by Marie Force
A knock on the door had her rising, wiping her face on a sleeve already ruined by mascara, and running her fingers through her long dark hair, hoping to bring some order to it.
“Who is it?”
“Janey.”
Abby disengaged the lock on the door and opened it to admit her dear friend, Janey McCarthy Cantrell, who was hugely pregnant, and out of breath after climbing three flights of stairs. Seeing her friend pregnant triggered Abby’s emotions, and suddenly she was crying her heart out while Janey did her best to provide comfort. The gigantic belly made it impossible for Janey to give hugs, so she did the next best thing by sliding one arm around Abby and easing her into the room, shutting the door behind them.
“There, now, it can’t be as bad as all that,” Janey said when they were seated side by side on the bed. “Cal is crazy about you. We all saw that.”
Unable to speak over the torrent of tears, Abby shook her head.
Janey patted her knee. “Take your time, honey. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay as long as you need me.”
This, Abby realized, was why she’d come home to Gansett. For every vicious gossip, there were five true friends who would prop her up and get her through this latest setback. She took the tissues Janey produced from her purse, wiped her face and blew her nose.
“What happened?” Janey asked gently.
“He… He was different there. We were different there. It didn’t work.”
“I’m so sorry, Abby. I know how happy you were with him.”
“We were happy—here. The minute we moved off this island, the whole thing fell apart. His ex-girlfriend was hanging around all the time. She’s probably thrilled that I left. That’s what she was hoping for.”
“What did he have to say about it?”
“She’s an old family friend. She’s worried about his mom. Yada yada. He’s so obtuse and refuses to see she was angling for exactly what she got—to get rid of me.”
“Why would you give her the satisfaction of leaving him to her?”
“Because it’s what he wants, too. I could tell he was having second thoughts about us shortly after I got there. I’ve been down that road before with your brother, and I had no desire to wait it out again and watch something that was once beautiful end ugly.”
“What did Cal say when you told him you were leaving?”
Abby looked down at her hands and realized she’d been shredding the tissue. “I didn’t tell him.”
“So wait… You just left? Without a word to him?”
“I couldn’t bear the idea of a big, ugly confrontation. And besides, what did it matter? He’s made his choice, so I made mine.”
“Abby…”
“I’ve been gone since early this morning, and he hasn’t even called. What does that tell you?”
“I’m sure there’s a perfectly good reason—”
“I don’t want to talk about him anymore. It’s finished, and I’m left to start all over—again.”
“Will you reopen the store?”
“I don’t know.” The very idea of the work that would be involved in getting her store open before the season began was so overwhelming she couldn’t even think about it. “Tiffany’s store is in my old spot.”
“I heard Laura is looking for someone to take on the gift shop in the Sand & Surf. Maybe you could do that this summer and then see what’s what next year.”
The idea sparked a beat of interest in Abby. She’d have to do something to stay busy. “I’ll talk to her about it.”
“Good!” Always the eternal optimist, Janey beamed with pleasure at having come up with a plan.
“How’re you feeling?” Abby rested her palm on Janey’s extended belly and felt a flutter of movement within that had her eyes filling again.
“I’m feeling huge and unwieldy.”
“You look beautiful.”
“Joe says the same thing, but he sort of has to.”
“You’re so lucky to have him.”
“And I know that. You’re going to find your true love, too. I know you are.”
Abby shrugged off Janey’s certainty. “I don’t care about that anymore. I’m going to focus on me for once. I’m going to let loose and do all the things I’ve never done because I was too busy trying to be the perfect girlfriend, the perfect lady. Enough of that.”
Janey eyed her with trepidation. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m not quite sure yet, but this is going to be my summer of rebellion, so look out.”
“You’re totally freaking me out right now.”
“Maybe it’s time I freaked everyone out. I spent my twenties waiting for your brother to decide to marry me, and I’ve spent the first part of my thirties working like a dog and waiting for Cal to marry me. I’d say it’s high time I busted loose and let off some steam.”
“What does ‘letting off some steam’ entail, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“For one thing, I’m going to start swearing. I plan to do some partying, probably some drinking, and if all goes well, perhaps some sex just for the sake of having sex. No relationship required.”
Janey’s mouth fell open. “I can’t see you doing any of that.”
“Because I’m too good to be true. Enough of that…bullshit. It hasn’t gotten me any of the things I truly want, so maybe if I’m bad for a while, I’ll find what I’m looking for.”
“Abby—”
“Don’t. Please don’t. You can’t possibly understand how frustrated I am. You have a husband who absolutely adores you and a baby on the way, a career in the works that’s perfect for you. It’s all fallen into place for you, Janey.”
“It’s not all perfect.”
“It’s pretty damned close.”
“Yes, I suppose it is, but still—”
“Don’t worry about me. It’s high time I shook things up a bit, wouldn’t you say?”
“I, um, well… Will you promise me you’ll be careful? I’ll be so worried about you getting hurt.”
“I’ve already been hurt plenty, and I’ve survived. I think I can survive one wild summer.”
“If you say so,” Janey said, but she didn’t seem convinced.
