Wild Irish_Wildly Drawn To Him

by Melissa Keir

  Tony shook the doctor’s hand. “Thank you for taking care of our boy.”

  “When can we see him?” Carina jumped in.

  “Soon. He will be moved to room 310 in about an hour. I can send a nurse when he’s settled.” She pointed at the food on the table. “Pat’s Irish Pub is my favorite place. I stop by there for a bite at least once a month.”

  “My sister is married to one of the Collins’s,” Tony told her. “She brought this food over.”

  “I’m jealous, and now I’m craving it. Looks like I’ll have to stop by on my way home tonight. It was nice meeting both of you. I might not see you in the morning since I do rounds early, but I’ll leave my cell phone number in the discharge papers in case you have any questions.” The petite doctor stood then strolled away.

  Carina sighed, and tears filled her eyes.

  “Are you crying?”

  “No. I’m happy Anthony is going to be fine. No matter what the doctor said before, I worried. I couldn’t help it. Just you wait. It’ll happen to you, too.” She wiped at her cheeks with the back of her hands.

  Tony stood then tugged on her elbows, pulling her up. He wrapped his arms around her, laying one hand on the back of her head and the other on her lower back. Carina inhaled the scent that was always Tony’s. Closing her eyes, she sank into his embrace and let him comfort her. She didn’t need to be strong alone. She had him, now.

  Him? She had him? If only it were true. Her feelings hadn’t changed in the last thirteen years. Tony had been her first love and still was her one true love. But her pride wouldn’t let him be with her because of their child. She wanted more. She wanted him to love her as he had in the past.

  Tony’s hands slid up and cupped her cheeks. He bent in and pressed a gentle kiss on her lips. The kiss turned passionate as his mouth slid over hers. She opened to his tongue that teased her bottom lip, before plundering inside.

  Carina was unable to breathe as her body erupted in flames of desire. Heat pooled between her legs.

  When Tony pulled away, she stumbled and struggled to catch her breath.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that,” he mumbled.

  She wanted to scream at him for stopping and yell at him for apologizing. As her gaze traveled down the length of his body, she noticed he wasn’t as unaffected as he pretended. His erection strained against the front of his jeans.

  “Please, don’t apologize. And don’t say you were caught up in the emotion or trying to comfort me. We are both adults. I enjoyed it as much as you did. The real question is, what are we going to do about it?” Carina slumped into her chair. Her legs trembled. I can’t believe I said that. I’ve never been one to push for what I want.

  Tony tugged his chair over in front of hers then sat down. Their knees bumped together. He placed his hands on her legs. “Fine. I won’t play the gentleman card. I want you. I have ever since the moment I headed off the stage today and saw you standing there. But I didn’t want to pursue you if you had someone else. Maybe having me stay with you and Anthony would be a bad idea. I won’t be able to keep my hands off you. And I want more than a casual relationship. I want what I lost thirteen years ago.”

  Carina didn’t know how to put her feelings into words. She had so much she wanted to say. Her thoughts were running a mile a minute. She imagined the two of them in her bed, naked and twisted among the sheets. She saw them across the breakfast table talking about plans for the day, as well as watching Anthony march across the stage to get his diploma. Placing her arms around Tony’s shoulders, she climbed onto his lap and poured all her feelings into her kiss. The thirteen years of frustration, the nights of worrying, and the joy at seeing him again. When he pulled her tight against his chest, she felt as if she’d gone to heaven.

  The sound of shoes squeaking across the tile floor sent them scrambling. She didn’t want to be seen acting like a horny teenager in the hospital. A nurse in blue scrubs approached. “Mr. and Mrs. Cane. Anthony is awake and asking for you.”

  Carina stood and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Has he already been moved to his room?”

  “No. But he seemed very anxious to talk to you. I assured him I’d find you.”

  Carina glanced at Tony then back at the nurse.

  “Go see Anthony. I’ll clean up the food and meet you there. I’m sure he’s needing some assurance he’s okay and that you didn’t leave him alone.” He waved her off.

  “All right. But don’t be long. Anthony is sure to need his dad as well.” She placed a quick peck on his cheek and then followed the nurse to the recovery room.

  ***

  Tony collected the carryout containers and dropped them in the garbage. He wiped the table with a napkin then tossed that in the trash can as well.

  An elderly woman hobbled with a cane toward him. She tried to balance her cafeteria tray in one hand. It wobbled then crashed to the ground with a loud clang. “Oh rats. I shouldn’t have bothered.” She leaned over her cane, trying to grab at the mess on the floor with one hand.

  “Ma’am. Let me get this. You’ll end up on the floor as well.” Tony bent over and picked up the tray, turning it right-side up. He placed the plastic plate, utensils, and paper on the tray.

  “Look what I’ve done. What a mess.” The woman wobbled in her exasperation. “I’m sorry. Thank you for helping.”

  Tony glanced over his shoulder. She reminded him of Mike’s grandmother, a fierce woman who wouldn’t give up on her grandson. “Ma’am. Let me get you in a chair then I’ll finish.”

