by Marie Force
“Allow me,” Owen said.
Frank stepped back to let Owen unclip the seatbelt and scoop Laura out of the front seat.
She woke up when they were halfway to the door. “Oh, hey, are we here?”
“You’re home, honey,” Frank said. “Everything’s okay.”
“Hi, Daddy,” she said with a weak smile. “Sorry to show up in ragdoll condition.”
“I figured it might be a tough crossing today.”
“That’s one word for it,” she said. “You met Owen?”
“I sure did,” Frank said, leading the way into the house.
In a low tone that was for her ears only, Owen said, “We’ll discuss the fact that you lied to me about getting seasick later.”
“Sorry,” she said sheepishly. “I couldn’t think about this meeting with Justin anymore. I need to get it over with.”
“I get it, honey. I’m just kidding.”
“Here you are carrying me around again.”
“It’s a terrible hardship,” he said, kissing her forehead before he put her down on the sofa in what looked to be a formal living room.
“What can I get you, honey?” Frank asked. “Some of that lemon tea you like? Will that settle your stomach?”
“That’d be great, Dad. Thanks.”
“Coming right up. Owen? Ready for a cold beer?”
“I wouldn’t say no to that. Thank you.”
“Be right back.”
Owen sat next to Laura and took her hand. “Do you feel any better after you slept?”
“A little. Sorry to be so high maintenance. I hate that you’ve seen me puke at least ten times by now and we haven’t even slept together. Yet.”
The word “yet” sent a shiver of anticipation dancing down his spine as he thought of the hotel room he’d booked at the Westin. “I hate to remind you that we have slept together.”
A heated blush added some much-needed color to her cheeks. “You know what I mean.”
“Don’t talk about it with your father in the next room,” he said in a low growl that betrayed his ragged emotions.
Her soft laughter filled him with anticipation and love. So much love. At some point, he’d fallen so damned hard for her and couldn’t wait to have the chance to show her what she meant to him.
Frank returned with their drinks and turned his focus on Owen.
Owen tried to release her hand, but she only held on tighter.
“Daddy,” Laura said with a note of warning in her voice. “Don’t even think about it.”
“What?” Frank asked, all innocence. “What’d I do?”
“If the word ‘intentions’ comes out of your mouth, I won’t be responsible for my actions.”
Owen couldn’t contain a chuckle at Laura’s attempt to “manage” her father. Owen realized that Frank shared his brother’s ball-busting sense of humor.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Frank said. “All I was going to say is that it’s nice to finally meet him. Am I allowed to say that?”
“Yes, but nothing else.”
To Owen, Frank said, “She was always such a nice girl. I’m not sure where I went wrong.”
“She’s still a nice girl,” Owen said with a warm glance at her. “The best girl.”
The compliment earned him a smile from Laura.
“On that we agree,” Frank said. “So what’s the plan for he who-shall-not-be-named?”
At the reminder of why they were in Providence, Laura lost some of her sparkle. She put the teacup on a side table. “I’m going to tell him about the baby and try to convince him that our marriage may be over, but we’ve got a child to consider.”
“I’m very concerned about him getting physical with you,” Frank said.
“He never would, Dad. He’s far more likely to come at me with words, but I’m ready for him with a few words of my own.”
“That’s my girl.”
Owen was proud of her determination, but the hollow feeling in his gut was a reminder of all the many ways this could go horribly wrong for her—and for them. Whatever happened, he decided as she visited with her father, he’d be there for her. They were in this together.
Chapter 13
“Do you think he knows what we’ve got planned for later?” Laura asked as they left her father’s house a short time later. He’d offered them a place to stay for the night, but Laura had told him they’d made other plans.
“I sure hope not,” Owen said.
“I bet he knows.”
“I can’t think about that, let alone talk about it, until we get past part one.”
Her deep sigh had him reaching for her hand. “I’ll be right across the room watching every second. No matter what happens, it’s going to be okay.”
“I hope you’re right.” Laura wanted to believe it was all going to be fine, but she knew Justin and wasn’t convinced he’d let go without a fight, especially once he found out about the baby.
“I gotta ask you. . . I mean, it’s none of my business, but. . .”
“You can ask me anything. You know that.”
“What’d you ever see in this guy? He sounds like a world-class dick.”
Even though she sensed he hadn’t meant to be funny, Laura laughed. “I suppose he does from what you’ve heard of him. But no one’s all bad or all good.”
“You are. You’re pure goodness. You don’t have a mean bone in your body.”
Touched by his sincerity, she said, “You haven’t seen me when I get mad. Watch out.”
“Spare me, killer. I’m not afraid of you.”
“You say that now. . .”
“I’ll have to take your word for it.”
The amusing banter was exactly what she needed to stay calm and focused.
“You still haven’t told me what you saw in him.”
“He was handsome and charming and ambitious.”
“Everything I’m not,” Owen grumbled.
“How can you say that? You’re all of those things—and then some.”