The more Abby thought about it, the more certain she became that busting loose for a few months was exactly what she needed to get past this latest setback in her life plan. At the end of the summer, she’d reevaluate where things stood, and maybe then she’d have an idea of what her next step ought to be. Until then, it was high time she had some fun.
Walking from Grant’s house toward North Harbor, Adam nodded to a few people he recognized from around town but didn’t stop to talk to anyone. Rather, he stewed over the fact that his brother had seemed so detached and exhausted, as if he hadn’t slept properly in days.
Something was terribly wrong, a realization that filled Adam with anxiety. While he didn't see his siblings as often as he’d like to, he talked to them all frequently and knew them as well as he knew anyone. To see one of them deeply troubled over something and working so hard to hide it from everyone was upsetting.
Of course, Grant had just been through a major trauma and was no doubt still reeling from the close call. From what he’d been able to piece together, his brothers had been asked to fill in as crew members on a Race Week boat captained by a guy named Steve Jacobson when the rest of Jacobson’s crew had been felled by the stomach flu. The sailboat had been on its way back to the island in deep fog when a freighter hit it. Steve had been killed.
Adam’s brothers had spent enough time in the cold Atlantic to suffer from hypothermia. Grant had been hailed for saving the life of his good friend Dan Torrington, who’d been the most seriously injured with broken ribs and a broken arm. Maybe something else had happened that Grant wasn’t able to talk about yet.
He’d keep trying, Adam decided, until he wore down his brother and got him to talk about what was troubling him. With no job to return to in New York, he had nothing but time to g
ive one of the most important people in his life. He’d make a nuisance out of himself until it became easier for Grant to talk to him than to put up with him.
Adam smiled. He liked that plan.
“Mac! Hey, Mac, is that you?”
Adam bit back a groan. All his life he’d been mistaken for his oldest brother. Though Mac was three inches taller than him, Adam couldn’t deny the striking resemblance between them. He turned to see who had made the mistake this time and saw his Aunt Joan chasing after him. You’d think their own aunt would be able to tell them apart!
“Oh, Adam! I’m so sorry! I didn’t hear you were home.”
He hugged his aunt and kissed her cheek. Like his mother, her sister was petite and blonde and still pretty well into her sixties. “Nice to see you, Auntie.”
“You, too, honey. Your mom will be thrilled to have you home, especially after recent events.” Joan shook her head with dismay. “What an awful thing.”
“I can’t even think about it. How’s everyone in your family?”
“Oh, good, you know. Busy with all the little ones. You must be excited about a new niece or nephew coming soon.”
“I can’t wait. I love being an uncle.”
Joan smiled affectionately. “I’m sure they adore you. How long are you here?”
“Not sure yet.”
“Well, I won’t keep you, but it was lovely to see you.”
“You, too.” He hugged her again. “Tell my cousins I said hello.”
“I’ll do that.”
Adam walked more swiftly as he covered the last half mile to North Harbor, forgoing a stop at the pharmacy to see Evan and Grace. With his mother’s sister in the know that he was home, he needed to see his mom before Joan called to gloat that she’d seen him first.
The McCarthy’s “White House,” as the islanders called it, came into view, and Adam accelerated to a jog. He burst through the front door just as the phone rang.
“Of course I knew he was coming,” Linda said testily as Adam slid to a stop in the kitchen. She scowled playfully at him and held out a hand to him. “Is that the only reason you called?” Linda paused before she said, “Thank you, Joan. I appreciate that. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Sorry,” Adam said with a grin as he squeezed her hand. “I ran as fast as I could after I saw her in town.”
“No one is faster at spreading island gossip than my dear, darling sister.”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
Linda hugged him. “And you did. What a wonderful surprise.”
Adam returned her embrace, comforted by the scent of home, his mother’s familiar perfume and the warmth of her affection. He hadn’t realized how badly he needed all of that until he was in her arms. He held on much longer than he normally did now that he was all grown up. He’d been through hell in the last couple of days, thinking about what could’ve happened to his family if even one of his brothers had been killed in the accident, let alone all three. Not to mention the work calamity at the same time.
When his mother pulled back from him, he was surprised to see tears in the eyes of the normally indomitable Linda McCarthy.
“Sorry,” she said, dabbing at her eyes. “I’ve been a wreck the last few days. I suspect I’m driving your brothers crazy hovering over them.”
“You? Drive us crazy? Never.”
“Oh, hush up. I promised Dad I wouldn’t check on them today, but I’m not sure I can keep that promise.”
“How about I do it for you?”
“Oh, Adam! Would you?”
“Sure I will. That’s why I’m here. I wanted to do some hovering of my own. Reassure myself they’re really okay.”
“That’d be such a big help. They’re sick of me, but they’ll be thrilled to see you.”
“Grant didn’t seem too thrilled.”
“So you saw him already?”
Adam nodded. “On the way over here. He’d just gotten up and looked all disheveled. That’s not like him.”
Linda frowned at that news. “I’ve been most concerned about him. Mac and Evan seem fine, but Grant… Something’s not right.”
