by Marie Force
“What is it about this place and people finding their soul mates?”
“Mac says there’s something in the water.”
Katie laughed. “I’ll take a glass!”
“Coming right up.” After he fetched her a glass of Gansett Island water and a bottle of the light beer she’d requested, he returned to his seat next to her. “Want to hear more about my cousins?”
“Absolutely.”
“That’s Evan over there. He’s sitting with his fiancée, Grace Ryan. They’re getting married in January. He was playing a gig right here at the marina with Owen last summer when he noticed Grace crying at one of the tables. He took the time to find out what was wrong and learned her date had left her stranded on the island after she refused to have sex with him.”
“Whoa.”
“I know, right? So Evan took her home to his parents’ house for the evening and paid her way home to Connecticut. She came back a few weeks later to reimburse him, and from all accounts, they’ve been together ever since. Now she owns Ryan’s Pharmacy in town.”
“I love that. What a great story.”
“Now, my cousin Adam is engaged to Abby, who was with Grant for ten years.”
“That sounds dicey.”
“It might’ve been if Grant hadn’t been happily in love with Stephanie. They worked it out, and everyone is happy for Adam and Abby. They’re great together.”
“Another amazing story.”
“I’m beginning to think that bringing you here was the best thing I could’ve done.”
“Why’s that?”
“After hearing all about my cousins and their smooth moves, you might be tempted to go out with me again.”
Before she could form a reply to that audacious statement, Adam and Abby took seats at their table, followed soon after by Shane’s cousin Janey and her husband, Joe, who carried their son, P.J.
“What a cute baby,” Katie said of the tiny blond boy who watched the world go by with big blue eyes.
“We’re quite fond of him,” Joe said, gazing down at his son.
“You McCarthys make cute babies,” Katie said. “Holden is adorable, and so are Mac’s kids.” She caught Shane watching her with a guarded expression and wondered if she’d said the wrong thing.
“Holden is super cute,” Janey agreed. “He’s going to be tall, dark and handsome when he grows up.”
“Could Auntie Abby take a turn with P.J.?” Abby asked.
“Absolutely.” Joe handed the baby over to Abby, who melted before their eyes.
Adam watched her intently as she snuggled the baby, and then whispered something in her ear that had her smiling softly at him.
Apparently eighty pounds of tuna fed a lot of people, because they kept arriving. First Owen and Laura with baby Holden, and then Ned and his wife, Francine. Katie was introduced to Joe’s mom, Carolina, and her new husband, Seamus.
“Wow,” Katie whispered to Shane. “Good for her.”
He chuckled at her comment. “Apparently, their age difference was quite the scandal when they first started dating. Now it’s no big deal.”
Surrounded by happy couples, all of whom had risked their hearts to find true love and happiness, had Katie thinking about the rules that had governed her life and whether it might be time to say to hell with the rules. She leaned back against Shane and forced herself to remain calm when he casually put his arm around her, announcing to anyone who might be looking that they were together.
And people were most definitely looking.
“Is this okay?” he asked, his lips brushing against her temple.
She nodded and tried to get her rigid muscles to relax and enjoy the moment. Here she was with a nice, handsome, sexy man who seemed interested in her. They were surrounded by a big, boisterous, loving family that wanted only the best for him—and probably her, too, due to her relationship to Owen.
It was okay to relax and enjoy herself. It was okay to let him touch her. It was okay to talk about second dates and things she’d never allowed before. “Shane?”
“Yes?”
“I have to tell you something.”
“I’m listening.”
The others were engaged in their own conversations, which gave Katie the opportunity to speak privately to him. “I… I want you to know…”
“What do you want me to know?”
At that moment she was glad she couldn’t see his face. Rather, she watched his father come into the restaurant holding Betsy’s hand, which he released only to hug his brothers before reclaiming his woman. The two of them were smiling and fairly glowing with happiness that only bolstered her courage.
“Katie? What do you want me to know?”
“This is the first date I’ve ever been on.”
Chapter 10
Shane’s entire body seemed to go still behind her as he absorbed what she’d said. “Like, ever?”
“Like, ever.”
“Why?”
“Because…”
“Because of your dad, right?”
“Partially.”
He spoke softly to her, ensuring their conversation couldn’t be overheard. “I would never, could never, ever, raise a hand to you to cause you anything other than pleasure.” As he spoke, he ran his fingertip down her bare arm, setting off a series of reactions that had her squirming in her chair. “Do you believe me?”
“I want to.”
“Katie…”
Encouraged by his kind response to her confession, she turned so she could see his face, which was tight with tension.
“We’ll talk more later,” he said. “When we’re alone.”
His low, intimate tone as well as the thought of being alone with him later set off another set of tremors inside her, all of them seeming to land in a tight knot of need between her legs. He continued to stroke her arm, and Katie wanted to purr from the sweet pleasure of such a simple caress. It had her wondering what else might be possible with him.
Being around his family, hearing the stories of how his cousins had fallen in love as well as his heartfelt pledge had Katie relaxing in a way she never would’ve expected she could with a man.
