Gansett Island Boxed Set Books 1-16 (Gansett Island Series)

by Marie Force

While the others laughed at Grant’s description of Hollywood, Luke took a moment to study his old friend. Of all the McCarthy brothers, Luke had always been closest to Grant, even though the two of them didn’t have a damned thing in common.

  Grant had been the smartest kid in their small island school, and no one had been surprised when he grew up to be an Academy Award-winning screenwriter. Since moving to Los Angeles more than a decade ago, he’d been back to the island only a handful of times—most recently for Mac and Maddie’s wedding last summer.

  Grant hugged Mac and made a fuss over Maddie’s round belly. “Thank you for taking the pressure off the rest of us, big brother.”

  Mac sent his wife a salacious smile. “My pleasure.”

  “Mac,” Maddie said, smacking him.

  “What? It was my pleasure.”

  “Shut up.”

  As Grant laughed at their banter and joined the group, Luke thought his friend looked tired and maybe a little sad.

  Since he was sitting next to them, Luke saw Janey place a hand over Grant’s. “You’ve heard about Abby,” she said quietly.

  Grant replied with a short nod, his jaw tightening with tension.

  “Is that why you’re here?”

  Grant seemed to rally for Janey’s sake. “I came for your wedding, brat.” He kissed his sister’s forehead. “Don’t worry about me.”

  “What’ll you do?”

  “Whatever I can,” Grant replied grimly.

  On the way home, Sydney told herself to relax and not to freak out every time a car came at them from the other direction.

  Luke reached for her hand. “You okay over there?”

  “Trying to be.”

  “We’re almost there. Just another minute. Hang on.”

  Sydney cradled his hand between both of hers. “Sorry to be so skittish.”

  “Don’t be sorry. It’s understandable. Did you have fun tonight?”

  “I sure did. Maddie is campaigning hard for me move here permanently.”

  “Is she now?”

  “She says it’s a lot more fun in the winters than it was growing up. Of course that’s because she has Mac now.”

  “I’ve never seen him so happy.”

  “What was going on with Grant? He got really quiet.”

  “His ex-girlfriend Abby got engaged recently. She owns Abby’s Attic in town.”

  “Oh, I love that store. Max and Malena used to drag me in there at least once every summer.”

  “Grant and Abby were together forever, sort of on-again, off-again recently. I never heard what happened, but something went bad last summer when he was here for Mac’s wedding. Next we heard, she was dating the new doctor.”

  “LA is a long way from Gansett Island.”

  “So is Boston,” he said.

  Sydney looked over at him. “Not that far.”

  “All depends on your perspective.”

  “Maddie asked me to help with the baby’s nursery.”

  “You feel up to doing that?”

  “It’ll be fun. Maddie knows decorating is one of my hobbies. In fact, before the accident, I’d been thinking about leaving teaching to give it a whirl full-time.”

  “Is it something you might still want to do?”

  “Maybe. I’m told I have a knack for it.”

  “I should hire you to update my place. I haven’t touched a thing since my mother died.”

  “No, really?” she said, smiling.

  He laughed at the face she made at him. “You’re itching to get your hands on it, aren’t you?”

  “I always thought you could better highlight the amazing views.”

  “That’s a very diplomatic way of saying it needs everything—furniture, paint, updated appliances, new bathroom.”

  Syd fanned herself and shivered dramatically. “Don’t toy with me this way.”

  Luke pulled up to the house and killed the engine. “That’s all it takes to make you hot? Clearly, I’ve been going about this all wrong.”

  “Going about what?”

  He leaned over to plant a kiss on her neck. “Convincing you to stay here with me permanently.”

  “Luke, I—”

  Cupping her face, he turned her to receive his kiss.

  Her hand pressing on his chest brought him back to his senses.

  “Is that what you want? For me to stay here permanently?”

  “Of course it is, but only if it’s what you want, too.”

  “I’m not... I can’t...”

  “You’re not ready to decide anything yet.”

  “No,” she said.

  “That’s okay. We don’t have to worry about any of that now.” He kissed her again. “In the meantime, knock yourself out here and at Maddie’s.”

