by Marie Force
“Yeah, they might have a problem with us banging one out against the wall of their mudroom.”
Jenny laughed at his always-colorful way with words. “Ya think?”
“I’m definitely thinking.” He pressed his erection against her back. “I’m thinking of getting sweaty with my baby.”
“Do you two ever take a break?” Alex’s brother, Paul, asked as he came into the store and caught them in a clinch.
“Not very often,” Alex said, tightening his hold on Jenny so she couldn’t escape.
“Don’t you worry about it breaking off from overuse?” Paul asked his brother.
Alex busted up laughing. “Nope. My motto is use it or lose it.” He pushed his erection against her again to make his point.
She’d already received his message—loud and clear.
“In fact, we were thinking about cutting out early today,” Alex said. “It’s hot as fuck in here, and we’ve got better things to do than sweat our balls off in this place.”
“Point of order,” Jenny said. “I don’t actually have balls.”
“My balls are your balls, which makes them our balls.”
“Paul, will you please do something about him?”
Paul cracked up. “You knew exactly what you were getting when you shackled yourself to him.”
“True,” Jenny said with a resigned sigh. “I did.”
“Where’s my niece?” Alex asked.
“In the car with Hope, where it’s cool. We’re going to check on Mom and make sure she’s okay in the power outage.”
“Oh, good call,” Alex said. “You want me to go with you?”
“No need. I’ll check on her and let you know.”
“I’m sure they have a generator at the senior center. Jared and Lizzie thought of everything.”
“I hope so.”
“I want to see the baby,” Jenny said, squirming out of Alex’s tight—and sweltering—embrace. She went outside with Paul into the broiling heat to take a peek at baby Scarlett, who was wide awake in a car seat in the back of Hope’s car.
Hope put down the window so Jenny could say hi to the baby, and the blast of cold air made Jenny want to climb into the car for relief. “Damn, that AC feels good.”
“Doesn’t it?” Hope pointed to her dashboard. “Ninety-four degrees.”
Jenny reached in to give the baby a finger to squeeze. “How’s our little girl doing today?”
“She’s been in a great mood since she blew out her diaper and outfit earlier this morning.”
Jenny laughed. “That’s proof she and George are related. He’s famous for that.”
“Nothing like a good dump,” Alex said from behind her.
“Don’t listen to Uncle Alex and his dirty mouth,” Jenny said to the baby.
“What’d I say that was dirty?” Alex asked.
Paul went around the car and got in the driver’s side. “Get out of my car so we can keep the AC inside,” Paul said in a teasing tone.
“Bye-bye, Scarlett,” Jenny said. “Enjoy your visit with Grandma.”
They waved as Paul drove them toward the main road.
“They’ve got the right idea,” Jenny said. “Take me for a ride, Alex.”
He waggled his dark brows. “Happy to, baby. Any time you want.”
“Put your horns down, stud. I want a ride in the car with air conditioning.”
“You know how to crush a guy.”
“You’ll get over it. Go get the car and pick us up.”
“Yes, dear.” He grabbed another handful of ass and kissed the top of her head before he took off toward their house at the far end of the dirt road.
She watched him go, her heart full to overflowing, the way it’d been since he came into her life during the last heat wave and changed everything a couple of summers ago. Thinking back to that magical week could always make her smile, but she’d been out of sorts since she woke up in the middle of the night after having a disturbing dream that’d cast a pall over her day.
Inside the retail store, she went to the back room to check on George, who was still sound asleep. Her little boy looked just like his dad, with Alex’s dark hair and olive-toned skin. He’d brought so much joy to their lives, and they were still hoping to give him a brother or sister. They were doing nothing to prevent that, but it hadn’t happened yet, despite one hell of an effort.
That thought made her laugh. Her husband was always in the mood for baby making. She carefully picked up George, who was warm and sweaty, and snuggled him into her arms, hoping he’d stay asleep for a while longer. Like his daddy, he was cranky when he got woken up from a nap. She carried him outside, and when Alex drove up with their SUV, she got the baby buckled into his seat without waking him.
“Nice job, Mom,” Alex said.
She got into the front seat, immediately turned up the AC and opened all the vents, basking in the relief of the cool air. “God, that’s better than sex.”
“I’m highly offended.”
“Oh, shut up and let me enjoy this while I can.”
“Where are we going on this ride?”
She closed her eyes and let the cool air wash over her overheated body. “Anywhere you want. Just don’t turn down the AC.”
“Got it. AC is critical—and apparently better than sex.”
“For right in this moment. Ask me what’s better than sex when it’s not a thousand degrees during a power outage.”
“I’ll definitely get back to you on that.”
Alex drove them to the lighthouse, where they frequently returned to walk the property and remember the significance the place had played in bringing them together. He parked in a spot with a view of the vast ocean, which was calm today. “Are you going to tell me what happened during the night?”
Jenny had hoped that maybe she hadn’t woken him. Apparently, that wasn’t the case.
“You dreamed about Toby, right?”
“H-how do you know that?”
“You said his name. A couple of times.”