And then Stephanie announced dinner was served, and the little bubble around them burst as everyone began getting up to head for the buffet Stephanie and her chef had set out at the counter where customers placed their orders during regular hours.
“This is amazing, Steph!” Maddie proclaimed as she checked out the spread that included the grilled tuna along with two kinds of potatoes, several types of vegetables, a huge Caesar salad and rolls.
“Don’t be too impressed,” Stephanie replied. “A lot of it is left over from the wedding last night.”
“I’m very impressed,” Maddie said, “mostly because it looks fantastic, and I didn’t have to cook it.”
“Hear, hear,” Grace said.
With Shane behind her, Katie filled her plate and returned to their table. She didn’t want to confess that she’d never had tuna, except for the kind that came in a can, so she wasn’t sure she’d like it. Before Shane joined her, she took a quick bite to try it and was pleasantly surprised by how good it tasted.
“How is it?” he asked when he had taken the seat next to her.
“Excellent. I’ve never had it before, but I really like it.”
“You might find that to be true of a lot of things,” he said with a playful smile and the suggestive waggle of his brows.
Katie stared at him, incredulous and amused at the same time. “Did you really just say that?”
“I really did, and I really mean it.”
Katie found it difficult to swallow her food with him sitting so close to her and obviously thinking about other things he wanted to introduce her to. How did she feel about being introduced to those things by him?
“Stop thinking so much,” he whispered. “Nothing will happen between us unless you want it to.”
Buoyed by his reassurances, she said, “You don�
�t think I’m weird because I’ve never been on a date before?”
“No, Katie. I don’t think you’re weird at all, because you had a good reason to keep your distance from men. I think you’re sweet and beautiful and kind, and I want to get to know you better.”
“Fancy meeting you here,” Laura said from behind them, where she stood with Holden in her arms.
“Oh, hey,” Shane said to his sister, as casual as could be, as if he hadn’t just tipped Katie’s world upside down with what he’d said to her. “What’s up?”
“I could ask you the same. Didn’t expect to see you at a family thing tonight.”
“Katie wanted to meet my tuna.”
She held up a forkful of the succulent fish. “He’s delicious.”
“I wish I could have some,” Laura said wistfully.
“Why can’t you?” Shane asked.
“Tuna has a lot of mercury, which isn’t good for the babies.”
“That’s a bummer. I would’ve caught something else for you if I’d known that.”
“But I see there are potatoes,” Laura said, her eyes widening.
“One of her cravings,” Owen explained.
Shane reached for the baby. “Let me take him while you guys eat.”
“Are you sure?” Laura asked. “You’re still eating.”
“I’m positive. Come see Uncle Shane, buddy.”
Holden’s arms and legs went wild as he tried to get to his uncle, making his mother and Katie laugh.
“It’s so not fair,” Laura said. “You’re sick as a dog while you carry a baby for nine months, and then he picks your brother over you every time—and sleeps through the night for him when he won’t do it for you!”
“What can I say?” Shane kissed the baby’s chubby cheek. “We’re buddies.”
“Not fair,” Laura said again before she went off to see about some dinner.
“You’re so good with him,” Katie said.
“I’m crazy about him.”
Watching him snuggle the sleepy baby made Katie’s heart melt. Right then she decided she wanted to get to know Shane better. For the first time in her life, she wanted to take a chance on a man and let him show her what she’d been missing for all the years she’d kept her distance from such things.
* * *
Shane was grateful for the distraction Holden provided as he tried to process what Katie had told him. This was her first date. Ever. Which meant she hadn’t done anything else with any guy. Ever. He had to force air into his lungs as he absorbed the implications of her confession.
Suddenly, this evening out with her was about much more than his first date after a crushing divorce. This date was much more important to her than it could ever be to him. Imagine living thirty-two years without ever going on a date. Shane had been dating since he was sixteen with a newly issued driver’s license in hand. His father had lectured him endlessly about safe sex, even going so far as to buy him his first box of condoms.
Shane would never forget the mortification of that conversation, but he’d been damned grateful to have them six months later when he had sex for the first time with his high school girlfriend.
Katie had skipped that entire phase of her life, preferring to be alone rather than risk being treated the way her father had treated her mother. She hadn’t needed to draw him a map for him to understand the why of it. He knew just enough about the Lawry family to get the picture.
But was he the right guy for her to take this monumental step with? He wasn’t sure about that, and before things went any further between them, he needed to tell her about Courtney and what he’d been through so she could decide if she wanted to continue seeing him. The thought of talking about all that garbage with Katie turned his stomach and ruined what was left of his appetite.
He pushed his plate away and focused all his attention on Holden, rubbing his back. Shane loved the way the baby snuggled into the space between his head and shoulder, making himself comfortable in his uncle’s arms. And then he noticed that Holden had wrapped his hand tightly around Katie’s index finger. He shared a smile with her.
“He’s so perfect,” she whispered.
“I know. Being an uncle is the best thing ever.”
“It looks good on you.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you want kids of your own?”
