Page 34 of Muskoka Miracle

He groaned. “I have to admit that I can’t see me doing this forever.”

“You let me know when you’d rather ‘camp’ at a place like this,” she waved a hand at their surroundings, “then I’ll reconsider.”

He chuckled, drawing her grin. Oh, she loved this man.

“Is everything satisfactory?”

She glanced up. Startled. “Oh! You’re Alphonse, right?”

He inclined his head. “When I heard that a Leaf and his charming wife were visiting, I thought I’d say hello.”

“Everything has been delicious,” Sarah gushed. “My only problem is how I’m going to manage to fit dessert in. Especially when it all looks so good.”

“That’s never proved a problem in the past,” Dan teased.

She wrinkled her nose at him.

“If you like, we can prepare a dessert sampler, then you’ll know what to order next time.”

“Next time.” She winked at Dan. “I like the sound of that.”

Alphonse nodded. “Then I’ll speak to Camille, our dessert maestro, and we’ll send it out soon.”

“With two spoons?” Sarah asked.

“Naturally.”

Alphonse excused himself to return to the kitchen and she smiled at Dan, who snickered. “What?”

“It’s fun to see you back with your enthusiasm.”

She mock-sighed. “I can’t help it. Chocolate does that to me.”

But it was good, after so many weeks of tears and grief, to feel this small spark of hope and life again. Maybe God didn’t have a baby in their future, but that didn’t mean He didn’t have other good things. And no, not just chocolate desserts, but good plans for them to walk in. Which reminded her. She needed to talk to Dan about Heartsong. But there was time enough to do that.

Later, after enjoying delectable desserts that guaranteed a return visit “in the very near future” as she assured Alphonse, they exited through the resort’s main entrance, only to spy a familiar face.

“Serena?”

Their wedding coordinator turned, eyes wide as she beamed. “Dan and Sarah! Hello! How are you two?”

“Full.” Sarah patted her stomach. “Alphonse is a master, isn’t he?”

“He’s a wonder.” Serena smiled. “You’re both looking well. Here for the summer?”

“For as much as we can.” Sarah was again reminded to mention to Dan about the Heartsong tour. Not that it was happening in summer, but it might affect their plans.

“Serena? Oh, excuse me.” Another face that was vaguely familiar drew into view. The brunette glanced between them, her eyes widening. “I know you.”

“This is Dan and Sarah Walton,” Serena said. “Toni Vandenburg is the sister of my husband Joel, and our resident artist here at the resort.”

“That’s it! I remember now. We have one of your pieces hanging in our house,” Sarah said. “Does ‘resident artist’ mean you have a gallery here?”

“Yes.”

“Uh oh.” Dan’s lips lifted.

“Oh, come on. Just for a moment? Unless Toni has already closed for the day.”

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