“I’ll give you the handsome and charming,” he said to her laughter, “but how do I rate ambitious when I call an old van home?”
“You’re living your life on your own terms and no one else’s. You do what you want, when you want and make a damned good living doing it. Not to mention, you’re doing something you love. What’s not to respect about that?”
“Hmm, I hadn’t thought of it that way. Still, I’m not exactly a lawyer.”
“Thank God for that. I’ve been around lawyers my whole life. You’re a refreshing change of pace.”
Out of the corner of her eye she watched him mull that over. Even as he drove the car, taking directions from her, she could see his wheels turning a mile a minute. “I can tell you’re dying to say something else. Why are you suddenly holding back on me?”
He looked over at her, seeming surprised by her insight.
“What is it?”
“I, um, it’s just that I wonder if the refreshing change of pace can hold your interest long term.”
“Owen,” she said, flabbergasted. “I can’t believe you’d say that! I can’t wait for us to be together—truly together without my estranged husband and divorce hanging over us. I think about that all the time.” She took his hand and held it between both of hers. “You believe me, don’t you?”
“I want to. Tell me this—am I the first guy you’ve ever dated who called a van home?”
Laura smiled. “Yes, you are.”
“I bet every other guy you’ve been with has an Ivy League education and a Brooks Brothers wardrobe.”
“Those things don’t matter to me. Not anymore.”
“I knew it!”
“So I might’ve had a type in the past. That was then.” She held on tighter to his hand. “This is now. I want you. I want to be with you.”
“I want you, too, Princess. But I’m not looking for a fling. Been there, done that. I’m ready for something more.”
“I’m worried that you haven’t given yourself enough time to get over what happened with him.”
“I remember asking Janey about that when she got involved with Joe so soon after she caught David with someone else. She said when you find out the man you love has been unfaithful, all the love you once felt for him disappears as if you never loved him at all. That’s what happened to her—and it was the same for me. After my friends told me what he’d done, I couldn’t even look at him without feeling sick. All the good feelings were gone, and there’s nothing he could say or do to ever bring them back. They’re gone. I was over him the minute I knew he still wanted other women. Some women can forgive that kind of transgression. I’m not one of them, and neither was Janey.”
Owen was quiet for a long a moment as he thought about what she’d said.
“Do you believe me?”
“I want to, but I’ve been around the block enough to know that it’s not always that simple.”
“Sometimes it’s exactly that simple.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I usually am,” she said with a cocky grin, hoping to lighten the mood. She wished there was something she could say or do to set his mind at ease and let him know he was exactly what she wanted and needed. No one, other than her dear dad, had ever cared more about her than Owen seemed to. She’d never been more in tune with anyone, and she couldn’t wait to see what the future held for them. The thought strengthened her resolve to get through this encounter with Justin and get on with her life with Owen.
“Thanks for coming with me,” she said as he pulled into a parking space across the street from the restaurant.
“No problem. I’ll be watching the whole time. If you need me, tug on your earlobe, and I’ll be right there.”
“You’ve been watching too many spy movies.”
He stopped her from getting out of the car with a hand to her arm. “Promise me you’ll do it if you need me.”
Because he seemed to need it, she nodded. “I promise.”
“Whatever happens, it’s nothing you can’t handle. Remember that.”
“I will. Let’s get this over with.”
Owen sent her in ahead of him, promising to follow in a minute so they wouldn’t be seen together.
The maître d’ greeted Laura by name. She’d been called “Mrs. Newsome” only a couple of times before it all went bad. Fortunately, she hadn’t gotten around to legally changing her name. “Your husband is already here. Follow me.”
“Here we go,” Laura whispered to herself as she held her head up as he led her to Justin’s usual table in the far corner where he’d once told her he could see everyone in the place. Justin was all about seeing and being seen, which is why he stood up when he saw her coming. She was counting on the fact that the Justin she knew would never be anything other than gracious and polite in public.
She’d worn the oversized black sweater intentionally, so he wouldn’t notice her pregnancy until she was ready to tell him. At the sight of the face she’d once planned to wake up to for the rest of her life, her entire body went on alert against imminent danger. Her reaction to him was so powerful she nearly took a step backward in self-defense. Because he’d never given her the slightest reason to be afraid of him, she forced herself to take the final steps to the table.
Justin put down the vodka cocktail he’d been nursing and leaned in to kiss her cheek.
She had to force herself not to cringe or pull away from him as his lips brushed against her skin.
“It’s good to see you.” He made sure to keep his voice low so the maître d’ wouldn’t hear as the older man settled Laura into her chair and handed her a menu. It occurred to her right then that her back would be to Owen, which only added to her growing anxiety.
Justin wore one of the custom-made suits he paid a thousand dollars a piece for with a crisp white shirt and burgundy tie. As always, his dark hair was immaculately styled and his brown eyes were shrewd as he took a long, measuring look at her.
