“From the squeals and laughter I hear all day, I’d say that’s right.” Grady chimed in.
“Farren should be back shortly,” Eva said, tapping her wineglass again. “Dessert is on the way.”
Jesse looked at Grady, resigned acceptance in his eyes. Eva couldn’t have been less interested.
“I think I’ll skip dessert.” Jesse made to rise, but Eva made a sound that stopped him.
“You should stay,” she said. “I guess you’re enjoying your time alone. Without the hubbub of three children, I mean. Two boys and a girl? Or do I have that backward?”
“Backward. My girls are seven and eight and my wife believed our next would be a boy. She was so determined to have a son.” He shrugged. “Turns out, she was right. Tyler is four. And I’m glad the girls are older. Sometimes, they’re the only ones he’ll listen to, unless they’re the ones he’s torturing.” He chuckled. “But the girls handle anything he dishes out.”
Her eyes seemed to glaze over, and Jesse swallowed his next words. Silence reigned as Grady searched for small talk and came up empty. He’d step away, but Eva looked desperate, and he didn’t feel right leaving her if she was having a hard time.
“It’s nice that your in-laws keep them sometimes,” Eva commented vaguely when it was clear the conversation had stalled.
“Recently, they’ve been having them sleep over regularly. They’re retiring soon and want to spend more time with them. I’ll have more time to myself.” He locked his gaze with Eva’s and Grady glanced away.
The look between his tablemates had taken an intimate turn that surprised him. Eva hadn’t struck him as a woman only interested in a good time, but he’d been wrong about women before. Maybe she wanted no strings. He mentally shrugged and tuned out the conversation.
He checked on Farren’s whereabouts. She’d moved on from talking with James, the chef, to chatting at Denny’s table as she made her rounds. Denny was giving her a huge smile and making her laugh, which felt like a cheese grater against Grady’s spine.
He wanted to march over and lay claim to his date, but good manners stopped him and a scene like that might ruin the biggest event on Farren’s roster.
The woman sitting with Denny touched his hand, reminding him of her presence. To his credit, Denny shifted gears immediately and brought all his charm to his dessert date. He leaned in toward the woman and brought a deep smile and soft blush to her cheeks.
Dessert arrived, a huge slice of apple pie and ice cream, perfect for the Fourth of July weekend. With a happy hello to Jesse, Farren settled in beside Grady. She vibrated with excitement.
“Tell me.” He demanded in her ear. “What’s happening? People look happy.” She looked ecstatic.
“Compliments from everyone,” she said quietly. “People are making plans for adult time tomorrow. See all those people on their phones? They’re hitting the scheduler and booking the beach dinner. James and I talked about it and he’s excited. They’ll offer three courses with three entrees to choose from. The babysitters are booking up fast.”
“Tomorrow morning it’s minigolf, right?”
“Right. Barnacle Bill’s. Tee off starts at ten. I think the place will be swarmed.” She looked so pleased Grady couldn’t help but smile back. “I’m so grateful to you for helping me out there. I could’ve taken the group to Summerville, but I want our events to be contained to the island.”
“No problem. It was a phone call to an old friend.” He grinned at a memory. “We went there as teens. I think I got my first kiss behind the windmill,” he said with a smirk. “I was thirteen and she was a year older and half a foot taller than I was.”
“That’s sweet,” she said and gave him an affectionate shoulder bump. “If you get a hole in one, maybe it’ll happen for you again.” The teasing light in her eyes gave him hope.
“I’ll head over there and start practicing right after I walk you home.” He loved the old-fashioned concept of walking his girl home. Seeing that she was safe.
Farren pouted prettily and for a moment he stilled at the sight. She seemed to be everything he wanted in a woman.
But then, so had Veronica.
A man’s laughter rang out and he checked it out over his shoulder. Denny was making quite an impression on the woman he was with. When Grady turned back to Farren, she watched Denny with a keen eye. Her intent expression made him think Farren didn’t like what she was seeing.
