by D L Lane
“Go, Donald’s, Daddy!” Arianna exclaimed, that feeling of heartbroken and love hitting Gage at the same time he curled her into the crook of his arm.
“Sweetie pie… ” He placed a smooch to her cheek, making her giggle. “We can go to McDonald’s if you want, but Mommy and I have told you, I’m not your daddy. Marcus Harding was your daddy. I’m Gage. Your mommy’s friend.”
“My Daddy!” she insisted, shaking her blonde head. “No, Mommy Daddy.”
Gage glanced up to see Danny watching them, her beautiful eyes taking on that shine; the one that said tears were imminent.
He gave his attention to the baby girl who held him in the palm of her little hand. “No. I’m not Mommy’s Daddy. Samuel is your mommy’s father. Your grandfather. I’m Mommy’s friend.”
“Sam-Daddy!” Aaron chimed in.
“Yes, Samuel is your mommy’s Daddy,” he said.
“Gage,” Danica called in her soft voice, drawing his attention. “It’s okay. Really. The twins will understand when they are a little bit older.”
“Love, Mommy,” Ari said, making him smile.
“Yes.” He kept his eyes on Danny. “We all love Mommy.”
Chapter Seventy-Seven
Dressed in a black suit, Gage adjusted his silk tie. Tonight was the night. She didn’t know it yet, but he had every intention of making Danny admit she loved him. Next month he’d turn forty, and he’d had enough of the waiting. It was time. Their time. And since she’d permanently removed the wedding rings Marcus gave her, he wasn’t going to waste another hour.
“What do you think about this whole retirement thing?” Danica asked later after he helped her out of the vehicle and then handed his keys over to the valet.
“I’m surprised Dad is actually going to retire, but I’m happy for him. He and Mom need to spend some quality downtime together.”
Taking her hand, Danny gasped. “My ring. You’re wearing it?”
“I am.”
She glanced up at him, astonished love written all over her beautiful face. “Why?”
“It just felt right.”
Silently, they walked into the snooty Seattle country club his parents belonged to, and then entered the smaller ballroom where people mingled, music played, chandeliers twinkled, and candlelight flickered.
“Hi, Chief Harrison.” Felicia Sands sauntered up in a too-tiny dress, a big smile on her face.
Danica leaned closer to him—possessive.
“Hello, Ms. Sands,” he said, trying not to let the fact Danny was up against him show by beaming.
The woman’s gaze went from him to Danica, dismissing her, then back to his face. “I’ve missed you in the gym lately, so it’s good to see you.” She fluttered her lashes.
“Good to see you as well,” Danica interjected, refusing to be ignored as she squeezed his fingers tighter with hers.
“I’m sorry. I don’t believe you and I have been properly introduced.” Felicia grinned, oozing fakeness, attention bouncing to Danny. “I’m—”
“The new owner of the antique store, Felicia Sands. And you and I have met. I’m Danica Lorry-Harding.”
“Oh yes.” Giggle, giggle. “From the chamber. Now I remember.”
“Ms. Sands,” Gage said, putting an end to the ridiculous woman’s interference. “I hope you enjoy your evening.”
Letting go of Danica’s hand to put his palm on her lower back, Gage maneuvered them around the maneater and deeper into the room.
“Friend of yours?” Danny asked under her breath.
Her jealousy thrilled him. “Nope.”
“Good.”
Glancing down, Gage smiled at the woman he loved. “You ready for this shindig?”
Danny was looking up at him from beneath her long lashes, her blue eyes glittering. “Ready.”
~
The dinner had been formal, but good. The food excellent—even Breckin thought so—and Gage was getting antsy, wanting to get Danica in his arms. Yes, for the third time in his life, he wanted to dance. But only with her. Only ever her.
His father stood, tapped his fork against his crystal glass, and said, “If I could have everyone’s attention?”
Of course, he got it.
