by Marie Force
“You do love me, don’t you?” he asked.
Her gaze shot up to meet his, looking down at her with a wary, expectant expression on his handsome face. “You know I do.”
“Do I? You’ve never said it.”
“I…I meant to.”
His face lifted into an adorable half smile. “I’m listening.”
“Are you always this pushy?”
“Only when it really, really matters.”
Listening to him talk was almost as sexy as making love with him. “I love you, Seamus O’Grady, giant pain in my ass.”
Laughing, he pushed his imposing penis against her hip. “I’d happily be a giant pain in your ass, if you’d like.”
Shocked to the core by the implication, she stared at him.
“I want to do everything with you.” He moved over her and brushed the hair back from her face as he stared down at her. “Everything. Most of all, I want to marry you and have a life with you.”
As if she’d always loved him, Carolina’s legs parted to admit him. She was sore and achy and still tired, but she’d wanted him so badly for so long, she couldn’t imagine denying him.
“Ah, Christ,” he muttered as he sank into her. “There’s nothing in the whole world better than this.”
Carolina could hardly disagree as he filled her and stirred her and surrounded her with his love.
“Marry me,” he whispered in her ear as he thrust into her. “Marry me, marry me, marry me.”
She kept her face buried in the curve of his shoulder. “I can hardly think when you’re doing that.”
“What’s there to think about?” Without losing their connection, he turned them so she was on top looking down at him, unable to hide from him any longer. His green eyes were sharp and intense and filled with love and longing and so many other things she couldn’t begin to process it all. “I love you, Carolina. I’ll always love you.”
“I love you, too.”
His fingers dug into her hips to keep her from moving. “But?”
“I need to think about it.”
The disappointment registered in his expression for an instant before he rallied and surged into her, stealing the breath from her lungs. “You do all the thinking you need to do. In the meantime, I’ll keep you entertained until you decide.”
With him moving inside her, it was hard to think about anything other than how badly she wanted to feel this way every day for the rest of her life.
This, Tiffany decided as she dragged herself to the store, must be what it was like to get hit by a truck. The worst of the flu symptoms were gone, but her body ached from being sick and from having sex with Blaine for half the night. What did it say about her that even when stricken with the flu, she couldn’t keep her hands off that man?
She hung out the Open flag and pulled out a mannequin dressed in a see-through teddy with matching black panties to the sidewalk. As she went about her opening routine, her mind wandered to Blaine and the evening they’d spent together. When she thought about the things they’d done… Even the owner of a shop like hers could still be embarrassed, remembering being facedown on top of him with her bottom and other important parts right in his face. And the stuff he’d done!
A flash of heat tingled between her legs, making her shudder from the impact. She couldn’t wait to do it all again.
Her cell phone rang, and she took the call from Dan. “Please tell me you have good news.”
“I have good news.”
The din of voices in the background made it hard to hear him. “What’s all that racket?”
“Oh, sorry, I’m sailing today with a bunch of very loud guys who’ve been razzing me about working when I’m supposed to be helping them. I wanted to let you know I called your landlord this morning, and he’s willing to accept a new check, provided this doesn’t happen again.”
“It won’t,” Tiffany said. “I promise.”
“That’s what I told him.”
“I can’t thank you enough for this.”
“The landlord told me it was Jim’s idea to begin eviction proceedings.”
Nothing he did should’ve shocked her anymore, and yet…
“Tiffany?”
“I’m here.”
“I took it upon myself to give Jim a call to let him know how much I’m enjoying life on Gansett and how I’m thinking about permanently relocating, since there seems to be a pressing need for a second attorney on the island.”
Tiffany snorted with laughter. “Oh, that’s fabulous! He must’ve been totally freaked out.”
“To say the least,” Dan said with a chuckle. “I told him how after seeing him in action a few times, how happy I’d be to run him right off the island by hanging out my own shingle.”
Tiffany laughed again. “There’s nothing you could’ve said that would frighten him more than threatening his monopoly on the island’s legal work.”
“That’s what I figured. I gotta say, it was fun to give him a taste of his own medicine. I told him to leave you alone or we’d file defamation charges, which would really do wonders for his practice. I don’t think you’ll be hearing from him again, except where it concerns Ashleigh.”
“Thank you so much.”
“It was completely my pleasure.”
“Send me a bill for your time.”
“No way. I haven’t had that much fun in years. It’s on the house.”
“Well, if you’re ever in need of a gift for a special lady, come by the store, and I’ll hook you up.”
“You got a deal. Talk to you soon.”
“You really didn’t have to do this,” Maddie said to her father-in-law as he waited with her for her father to arrive. She’d invited Bobby to come to her home and had a pitcher of lemonade waiting on the table on the deck so he wouldn’t have to come inside. Mac was off sailing for the day, Thomas had felt well enough to return to camp, and Hailey was down for her morning nap.
“I promised my son I’d take care of you,” Big Mac said, “and I never break a promise.”
“You’re a good dad—to all of us.”