He’d never seen himself as a jealous man. But then again, his short-term women hadn’t meant much, and Veronica had never been flirty with anyone but him. She’d been circumspect and respectful of their business relationship and never would’ve brought that side of her into a business dinner or event.
No, he’d been convinced that he was the only man who saw her feminine side.
He snorted and Farren startled at the sound.
“Are you okay?”
“Peachy, just peachy.”
Chapter Eighteen
AT THE END OF THE DINNER at nine-thirty, Farren and Eva shepherded the diners out of the restaurant. Eva drifted away into the crowd and Delphine was nowhere to be seen. Farren had Grady all to herself.
As they exited the hotel, and spilled into the cooling night air, Grady grasped Farren’s hand and raised it to his lips for a kiss. “From the smiles I’d say the night was a wild success.”
“Thank you,” she gushed, thrilled with the dinner and the way his lips felt on her knuckles. He was pulling out all the stops. Anyone looking on would believe he was interested in her. For real interested, not just putting on a show. “Dinner went better than I hoped. And some people stayed back to have a drink at the bar.”
Being this close to the ocean meant the darkness had cooled the air and the breeze that curled around the building made her shiver.
“Here, let me,” he said, offering to drape her shoulders with her shawl. He stood behind her and settled the soft knit pashmina across her shoulders. “Did you know you have dimples back here?”
She felt his thumbs press behind her shoulder blades. “Yes,” she said through a light chuckle. “I know not everyone does, but they run in the family. Until I was twelve, I assumed everyone had them.” The way he cupped her shoulders felt comforting and she wanted it to go on and on. But someone burst out into laughter and drew everyone’s attention as the group strolled along.
“Thank you.” She folded the shawl carefully around her corsage to keep from crushing it. “I’m thrilled to see people pairing off for the walk home.” More than one couple held hands, smiling into their partners’ faces. Farren’s heart soared when she realized what she’d brought into their lives.
Grady jerked his head toward where Denny walked with the last woman he’d been sitting with. They weren’t holding hands, but their heads were bent together as if sharing secrets.
“It looks as if your friend has found someone interesting,” Grady commented drily.
“Yes, that’s Mackenzie Fairfield. She has a daughter who’s thirteen.” And she’d been single for a year. A teacher, Mackenzie felt guilty for her divorce and the effect it was having on her daughter. They’d taken a few minutes together to chat while they’d been on the walkway to the beach this morning. “I’m not sure looking for a new relationship is a good idea right now,” Farren mused aloud. She was echoing what Mackenzie had said to her earlier, so Farren was surprised at the clear signals the other woman was giving Denny.
“Denny’s ready and if she is, too, then so be it,” Grady said firmly. “And a connection doesn’t always last. Some of them end after one night.”
She cut him a glance. “I guess.” But she made a mental note to chat with Mackenzie. Farren had no right to tell the woman what she knew of Denny’s history, but she could encourage her to ask a few questions. “But a one-night stand is difficult with children in your motel room,” she remarked.
Grady chuckled. “And since the sitters are only hired until eleven, it would have to be a quickie.”
&nb
sp; Farren bumped her shoulder to his and laughed. She drew to a stop to look up into his laughing eyes. “Maybe we should offer rooms by the hour next time.”
“I do believe the wine has gone to your head, Ms. Parks.”
“You think?”
Grady threw back his head and laughed hard enough to draw glances, but the conversation had taken such a silly turn, she joined him. She needed the release, she realized, as the laughter dispersed and left her spent. She wiped her damp lashes as Grady flung his arm across her shoulders and drew her into a one-armed side hug.
Pure affection radiated from his eyes into hers and they shared a long moment of humor.
They strolled the block leisurely, glancing into store windows full of T-shirts, swimsuits, and beach towels. They passed souvenir shops and Main Street Hardware, where Jake Hooper had every size of flag a person could want. She suspected he’d sold out his handheld ones today. Everyone at the parade had been waving them.
