GansettAfterDarkKobo

by Marie Force

  “What is she like? Mallory?”

  “She’s gorgeous. She has dark hair and eyes. She’s an emergency room nurse in Providence.”

  “So she looks like her mother?”

  “Yes, I guess she does, but I could see Janey in her, and my mother. The picture I have of my mother as a young woman—Mallory is her all over again.”

  Linda swallowed hard and looked up at him with tearful eyes. “Did you love her? Diana?”

  “No, I liked her. A lot. But I didn’t love her. The only woman I’ve ever loved is the one I married, and you know that.” He reached for her and was thankful when she came willingly into his arms, wrapping hers around him. “I haven’t told anyone else. Mac was there, and Frankie… I could tell they wanted to know what was going on, but I came right to you.”

  “Thank you for that.”

  “What’re we going to do about this, Lin?”

  “I’d like to meet her. Is that possible?”

  “I hoped you’d say that, so I talked her into staying at the hotel for the night.”

  “Invite her for dinner.”

  “I was hoping you’d say that, too.” He held on tight to her. “What do we tell the kids?”

  “Nothing for now. Let’s talk to her and figure things out between the three of us before we involve them.”

  “Mac will be wondering what’s going on. He saw me talking to her.”

  “He can wait. It won’t kill him.”

  “It might. You know how he is.”

  The small gurgle of laughter that came from her told him it was going to be okay. They were going to be okay. “What’s he going to say when he discovers he’s not the oldest anymore?”

  He drew back to look down at her. “Oh Jesus. And when Janey hears she’s not my only daughter…”

  Her smile faded as the implications for their children set in. “Janey has nothing to worry about where you’re concerned.”

  “No, she doesn’t, but still… It’ll be a shock to her. To all of them.”

  “No more than it was for you.”

  “This isn’t going to cause trouble between you and me, is it? Tell me it isn’t, because I couldn’t bear that. I’m floored by this entire thing, but even knowing she’s alone in the world, if it meant trouble with you, I’d let her walk away. I hope you know that.”

  “I’d never ask that of you. It would kill you to do that to a child of yours, even one you didn’t know you had.”

  “I know you’ve heard this before, but I’ve never meant it more than I do right now. The luckiest day of my life was the day I walked into that party with Frankie and found you there.”

  “That was a pretty good day for me, too.”

  He forced a smile for her sake. “Only pretty good?”

  “It’s right up there among the best days of my life, as you well know.” She laid her head against his chest, seeming content to stay there for as long as he’d have her, which was forever. “Will you call her now and invite her?”

  “If you’re sure that’s what you want.”

  “It is.”

  Though he was reluctant to let her go, he did as she asked, withdrawing his phone and Mallory’s card from his pocket. His fingers felt clunky and awkward as he dialed the number. While he waited for her to answer, he put his free arm around his wife.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, Mallory. It’s Mac McCarthy.”

  “Hi.”

  “I take it you’re settled at the hotel?”

  “Yes, they were very nice, but then I did drop the owner’s name.”

  “Never hurts anything.” He cleared his throat, astounded by the unusual bout of nerves. “I spoke with my wife, Linda. We’d like to invite you to join us at the house for dinner, if that’s all right with you.”

  “That would be very nice. Can I bring anything?”

  Linda shook her head.

  “Just yourself. You remember which house it is, right?”

  “I do. What time would be good?”

  “Six,” Linda whispered.

  “Six o’clock?”

  “I’ll see you then, and thank you. For the invitation.”

  “Sure thing. See you then.” He ended the call and met his wife’s gaze, uncertain of what he’d find there. But as always, she looked at him with love and compassion and understanding. “Thank you for this, Lin,” he said gruffly.

  “You’re welcome.”

  Chapter 16

  “This whole thing is so freaking pretentious,” Kara said to Dan when they arrived at the Summer House, where her mother was supervising the staff with all the authority of a drill sergeant. “I hate it.”

