She was fine, too, and just waking up, knowing she’d spend the morning with Jack made it easy to get out of bed and dress. It had been a long time since she’d had him all to herself, and Paige was looking forward to his company at Crystal Cove, a stunning stretch of coastline as well as a historic spot, with beach rentals that dated back to the 1920s. Crystal Cove, south of Newport Beach, was originally part of the Irvine Ranch, owned and managed by the Irvine family for almost a century. The beach cottages could be rented, but it was hard to find one available.
Paige hadn’t appreciated California’s history until she was living in North Carolina, and now that she was back, she wanted to take advantage of every hike, every opportunity, every view. This morning’s hike was exactly what she needed. Jack was in a good mood, but neither of them felt inclined to talk a lot, both eager to get on the trail. They decided to do one of the longer, more challenging hikes, which meant some serious elevation gains, but the challenging hike was made easier with the water bottles and snacks Jack had brought. They stopped twice on the way up, and then at the peak, had a light lunch and savored the view. On the top of the mountain the air was cool and crisp, the sun shimmered on the water. Paige breathed in, letting the air expand her lungs and ribs, and then slowly exhaled, feeling two weeks’ worth of stress start to dissipate.
“I needed this,” she said, still gazing out over the ocean with the white-crested waves. “I hadn’t realized how wound up I’ve been, and how much I’ve been holding it all in.”
“You have a lot on your mind,” he said, and it wasn’t a question but a statement.
She nodded and, resting her chin on her forearm, looked at him. His thick brown hair was a bit damp at his nape and curling in different places. His beard defined his strong jawline. “I like your beard,” she said. “I didn’t think I would.”
“I just have that kind of face.”
She shook her head, but she couldn’t hide her smile. “What am I going to do with you?”
“I have a few ideas if you’re open to them,” he said.
Paige smothered her laugh. Jack was good for her. He had a way of easing her worries, giving her much needed perspective. “Ashley’s a lot for me sometimes,” she said after a moment. “She’s beautiful, brilliant, sensitive, but very intense. I feel like a bad mom for wanting her to return to New York, but I miss my quiet, and the freedom I had before she arrived.”
“She won’t stay forever. She just needs a safe place to rest and figure out her next step.”
“I wish she’d give up acting all together and just get a real job.”
“Acting is a real job.”
“I didn’t mean it that way. I guess I would prefer her to have more security, a job with paid sick days and holidays and vacations. A job that paid into a 401(k) plan. It’s really important that women don’t rely on men and marriage to be the answer—” Paige broke off, pressed her lips together, aware that Jack probably wasn’t interested in any of this. “I like stability. I think it’s important, and important for the girls.”
“We don’t all need the same thing.”
She studied his profile, with the high forehead, the straight nose, lovely jaw and chin. When he smiled, he had these grooves on either side of his mouth and her fingers itched to trace them. “Do you worry about Oliver?”
“All the time.”
“Really?”
“Well, less than I used to, but he’ll always be my boy. I want him happy. I hope he marries one day and gives me grandkids. I’d love grandkids. I’d love to spoil them rotten.”
Paige sat up. “You like kids?”
“Love them.” He laughed, a slightly husky laugh, and then his laugh faded. “I didn’t spend enough time with Oliver when he was small. I wish I could do that over. But I’m determined to be there when he has children.”
“I haven’t thought about grandkids, to be honest. That still seems so far away.”
“Until one of the girls surprises you with news.”
“Oh, no. I hope not. They’re not ready—”
“Or, you’re not ready.”
“I’m definitely not ready. But neither are they. Babies are wonderful, but they change one’s life forever and I want my daughters to live a little, well, a lot, before they have to start taking care of others. Despite all the strides we’ve made as a society, it’s still not an equal society. Women still have way too much responsibility, at least in terms of hearth and home.”
“You’re not passionate about that at all,” he teased.
“I don’t want my girls to make the same mistakes I did.” Paige stood, brushed off her backside. “Let’s finish this hike. And no more talk of babies and grandkids. You’re making me feel old.”
* * *
Dr. Keller’s administrative assistant sent out an email the following week, letting Paige and Jack know that the visas had all come in, and they were good there. The director of the university’s wellness program reached out letting them know that over half the students had been in for the shots needed for Africa, but at least ten students hadn’t been seen yet, and they also needed to pick up their doxycycline prescriptions.
Jack had done a deep dive into Tanzanian conservation, teaching the difference between nature tourism and ecotourism, and the impact on the communities. Paige continued with her statistics, leaving program changes to Jack. Once a week, usually on Fridays, they’d devote the last fifteen minutes of class to discussing the trip.
Jack reminded students that the cutoff for getting their shots and picking up their antimalarial prescription was approaching. He expected it done by the sixteenth. “I need to know before we break for Thanksgiving week that it’s been handled. Otherwise, let me know if you’re not planning on going.”
“I know a lot of you have early exams due to the trip,” Paige added. “It’s hard to juggle everything, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed by tests and final papers for your other classes, but making an appointment with Student Health and then getting the shots and malaria medicine should take less than an hour. Make the appointment, show up, get it over with.”
Jack looked out over the class. “We leave fifteen days from today. You’ll start the doxycycline thirteen days from today. Our trip will be here before you know it. It’s going to be a great experience, I promise you.”
* * *