She felt mellow and generous. Maybe Grady was right, and the wine had loosened her up. Or maybe it was the man she was with. Grady had become a friend and confidant in the last weeks.
“Thank you for all your help.” She glanced at the man who still held her close as they strolled together. “Your advice and kindnesses have helped me achieve my dreams. This summer will lay the groundwork for a great year for Singles Fest and without your help and guidance, I don’t know if that would’ve happened.” His heat kept her warm, while his sex-deep voice made her tremble inside.
“Aw, shucks,” he teased. “I couldn’t resist you, Farren. You had me the first time you came rapping on my windows and peering into my house. The determination in your face was fierce and I knew you wouldn’t fail. It’s been fun watching you succeed.” He sobered. “Not to mention, I needed the kick in the butt you gave me to get out of my house and back into my life.”
Of all the things she and Grady had discussed, the painful stuff had been mostly off limits. The world knew of his grief, of course, but she and he hadn’t spent time on that. She knew he’d hidden away in Last Chance Beach and that he’d found a new interest in Singles Fest. That much was plain when he’d fixed up the walkway and painted the playground equipment.
For reasons of his own, Grady had embraced her business idea and— conveniently for him —Farren and her new business had prevented more matchmaking from his sister.
When he returned to New York and O’Hara Enterprises for good, they’d tell Delphine their relationship had run its course. No harm, no foul.
She’d miss him, though. More than she wanted to.
But that was the way of things for her. Men liked her. A lot. But never enough. And after a while they moved on. Moved away to bigger things.
A loud pop heralded the first of the fireworks over the ocean and the group stopped to stare in awe as a sparkly explosion overhead rained down yellow and blue and purple starlets of color.
“Ooh! Aah.” The universal sound of delight rose from the people around them, as she felt for Grady’s hand. She clasped it and gazed skyward, the lights obliterating the stars in the black night sky.
FARREN’S WARM HAND in his, her eyes alight with the colors of the rainbow overhead, made Grady want to drag her into his arms and hold her the way a man holds a woman he cares for.
And he did care for Farren. Maybe more than he should. Maybe more than she’d accept. Especially with Denny back in Last Chance Beach and clearly looking for a new woman. His children needed a mother and there’d be no one better than Farren.
She was sweet, kind, genuinely liked children and loved the idea of family. Most women her age were well on the way to having all that for themselves. He wondered, as he looked at her shining, happy face, if Denny had broken her when he’d left her behind.
But would she give her first love a second chance if he asked? Or would she want to start something new and fresh with Grady?
Something real. They’d come to know each other over these last weeks. She was still one of the prettiest women he’d ever met. Her figure was softly rounded and perfect in his eyes. And he loved her little teasing comments and witty banter. She could tease him out of a dark mood and her smile made his heart answer with another.
Farren Parks was the real deal. But, aside from college, she’d never left her hometown to spread her wings. Apparently, had never wanted to. Still, was New York so far away?
Maybe not in miles, but in attitude and action, the Big Apple might as well be on Mars.
He looked along the street. This strip was still inhabited by mom-and-pop stores, even if those moms and pops were younger and more hip. Last Chance Beach was changing, growing and he liked the controlled growth.
It could be fun to watch a quiet corner slowly wake and stretch to its full potential. His great-aunt had loved this place. Her motel had financed different family businesses over decades. Lending seed money to nephews and nieces had become a side-line for the savvy woman. By the time her investments had paid off, another family member would come up with another business idea and everyone turned to the bank of Aunt Ellen.
He and she had had a special rapport and the motel came to him when she passed. He suspected that she’d also intended for him to continue the family loans as needed.
Maybe that’s why he’d let Farren talk him into using the Landseer for her clients. He’d been paying Ellen’s kindness forward.