“Someday.” He didn’t mention that he’d expected to have a couple of them by now. But he’d tell her that later, when they were alone. “What about you?”
“When I was little, I wanted a big horde of kids like my mother had. But I haven’t thought about that in ages.”
Sitting on the picnic tables outside the restaurant, Owen and Evan began playing their guitars as their friends and family sang along to “Brown-Eyed Girl.”
Katie watched her brother with a look of love and pride on her face. “He’s so good. Always has been.”
“I love listening to him play. He kept us entertained all winter. He and Laura and the baby, Sarah and Charlie and me… We spent many an evening in the sitting room at the hotel with a fire burning and Owen’s guitar for entertainment.”
“That sounds really cozy.”
“It was. From the time he was born, Holden has been mesmerized by Owen and the guitar.”
“He was probably already used to hearing it while he was in utero.”
“Really?”
“Uh-huh. Babies can hear all sorts of things before they’re born, especially music and their parents’ voices.”
“That’s so cool.”
The island’s police chief, Blaine Taylor, and his wife, Tiffany, came into the restaurant. “Did you guys eat all the tuna?” he asked.
“There’s plenty left,” Big Mac said. “Help yourselves.”
The party continued to grow when Alex Martinez and his fiancée, Jenny, arrived with Alex’s brother, Paul, along with Dr. David Lawrence and his girlfriend, Daisy Babson, as well as Jared and Lizzie James. Shane introduced Katie to all the late arrivals when they came by their table to say hello.
“Do you guys do this sort of thing often?” Katie asked him.
“There’s always some sort of gathering going on. It’s a really fun group of people.”
“I can see that.”
And he could see her desire to be part of it. He wondered if she knew her expression gave her away as she took in the happy people gathered around them.
Laura returned to claim her sleeping baby.
“Do I have to give him back?” Shane asked.
“Afraid so. Hand him over.”
“If you insist.” As Shane transferred the baby to his mother’s waiting arms, the baby never stirred. “He’s out cold. My work here is finished.”
“We’re going to listen to Daddy play,” Laura said.
“We’re heading out shortly,” Shane said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Laura flashed a saucy, suggestive smile. “Have fun, you kids.”
“Go away, Laura.”
“What?”
“Go!”
“He’s not usually so rude, Katie. I apologize for him.”
Katie laughed at the scowl Shane directed at his sister.
“You’re going away now, Laura.”
“Fine. Be that way.”
“Sheesh,” Shane said when his sister took off with the baby. “What a pain she is.”
“You love her.”
“Unfortunately, I do, and she knows it.”
“You guys are tight.”
“Always have been. Our mom died when she was nine and I was seven. We’ve been through a lot together.”
“I’m sorry about your mom. That’s awful.”
“It was pretty bad for a while, but we got through it.” He wanted to tell her what else he’d been through and give her an out if she wanted it. “What do you say we hit the road?”
“Sure. Whatever you want to do.”
He got up and held out a hand to help her and hung on to her hand e
ven after she was standing. They went around to say their good-byes to his family, all of whom made a big deal out of the fact that he’d caught dinner for the whole clan. “I do what I can for the family,” Shane said to laughter from his dad and uncles.
“Have a good night, son,” Frank said. “Nice to see you again, Katie.”
“You, too, Mr. McCarthy.”
“Please, honey. Call me Frank.”
“Thank you, I will.”
Shane put his arm around her as they walked to where he’d parked the motorcycle. He helped her put on the helmet and waited until she was settled on the back before he donned his own helmet and climbed on. “Hang on extra tight.”
Katie laughed at his flirtatious comment.
He loved the way her arms felt around him as he drove out of the marina and headed for town. With his entire family at the marina, they’d have the hotel sitting room to themselves. It was the perfect place for the conversation they needed to have before this went any further.
* * *
When they pulled into the parking lot at the Surf, Katie was disappointed that they’d come home so early. He’d seemed to be enjoying himself, but maybe she’d read that wrong. How would she know anyway?
Would it be awkward when they said good night? What if he tried to kiss her? Would she let him? Right… When he hadn’t even wanted to stay out past ten o’clock, he wasn’t likely to try to kiss her.
He took the helmet from her and gestured for her to go on ahead of him into the hotel.
“Thanks for a nice time,” she said when they stepped into the lobby. With the restaurant closed for the evening, no one was around. “Your family is amazing.”
“Yes, they are, but our date isn’t over. Unless you want it to be.”
“Oh. I thought…”
“You thought I was bringing you home and calling it a night.”
“Yes,” she said, feeling foolish now.
“I was hoping we could find a quiet place to talk, if that’s okay.”
Katie couldn’t believe how relieved she was to learn their date wasn’t over. “I’d like that.”
“Come on in here.” He led her into the sitting room, where he stashed the helmets on the floor next to the hutch that housed her grandmother’s favorite china. Then he joined her on the sofa, sitting with one leg curled up so he could face her. “I wanted to say that I appreciate you trusting me enough to tell me what you did earlier.”