  He stood and helped her to the table he’d just left. “Manners. They’re in short supply these days.” She patted his hand. “Thank you again. Are you and your wife visiting family in the hospital? I hope you’re not here because of a child.”

  Tony paused. Wife? Child? “We’re not married. Our son was in an accident and broke some bones.”

  “Oh. What a horrible thing. I hope he’s better.”

  “He’s on the mend. We got the call he’s out of surgery and asking for his mom.” Tony pointed to the bag on the table. “I had them throw in a treat for him.”

  “You looked so comfortable with one another. I just assumed. Guess what they say about assumptions is true. Tom and I have enjoyed forty-eight years together. He had a stroke last week. Now I’m here, visiting with him and hoping we get to see fifty.”

  “I’m sure your Tom is fighting to get back to you. Forty years, let alone fifty are quite the accomplishment these days. Carina and I were young sweethearts, but life got in the way.” Tony didn’t usually let regrets control his life, but this might be the one time a regret hung around. To have spent the last thirteen years with Carina and his son would have been a blessing. He’d trade his notoriety to do it. Love and family was more important than anything else.

  “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my time, it’s that you have a second chance until the day you die. Tom is fighting, and I’ll be there to help him. He did it for me when I had my stroke five years ago. I couldn’t walk, and my speech was affected.” She waggled her cane. “Now, look where I am. Not dancing, yet, but Tom and I will have another dance if I have anything to say about it.”

  Tony chuckled. What a character. Her determination and positive attitude could teach so many others how to keep going when things were tough. “Tom’s a lucky man.” He leaned over and placed a kiss on her wrinkled cheek.

  “Aww. I won’t tell him you came on to me.” She laughed aloud. Her voice carried through the almost-empty cafeteria. “I should get back to him.”

  Tony helped her to stand. “Are you good to head back? I can finish up on the tray and garbage in a minute, but if you need me to assist you…”

  She shook her head. “I’m good. Take my advice, young man. Don’t let that woman get away. She loves you. It was in her eyes. She looked at you the same way my Tom looks at caramel-praline ice cream. As if she’d eat you up and go back for seconds.” She patted Tony’s hand then ambled across th
e tile floor toward the patient wing’s doors.

  Tony picked up some leftover napkins from the table and then wandered over to the mess on the floor. As he wiped up, he thought back to the old woman. A long time ago, he’d thought of Carina and him at that age, enjoying their children and grandchildren. He’d forgotten how much he’d wished to spend his life with the one woman who made him happy.

  He placed the garbage on the tray then emptied it all at the can, putting the dishes in the bus container off to the side.

  My feelings haven’t faded. It was as if he’d taken a time-out or detour, but now he was back on track and determined to win Carina’s heart. Life was too short not to reach for his dreams, and if she said no, he’d keep trying. There wasn’t anyone else he longed to dance with after fifty years of marriage.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Carina sat in the chair next to her son. He’d been awake for a few moments when she came in. He was too overwrought to know where he was, but once she assured him the surgery was a success and that she wasn’t going anywhere, he quieted and fell asleep once again.

  She wished things had been different in the past, but she was glad she had this young man. Anthony was worth it all.

  “How’s he doing?” Tony strolled into the room.

  “He’s sleeping again. He woke up frightened and disoriented, but once he heard things were fine, he went back to sleep. I’m sure it’s the meds they gave him. The nurse said he’d be in and out for a bit. Thanks again for the food.”

  He held up the bag. “I’ve got his treat here for when he’s awake and in his room.”

  “He’s going to be so happy to have some food. With not eating since lunch, he’s bound to be hungry.” Carina stood and motioned to the chair. “Why don’t you sit down? I’ll rest here on the foot of the bed.”

  Tony dropped into the black plastic seat. “Thanks.”

  “Do you need to be anywhere? You’re welcome to stay, but I don’t want to keep you.” She rotated her shoulders trying to stretch them and release some of the tension. Tony’s nearness had her so very aware of him as a man, from the rugged sexiness of his growing five o’clock shadow to the way he watched her.

  “Nope. I’m good. Mike’s got things under control.”

  “You know, I never apologized for calling Child Protective Services. You didn’t want me to. In fact, I was afraid you’d not contacted me because you were mad.” She dug her fingers into the blanket.

  “What? Why?” He stood and tugged her to her feet. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back tight against his body. She leaned into his embrace.

  “I can’t believe you thought I’d be mad. Your call put me on the path to a different life. Had I stayed, I would have ended up dead or killing that man before too much longer.”

  His arms tensed around her as he spoke of that time.

  “Mr. Prescott seemed to be growing more agitated and violent each day. I regret not being able to get Lane out, but I never saw that devil go against a girl. Just me, the only boy. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you and Anthony. I’ll be forever remorseful I didn’t get ahold of you. But my new foster family kept me away from anything dealing with the Prescotts. I couldn’t even reach out to Lane, to say good-bye.”