“I just wanted to say how honored I am you all came here tonight to celebrate another milestone with me. I’ve been so privileged to know all of you and to be able to do what I love for over thirty years. But, it’s time now to pass the baton to the younger generation. So, while you all know we are here for my retirement, we are also here to celebrate the changing of the guard, so to speak.”
His father glanced around, then said, “Starting next month, Doctor Caleb Novak, one of Cedar Point’s very own, will be taking over the practice at the medical clinic. Caleb, will you stand?”
That was news. Gage hadn’t realized Caleb was even there, was returning to Cedar Point, or that Dad had found someone to take over for him.
Two tables down, the boy he knew was barely visible in the man who stood, ran a palm down the front of his dress shirt, then smiled. “I’m honored as well, Doctor Harrison.”
“Let’s all show this young man our gratitude and appreciation, and when you see him around town, make him feel welcome.”
A few cheers happened, along with a round of applause.
“Enough from me,” Dad said. “I think the band is about ready, so, as my son would say, let’s get this party started!”
~
Lightning cracked across the sky, sending a display of nature’s fireworks into the room. The massive wall of glass framed God’s picture show as Danica took the dance floor with Gage. This was only her third time dancing with him, yet, it seemed like it should have been so many more.
“You look beautiful tonight,” Gage said in his sandpaper-smooth voice. “But you look beautiful every night.”
A heated tendril of pleasure meandered over her skin at the compliment. “Thank you, Gawonii. You look very handsome yourself.”
“I’m glad you think so.” Placing his arm around her waist, his other palm holding hers up by his shoulder, Danica let him take the lead.
Looking into his silver eyes, she wanted to swoon, but instead, she pulled her gaze away, placed her cheek to his chest, and swayed to the music.
Dance after dance, the two of them stayed in their little bubble of contentment until the band started playing a song she hadn’t heard in, she couldn’t say how long.
Glancing back up at Gage, she grinned. “I love this song.”
“After All?”
“Yes.”
“I know you do.”
“You do?”
“I know you, Danny.”
It was such a simple thing to say, but it seemed to melt her into him. “Mm…”
When Gage placed his cheek next to hers, his breath tickled her skin, sending chills and fiery flames over her. “Danica?”
“Hmm?”
“Tell me you want me.” He nuzzled his nose into the crook of her neck. “Tell me you need me.” He placed his lips to the hollow beneath her ear and breathed, “Tell me you love me.”
Oh, she wanted to. She longed to, but for some moronic reason, she remained silent. Then all too soon, the song ended.
When Gage let loose of her, the warmth left, only getting worse as he took a step back.
With a tilt to her head, Danica frowned.
“Okay then,” he said, before, to her horror, he rubbed his tense jaw, turned, and walked away.
A horrible dread crept over Danica like sludge when she lost sight of Gage in the crowd of dancing couples. Why didn’t I tell him? He’s leaving!
Unsure of what to do, but knowing she needed to do something, Danica pressed her way through the couples, trying to be polite saying, “Sorry,” and “Excuse me,” then took the one step up to the stage where the band was playing and yelled, “Gage Harrison!”
The music stopped. The dancing ceased, and hundreds of eyes were on her.
“Gage Harr
ison!” she bellowed again.
The people parted.
“I need to tell you something!”
Like a dream, there he was, staring up at her, hands in the pockets of his suit pants, looking more handsome than ever before if that were possible.
“What is it?” Gage asked, not shouting as she’d done but loud enough the whole room could hear him.
“I want you!”
The corners of his lips turned up into his radiant smile.
“I need you!”
“You do?”
She nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.
“What else, Danny?”
“I love you, Gawonii. I’ve been in love with you my whole life.”
“I know.”
Coming to the edge of the stage in that pure male swagger, he held out a hand, and she took it, curling her fingers around his warm palm as he helped her down to the dance floor.
Danica’s heart fluttered a specific pattern as it was wont to do in his presence. “Gage, I—”
He pulled her into his body with possession, slanted his mouth across hers, and proceeded to kiss her breathless.