She dropped her face into her hands. “I’m so sorry, Alex. That shouldn’t happen when I’m in bed with you.”
He tugged at one of her hands. “Don’t do that. Don’t apologize to me about something you can’t help. I’ve known from the start that he’s part of you.” He caressed her cheek and smoothed her hair back from her face. “Was it the same dream? Your last morning together?”
She shook her head. “It was a new one.”
“You want to talk about it?”
“Not really, but I know I have to, or it’ll ruin me.”
“I want to hold you, but we’d have to leave the AC.”
“I think I’d give up the AC to be held by you right now.”
“I’ll meet you outside.”
Jenny checked George to make sure he was still asleep before she got out of the running car to meet Alex.
The heat was still intense, but less so with the ocean breeze to temper it a bit.
Alex put his arms around her and encouraged her to lean her head against his chest. “Tell me. Let me help.”
It would never come naturally to her to share Toby with him, but he’d made space for her lost love in their lives from the beginning. That made it easier to share her pain with him. “He was in our yard, calling my name. I went outside and couldn’t believe he was there.” She swiped at the tears that fell despite her urgent desire to keep her emotions under control.
Alex rubbed her back in soothing circles. “What happened then?”
“He said he was sorry he’d had to leave for a time, but he was back now and wanted me to go with him. He said he came right to me as soon as he could.” She wiped her face again. “It was so vivid and real. It was like he was really there.” Taking a breath, she held it for a second, trying to calm herself. “And then you came walking up to the house, holding George. You asked me who I was talking to. I said, ‘It’s Toby. He’s here.’ And I wasn’t sure how to introduce him to you. Shoul
d I tell him you’re my husband? I didn’t know, and I felt panicked.”
“God, Jenny. I’m so sorry.”
“He… He asked who you were, and I had to tell him. I said, ‘Alex is my husband, and George is my son.’”
When a sob choked her, Alex tightened his hold on her. “Shhh, honey. It’s okay. As painful as it was, it was only a dream.”
“It was so, so real.”
“I know.”
“He asked me to come with him, to leave you and George and go with him. He kept saying he’d come back for me and needed me. I told him you and George need me, too, and I couldn’t go with him. I had to tell him no, Alex. Why would I have a dream like that? I hadn’t been thinking more about him than I usually do or anything that would cause that.”
“I don’t know, sweetheart.”
“It was so strange to see him there, looking so normal and healthy, as if he’d been away on a long trip or something and had come home to find me married to someone else and couldn’t understand how that was possible.”
“But you understand how it’s possible, because you lived it. You know how it happened.”
She nodded. “I do know, but still…”
“It was hard to have to tell him you couldn’t go with him.”
“It was excruciating. He was so confused.”
“Wherever he is, he knows the truth. He knows how much you loved him, how deeply you suffered and grieved his death and how long it took you to move on with me. The Toby in your dream may not have understood, but your Toby… He knows the truth, Jenny.”
“Thank you for saying that. It helps.”
“I wish there was something else I could say other than I love you, and I’m so proud of how you handled such a devastating loss.”
“I didn’t handle it well at all.”
He placed his hands on her face. “Are you serious? You survived it, Jenny. That makes you the strongest person I’ve ever met. Do you know what it’s like to be loved by someone who loves the way you do? Who honors both the men you love the way you do? I’m so fucking proud of you, sweetheart. You have no idea how proud I am to be married to someone who loves so fiercely.”
“Stop,” she said, laughing even as more tears spilled down her cheeks.
“Not until you believe that you’re the strongest person any of us has ever known, and we all admire you so damned much. Toby does, too. I know he does. The Toby you loved never would’ve asked you to choose between him and me. He would’ve gracefully conceded that things have changed in all the years he was away, and he’d want you to be happy.”
“He always said that’s all he wanted. To make me happy.”
“He knows you’re happy with me and George and how much we love and need you. He’d never try to take you away from us.”
“Some people might think this entire thing is nuts, that we’re actually talking about my fiancé coming back from the dead to take me away from my husband and son.”
“Who gives a flying fuck what anyone else thinks? The only thing that matters is that you’re okay.”
“Thank you for listening and not thinking I’m crazy.”
“I’m always happy to listen to you.” Alex hugged her tightly. “I love you more than anything.” He kissed her lips and then kissed the remaining tears off her cheeks. “You feel better?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Good.”
“And by the way, I love you, too.”
Alex and Jenny were still standing there when an attractive Black couple came up the stairs from the beach and made their way toward the lighthouse.
“You suppose they’re the new keepers?” Alex asked.
“Let’s find out.” Jenny stepped out of his embrace to walk toward them. “Hi, I’m Jenny Martinez. Are you guys the new lighthouse keepers?”
“We are. I’m Oliver Watkins, and this is my wife, Dara.”
Jenny shook hands with both of them. “Great to meet you, and welcome to Gansett. I had this gig for a while before I was married, and it was a lot of fun.” She glanced wistfully at the lighthouse that had been so instrumental in changing her life. “That’s my husband, Alex. Our son is sleeping in the car, or he’d come over.”