  He slipped an arm around her and brought her in tight against him, kissing the top of her head. “Your folks wanted to do something nice for you, hon. It’s really the least they can do.”

  “I know, but I still hate it.”

  “I don’t hate getting to see you in that dress.” He stepped back a bit to take a perusing look at her, spending extra time admiring the tanned legs that were on full display. “Mmm, mmm, mmm.”

  A bolt of heat lit up her face whenever he looked at her that way, which of course he knew. “Knock it off,” she said in a low growl.

  “Just trying to get your mind off how pretentious this party is,” he said with a wink that made her laugh. Dan took in the tables laden with crystal, china and silver as well as artful centerpieces made up of hydrangeas, roses and snapdragons. “My own mother would be right at home at this shindig.”

  “Speaking of your mother—and your father,” Kara said, “when do I get to meet them?”

  “I’ve been thinking about that and getting quite a bit of pressure from the home front. How about a trip to LA after your season ends in October? I could use a little time in the home office, and my folks are dying to meet the woman who finally got me to commit.”

  “I got you to commit?”

  “That’s exactly how I remember it.”

  She reached up to twist the bow tie he’d spent half an hour trying to tie just right. “You’re full of shit, you know that?”

  Scowling at her even though he loved her best when she was feisty, he rescued his poor bow tie. “I’m almost positive that word is not allowed inside this building.”

  In a flurry of movement and still barking out orders to the wait staff that looked ready to have her killed, Kara’s mother came over to them bringing a cloud of expensive perfume with her. She was tall and lean and tanned with every blonde hair perfectly in place. To look at her, you’d never guess she was the mother of eleven children. Rather, you’d picture a life of leisure on the tennis courts at the country club.

  Kara had told him they’d had nannies to help out growing up, and that her mother had, in fact, taken a lot of time for herself away from her children. The pampering was evident as Judith air-kissed her daughter.

  “You look lovely, honey,” she said with obvious approval for the dress Kara had bought at Tiffany’s store. Dan would bet a million bucks that if she’d known it came from a place called Naughty & Nice, she wouldn’t have been so appreciative.

  She turned her attention to Dan, her scrutiny nearly making him squirm. “Love the bow tie. It works on you.”

  “Thank you.” He’d decided to give Judith and Chuck Ballard the benefit of the doubt. They were going to be his in-laws, after all. But he would never, ever forget or forgive them for the way they’d treated Kara after the debacle with Kelly and Matt. That didn’t mean he couldn’t be cordial, however.

  Kara had told him they’d been impressed by him after they met over dinner the night before. As soon as her sister, Kelly, had gone home to Bar Harbor to report that Kara was engaged to a celebrity lawyer, her parents had suddenly taken all new interest in their daughter’s life on Gansett, much to Kara’s dismay.

  Leaving Bar Harbor and all the family drama behind had been the best thing she’d ever done for herself, and it had brought her to him, which was the best thing that’d eve
r happened to him. He’d be damned if he’d ever let these people or anyone else hurt her again.

  That was why he stayed close to her as their guests began to arrive. Surrounded by their friends, all of whom had dressed up for the occasion, Dan felt Kara begin to relax. This was their new family, the one they had cultivated together, and being around their friends always made them happy.

  He had to give her parents credit, they stayed right by their sides, meeting all their friends and exchanging pleasantries with each of them. Chuck Ballard was tall with white hair, a deep tan and a friendly, engaging manner. A “guy’s guy,” Dan had thought upon their initial meeting, the kind of man others gravitated to. At the moment, he was talking about marinas and the boating business with Big Mac and Linda McCarthy.

  Dan had to admit that with the liquor flowing, the endless supply of tasty appetizers, his girl at his side and his friends all around him, this party didn’t totally suck the way Kara had told him it would.

  “How ya doing?” he whispered in her ear when they got a break from the socializing.

  “Not bad.”

  “It’s actually kind of nice.”

  “I’ll remember you said that later when you want sex. You’re either with them or you’re with me. You can’t have it both ways.”

