In His Dreams Read Online Free

swinging away from him.
    In frustration, he glanced toward Marsha and saw her bouncing in the water toward them. Bonnie spotted her and, her tantrum forgotten, she laughed at Marsha’s antics.
    “We’ll go out toward Aunt Marsha. Take my hand,” he said, reaching toward her.
    She took it, and his heart lifted, hearing Bonnie’s giggle and realizing Marsha had caused a well-needed distraction and had, perhaps without knowing it, prevented a scene.
    Jeff studied Marsha again, her face brightened by the sun and her smile just as warm. Her wet hair now clung to her face and the sunlight highlighted the copper streaks in her red hair. He realized she’d missed out on something important to so many women—being a mother. Was the decision by choice? The topic had never been discussed, but seeing her today with Bonnie made him curious.
    While Marsha played in the water with Bonnie, he decided to join in, but Bonnie hardly seemed to notice him. Her attention seemed glued to Marsha. Jeff felt touched by Marsha’s understanding and playfulness. He felt better than he had in a long time.
    He stood aside, enjoying their laughter reverberating over the water. He hadn’t sought a woman’s company since Marilou had died, but now he recalled how pleasant it was to hear a woman’s laugh. Everyone needed adult companionship and communication. He’d neglected himself in trying to be devoted to Bonnie. He’d probably done them both a disservice. Today, he sensed how much he missed a woman in his life.
    Marsha shivered and rubbed her gooseflesh-covered arms. “I’m heading in.”
    When Jeff glanced at Bonnie to see her reaction, her lips had turned a bluish tint. “Want to go back to the beach?”
    “You can make a sand castle,” Marsha called over her shoulder as she bounded toward the shore. “I’ve had enough ice-cube water for one day.”
    “There’s no ice cubes in here,” Bonnie said, waving her arms through the water as if trying to find some.
    Jeff tousled her wet hair. “Aunt Marsha’s teasing, but let’s make a sand castle. That’s a good idea.”
    With no argument from Bonnie, they headed back to the beach. When they reached the shore, he and Bonnie sank into the damp sand while Marsha dashed across the sand. Jeff watched her grasp a towel and dry her limbs before placing the terry cloth on the grassy knoll. She slid her arms into her beach robe and settled onto the towel, then stretched her legs into the sun and tilted her face upward, eyes closed.
    She looked lovely and relaxed. Jeff recalled so many times he’d gone to his brother’s to give Marsha a hand, and she’d looked so tired, but now…
    He struggled to keep his mind on helping Bonnie build the castle. Searching in the sand, Jeff found a shell and used it to scoop sand as Bonnie mounded it into a tower. Finally, Bonnie lost interest in the castle and searched in the sand for seashells. Jeff took advantage of her occupation and returned to where Marsha was seated. He sank onto his towel, remembering how lonely he had been for the past two years and wondering how long it would take to feel whole again.
    “She’s having fun,” he said, giving a nod toward Bonnie.
    “You’re a good dad, Jeff.”
    “I wasn’t always and, most of the time, I feel helpless. I left most everything up to Marilou.”
    “But you’re doing fine now.”
    He wondered about that. “I’m trying,” was all he could say.
    She shifted her hand to his and gave him a pat. Her fingers felt warm against his flesh. He leaned away on the towel, wondering how wise it had been for him to agree to join her today.
    Marsha’s gaze followed Bonnie while he struggled to find conversation. “I thought Barb was here with you,” he said finally.
    “She is. She was in the bedroom when you came.” She turned and glanced back toward the chalet. “She’s working on dinner, and I suppose I should get up there and help her.”
    When he opened his mouth to apologize for intruding on