shake to make sure she didn’t break her neck. Gingerly, she stepped on the first wrung.
“Please get down from there,” he sighed, placing his hands on her hips protectively. “I don’t want my pregnant wife climbing a rickety old ladder.”
She was on a quest to find the family’s Easter decorations, and even though Ethan swore the only items he’d ever stored in the attic were Christmas lights, she had turned the house inside out looking for the cardboard box of plastic eggs and miniature wicker bunnies. If they weren’t in the basement storage area, garage, or the catchall of a hall closet, where else could they be?
Ethan stood below and spotted her as she made the rest of her way upstairs. “Shout for me when you want to come down, okay?”
“Okay,” she agreed.
Ethan and his laptop disappeared back down the staircase. Not only had he spent most of the workweek in Boston, Ethan had spent nearly every minute he was home on his computer. He would join Sadie and Lincoln for a quick dinner, and then retreat to his office until bedtime. Every day was filled with apologies, but that didn’t change the fact that today he’d set an alarm for six and had been staring at the screen ever since.
She’d tried asking him more about his current project, but all he did was rattle on about Java until she felt like she needed a triple-shot latte.
She knew he wanted her patience. And she was trying to find some the best way she knew how, by decorating.
Etched-glass eggs, floral bunny serving platter, and seagrass Easter baskets—here she comes!
Dust motes floated in the dim light of the attic. When they first moved to Seashell Lane, this area was supposed to be part of their home renovation. Sadie had fantasies of a home office with angled ceilings and skylights. That’s when she thought she’d be doing freelance work after the baby was born. She and Ethan would have split the space evenly, setting up their respective workspaces on either end and convening in the middle for coffee breaks and cuddles with their new babe. They would set up a Pack ’n Play for the baby to nap while they worked, and everyone would be one, happy family.