Time for Love , The McCarthys of Gansett Island, Book 9

by Marie Force

“Yes, it was rather, wasn’t it?”

  His grunt of laughter made her smile. “Rather. But we might need to do it again so I can be sure before I give you a definite answer.”

  “It would be irresponsible to make such an important decision without having all the facts.”

  With his arms tight around her, he turned her as he laughed, and the lighthearted, joyful expression on his face stunned her. She’d never seen him look like that before.

  “What?” he asked when he had her settled on top of him.

  “You look really happy.”

  “I am really happy.”

  “I’m glad. I want that for you.”

  He tucked her hair behind her ears. “I want it for you, too.”

  “I’m getting there.”

  “We’re getting there together.”

  Daisy rested her head on his chest and let out a deep breath that was equal parts relief and anxiety. Surely nothing this good could last. It never had before. Unwilling to let that thought ruin her afterglow, she closed her eyes and tried to quiet her racing mind by enjoying the moment.

  For right now, everything was perfect.

  *

  The next time she woke, David was moving quietly around the room. He was dressed in plaid shorts and a navy polo shirt. When he saw that she was awake, he came over to sit by the edge of the bed. He brushed the hair back from her face and kissed her forehead. “I was wondering if you were ever going to wake up.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Almost eleven.”

  “Wow, that hasn’t happened since high school.”

  “You were worn out. You’ve been working too hard.”

  “Speaking of work, I should check in.”

  “I thought Saturday was your day off.”

  “It is, but…”

  He bent to kiss her. “Then take the day off.”

  “Are you off, too?”

  “I do house calls on Saturday mornings, mostly for elderly people who have trouble getting to the clinic. I’m off this afternoon, though, barring any emergencies.”

  Daisy linked her fingers with his. “That’s really nice of you to do house calls.”

  He shrugged as if it was no big deal, when she was certain it was a very big deal to the people he visited. “Part of the job.”

  “No, it isn’t. Do you charge for the visits?”

  “Not usually.”

  “You’re a nice guy, David Lawrence.”

  “Shhh, don’t say that too loud. You’ll ruin my reputation around here.”

  “I hope you know that by now, when people think of you, far more of them remember your kindness to them or their family members in their time of need than what happened with Janey.”

  “Is that right?”

  “Are you blushing?”

  “I don’t blush.”

  “Um, yes, I believe you do.”

  “Want to come with me to check on Marion? She’s the only one I’m planning to see today.”

  “I’d love to! Could I take a quick shower first?”

  “Sure. I’m not on any particular schedule.” He surprised her when he put his arms around her and rested his head on her chest. “Thanks.”

  Daisy ran her fingers through thick, silky strands of hair. “For what?”

  “For helping me to realize there’s more to me and my story than everything with Janey.”

  “There’s so much more. Maybe it’s time you let yourself see that, huh?”

  “I like the way I look through your eyes.”

  The softly spoken statement slayed her and battered her defenses. “I should be the one thanking you.”

  “For what?”

  “For what happened earlier. I don’t think I could’ve done that with anyone but you.”

  “I sure as hell hope not. You’d better not be doing that with anyone else, or you’ll see my not-so-attractive jealous side.”

  “You have a jealous side?” she asked, enjoying the playful banter. That was another thing she’d never had before in a relationship with a man.

  “Only where you’re concerned.”

  “What does this jealous side look like?”

  “It’s very ugly and green-eyed and focused on anyone who dares to look at my girl.”

  “Mmm, your girl,” she said with a sigh. “I like the sound of that. Now how about you let me up to shower so we can go see Marion and get everything done. Maybe we’ll have a little time before the party to…get to know each other better?”

  His chuckle rumbled through her. “That sounds like a brilliant idea to me.”

  Daisy took a leisurely shower, used soap that smelled like him and let the massaging showerhead work the aches out of her muscles.

  The bathroom door opened. “You gonna stay in there all day?”

  “I’m thinking about it.”

  “Want some company?”

  “I’d love some, but you’re all ready to go.”

  The shower door opened to him in all his naked glory. “So?”

  The sight of him in a whirl of steam made her legs go wobbly. She held out a hand to him.

  He stepped into the shower with her and had his arms around her almost as quickly as he’d shed his clothes. “Good to know you can get naked that fast.”

  “It all depends on the incentive, and you make for some pretty sweet incentive.” His hands and lips were everywhere, setting her on fire with the smooth glide over wet skin. “Ever done it in the shower?”

  Daisy shook her head because she didn’t trust herself to speak articulately just then.

  “First time for everything,” he said, pressing her against the tile and lifting her so her legs were wrapped around his hips. “Is this okay?”

  As the hot water beat down upon them, Daisy curled her arms around his neck. “It’s very okay.”

  He nudged at her with the tip of his erection. “How about this? Still okay?”

  “Very, very okay.”

  With the tilt of his hips, he pressed inside her. “And this?” he asked, pressing openmouthed kisses to her neck that set her blood to racing.