  He burst out laughing, which earned him a glower from his beloved. “I love you so much, Kara Ballard. You’ll never know how much.”

  She crooked her finger at him.

  Tipping his head in close to her, he held his breath when she whispered in his ear.

  “Knowing that makes all of this bearable.” She curled her hand around his arm and gave a possessive squeeze that made him want to drag her out of there in search of a coatroom. Certainly a place like this had a goddamned coatroom, didn’t it? Probably not, since most of the venues on the island catered to a summer crowd that didn’t wear coats. But it was a hotel, too… The idea had his wheels turning. “Would you excuse me for one minute, hon?”

  “One minute and one minute only,” she said.

  “I’ll be right back.” He left her with a kiss on the cheek and headed for the registration desk, delighted with his plan to surprise her after the party.

  Watching Dan walk with purpose out of the room, Kara wanted to chase after him, but he was probably going to the men’s room or something.

  “What a great party,” Abby Callahan said as she gave Kara a hug.

  “I can’t take any of the credit,” Kara said, introducing Abby and her boyfriend, Adam, to her parents.

  “There’re a lot of McCarthys on this island,” Judith said when she shook hands with Adam.

  He laughed and nodded in agreement. “Five in my family, then there’re my cousins Laura and Shane, and their dad, my Uncle Frank. My Uncle Kevin and his family are coming over soon for Laura’s wedding. He’s got two sons.”

  “I suppose we’re hardly ones to talk,” Chuck said with a laugh. “We’ve got eleven kids, including Kara.”

  “The thought of that makes me feel faint,” Abby said.

  “I was pregnant for years,” Judith said.

  Kara was well aware of exactly how many months her mother had spent pregnant, because she’d heard the number ninety-nine all her life.

  “It’s nice to meet you both,” Adam said. “We love Kara.”

  At that moment, Kara loved him right back.

  “She’s a wonderful daughter,” Chuck said with an affectionate squeeze for Kara.

  It took everything she had not to push him away like she had for the last two years after he and her mother threw a fancy wedding for Kelly and Matt, as if their relationship hadn’t left Kara completely flattened. Her dad was trying. She’d give him that much, but not much more. Where the hell was Dan?

  “So are you guys going to be next?” Kara asked Adam and Abby.

  Abby blushed while Adam stammered. “Um, well, not really quite there yet, are we, babe?”

  “Not yet,” Abby replied with a smile for him.

  “Sorry,” Kara said. “Didn’t mean to put you on the spot.” She wondered if Adam had noticed the same flash of pain in Abby’s eyes that she had seen. If Kara wasn’t mistaken, Adam was the only one who “wasn’t there yet.”

  “This is a great party,” Adam said, seeming eager to change the subject.

  “Thanks,” Kara said. “Typical Judith Ballard production. Nothing but the best.”

  Dan returned in time to shake hands with Adam and kiss Abby on the cheek. “Glad you guys could come on short notice.”

  “A McCarthy never misses a chance for free booze,” Adam said.

  “I’ve heard Grant say that very thing a hundred times,” Dan said.

  Jenny Wilks and Alex Martinez walked over with Alex’s brother, Paul, and another woman.

  “Congratulations, guys,” Jenny said with kisses for Dan and Kara. “What a great party!”

  “Thank you,” Kara said, leaning in. “Secretly, I think engagement parties are kind of stupid. They’re like pre-weddings. Same people, different day.”

  “See?” Alex said. “That’s what I say, too. I’m glad you agree, Kara.”

  “You don’t need to tell her that engagement parties are stupid when you’re at hers,” Jenny said, making Paul laugh at his brother’s distress.

  “She started it,” Alex said with a cheeky grin.

  “This is Hope Russell,” Paul said. “She’s come to save our lives by helping out with our mom. Hope, this is Kara Ballard and Dan Torrington, the happy couple suffering through this stupidly awesome party.”

  “Nice to meet you both,” Hope said. “I was assured that crashers were welcome.”