He seemed taken aback by the unexpected compliment. “That’s awfully sweet of you, honey.”
“It’s true. I had no idea how fathers were supposed to behave until I met Mac and got to know you. After seeing the way you are with your kids, I know why Mac is so amazing with ours.”
“You couldn’t pay me a finer compliment.”
Maddie looked out over the meadow where she and Mac had been married almost two years ago. The encroaching fog made it impossible to see the normally spectacular view of the water. “It’s getting kind of foggy out there. Will they be okay?”
“Of course they will. They’re my kids.”
Maddie stared into the fog for a long moment. “It’s embarrassing, you know?”
“What is?”
“This whole thing. I’m a full-grown adult, but the idea of seeing my dad again reduces me to a quivering five-year-old.”
“Which is exactly why Mac didn’t want you to see him alone.”
“I’m glad you’re the one he recruited to babysit me.”
Big Mac smiled. “I volunteered. I’ve got a few things I wouldn’t mind saying to Bobby Chester if the opportunity should arise.”
Maddie laughed at the calculating expression on his face, but her laughter faded at the sound of tires crunching over the gravel driveway. “Here he comes.”
“Don’t let him intimidate you, sweetheart. You’re strong and brave and resilient—and you’re all of those things no thanks to him. Don’t you forget that.”
She squeezed his hand, fortified by his support. “I won’t.” Despite his assurances, her stomach was a mess as she waited for her father to come up the stairs to the deck. And then there he was—tall, stocky, gray-haired, slightly bloated. Nothing at all like the pictures of the handsome, smiling young man her mother had kept around the house long after he left them.
“Nice place you have here,” Bobby said, casti
ng a tentative glance at Big Mac, who remained seated and stone-faced.
“Thank you. We’re happy with it. I believe you know my father-in-law.”
Bobby nodded. “Mac. Good to see you again.”
Big Mac replied with a steely stare that was so far out of character for him that Maddie nearly laughed.
Realizing he wouldn’t get anywhere with Big Mac, Bobby returned his attention to Maddie. “I, um, thank you for seeing me. I know you didn’t want to.”
Since Maddie couldn’t deny that, she withheld comment. “Would you like something to drink?” She gestured to the lemonade.
“That’d be nice.”
Maddie hated the slight tremble in her hands as she poured the three glasses. “Have a seat.”
The three of them sat at the table in uneasy and awkward silence for a long time. Maddie knew she could make this easier on her father, but why should she? This was his show, so she waited. And waited.
“Are your children here?”
“One of them. She’s sleeping.”
“Oh. I would’ve liked to have met them.”
Maddie would’ve like to have told him that he lost the right to know his grandchildren the day he left his family, but that wouldn’t do much to accomplish her goal of getting this meeting over with as quickly as possible.
“I understand you don’t like me very much.”
“I don’t know you. You’re no one to me.”
Bobby winced. “Ouch.”
“What did you expect me to say? Or I should ask, how did you expect me to feel?”
“I suppose I hoped you’d be a little more forgiving. I don’t deny I made some rather significant mistakes—”
“Is that how you see it? A mistake? You left your family and never looked back. In this day and age, you could be put in jail for abandoning your children with no means of support.”
“You remind me of your mother,” he said disdainfully.
“Be careful. If you say one word to disparage my mother, this meeting is over.”
“I only wanted the opportunity to talk to you, to tell you I’m sorry for what I did, that I regret it. I wish I could have my life to do over again. I would’ve done things differently.”
“That’s good to know.”
“Do you have anything you want to ask me?”
“I’d like to know why you left.”
Bobby looked away from her. “I wish I could give you an explanation that you’d find satisfying, but the truth of the matter is I never should’ve gotten married. I wasn’t cut out for family life, even though I loved your mom and you girls.”
Maddie raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
“I don’t blame you for not believing me, but it’s true. I did love you—very much. I always have. I just couldn’t live on this island, and your mother didn’t want to live anywhere else.”
“Don’t you dare blame her.”
“I’m not blaming her. The blame is all mine. Some men aren’t cut out to be family men. I was one of them.”
“Too bad you didn’t realize that before you brought two kids into the world,” Big Mac said, breaking his silence.
“I was hoping I’d feel differently once I had kids.”
“I think I’ve heard enough.” Maddie stood to let her father know she was done. “I’ve given you what you wanted. Now please give my mother what she deserves—the chance to finally be happy.”
“Is that the only reason you saw me? So I’d give your mother the divorce?”
“Yes.”
He didn’t seem pleased to hear that but nodded and got up to leave. “Thank you for seeing me. I’m sorry I let you down.”
“You let yourself down, too, Chester,” Big Mac said. “You’ll never know the two amazing women you fathered or their beautiful children. You missed the only thing that really matters in this life by being selfish. I feel sorry for you.”
“Stuff your pity. I don’t want it. I’m sure you consider yourself father of the year—”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Big Mac said, “but I’ve been there for my kids every day of their lives, and I’m proud to say I’ve never missed anything important with any of them—or the extra ones I picked up along the way.”