  “You have no idea what you’re saying.”

  Laughing again, he said, “Yes, I do.”

  “No, you don’t. Seth used to go ballistic when he’d come home to a whole new living room.” She glanced at him, pained. “Sorry. I don’t know where that came from.”

  “It came from your life, and you don’t need to apologize or feel like you can’t mention his name around me.”

  Sydney placed her hands on his face and drew him into another kiss that had them both breathing hard by the time they came up for air.

  “I’ve had to wait hours and hours,” he said between kisses. “I had to keep my hands to myself in front of our friends. I can’t wait another minute.”

  “Then let’s go put you out of your misery.”

  They met at the front of his truck for another heated kiss. Luke slid his hands down her back and shocked her when he suddenly lifted her and hooked her legs around his hips.

  “Nice move,” she said, linking her arms around his neck.

  “You like that?”

  “Uh-huh.” As he walked them to the door, their lips met and melted, tongues teased and enticed.

  “You’re making my legs weak,” he said, pressing her against the door. His hands slid up her bare legs, under her skirt to cup her ass.

  “Luke,” she gasped, tightening her arms around his neck.

  Through her shirt, he rolled her nipple between his teeth and pushed his erection against her core.

  “Now,” she said as he fumbled with the door. It opened abruptly and sent them sprawling into the house.

  “Shit,” Luke said, laughing as he managed to land them awkwardly on the sofa. “That was graceful.”

  “And it started so well.”

  “It’ll end even better.”

  She clutched handfuls of his hair and brought his mouth down to hers. “Promises, promises.”

  A low-pitched moan stopped them cold.

  “What was that?” she asked. “Where’s Buddy?” She’d been so absorbed in Luke, she’d failed to notice Buddy hadn’t met them at the door. “Buddy?” Sydney disentangled herself from Luke and hurried down the hallway to the bedroom where she found the dog’s hind legs sticking out from under the bed. “Buddy? What’s wrong? Luke!” She reached under the bed to stroke the dog’s body, and he let out another moan. “What’s wrong with him?”

  “I’ll call Janey.” Luke rushed from the room.

  Sydney swallowed the hot ball of panic that lodged in her throat. “Please God,” she whispered as she ran her hand gently over the dog’s soft coat. “Please don’t take Buddy, too. Please.”

  Luke returned a minute later. “She wants us to bring him to the vet clinic. I’ll carry him to the truck. Help me get him out of there.”

  They tried to be gentle but Buddy’s discomfort was amplified by their efforts to get him out from under the bed.

  Tears burned her eyes as she spoke softly to Buddy, trying to settle him.

  Buddy growled and snapped at Luke, just missing his hand.

  “It’s okay, boy,” Luke said as he lifted Buddy as carefully as he could. “I know it hurts.”

  Stuck under a tidal wave of fear, Sydney couldn’t seem to move.

  “Syd.�

� Luke’s firm tone snapped her out of the daze she’d slipped into. “Go to the truck. I’ll bring him out. Hurry, honey.”

  The urgency she heard in his voice spurred her to move on unsteady legs. Her heart beat too fast, and her hands shook as she flew out of the house and into the truck.

  Luke followed right behind her, carrying Buddy. He deposited the dog gently onto the bench seat, his head resting on Syd’s lap. “There you go, boy,” Luke said as he got in and started the truck. “Probably just something you ate that you shouldn’t have.”

  “You really think that’s all it is?” Syd asked, blinking back tears as she cradled Buddy’s head. This could not be happening. “I don’t know what I’ll do if—”

  Luke’s hand covered hers. “Don’t go there. He’s going to be fine.”

  While Sydney hung on to his reassurances, the speed with which he maneuvered the winding roads where she’d been so frightened the night before told her he was worried, too.

  Janey chugged a steaming cup of coffee in the vet clinic break room while Joe massaged her shoulders. She’d been tense from the moment Luke called Joe looking for her.

  “What’re you thinking?” Joe asked. He’d insisted on coming with her to the clinic.