  “Very, very, very okay, but it could be better.”

  His husky, sexy laugh made her smile as he let her slide down onto his full length.

  “Still good?”

  “Mmm, amazing. But…”

  “If you say it could be better, I’m going to spank your ass.”

  The words, which were rumbled against her ear, were like a live wire traveling through her body.

  “I’m sorry, Daisy. I shouldn’t have said that. I told you I’d never hit you, and I meant it.”

  “I knew you were playing, and I liked it.”

  David groaned and tightened his hold on her bottom. “God, Daisy, you’re making me crazy.”

  “Be crazy,” she said. “I swear I can take it.” Gripping his hair, she dragged him into a combustible kiss and let him carry her away in a storm of passion. While they were pressed together against the wall of the shower, he showed her what she’d been missing with every other guy who wasn’t him.

  She held on tight as he drove them to an explosive finish.

  He kissed her the entire time and drew back from her only when the need to breathe took over. “Wow,” he whispered, dropping his head to her shoulder as he continued to push into her in small movements that triggered a second, less powerful orgasm. “That was incredible. You are incredible.”

  “So are you.”

  He raised his head to meet her gaze. “We’re pretty incredible together.”

  Nodding, she kissed him again. An astonishing array of emotions passed through her heart in that tender moment. The predominant emotion was love, as pure and true as anything she’d felt before. She loved him.

  Only when the water finally turned cold did they disentangle, laughing in their haste to escape the chilly blast.

  David grabbed towels and wrapped her in one before putting the other around his waist. “From hot to cold in two seconds flat
.”

  “At least it didn’t happen a minute sooner. That might’ve put a damper on things.”

  He put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her again. “Nothing could’ve put a damper on that.”

  She put her arms around him and held on tight. “You definitely saw to it that I’ll never forget my first shower sex.”

  “Good, then my work here is finished. For now.” With one last squeeze, he let her go so they could get dressed.

  Daisy, who was normally shy about being completely naked in front of a man, dropped her towel like it was no big deal to stand before him in the altogether. After this morning, it seemed perfectly natural to be naked with him.

  He watched her intently, his gaze moving from her face to her breasts and then back up again. “You know, Marion is going to be home all day, and if we went there a little later, it would be okay.”

  Daisy slapped his hands away as he reached for her breasts. “Marion first. More of this later.”

  “Why?”

  “We’re all clean right now, and we used all the hot water.”

  “So?”

  She picked up the clothes he’d discarded from the floor, pushed them into his arms and sent him out the door.

  “You’re no fun,” he said through the closed door.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “No, you’re not.”

  “I’ll prove otherwise as soon as we get back from Marion’s.”

  “Promises, promises.”

  Daisy smiled as she got dressed. She smiled as she brushed her teeth, which wasn’t as easy to do as one might think, and she smiled through coffee and breakfast of toast and cereal. He made her laugh, he made her think, he made her feel safe and treasured, and he made her want all the things she’d thought would never happen to her.

  Chapter 15

  Daisy’s euphoric mood stayed with her on the ride to Marion’s house. David held her hand the whole way, as if he couldn’t bear to be close to her and not touch her. She loved that. She loved him. She wanted to tell him but wasn’t sure he was ready to hear it—or that she was ready to say it. There was no rush, she told herself. They had all the time in the world.

  David pulled into the Martinez Lawn & Garden complex, which was located on the island’s north end. The early summer Saturday had brought out scores of people who roamed the retail area, buying plants and flowers for their gardens. Behind the retail space were rows of well-kept greenhouses, and acres of planted fields. He took a right turn behind the greenhouses and followed the dirt road for a mile or so until a sprawling ranch house appeared at the end of the road.

  “This is incredible,” Daisy said. “I had no idea their facility was so huge, and I can’t believe she walked all that way to town.”

  “I know. They run a pretty big business. It’s hard to believe Marion was overseeing everything only a year ago. Paul was here working with her, but Alex had an incredible job working for the National Conservatory in Washington. He gave up his life there and moved home when his mother took ill.”

  “She’s lucky to have them.”

  “For sure, but it’s taking an awful toll on all of them. I don’t know how much longer they can go on the way they are.”

  “It’s so sad. She’s still a relatively young woman, too.”

  “I know. It’s a tough situation, especially living as they do on an island and being tied here by the business.”

  “I’m sure you’re a great comfort to them.”

  “I don’t know about that. I do what I can, but it never feels like enough.”

  “Coming out here to see her is far more than most doctors would do.”

  “I feel like it’s the least I can do to help out Paul and Alex. I grew up with them, and played baseball with Paul.”

  “You have ties here that you wouldn’t have anywhere else.”

  “Are you trying to remind me of why I’m going to turn down the job in Boston?” he asked with a squeeze of her hand that told her he was joking.

  “Just pointing out the benefits of working where you grew up.”

  “The fact that you’re here, too, has nothing to do with it, right?”

  “Nothing at all to do with it.”