Laura did her best not to wilt under his intense scrutiny even as she tried to remember what she’d ever seen him. He’d once been charming and amusing and romantic with grand gestures she now realized were all for show. It’d been all about wooing Judge Frank McCarthy’s daughter and had nothing at all to do with her. Unfortunately, she’d fallen for his game like a lovesick fool. Being picked up off the bathroom floor after a vicious bout of vomiting was her idea of romance these days.
“Your server will be right with you,” the maître d’ said.
“Ask him to give us a few minutes,” Justin said.
“Of course.”
The moment they were alone, Justin’s charming smile turned into a satisfied smirk. “I knew you’d come around in time. You’ll be glad to know I’ve decided to forgive you.”
Laura was stunned. “For what?”
“Like you don’t know. Let’s start with giving up a primo apartment and having all my stuff sent to my mother. Thanks for that, by the way. I needed to deal with a thousand questions from her like I needed a hole in the head.”
“I didn’t know where you’re living.”
“You could’ve asked me.”
“I didn’t wish to speak to you.”
“Clearly you’ve changed your mind about that. You’re here, aren’t you?”
“Only because we have some things we need to discuss.”
“I’ve already told you there isn’t going to be a divorce, so if that’s why you’re here, you’re wasting my time—and yours.”
She fought to keep her voice even so he wouldn’t know how upsetting and difficult this was for her. “That’s not the only thing we need to talk about.”
He sat back in his chair and took a sip of the cocktail, looking arrogant and smug, which put her on even higher alert—if that was possible. “There’s nothing you can tell me that I don’t already know.”
Laura sat up a little straighter. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I know you’re living on Gansett Island, working at the Sand & Surf Hotel. The owners have charged you—someone with absolutely no experience in such things—with the task of restoring that dump. I know you’ve taken up with the big dude with the shaggy hair who’s over there staring daggers at me.” He nodded toward Owen. “A homeless guitar player? Really, Laura? Gone slumming, have you?”
“He’s worth a thousand of you,” Laura shot back before she could stop herself. Angering him wouldn’t accomplish anything.
“I get it—you’re paying me back for what you think I did to you, which was nothing, by the way. Great, we’re even. Now it’s time for you to get your ass home and honor your marriage vows.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Yes, it is.”
“I know it’s hard for you to imagine that someone might say no to you, but I’m not coming home—not now or ever. My home is on Gansett, and that’s where I plan to stay.”
“Even after you have my baby? Were you planning to tell me about that?”
Laura’s mouth fell open. “How do you. . . When did you. . .”
“There’s nothing a good private investigator can’t find out for the right price.”
Appalled and horrified to know he’d had her followed, she had to dig deep to recover her composure. “I was going to tell you. That’s why I’m here.”
He waved a hand dismissively. “Here’s how this is going to go. You’re giving up the island, the hotel, the guitar player, the whole thing and coming back where you belong, or I’ll make sure you never see that baby. Your rebellion is over. You’ve made your point.”
Anger whipped through Laura like a wild fire. “Who the hell do you think you are? You can’t tell me what to do or where to live.”
He leaned in closer to her, his dark eyes flashing with fury and what might’ve been hurt, not that she cared about that. Not anym
ore. “I’m your husband, and that’s my kid you’re carrying. At least I think it is.”
Once again, Laura acted without thinking as her hand connected with his face in a loud slap that had everyone in the place looking at them.
His face flushed with rage.
Before he could say a word, she stood and propped her hands on the table, leaning in so he could hear her. “Listen to me, and listen good, you miserable son of a bitch. The biggest mistake I ever made was marrying you. You’ll sign the divorce papers—immediately—or not only will I make sure you never see this kid you’re not sure is yours, I’ll also see to it that my dad does everything within his considerable power to ruin your precious career. Do I make myself clear?”
As she’d known it would, the threat of Frank McCarthy’s wrath had the color draining from his face.
“I said, do I make myself clear?”
He took another sip of his drink and eyed her hatefully. “I’m not surprised you’re already shacked up with someone else. You have no idea how to be without a man. Poor little daddy’s girl can’t be alone for five minutes.”
Even though his words struck a direct hit to one of her deepest insecurities, she refused to show him that. “Sign the papers, Justin, or we’ll make your life a living hell. I may be a daddy’s girl, but there’s absolutely nothing he wouldn’t do for me. You’d do well to remember that.”
Laura didn’t wait to hear whatever he might have to say to that. For the first time in her life, she didn’t care that she was making a scene that would be talked about for days to come. All she cared about was getting out of there—as quickly as possible. She was aware of Owen getting up from the table he’d occupied and chasing after her, but she didn’t stop moving until she reached the car. With nowhere left to go, she leaned against the car, breathing heavily as her hands began to shake.
He’d had her followed. He knew about Owen. About the baby. For a brief, horrifying moment, she wondered if she was going to be sick again, right there in the parking lot.
Owen caught up to her and reached for her.
She stopped him by putting her hands up. Every nerve in her body was on fire. If he touched her, if anyone touched her, she’d scream.