Adam took an apple from a bowl on the counter and took a bite. “Did you talk to Stephanie about it?”
“Uh-huh. She agrees he seems off but chalked it up to the long day in the water. Did you know he saved Dan’s life?”
“I heard that. Maybe it was more traumatic than he led us to believe.”
“How could it not be traumatic? A whole day in freezing water trying to keep one of your best friends alive?” Linda shuddered. “I can’t even imagine. Dad has had nightmares about it, not that he admits to them, but he wakes up in a cold sweat just about every night.”
Adam hated to hear that but wasn’t surprised his softhearted father was suffering from the aftereffects of nearly losing three of his sons. “It’s going to take some time, but they’ll all be fine. I know it.”
“I hope you’re right, honey.” She hugged him again, even tighter than before. “It’s so good to have you here. Thank you for coming. I know how busy you are.”
At some point, he’d have to tell them about the business, but one telling of that story was enough for today. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
Linda released him and checked her watch. “Damn, it’s later than I thought. I’m meeting Carolina for lunch in town. Do you want to use my car while you’re here?”
“Ah, thanks for that kind offer, but I’ll pass.”
“I don’t know why you boys disparage my little yellow bug the way you do,” she said, grabbing her purse as she clucked with dismay.
“Because it’s a chick car that none of us would be caught dead in. I’ll borrow Dad’s truck.” He pushed out his chest and flexed his biceps. “Much more manly.”
“Suit yourself. When you see you brothers, invite everyone to dinner. We’ll put some steaks on the grill.”
“With baked potatoes?” he asked with his most charming grin.
“Naturally,” she said, rolling her eyes at him as she kissed his cheek. “All your favorites.”
“Have you rented out my old room, or is it okay if I crash up there?”
“It’s more than okay. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be back in a little while.”
“See you then.”
She stopped at the door and turned to him. “I love you so much, Adam, and I’m thrilled you’re home.”
“Right back atcha, Mom.” He was, he realized, indeed thrilled to be home where he was loved and respected and appreciated. After the week he’d had, that was exactly what he needed.
Chapter 3
Fortified by her visit with Adam, Linda rushed into town to meet her dear friend, Carolina Cantrell. Since Caro’s son Joe had married Janey, the two women had been closer than ever, especially now that they were expecting their first shared grandchild.
Linda arrived at the South Harbor Diner only five minutes late, which wasn’t bad, considering she should’ve left ten minutes earlier than she did. “Sorry, sorry,” she said, dropping a kiss on Caro’s cheek and sliding in across from her. “Adam was on the noon boat, and he came home just as I was leaving.”
“You must’ve been happy to see him.”
“Extremely. He’s here to see his brothers after the accident.”
Caro shook her head with dismay. “It’s all I think about. How close we came to utter catastrophe.”
“I can’t even let myself go there. When I think about poor Steve’s family and what they must be going through…”
“He was so young.”
“The same age as Evan. It’s unbearable. I’ve been thinking about reaching out to his mother, but I don’t know what to say. My boys made it, and hers didn’t.”
Caro reached across the table to cover Linda’s hand with her own. “Mother to mother, I’m sure she’d love to hear from you.”
“Maybe.” Linda shook off the sadness. “Anyway, this isn’t why you wanted to get together.”
&n
bsp; “No, it isn’t.” Caro withdrew her hand and crossed her arms, seeming nervous all of a sudden.
“What is it? Is something wrong?”
“No. Everything is actually quite right for once.”
Linda raised an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”
Caro released a deep sigh and leaned forward to rest her elbows on the table. “Do you remember last fall when I told you I’d met a man?”
Nodding, Linda said, “A much younger man who you wouldn’t name, if I recall correctly.” Caro’s face flushed with color that made Linda laugh. “Are you blushing?”
“Perhaps. A little…”
“Spill it, sister. You’ve had me wondering for months who this younger man is.”
“Seamus,” she whispered so softly that Linda almost didn’t hear her.
“Seamus O’Grady? As in the Seamus who runs the ferry company for Joe?”
“Shhh, keep your voice down. No one knows, well, except for Joe and Janey. They know now.”
“Well, well, well… Girlfriend gets herself a boyfriend and what do you know? She gets the cutest, sexiest, most eligible guy in town now that most of my sons are off the market.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Caro said, seeming mortified by the word.
“My apologies. I should’ve said lover.”
Caro cringed. “Oh God, that’s even worse.”
“What would you call him?”
“He defies description.”
Linda howled with laughter. “You have to tell me everything. Leave no detail unshared—especially the part about how you told Joe and Janey. How did he take it?”
“Better than expected, to be honest. He was extremely shocked, but he handled it quite well, all things considered.”
Over salads and iced tea, Caro related the story of how Janey had helped her to find the courage to tell Joe the truth. “So Joe went down to the ferry landing to confront Seamus. Janey and I were worried that Joe might punch him the way he did David that one time, so we went running after him. Joe wasn’t happy that we suspected he might get violent until Janey reminded him that he does have a bit of a track record.