  The tears she’d tried to keep inside slid down her cheeks and plopped on their embracing arms. “I’m grateful you don’t hold it against me. I’ve relived my choice so many times, but seeing you bloody and in horrible pain, I couldn’t let it go.”

  Tony turned Carina in his arms. She laid her head on his shoulder. “We can’t change the choices of the past, but I want to transform our future…” He placed a kiss on her nose. “I know this isn’t the place, not very romantic, but we’ve waited long enough.”

  Tony dropped to one knee and tugged the woven silver band off his right finger. He held it out in front of him. “Carina, will you marry me and, with Anthony’s blessing, make a family with me?”

  Carina lifted her hand to her mouth. Tears fell freely down her cheeks.

  “Come on, Mom. Say yes. You love him, and he loves you. Don’t you think we should make it official?” Anthony demanded.

  “Yes, Tony.”

  He placed the ring on her left hand, and she pulled him to his feet and wrapped her arms around his waist then kissed him.

  Clapping echoed through the recovery room as the patients, nurses, and doctors joined in the celebration.

  EPILOGUE

  One year later…

  Tony unloaded the tubs from the back of his Suburban and placed them on the metal rolling cart. The humid morning air in Garden City, South Carolina promised a spring shower later in the day. With the cart loaded with all his comic books and drawings, he paused to watch the sun rise above the tree line. The sound of a car door slamming had him turning around.

  “Hey, Dad, Mom wants to know if you need the tan bag from the back seat?” Anthony called out.

  Tony smiled. His biggest smile. He would never get tired of hearing Anthony call him Dad. It hadn’t come easily, but the important things in life never do.

  Tony turned and strolled over to the passenger side. His son stood there with the bag swinging in front of him. “Anthony, can you go put that on the cart with the rest of my things?” With a nod, his son wandered around the back of the Suburban.

  Tony studied the beautiful heart-shaped ass of his new wife who was trying to reach across the back seat. He crept up behind her. “Do you need a hand?” He gave her butt a soft squeeze.

  “Oh.” Carina jumped, almost bumping her head on the doorframe as she stood up. “Mr. DeMarco, haven’t I warned you about your hands?” Her eyes sparkled.

  Tony placed a kiss on his wife’s distended belly. “You didn’t have any complaints about my hands before.”

  “True. But your hands and lips did get us into this predicament.” She rubbed her lower back. “This little one is sitting on my bladder and pushing on my ribs. So, unless you want to have to use those hands to paint the baby’s room tonight while I put my feet up, you’d better keep me happy.”

  Tony pulled his wife in close and kissed her while rubbing her lower back.

  “Eww… Can you guys not do that?” Anthony peeked around and made a face.

  Carina called out. “How do you think you got here?”

  “Mom. I’m scarred for life.” He covered his eyes. “Who would have thought my obsession with Tony Steele’s SEAL comics would have turned my life upside down?”

  Tony strolled over and laid his arm across his son’s shoulders. Anthony leaned in wrapping his arm around Tony’s waist. “It was the best day of my life.”

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Melissa Keir has always wanted to be an author when she wasn’t hoping for a career as a race car driver. Her love of books was instilled by her mother and grandparents who were avid readers. She’d often sneak books away from them so that she could fantasize about those strong alpha males and plucky heroines. In middle school and high school, Melissa used to write sappy love poems and shared them with her friends and still has those poems today! In college her writing changed to sarcastic musings on life as well as poems with a modern twist on fairy tales and won awards for her writing. You can find many of these musings along with her latest releases on her website and blog.

  Melissa doesn’t believe in down time. She’s always keeping busy. Melissa is a wife and mother, a substitute school teacher, a movie reviewer, owner of a publishing company as well as a best-selling author. Her home blends two families and is a lot like the Brady Bunch, without Alice. She loves to write stories that feature happy endings and is often seen plotting her next story.

  She’d love to hear from you! www.melissakeir.com

  Other Books by Melissa Keir

  Wilder Sisters Series:

  Forever Love

  Beach Desires

  A Christmas Accident

  Coming Home

  Holiday Homecoming

  Home is Where the Heart is (co
mbine print of the Wilder Sisters’ Books)

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  Charming Chances:

  Charming Chances (print of combined ebooks)

  Second Time’s a Charm

  Three’s a Crowd

  **

  Pigg Detective Agency:

  Protecting His Wolfe

  Protecting Her Pigg

  **

  Magical Matchmaker

  Chalkboard Romance

  One Night in Laguna

  One Night Behind Bars

  **

  The Cowboys of Whisper, Colorado

  The Heartsong Cowboy

  The Heartbroken Cowboy

  Claiming a Cowboy’s Heart

  A Pigskin Cowboy

  Broken Dreams

  Broken Vows

  Redeeming Dreams

  Bidding for the Cowboy’s Heart

  **

  The House that Built Me

  Crash and Burn

  Redeeming Love

  Musings of a Madcap Mind (memoirs)

  **