Miracle In March by Juliet Madison Page B

name in the air in front of her. ‘James. J-A-M-E-S. I’m such a good speller.’ She laughed again and doubled over, and James led her by the elbow to the bar where they enjoyed a final drink and some more ridiculous conversation.
    In the cab on the ride home on the way to Stacey’s flat, James’ phone beeped.
    You gonna walk me inside?
    He exchanged a blurry glance with the woman seated next to him whose free hand rested on his thigh.
    I promised I would get you home safely, he replied, amazed that his spelling was intact, but then realising that maybe he just thought his spelling was intact and it really wasn’t.
    He paid the driver and got out of the car with her, and the driver asked, ‘You want me to wait while you walk her inside?’
    James paused, looked at Stacey who was having trouble standing on her heels. ‘No, I’ll get one a bit later.’
    He walked up the steps with Stacey and into her building, and followed her straight into her bedroom. She pushed him onto the bed, unzipped herself from her dress, and crawled on top of him.
    Emma became a distant memory as he gave in to his moment of weakness, waking the next morning with not only a shocking headache, but a vague concern that he’d forgotten one very important precaution. He was more worried about the risk of an STD, thinking she may have been on the pill, but a few tests gave him the all clear. A month later he found himself having a serious conversation with the woman he barely knew who’d given him the night off from his grief.
    â€˜More juice?’ James asked Emma, holding up the bottle.
    â€˜Yes please.’ Emma held her glass under it as he poured. ‘Jackson seems to be enjoying those strawberries.’ She cocked her head in his direction.
    â€˜Thanks for bringing them.’
    She smiled.
    They chatted about small things for a while, until Emma turned her wrist. ‘I guess I should head back soon.’
    He’d forgotten it was a workday for her, just when he was starting to relax around her again and enjoy the peace of the beachfront while Jackson was occupied. He had a sense that he didn’t want her to leave. Then again, he still had to finish his work for the day too.
    Emma stood and took her containers and bag, then crouched down near Jackson. ‘See ya, little man.’ She smiled and waved, even though the boy didn’t respond. Emma didn’t seem offended in the slightest. Of course she wouldn’t be.
    â€˜Thanks for lunch,’ James said.
    â€˜Thanks for…’ Emma stalled. ‘Thanks.’
    He knew she meant more than just the use of his cabin and his company.
    He walked her out and as she stepped off the steps and onto the path, he had a thought.
    â€˜Emma?’ he said, and she glanced up at him with her beautiful brown eyes. ‘I’m having a barbeque here tonight. With my family. Would you like to join us?’
    She glanced away then back again. ‘Oh. Well, that would be nice. Though…’ She gestured discreetly to the next cabin. ‘I don’t think your sister is very fond of me,’ she whispered.
    James leaned on the porch railing to get closer to her. ‘Sorry, they knew about us. But I’ll tell them they have no need to hold a grudge. I mean, I won’t tell them the details, I’ll just say we’ve worked things out and there’s no hard feelings. That okay?’
    She nodded.
    â€˜It won’t be an issue. Six thirty?’
    â€˜Deal. What can I bring?’
    â€˜Just yourself. I’ve got this one covered.’
    * * *
    â€˜She’s having dinner with us?’ Lizzie asked, as James met her and André at the door to their cabin after they’d returned from lunch on the beach.
    â€˜Yes. Everything’s okay now, I’m not angry with her anymore.’
    â€˜Just like that?’ Lizzie raised her hands.
    â€˜Just like that.’ No point telling her the