Keeping You Forever (A Harbor Love Series)

by Marulanda, Jaclyn

  She laughed and thought to herself how she could ever be in love with someone like Denny Marshall. “You make yourself look like an idiot on your own Denny. Trust me; you need no help in that department.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean Grace?”

  “It means that you pick up all of these women all over town, sleep with them and then have the nerve to question me about what I am doing!” She could feel the anger building inside of her and she took a deep breath and pushed open the car door and stepped out. “You think that everyone doesn’t see you at Geddys and all the other bars around town with a different girl every night?”

  “That is not true. I don’t bring home a different girl every night,” he took a step back and crossed his arms over his chest trying to play innocent.

  “Yeah right Denny and I found the pot ‘o gold at the end of the rainbow last week,” she said in her best Irish accent. “We are over! We have been over for three years! Remember, when you left me for the bleach blonde tourist who you said was the love of your life? I found someone who cares for me and makes me happy and you are never going to come between that.”

  She slammed the car door and turned to walk away when he grabbed her wrist pulling her back and spun her around. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her waist, locking his fingers behind her back. “You still have feelings for me I can tell by the way you look at me. We had something special Grace. Are you going to let some surfer bum from California ruin it for us?”

  She pushed him back and wiggled out of his hold, shaking her head. “You really are as dumb as you look, aren’t you? We are not good together all you ever did was hurt me. Tyler is more of a man than you will ever be. As far as I am concerned, you and I having nothing else to talk about.” She left him standing in the middle of the parking lot looking like someone just pulled the rug out from under him. She gave him one last glance and found herself giggling at the look on his face.

  “I am not going to wait for you Grace! You are making a mistake!” He shouted as she walked away from him.

  There was no need to turn around or think twice. She knew the only mistake she made was wasting three years of her life on Denny. Now the only thing she wanted was Tyler and finally she found the courage to tell him and was going to do just that when she got home.

  All day Grace thought of how to tell Tyler she was in love with him. Anyone in their right mind would tell her he was crazy for being in love with a man she had barely known for two weeks. She didn’t care it was the best two weeks of her life and she didn’t want to waste any more time. The drive home felt like hours when it only took her ten minutes to get home. She expected her sisters to be home and knew they would want every detail before she told Tyler, but oddly enough when she walked in, the house was empty and quiet. The flutters in her stomach grew as she walked into her room and saw the bed still unmade from this morning and the thoughts of her morning with Tyler came back to her and she smiled and remembered every touch and kiss. She showered quickly, leaving her hair up and being careful not to wet it. Her closet wasn’t filled with the hottest outfits so she went to Paige’s room to see if she could find one of her sisters ‘to die for’ outfits. Of course Paige had everything in two or three colors. Grace picked a green tank top with a lace top and a cream colored knit sweater that hung off her curves perfectly and a pair of dark blue jeans with a pair of black ankle boots. She looked in the mirror one last time and walked out of the door. It didn’t take her long to be at Tyler’s front door. She stood there thinking about the first time he invited her over for dinner and knocked waiting for him to answer. With every passing second her nerves seemed to get the best of her and she even thought about turning around and going back home. She kept telling herself that she Tyler made her happy and that he made it pretty clear several times that she did the same thing for him. Finally the door opened and he stood there in jeans that hung low on his waist and were unbuttoned. His hair was wet and his chest had droplets of water running down his skin. The man had just stepped out of the shower and looked and smelled divine. If her nerves didn’t knock her knees weak then the site of him half naked and still wet from the shower did. Finding the words to speak seemed impossible and she took a step toward him. He smiled and reached for her, pulling her up to his wet body and gave her the most passionate kiss she ever had in her life. His lips moved slowly against hers, his tongue sliding over them and tasting her sweet mouth.

  “Where have you been all day?” he said giving her one more quick kiss and pulled her inside, kicking the door closed with his foot. “Let me change real quick and we can go get dinner.”

  “I actually wanted to talk to you first,” she said almost hesitating because of her nerves.

  He heard something different in her voice and his heart sank. She was going to say it was over he could feel it. The look on her face said it all, he could feel the nervous tension and it was killing him slowly. He turned around and took a step toward her and looked into her eyes trying to see if he could read her emotions but she gave nothing away.

  “Why do I have a feeling you are going to tell me goodbye?” he said.

  She took a deep breath and looked around and then back at him. “Can we sit down for this,” she whispered, barely even speaking.

  “No just say whatever it is you’re going to say. I don’t want to sit down.” His mood from earlier was gone and he was starting to feel the panic rising inside.

  “I…” it was like the words were there but she couldn’t get them out. Taking another deep breath she looked up at him and thought it was now or never and watch her happiness walkaway.

  “Your killing me here Grace, please just tell me whatever it is.”

  “I love you Tyler,” it came out faster than she thought it would and she suddenly felt all the nerves rush through her body and her knees went weak almost giving out on her.

  Tyler stood there, his arms at his side and his heart stopped. He was sure she was going to tell him it was over and thought maybe he was hearing things and wanted her to say it again. “What did you just say?”

  “I love you,” she whispered.