  That got a big laugh out of him. “Sure, it doesn’t.” He pulled up to the house and cut the engine. They emerged from the car to find Marion sitting on the porch in a rocking chair. Her injured feet were propped on a footstool and a tall glass of ice water sat on a table. Marion’s gray hair had been washed and styled since Daisy last saw her, and she looked very pretty.

  Alex emerged from the house, brightening at the sight of David and Daisy. “Hey, guys. Come on up.”

  “We wanted to stop to see how your mom is doing,” David said. “Hello, Marion. It’s Doctor Lawrence. I’ve come to see how you’re feeling, and I’ve brought your new friend Daisy with me.”

  “Hi, Marion,” Daisy said.

  “Daisy,” Marion said, her eyes lighting up with pleasure. “Come have a seat next to me. I asked my boys today if you could come to visit, but they said they didn’t want to bother you.”

  “They can call me anytime. I’ll always be happy to come for a visit.”

  Marion held out a hand to Daisy. “It’s so pretty here, isn’t it? My George planted those roses.”

  Daisy took her hand and sat in the rocker next to Marion’s. “They’re lovely. Tell me about George.”

  “Oh, he is wonderful.”

  *

  David stood with Alex and watched Daisy work her special brand of magic on Marion, who spoke of her late husband with such joyous affection, reminding David of the woman she’d once been before dementia had claimed her infectious spirit.

  “Unreal,” Alex muttered. “She barely seems to know us most of the time, but someone she met just once makes a big impact.”

  “That must be so difficult for you.”

  Alex walked to the far end of the big porch, away from Marion and Daisy’s animated conversation. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this, David. Everything is snowballing on us. This is our busiest time of year—our make-it-or-break-it season that gets us through the rest of the year. We just can’t keep up. The lady who lives at the lighthouse reported us to the town council because we haven’t cut the grass out there yet. The bitch of it is, she’s totally right. We should’ve been there four times by now, but one of us has to be here with Mom. It’s just…”

  David put a hand on his old friend’s shoulder. “It’s a lot. It would be hard on anyone to run a business like yours while taking care of an ailing relative. You and Paul have done an admirable job of holding it all together.”

  “Why do I hear a ‘but’ in there?”

  “You have to think about your own health and stress levels. You won’t be any good to your mom or the business if one of you gets sick.”

  “What do you suggest we do?” Alex asked, his voice filled with despair. “We can’t put her in a place on the mainland and leave her there with no one to visit her while we’re out here.”

  “Can you afford some help?”

  “Well, yeah, but she drove off the last two people we hired to stay with her during the day. She’s not always nice when she’s confused.”

  “You need to hire an expert—a medical professional who would live here and help out during the day while you and Paul are at work. You still have that guest house out back, right?”

  “Yes,” Alex said, his despair seeming to lift a bit as the idea took hold.

  “You could fix that up and offer the person free housing to go with the job. Free housing on this island—or anywhere for that matter—would be an awesome incentive to get someone here.”

  “You really think we could get someone to move here?”

  “I think you won’t know until you try. Victoria and I would be happy to help you interview candidates.”

  “You say that as if there’d be more than one—if we’re lucky.”

  “You never know. People flock here on
vacation, don’t they?”

  Alex nodded and rubbed at the stubble on his face. The girls had gone crazy over him in high school, chasing after him relentlessly. David and his friends had teased Alex about that for years. None of them had ever caught him—at least not yet.

  “Reach out to some nursing services on the mainland. I bet you’ll get more interest than you think. I’ll help you write the job description so you get someone qualified.”

  “That’d be great, David. Thank you. I’ll talk it over with Paul, but I know he’ll agree. Something’s gotta give, you know?”

  “I can’t believe you guys lasted this long without more regular help.”

  “We never would’ve made it this far without your support. We talk about how awesome you’ve been through this. It’s nice to have someone who knows us, and who knew Mom before, overseeing her care.”

  Alex’s compliment cemented David’s decision to stay in his current job, where he was definitely making a difference for this family as well as others. “Happy to help. I’d like to take a look at your mom’s feet to make sure they’re healing from her walkabout the other day.”

  “They seem much better, but you’re the expert.”

  They glanced over to where the two women were deep in conversation, oblivious to their presence.

  “So you and Daisy?” Alex’s raised brow and broad grin were far more in keeping with the guy David had grown up with than the despair he’d shown earlier.

  “Me and Daisy.”

  “I like her. She was so nice to Mom the other night.”

  “She’s a sweetheart.”

  “I heard what happened to her with Truck. That guy’s always been an asshole, but to beat up on someone like Daisy… Well, that’s a whole other level of asshole.”

  “Definitely.”

  “She’s okay, though? After all that?”

  “She’s getting there.”

  “I’m glad for you, too,” Alex said, punching David’s arm lightly. “Been a long time since I’ve seen you looking so good.”

  “Been a long time since I felt so good.”

  “It’s nice to have you back among the living.”

  The walls he’d erected two years ago to keep everyone out tumbled down around him. “It’s good to be back.”

  *