Alex gave them a wave.
Was it her imagination, or did the mention of their son make the couple tense? “What brings you to our fair island?”
“A chance for a reset,” Oliver said.
Jenny nodded with understanding. “I get that. I was in need of the same thing when I came here. This place was good for me. I hope it will be for you, too.”
“Is it always so hot here?” Dara asked.
Jenny laughed. “Not usually, although an earlier heat wave led me to my husband.”
“Are you hearing anything about the situation with the power?” Oliver asked.
“Not much except it’s apt to be out for a few days if it’s anything like past power failures around here.”
“That’s just great,” Dara said with a frown. “If you’ll excuse me. It was nice to meet you, Jenny.”
“You, too.”
After his wife had walked away, Oliver said, “I’m sorry. She… We… It’s been a rough year, and…”
Jenny put her hand on his arm. “Please don’t apologize to me. I know all about rough years. Hell, I’ve had rough decades.” She pulled her phone from her back pocket. “Give me your number, and I’ll text you so you have mine. If I can do anything, anything at all, please get in touch. Wherever you are, I promise you, I’ve been there.”
“That’s very kind of you.” He gave her his number.
“There,” Jenny said. “I sent you a text so you’ll have mine. We’d love to have you over for dinner sometime. Shoot me a text when you’re settled and ready to meet some people.”
“We’ll do that. Appreciate it.”
“Enjoy your time here. It’s a very special place.”
“I’m beginning to realize that. Thanks again.”
As Jenny returned to where she’d left Alex, his cell phone rang with the tone he’d assigned to Paul. “You mind if I take this?”
“Of course not. Go ahead.”
“Hey.” Alex took the call while drawing Jenny close to him with his free hand. “What’s up?” He listened for a minute. “Yeah, sure. We’ll be right there.”
“What’s going on?” Jenny asked.
“He wants us to come to Mom’s right away. He said to hurry.”
“He didn’t say why?”
“No,” Alex said, his jaw tight with tension. “What the hell is wrong now?”
Chapter 13
Paul Martinez was afraid to breathe. His mother, the mother who’d raised them with love and discipline and humor, the mother they’d lost to dementia over the last couple of years, was back. She was fully lucid and her old self in almost every possible way. With Scarlett on her lap, Marion absorbed every detail of the granddaughter she’d met many times before now, but this… This was different.
“She’s so beautiful,” Marion said, her eyes tearful. “Why haven’t you brought her to see me before now?”
“I have, Mom.”
Marion’s brows knitted with confusion. “No, you haven’t. And you’re married! Why don’t I remember the wedding?”
“We eloped, Marion,” Hope said, glancing at Paul with amazement.
“And there’s a boy. I remember a boy.”
“My son, Ethan. You and he are special friends.”
“Where is he?”
“He had a sleepover with friends last night, but we’ll bring him to see you soon.”
“I like him. He’s a nice boy, like my Alex and Paul always were.”
“Thank you,” Hope said. “We’re proud of him.”
“Is he your son?” Marion asked Paul.
“He’s my stepson, but I’m hoping to have the chance to adopt him. I love him very much.”
“I can’t believe everything that happened while I was away,” Marion said. “Where’s your brot
her?”
“He’s on his way.”
“From Washington?”
“No, Mom. He lives here now. On Gansett.”
“What’s he doing here? He works at the botanical garden in Washington. He shouldn’t be here.”
“He’s been back for a while now.”
“I don’t understand. Where am I?” She looked around the room that Jenny and Hope had helped them decorate to look homey and cozy for Marion. “This isn’t my home. I need to get home and get back to work.”
“You’ve been unwell, Mom,” Paul said gently. “For quite some time now.”
She raised the eyebrow that used to convey a wide range of emotions, back before her face became flat and expressionless. Watching her raise that brow hit Paul like a shot to the heart. “Unwell in what way?”
Paul wasn’t sure what he should say. Should he tell her the truth, or should he sugarcoat it? He didn’t know, so he looked to Hope, who was a nurse and probably knew better.
She leaned in and took hold of Marion’s hand. “You have dementia, Marion. It’s become increasingly more severe as time has gone on. Alex and Paul did everything they could to take care of you at home. They hired me to be your caregiver, and that’s how I met Paul. After a while, it became clear to us that you needed more care than we could provide for you at home.”
Hope gestured to the room where Marion lived. “This facility was built by dear friends of Paul and Alex who wanted to help keep you close to them on the island. It’s even named for you.”
As Marion struggled to process what Hope had told her, Alex and Jenny came rushing into the room, looking terrified. He carried a sleepy-looking George. “What’s happening?”
“Alexander,” Marion said. “You’re holding a baby.”
Alex looked to Paul as he tried to understand what was going on. “Mom is feeling like her old self.”
“What?” Alex asked on a long gasp.
“This is Alex’s wife, Jenny, and their son, George,” Paul said.
“You… You named your son George,” Marion said, tearing up over the tribute to her late husband. “And you’re married.”
Alex sniffed and swiped at the tears that rolled down his face. “This is my wife, Jenny, Mom.”