There might have been clapping. Maybe even a few whistles. And Danica was reasonably sure she heard her brother-in-law shout, “It’s about time!”
But she was way too busy kissing the man she loved to care.
Epilogue
Before
“Slow down and hit your brake!”
Gage was yelling, though she didn’t know exactly where he was. All she knew for sure? Her handlebars were swerving, the front tire going in the wrong direction, and she was panicking.
Danica screamed when she ran into the curb, let go of her bike, hand’s going out an instant before she went airborne, having a major crash and burn.
“Danny!”
She heard him, but for a moment, she was addled.
“Are you okay?” Gage was there, by her side where she lay, her palms and knees a bloody mess—her new blue and white Huffy a bent street ornament. “Here.”
She felt the warmth of him when he put his arm around her shoulders.
Trying not to hurt herself any more than she was, Danica let him help her right herself—the burning pain from her scrapes catching up, sending flames over her, making her cry.
“You’re bleeding.”
She knew it, but she couldn’t stop watching him.
Gage took off his Star Wars t-shirt, wiped the tears from her face with it, then started dabbing at the cuts on her palm, making Danica wince and suck in a sharp breath.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to hurt you.”
She looked up at him, into his serious face as he tried to clean her up, struck how a lock of midnight fell over his right brow, the summer sun making a blue halo in his black hair. The way his skin was so much prettier than hers—those liquid silver eyes.
Danica didn’t even realize the pain faded away as she thought, in her eight-year-old mind, Gawonii must be an angel like the ones Mrs. Beil talks about in Sunday school.
“Come on. I need to get you home.” He scooped her up.
Danica rested her cheek against his chest, her knobby knees bent over his forearm, her thin arms going around his neck as he carried her. “I ruined my new bike.”
She started to cry again, big fat tears over destroying her birthday present.
“Shh…” he soothed, “don’t worry. I’ll fix it, Danny. You’ll see. Everything will be okay.”
Eyelids fluttering closed, she listened to the thrum of Gage’s heartbeat, instinctively knowing everything already was.
Bonus Scene
Before
“Do you need help with that?” Mason asked as Danny pulled a camping chair out of the trunk of his Mustang.
“I’m good. I’ve got it.” She wanted to keep herself busy, not stare at Gage, who was coming their way, holding a blue cooler. There was nothing she could do about the flutters happening in her tummy.
“Hey, guys,” he greeted them, his voice deep, velvety, yet rough around the edges—sandpaper-smooth.
“G! Glad you’re here,” Mason said, the two of them bumping fists.
“You want to go over by the dock?” Breck asked, plucking up some blankets.
“Sounds good to me,” Mason said.
Handing a quilt to Mase, her sister asked, “Did anyone see if Jake and Maggie are coming?”
“I did,” Gage said. “I’m sure they are on their way.”
Their arms loaded down with stuff for the afternoon—blankets, coolers, bags of towels, sunscreen, and bug spray—they headed toward the lake.
In the distance, Danica noticed a little boy sitting on the end of the pier, his legs swinging over the edge. She thought it was Cooper, old man Kane’s grandson who came to visit for the summers. Then all thoughts turned to Gage, who stepped beside her.
Looking up at him, she grinned.
When he returned the smile, bumping his shoulder into hers, her heart soared. “You going to swim?”
“I don’t know. I might just enjoy the sun, work on my tan.”
“I’ve brought some floats from home. When we get settled, I’ll go back to my car and get them.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
Side-by-side they went, stepping onto the end of the dock, Gage yelling, “Hey, Coop!”
The boy put his fishing gear aside, scrambled up, brushed his hands together, looked at them then waved. “Hi, Gage.”
“You getting ready to call it a day?”
“Yeah. Fish aren’t biting.” He bent and got his pole.
“Really?” Mason put down the bags he’d been holding. “The fish in this lake always bite.”
