Her excitement dimmed a bit. “It’s short-term. Things will slow down.”
He gave her a little smile and squeezed her hand before drawing his away. “How’s dessert?”
“I haven’t even tried it.” She stuck her fork in her whiskey-soaked bread pudding, thinking about what Tucker had said. She hadn’t considered how Tucker would feel about her busier and busier schedule. She was riding high, and he was on the sidelines watching her.
She focused on her bread pudding while thinking about Tucker and his place in her life.
* * *
The next day at SeaWorld was a magical experience. Ellie placed her palm on the viewing glass, which housed jellyfish that flowed through the water. “They’re beautiful.”
She looked over her shoulder at Tucker, who gave a slight smile and nodded. When she turned back to the jellyfish, her smile faltered. He hadn’t been talkative today, and she hoped it wasn’t because of her overly enthusiastic chatter last night.
They walked from the jellyfish viewing window and continued through all the animal encounters. Tucker’s favorites were the beluga and pilot whales, as well as beautiful black and white orcas. Ellie enjoyed the whales but loved the dolphins the most.
The entire experience was breathtaking. They also saw sharks, penguins, seals, sea lions, walruses, bat rays, otters, sea turtles, and many other marine animals.
They sat quietly on a bench for a while, watching the sea life in an underground chamber, through a viewing window that she thought was probably at least thirty feet wide. It was peaceful as they sat quietly watching. For right now, she pushed aside her concerns about Tucker and enjoyed the moment.
In the afternoon, they sat in the second row of the audience for the orca show. During the event, one orca slammed down on the water, splashing the first few rows of audience members. Ellie and Tucker were soaked through.
Ellie giggled as she pushed wet hair from her eyes. “That was fun. I do have to say I am glad for sunshine in July in San Diego. It’s nice and warm.”
Tucker lowered his phone, a weather app on the screen. “Only seventy-five degrees.”
“Can you imagine if Phoenix weather was that nice?” Ellie shook her head. “Everyone would move there.” She laughed. “Maybe we should be glad for the extreme heat in our part of Arizona.”
They watched the rest of the show while soaking up the sunshine. When the show was over, they walked hand in hand toward the parking lot. She didn’t feel the regular connection they had when touching. It was different.
She looked up at him. “You’ve been quiet today. Is everything okay?”
He waited a beat, then responded. “Everything is fine. I’m just tired.”
“Okay.” She grew quiet, feeling like everything was not all right at all.
* * *
Tucker tried not to let his emotions show as he reflected on the events of the past few months. Apparently, he wasn’t doing a good job because Ellie sensed something was off.
A lot was going on in his head, but he wasn’t ready to talk about it. He had to process it all before he discussed it with her.
His chest ached as thoughts of Ellie and the future competed in his mind. Was money and fame so important to her that she would sacrifice other things in her life? He did well with his business, but it didn’t consume him. Did her desires consume her? He had begun to wonder.
She was sweet, loving, and caring. She would do anything for anyone—he’d seen it in her interactions with family members and friends over the past few months. She was a wonderful woman whom he loved.
He was in his mid-thirties and knew it was time to start a family. He always wanted kids of his own, with a mom who would stay home with them during the day. He’d be right there every night to help.
They reached the rental vehicle while his mind turned over how he looked to the future. He’d seen what his mom did to raise him, his brothers, and sister, and he had always recognized how hard she worked and what she sacrificed to be there for her kids every day. His dad was a good man and recognized it, too. He always helped with the laundry and chores and did his share of the work.
But Ellie was on a different path from the woman he’d first met. She wasn’t thinking about kids yet—just weeks ago, she had said maybe in a couple of years. Additionally, the demands on her could frequently require her to be away from him for days at a time. If they had kids, would it be the same? He wasn’t sure he could live with any of that.
Tucker held back a sigh. He had to admit his thoughts were old-fashioned, and judging Ellie based on his values wasn't fair to her. However, he needed to determine if he could cope with the differences in their values.
He opened the passenger side door and helped Ellie, the beautiful woman he loved with all his heart, into the rental vehicle. But was love enough to bridge the gaps between what he envisioned for the future and her goals and dreams?
15
Ellie paced her townhouse, from the kitchen to the living room and back. Her muscles ached, tight from tension. Hailee was curled up on a chair, watching Ellie.