“It’s time for you to go now,” Maddie said to her father, gesturing to the stairs.
Bobby started to say something else but thought better of it and headed down the stairs. They heard him drive off a minute later.
“You all right?” Big Mac asked.
“Surprisingly, yes. I didn’t expect to gain closure from seeing him again, but that’s what I got.”
“Let’s hope he holds up his end of the bargain,” Big Mac said as he stood to hug her. “Your mom and Ned have waited long enough.”
“I agree.” Maddie returned his embrace. “Thank you so much for being here and for what you said about Tiffany and me.”
“I only spoke the truth.” He kissed her on the forehead and released her. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you after you’ve made my boy so happy.”
Maddie smiled. “He’ll be very happy to hear I got through that unscathed.”
“Yes, he will. I’d better get back to the marina to give Luke a hand.”
“Thanks again for coming.”
“Any time.”
Chapter 23
Blaine picked up Sarah at the hotel and drove her to Daisy’s place. He could tell she was nervous by the way her hands twisted repeatedly in her lap.
“Wow, look at the fog!” Sarah said as they drove past the ferry landing. The entire harbor was shrouded in a thick, soupy cloud that chilled the air.
“I heard they called off the morning races shortly after they began,” Blaine said. “An auspicious start to Race Week.”
Sarah was quiet for a long time before she said, “Are you sure it’s a good idea for me to talk to her?”
“I’m not sure of anything. But I can’t help but think it would do her some good to hear how many times you took back your husband before you realized he was never going to change. Might save her some time and heartache, not to mention it could save her life.”
“When you put it like that, it seems like a worthwhile effort.”
“That was my thinking.”
“Why is it that you don’t seem yourself this morning?”
He looked over at her, surprised by the question. “I don’t?”
She shook her head. “Not at all. I could tell from the minute you came into the hotel that something was off. Call it mother’s intuition.”
Blaine rubbed a hand over the stubble on his jaw and imagined what the mayor would say about the scruffy beard that matched his scruffy hair.
“Girl trouble?”
He thought of Tiffany and the erotically charged night they’d spent together and felt guilty—for about the hundredth time—for going at her like a madman when she’d been so sick.
“Has to be girl trouble,” Sarah said. “I see all the signs. Hangdog expression, sleep-deprived eyes…”
“It’s not trouble, per se,” Blaine said, giving in to her.
“Then what?”
“My mom doesn’t approve, for one thing.”
“Because of the store.”
Blaine knew he shouldn’t be surprised that people in town knew he and Tiffany were seeing each other, but it was surprising to hear it was common knowledge. “Partially. She’s worried I’ll end up endangering my job to help out Tiffany.”
“And would you? Endanger your job to help her out?”
“Probably.”
“You must care about her an awful lot.”
“I do.”
“Then do what you have to do to protect her.”
“Think maybe you could have a chat with my mom?”
Sarah laughed. “You’re on your own with her, pal.”
“Jeez… Thanks a lot.”
“She must have a good a reason for being worried about you.”
“I’ve given her ample reas
on over the years.”
“Then don’t judge her too harshly for not wanting to see you hurt.”
“I’ll try not to.”
“Motherhood is the best and worst job in the world. No matter how great a job you might do, you always feel like there’s more you could’ve and should’ve done. That’s certainly true for me. Sometimes we overcompensate for the past by hovering a little too closely over our adult children.”
“She doesn’t have anything to compensate for. She was a great mom.”
“Yet still you suffered and stumbled. Any mother worth her salt would do what she could to keep that from happening again.”
What she said made a lot of sense. “And you think you have no wisdom to impart to Daisy.” He parked in front of Daisy’s house and cut the engine. “Thank you for doing this.”
“I only hope it helps.”
“It can’t hurt, that’s for sure.” He went around the truck and held the door for her while she got out.
“Your mother might be giving you fits, but she raised you right.”
“I’ll let her know you said so,” Blaine said, amused by her.
Daisy met them at the door and let them in. “Hi, Blaine.”
“Daisy, this is my friend, Sarah. I wanted you to meet her.”
Daisy’s hand went up to the fading bruises on her face. “I’m not really prepared for guests.”
Sarah stepped forward and put an arm around Daisy, leading her to a sofa. “Don’t you worry about that, honey. I’ve been right where you are, and I know all about bruises you did nothing to deserve.”
“You do?”
“I sure do. Let me tell you all about the elegant, charming, young army officer who turned out to be a monster.”
Watching Daisy hang on Sarah’s every word, Blaine felt comfortable enough to take a phone call from Linc Mercier, the coast guard captain who ran the island’s search and rescue outpost. Stepping onto the front porch, he said, “What’s up, Linc?”
“Hey, Blaine. I’m glad I caught you. We’ve just had a report that one of the boats heading out for Race Week collided with a freighter in the fog with at least one confirmed fatality. Word is there were some islanders on the boat. I thought you might be able to figure out how many people were on the boat and who they were.”