  “Grace am I hearing things, or did you just say that you love me?” Hearing her say those words was like some gave him back his life and his heart. He knew he loved her and wanted her but she was never open with her feelings. She kept herself and her heart guarded, until now and he wasn’t going to lose his chance, not for anything in the world.

  “Tyler, before you... I never thought I would love anyone again. Denny hurt me and closed my heart off to love and the idea of it. Then you came to Bar Harbor. From the first night, you started working you way little by little into my heart. I tried to stop it but I couldn’t and I don’t want to anymore. I fell in love with you Tyler.”

  “Grace,” he whispered and cupped her face in his hands, looking into her eyes. “You have made me the happiest man in the world. I love you too Grace. I know it’s crazy, but I love you and I don’t care if it has only been two weeks. I love you like I have never loved anyone, you make me feel like I’m important and I mean something. No one has ever done that to me. When I came to Bar Harbor I wanted to get away from love and never wanted it again. That night in Geddys when I saw you, it was like someone reached in a grabbed my heart and squeezed it. I wanted you from that first night. I will never hurt you Grace and I will love you like you deserve to be loved…”

  Something came over her, and she wrapped her arms around Tyler’s neck and pressed her lips against his, kissing him until they were both breathless. “Can we skip dinner tonight?” she asked, leaning her head back and gave him a sweet smile.

  He turned his head to the side, thinking about it and shook his head. “Screw dinner, it’s over rated,” he said and grab her, wrapping her legs around his waist. He kissed her as he led them to his room and kicked the door and closed it with his foot. His lips never leaving hers until they made it to the bed and he tossed her on it, leaving her to watch
him remove the only piece of clothing he was wearing, jeans. She bit down on her lower lip trying to hide her smile and gave him the “come here” signal with her finger. Climbing onto the bed he made his way to her, pulling her down toward him and he took his time showing her just how much he loved her. It took several hours and a mess of pillows and blankets all over the room for him to show her just how much he loved her. He made sure he left her knowing just how much she meant to him.

  December…

  “This is a death trap Grace. I can’t even salvage this thing. I think it’s time for you to get a new car,” Tyler said, looking under the hood of her car. “This may be the biggest piece of sh….”

  “Don’t you dare say that about my car,” Grace said. “This thing has been very loyal to me. It never left me stranded anywhere.”

  Paige coughed trying to hide her laugh. “Yeah right, this thing has left you stranded more than I can count on one hand. I think Tyler is right Grace, it’s time to let the car go and get a new one.”

  She stood in front of her car and looked at it and remembered all the memories she had with the car, good and bad. From the moment she bought it, to taking her sisters to school and going on dates. Of course it was the dates she went on with Denny, because the bastard was too cheap to get his own car.” I guess you are right, it might be time for a new car, seeing how as it won’t even start anymore.”

  “Babe it’s time for a new car. Trust me on this. I know cars and this one has had it,” he said, wiping his hands on his jeans and closed the hood. “I’m shocked it lasted as long as it did for you.” “Who would have thought you would have dated a hot mechanic Grace? But then again, who would have thought I would have had the hots for the good ole boy who runs the hardware store? Believe me, that man can do some hot things in the back of the hardware store,” Paige said fanning herself.

  “You really should not be allowed to leave the house,” Grace shook her head. “You need to learn when to keep things to yourself, Paige. Ugh, the mental picture I just got will be burned in my mind forever.”

  The weeks passed and Christmas was only a few days away. Grace wanted it to be special and wanted to give Paige the Christmas she had missed so much since she had been gone. She made it a point to put up all of her favorite decorations around the house and even had Tyler buy the biggest tree he could find. Since Paige loved to have the biggest tree every year. It was perfect and she couldn’t be happier and more excited for Paige to see everything finished. Grace wanted it to be a surprise, so she sent her out with Grayson and told her she could not come back until after seven. With it being only an hour away, Grace was getting more excited as the time got closer and was pacing back and forth in the living room.

  “Grace, she is going to love it, will you please sit down already,” Tyler said from the couch.

  “I can’t help it. She hasn’t been home in years and now that she is home, I want to make everything perfect and make her want to stay this time. Who knows when she will pack up and leave back to New York City?”

  “Grace,” He got up and walked over to her, putting his arms around her. “Your sister is a grown woman. Christmas decorations aren’t going to change her mind about what she wants to do with her life. Besides, she seems to like Grayson a lot and I don’t see her leaving Bar Harbor any time soon. If she does she will always come back to visit, or you could go visit her.” He tightened his arms around her and gave her a kiss on the side of her head and leaned back looking into her face. “She is going to love everything you did for her.”

  She took a deep breath, losing herself in the warmth of his body and smell of his soap and cologne. “I know. I just miss her that’s all.”

  “You are going to make a great mother one day, Grace. You love your sisters like they were your own.” “Are you telling me you are ready for kids Tyler?” she asked resting her head on his chest and looking up at him through her lashes.

  “One step at a time, but the thought of having kids with you is not a bad one.”