  “Always,” Dan said. “The more, the merrier around here.”

  “Totally,” Kara said. “We’re glad you could join us. How are you liking island life so far?”

  “I love it,” Hope said. “My son does, too, which is the best part.”

  “Make sure you all get something to eat, or my mother will consider herself a complete failure,” Kara said.

  “You don’t have to tell me twice,” Alex said.

  They headed for the buffet table while Kara and Dan introduced Blaine and Tiffany Taylor to her parents.

  “Blaine is the island’s police chief,” Dan added.

  “That must be a nice quiet job in a place like this,” Judith said to laughter from Blaine and Tiffany.

  “In the winter it is,” she said. “In the summer, I hardly see him.”

  “And what do you do?” Judith asked Tiffany.

  Kara choked on her champagne as Dan nudged her.

  “I own a lingerie store in town,” Tiffany said. “Naughty & Nice. In fact, that beautiful dress of Kara’s came from my store.”

  “The naughty side,” Dan added.

  He would pay for that later, Kara thought, not daring to make eye contact with her mother.

  “I’ll have to stop in to see your place,” Judith said.

  “Any time,” Tiffany said, giving Kara a saucy wink.

  “I’d like to be there for that,” Kara said.

  “Me, too,” Dan added, making everyone laugh except for Judith, who didn’t get the joke.

  “She sells more than lingerie and party dresses there, Mom,” Kara said.

  For a moment, Judith seemed stumped, and then she said, “Oh. Oh.” Color flooded her cheeks.

  “It’s a long, cold winter out here, Mrs. Ballard,” Tiffany said. “We have to find a way to stay busy.”

  “Well, yes, I’m sure it is. I’m going to see where your father has gone off to.” Judith scurried away.

  “That was awesome,” Kara said as she shook with laughter. “You’re the best.”

  “Happy to be of assistance,” Tiffany said.

  “You’re just a walking, talking scandal, my love,” Blaine said with a grin for his wife.

  “Thank you,” Tiffany said. “I do what I can for the people.”

  The sound of silverware striking crystal caught their attenti
on.

  “If everyone could find a seat, please,” Chuck said as his wife stood next to him, beaming.

  “Oh God,” Kara said under her breath. “What’s this all about?”

  “Kara? Dan? Could you join us up here?”

  “Whatever it is, let’s get it over with so we can get to my surprise for later,” Dan said as he took her hand and led her to the front of the room.

  “What surprise?”

  “Be a good girl in front of our guests, and I’ll tell you.”

  “I don’t want to be good.”

  “Remember that later.”

  As they took their positions with her parents, Kara felt the eyes of everyone on her and wanted to die of embarrassment. She hated being the center of attention and always had, which her parents certainly knew. That had never stopped them from forcing her out of her comfort zone whenever they felt the need to. Today was no exception.

  “Thank you so much for joining us today to celebrate the engagement of our daughter Kara to Dan Torrington,” Chuck said after Judith had ensured everyone had champagne. “Kara is the sixth of our eleven children and has always had the strong independent streak that led her here to Gansett to start the launch service in your Salt Pond. We were thrilled to hear of her engagement to Dan Torrington, a man who was certainly no stranger to us. Dan, we’ve admired your work for years, and we look forward to welcoming you into our family.”

  As everyone clapped and raised their glasses, Kara went along with it because she was expected to. But part of her wanted to stop everything and ask her parents if they were happy for her for the right reasons. Was it because she’d found the perfect man for her? Was it because he was rich and successful? Or was it because knowing she was happy with him made them feel a little less guilty about the way they’d treated her?

  Dan leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Smile,” he whispered. “You’re supposed to be happy today.”

  She thought about the way he’d proposed to her, after her sister tried to ambush her earlier in the summer with an unexpected and unwelcome visit. Dan had literally run for her when he discovered Kelly was on the island with her husband and new baby and intended to take Kara by surprise, forcing a confrontation he knew Kara didn’t want.