  “That I wish Doc’s niece hadn’t chosen this week to get married.”

  “There’s nothing he could do for Buddy that you can’t do, too.”

  “What if he needs surgery? Oh my God.” She shuddered and fought back the need to puke and hyperventilate at the same time. “I’ve certainly never done that on my own.”

  “But you could. If you had to, you could.”

  “Keep reminding me of that, will you?”

  “I’ll be right here, baby. Whatever you need, I’m here.”

  She leaned into his strong embrace. “Thanks.”

  He turned her to face him. “You’ve been training for this your whole life, Janey. Whatever Buddy needs, you’ve seen Doc do it a million times.”

  “I know.” Janey took another deep breath and released it. “You’re right. I can do this.” She rolled the tension from her shoulders and mentally prepared to fly solo.

  “Luke said he’s a young golden retriever, so it’s probably nothing serious.”

  “Let’s hope not. Otherwise, he’s got a second-year vet student on his case.”

  Before Joe could reply, they heard the clinic’s main door push open.

  “Janey!” Luke called out.

  “Showtime,” she whispered to Joe, who squeezed her hand and released it.

  “Right in here.” She ushered Luke, who was carrying Buddy, and Sydney into an exam room. Janey took one look at the dog, who was clearly suffering, and could tell right away this was no simple case of an upset belly. Figures. The dog cried out in distress when she examined his rigid abdomen.

  “Oh God. Buddy.” Sydney seemed to be trying—and failing—to keep a lid on her panic. “Will he be okay? Janey, please, tell me he’ll be okay.”

  “Let me get some films of his belly so we can see what’s causing his pain.” Drawing on her years of training and observation, Janey walked through the steps Doc would’ve taken—exam, X-rays, blood, pain management. She was shakier than she should’ve been, and it was easier to blame the single beer she’d had earlier than the fact that she had no business handling an emergency of this magnitude on her own.

  The X-rays revealed a blockage in Buddy’s intestines. She stepped into the exam room to update Sydney and Luke.

  Janey pointed to the X-ray. “He swallowed something, and now it’s lodged in his lower intestine. It’s got to come out. Soon.”

  “What do we do?” Sydney asked, her face devoid of color.

  The arm Luke had around Syd seemed to be the only thing keeping her on her feet.

  Janey felt Joe’s hand land on her back and was grateful for his support. She squared her shoulders, fortifying herself for what needed to happen. “Here’s the thing—Doc Potter is off-island at a wedding. His backup vet was due to arrive today, but he missed the last boat and won’t be here until morning.”

  Sydney moaned, and Luke tightened his hold on her.

  “Can Buddy wait that long?” Luke asked.

  “This kind of thing can go bad really quickly. He’s still strong, and in my opinion, he’d be better able to withstand the surgery now than he will be in eight or nine hours.”

  “But if Doc Potter is off-island, who’ll do it?” Sydney asked, wiping tears from her face.

  Janey made an effort to keep her voice strong and confident. “I will. I’ve seen it done a hundred times, and I’ve assisted Doc in surgery since I was eighteen.” Her stomach surged with nerves and nausea, but Janey kept her expression calm to reassure Sydney. “I’m not yet a veterinarian, but I’m Buddy’s best hope.”

  “Let her do it, honey,” Luke said. “She can save him. I know she can.”

  “Okay,” Sydney said with only a hint of reluctance.

  “I’ll need you to sign a release and fill out some other paperwork while I get him prepped for surgery.” Janey took a few steps to close the distance between them and hugged Syd. “I’ll do everything I can. I promise.”

  “Thank you, Janey.”

  “I’ll give you a minute with him.” Janey and Joe stepped out of the room. She turned to Joe. “Will you track down Cal Maitland for me?” The island’s new medical doctor had replaced Doc Robach when he retired the previous winter. “His on-call number is the same as Doc Robach’s was. Should be in the phone book.”

  “What do you want me to tell him?”

  “That I need him to assist in an emergency surgery. Tell him to hurry.”

  “Could I help?”