  Paige stood in the middle of the living room taking in all of the decorations. The smile on her face warmed Graces heart. “You did all of this for me?” Paige asked trying to hold back her tears. “Gracie, this is so… I can’t believe you did this for me.” She hugged her sister and her tears began to fall. Being back home was exactly what Paige needed after having such a horrible year. Being dumped , out of work and her apartment catching fire was pretty much enough to make anyone want to crawl into a hole and never come out. Leaving Bar Harbor again didn’t seem like such a great idea anymore. She had everything here, a family that loved her, friends and now Grayson. Bar Harbor was her home and for the first time in a long time she felt happy.

  “This is going to be the best Christmas I have had in a long time. Thank you for always being there Gracie. You are the best sister anyone could ask for.”

  “I love you Paige and I am so glad you came home. Don’t ever stay away that long again! Do you hear me?” Grace held onto her sister for a little bit longer as she thought of all the special times they shared growing up.

  “Do you ever think of mom Grace?” Paige asked.

  Grace took a step back and wiped a tear from her eyes. “I think about her a lot actually. But, she left us Paige. She knew the way home and she never came back.”

  “I know, but don’t you miss her sometimes and wish you could see her again?”

  “I do. I haven’t heard from her in years. I wouldn’t even know what to say to her.”

  “I know. It’s just sometimes I wish she was around. It would have been nice to have her around and it wasn’t fair that you had to give up everything for us. We are your sisters, not your children Grace. You never got to do what you wanted with your life. Sometimes I think about how it could have been different for you if mom never left.”

  “Paige, I do not regret anything about taking care of you and Autumn. I love you both more than my own life. You guys were more important than going to college or going out to party and getting drunk like everyone else my age was doing. Don’t ever think that I wish things were different, because I don’t.”

  “You are the best sister anyone could ask for Grace. One day you are going to make a great mommy, I know it,” Paige said with a smile.

  “Is my biological clock ticking or something? Why is everyone bringing up having babies?” Grace asked.

  “What! You’re…I mean…are you pregnant?” she turned to Tyler and pointed at him “Did you knock my sister up mister?”

  Tyler held his hands up and took a step back. “I didn’t knock anyone up. I will be outside where my balls will be safe. If you need me Grace, you know where to find me…uh us,” Tyler smiled.

  “Your balls are safe Tyler, as long as you don’t hurt my sister,” Paige shouted as the door closed behind him.

  “I think you scared him Paige,” Grace laughed. “And… NO! I am not pregnant! But Tyler did say I would make a great mom.”

  “I’m just teasing him. I have no doubt that the man is into you. I see the way he looks at you and the way he treats you. That’s love Grace, real love and you deserve it. I am so glad you are happy.”

  “For the first time in a long time I am happy. Tyler makes me happy. It’s been a long day and I am exhausted.”

  Both sisters yawned and nodded. Grace spent all day making sure Paige had a perfect Christmas. Paige spent all day with Grayson helping him at the hardware store and of course, finding time to have fun in the back room.

  “The only thing that would make this night perfect is if Autumn was here. Who ever thought our baby sister would be working so many hours. She’s never home!” Paige said as she took off her shoes and tossed in the corner.

  “Things never change do they? Can’t you put your shoes away,” Grace asked.

  “Don’t you have some hot guys bed to go keep warm? I believe he is waiting for you outside and wants to do naughty things.”

  “You know sometimes I wonder if you were adopted. Yo
u are nothing like Autumn. But then again, you always were a free spirit.”

  “I live my life free and open. Maybe you should try it one day. You might find that you like it. Now…this free spirit is going to bed. I have been very open with Grayson today and he wore me out,” Paige said waving her hand in the air as she walked to her room.

  “You need a filter on your mouth! I might buy you one for Christmas!” Grace shouted as Paige walked down the hall. “Gotta love her, crazy and all,” Grace said to herself as she grabbed her purse and jacket to go find Tyler.

  “Do you think she is going to like this?” Tyler asked as he looked into the glass box at the jewelry counter.

  “Of course she is going to like it. It’s beautiful and what girl would not love a pair of diamond earrings for Christmas,” Paige said. “Trust me, she is going to love it and if you are unsure you could always add this matching eternity diamond necklace. It’s a sweet way to tell her you will love her for eternity without the whole diamond ring deal.”

  “You think I should buy her a diamond ring instead?” Tyler said as he looked at the earrings one more time.

  Paige was shocked and turned around, whipping her hair off her shoulders “Wait a minute are you saying you would buy my sister a diamond ring and ask her to marry you?”

  He took a minute to think about the possibility of spending the rest of his life with Grace and he knew that it would make him the happiest man in the world to spend his life with her and get married and have a few kids. But he also knew that he had to take things slow with her, she said she loved him but he wasn’t sure how she would handle a proposal. The thought of her closing herself up again was enough to make him want to run out of that jewelry store. “Marrying your sister would make me the happiest man in the world, but I might ruin everything right now if I give her a diamond ring on Christmas Eve.” The thoughts of marrying Grace ran through his mind a mile a minute. He wanted nothing more than to get down on one knee and ask her to spend the rest of her life with him. “I’m right aren’t I?” He asked, questioning he own thoughts and considering buying the ring.