“Not today. I think it’s too hot.”
“That sure is a nice pole,” Gage said.
Cooper smiled. “I got it for my birthday.”
“Oh, yeah? When was your birthday?”
“Last Tuesday.”
“Well, happy late birthday then.”
“Thanks!”
“How old are you now?”
“Eight.”
“Wow,” Breckin said, “you got a girlfriend yet?”
Cooper’s little face scrunched up. “No way! Girls are gross!”
Mason laughed and curled his arm around her sister’s waist. “You might think that now, but trust me. One day, you won’t.”
“Danny.” Gage stepped back to her, a frown on his brow. “I’ll carry that for you,” he said, reaching for the large canvas bag she had.
She’d stopped going over a new dance routine in her head and smiled at him. “It’s okay.” Danica swiped some hair from her cheek. “I’m fine.”
“Hi, guys!”
Everyone turned to see Jake and Mags coming their way.
“Hey, Maggie!” Danica wiggled her fingers.
“Did you bring the stereo?” Breckin asked.
Jake lifted the boombox proudly. “Yeah!”
“I hope you remembered to check the batteries,” Mason said, “last time it died.”
“During one of my favorite songs,” Breckin added, rolling her green eyes.
Jake shook his head. “I replaced the batteries before we came.”
“Hi.” Mags bent toward Coop. “And who are you?”
“Cooper,” he muttered, dropping his head, glancing down at his feet.
“Cute name. I’m Magdalene, but everyone calls me Maggie.”
He nodded as he looked back up at her, appearing to be in awe.
“Has anyone ever told you, you’ve got great eyes?” Mags asked him.
His cheeks turned berry-red. “No.”
“Coop there, he’s going to be a real heartbreaker when he grows up,” Breckin commented.
“Are we going to eat or what?” Jake groaned.
“Seriously?” Maggie lifted her gaze toward the sky, irritated, then straightened. “We just got here.”
Gage held up his cooler. “We just need to start the grill.”
“Let’s do it
, I’m starving,” Jake complained.
“You’re always starving,” Maggie said, then winked at little Cooper.
“Got to go,” he blurted, then took off like a shot.
As if they were in the choir, their group all sang, “Bye, Coop!” at almost the same time.
“I think someone has a crush on you, Maggie,” Breck said, then chuckled.
Jake tossed his arm around Maggie’s shoulders. “Yeah, well, she’s mine.”
“Really, Jake? Cooper’s a little boy, no need to get all caveman possessive.”
The two started their squabbling, so Danica decided to head on down the dock, flip-flops thwap-tapping the wood.
~
Gage was pulling food out of the Colman cooler when he came to a dead stop—a package of hotdogs slipping from his grip and tumbling back into the ice. Backlit by the sun, Danny lifted the NSYNC t-shirt she was wearing over her head, those golden strands of hair going with it, then tumbling down around her bare shoulders as she dropped the material at her bare feet.
He swallowed hard when she started shimmying out of her shorts, exposing a whole lot of perfect, creamy-white skin.
Heaven help me, she’s wearing a tiny pink polka dot bikini.
Gage wanted to gawk, though he was pretty sure he already was. He blinked, hoping he wasn’t drooling, catching both Phillip who had joined the party, and Jake, looking at her. He didn’t like it. At all!
A heated spike of anger pierced him as he considered going to Danny and covering her up. But if he did that, it would cause a scene. So he left his job at the cooler and headed her way, intent on getting her into the water where no one could see her beautiful body. Though, the idea of her soaking wet and glistening did things to him.
I’ll just make sure to wrap a towel around her when we get out.
Yes. Gage had a plan.
Grinning wickedly, and fully clothed, he jogged down the pier, his sandals thudding a rhythm.
Danny was adjusting the little string on her hip, then glanced up, blue eyes wide. “Gage, what are you—”
“Got you!” He picked her up and jumped—the two of them making a huge splash.
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