  “I appreciate the offer, but I need someone who won’t pass out cold on me when I’ve got poor Buddy’s guts in my hands.”

  Joe winced. “When you put it that way, let me find Cal for you.”

  Janey went up on tiptoes to kiss her fiancé. “Thank you—for all the support. It helps.”

  He returned her kiss and gave her a tight hug. “I have no doubt you can do this, Janey. No doubt at all.”

  “Let’s hope you’re right.” While Joe went to get a hold of Cal, Janey called Doc Potter to let him know what she was about to do in his clinic.

  Chapter 13

  Luke watched Sydney pace from one end of the small waiting room to the other—at least a hundred times. She vibrated with tension and had bitten several of her nails to the quick, a habit he remembered her trying hard to break as a teenager.

  “Syd, why don’t you sit for a bit? You’ll wear yourself out pacing like that.”

  She shook her head and kept moving.

  Luke stood to block her path. He rested his hands on her shoulders, and was surprised when she shook him off.

  “Don’t.” She stepped around him and continued to pace.

  “Syd—”

  “You don’t have to wait. I’d understand if you wanted to get home.”

  If she’d punched him in the face, she couldn’t have hurt him any more than she had with that cold, detached statement, as if he was nothing more than the guy who’d driven her there. Big Mac’s warning about handwriting on the wall chose that moment to run through his mind.

  Part of him wanted to walk out the door and leave her to deal with whatever might come. The other part of him couldn’t bear to leave her alone if the news was bad. He returned to his seat to watch her pace.

  Back and forth she went, another hundred times before Janey finally emerged.

  Sydney ran to her. “Tell me he’s okay.”

  “He did very well. We removed the blockage, which was a hunk of garbage bag, by the way.”

  “Oh, he found that on the beach! Remember, Luke?”

  Suddenly, she was euphoric again. “I remember,” he said.

  “Why would he eat something like that?” Sydney asked Janey.

  “You’d be surprised at the stuff they eat. Anything that tastes good is fair game.”

  “So he’ll be all right?” Sydney asked.

  “He’ll be sore and slow for a while, but he should be just fine.”

  Sydney hugged Janey. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what I’d ever do without him.”

  “No need to worry about losing him anytime soon. Come on back and see him for a minute, and then you should go home. He’ll be out of it for a while.”

  “But I can’t leave him alone.”

  “I’ll be with him. He’ll be sedated most of the day to keep him still and quiet, so you should get some sleep while you can.” Janey led them into the recovery room where Buddy was attached to IVs. His belly had been shaved for the surgery.

  “Have you met Dr. Cal Maitland?” Janey introduced Luke and Sydney to the tall, broad-shouldered doctor who offered them a friendly smile.

  “Thank you for helping Janey,” Syd said.

  “She didn’t need much help,” he said in what sounded like a Texan drawl. “She knows what she’s doing.”

  “Is it okay to touch him?” Syd asked as she tentatively approached Buddy.

  “Sure,” Janey said.

  Sydney bent her head, pressed kisses to his face and ran a hand down his back. “I’ll be back in a little while, Buddy. You get some rest, okay?” She kissed him again. “Love you, good dog.”

  Sydney turned to Janey. “Let me give you my cell number in case you need me.”

  A few minutes later, Luke followed Sydney out of the clinic to find the sky still dark but rippled with red streaks announcing sunrise. She was rigid with tension as they pulled out of the parking lot. Even though she was seated just a few feet from him, she seemed a million miles away.

  “Would you mind terribly if I went home to my place?” she asked.

  Luke gripped the steering wheel tighter. “Nope.” Whatever she wanted. He certainly wasn’t going to force himself on her.

  A short time later, he pulled up to the Donovans’ yellow house and let the truck idle. He had no idea what to say to her. Apparently, she didn’t know either, because she sat there for a long moment before she finally looked at him.

  “Thank you for staying all night.”

  “No problem.”

  “I’ll see you later.”

  Luke said nothing as she got out of the truck and hurried into the house as if she couldn’t move fast enough to get away from him. What the hell was that all about?

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