There came one last flurry of loud pops overhead, and the red, white, and blue canopy of sparkling stars heralded the end of the show. Short, sweet, and gorgeous, like Farren.
Her hand wasn’t enough to hold. He wanted Farren in his arms. He tugged, her arms wrapped around his waist, and he held her close. She smelled so good, felt so right, sighed as if her heart was in it.
When his hands wandered down her back to settle on her softness, she hugged him harder. Her eyes lit with happy success. They could’ve been the only two people on the street for all the notice he took of anyone else.
He dipped his head and his lips found home on hers. She parted for him and deepened the kiss. The sweet woman in his arms held a secret fire that licked up his sides and landed in his chest and then moved south. Her tongue touched his lips and he opened, fully engaged now. Hopeful as a teenage boy.
“Farren,” he groaned against her mouth and heard her say his name, too.
He lifted his head. Her shawl had slipped, and her exposed shoulders gleamed in the light from a storefront sign. The multi-colored material of her shawl brought out the red in her pouty lips. Her shoulders were smooth and rounded and had teased him all evening. He’d wanted to trace the contours with his fingertip and when he’d seen the dimples on the back, he’d wanted to kiss them.
Was there such a thing as a shoulder fetish? He gave a mental shrug. If there wasn’t, there should be.
“You know I’m the only one at the motel without children in my room?”
“Is that an invitation Ms. Parks?” His voice had gone gravel-deep with need.
“Do you want it to be?”
“Don’t doubt it for a moment.”
Chapter Nineteen
SHE COULD HAVE TONIGHT with Grady. Share his bed, feel his heat, be swept away. Farren looked up into his enticing gaze and wanted more than was smart for a woman like her. He’d be leaving soon and who knew if when he came back—if he ever did—that they’d have the same feelings they shared right now. Tonight.
If she didn’t grab what she could, she’d have nothing of this time. Nothing to hold onto of Grady O’Hara. Singles Fest would commandeer her life and energy. New York would swallow him up and he’d go back to meetings with princes and billionaires and tech czars.
There was nothing to keep Grady here in Last Chance Beach—small town, sleepy beaches, vacation backwater Last Chance Beach could never hold a man like him. She could never hold a man like him.
But she could hold him for one night. She could love him for one night. Give him all of herself this one time. She sighed and accepted w
hat they had for what it was.
This was a short-term fling. A better-than-average one. Grady would leave, and it would end. To him, she would become a pleasant memory of that time at the beach. That time with the girl he’d helped. She hoped he thought of her occasionally when he married another woman like his first love, Veronica.
She smiled bravely into his handsome face, drawn taut with desire. “So, what do you say?” My place or yours?”
His teeth gleamed with his broad smile. A man who was having a dream come true. “I have a bigger bed.”
“Lead me to it.”
JULY 5 SIX A.M. THE Landseer Motel
Grady closed the private door with a soft snick and turned to face the courtyard. The air was already losing its overnight chill as the sun curved over their little part of the world. He breathed in the salt air and grinned, a man satisfied with life on this fine, fine morning. The leftover glow from his time spent with Farren in his arms made him feel.
Feel.
And it was great. He’d been numb for so long and now he wasn’t. He’d felt more in these last weeks with Farren than he had in years. Every day had brought smiles, laughter, warmth to his chilled heart. Farren had mended him in ways he hadn’t known he was broken. And now, all his pieces were back together.
He hoped she felt the same way. Complete.
With his beach towel slung over his shoulder, he opened the gate to the pool area. He tossed the towel onto the foot of a lounger and remembered not to dive into the too-shallow pool. Motel pools were not meant for more than laps or play.
Five short laps later a movement at the shallow end caught his eye. He took to his feet, shook the water from his head and smoothed his face. There at the edge sat a boy somewhere in the middle years below ten. Old enough to walk out of his room, certainly. Young enough that his mother or father would look for him.
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