by Marie Force
Sighing, Charlie withdrew from her, holding up his hands in surrender.
Sarah rested her head on the back of the sofa and took a good long look at the man she loved. His cheekbones were slashed with color, and his eyes were heavy with arousal and desire. The lips she loved to kiss were slightly swollen and still damp. Sarah zeroed in on his mouth and licked her lips.
“Sarah,” he said with a groan. “Don’t look at me that way if you’re going to tell me I can’t kiss you in front of the baby.”
“What way am I looking at you?”
“Like you want to have your wicked way with me.”
Though she was embarrassed to realize she was so transparent, she summoned the courage to tell him the truth. “I do want that.”
He seemed to stop breathing for a second. “What? What do you want?”
“You, Charlie. I want you. I want more than just kissing. I want everything.”
Releasing a deep breath, he studied her in that thoughtful, intense way of his.
“Say something, will you? Don’t leave me hanging out here all by myself.”
“You are certainly not out there all by yourself, but you need to be sure you’re ready, honey. You’ve been through a lot, and I’d hate to do anything to set you back or upset you.”
“You wouldn’t. You couldn’t. Everything about this, about us, is different. I’m not afraid of you, Charlie, and you don’t need to worry about me. I’m okay. I really am. Except for the fact that all I can think about is you and kissing you and touching you…”
His groan echoed through his chest as he put his head back against the sofa and closed his eyes. “That’s all I’ve thought about for months—kissing you and touching you. I was so hoping you’d let me someday.”
Sarah’s cellphone chimed with a text from Owen. Back from the party. Want us to come pick up Holden? “Owen and Laura are offering to come pick him up,” Sarah said.
“Why don’t you let them come get him, and then you can stay here with me? If you want to, that is.”
“I want to.” She replied to Owen, letting him know it would be fine if they wanted to come get Holden.
Be there shortly, Owen replied. Thanks again for watching him.
Loved every minute of it.
“They’ll be here soon,” Sarah said, resting her head on Charlie’s shoulder.
“And then what?”
“Then we’ll have all night to spend together, if that’s okay.”
“Yes, Sarah,” Charlie said with a laugh, “that’s more than okay.”
Chapter 20
As the clock ticked closer to six, Linda’s nerves became more frayed. How did one greet the child of one’s husband? The child neither of them had known about until a few hours ago? What would she say to her? How would her presence threaten the family Linda treasured above all else? Not to mention the marriage that was the center of her life.
Her husband was everything to her, and she’d always tried to give him the support and encouragement he deserved. From the very beginning of their relationship, she’d embraced his desire to build a business and a life on the remote island they called home. And it had been a good life, the very best life she could’ve ever hoped for. She would do anything to hold on to that, which was why she’d encouraged him to invite Mallory to dinner.
Even knowing she’d done the right thing for her husband, that didn’t mean she wasn’t nervous and worried about what would happen when their children found out they had another sister. She couldn’t begin to guess how they might react. She suspected Mac would be put out to learn he was no longer the oldest, and Janey might have something to say about another girl in the family.
Her husband came into the kitchen, looking handsome in the clothes he’d worn to the engagement party. “Can I do anything to help?”
“You never help in the kitchen.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m not willing to, especially tonight.”
He was hard to resist most of the time, but never more so than when he was being sweet. “I’m nervous, Mac. I don’t want to be, but I can’t help it. It scares me to think of someone coming into our family and changing things. I hate myself for even saying that—”
“Shh, honey.” His arms encircled her from behind, and his lips brushed against her neck. “It’s okay to be nervous. I am, too. But she’s really nice and made a point of telling me she’s not looking for anything from me—or us. She just wanted to meet me. Anything else that happens from this point on is up to us, and we’ll decide the next steps together. Okay?”
She relaxed against him, buffeted by his assurances as well as the way he wrapped her up in his love. Turning, she looked up at the face she’d loved for so long, she could no longer remember her life before Mac McCarthy had changed everything. As always, he looked down at her with love in his eyes.
“You have nothing at all to worry about. This doesn’t change anything between us. It doesn’t change anything that really matters. Perhaps, maybe… It might give us one more person to love in this world. And that wouldn’t be so bad, would it?”
When he put it like that, it wasn’t so bad at all. “No, it wouldn’t.”
“All I’m asking is that you meet her and make her feel welcome here.”
“I can do that.”
“I know you can, honey. And I want you to know I appreciate it. I appreciate the way you reacted earlier and that you invited her into our home. You’re doing that for me, and don’t think I can’t see that.”
“I’d do anything for you, Mac. You know that.”
“And vice versa. That’s what’s made us work so well for so long. But I’m asking a lot of you this time.” When his phone rang, he checked the caller ID and saw it was Adam. He put the call on speaker so Linda could hear, too. “Hey, bud. What’s up?”
“I have some news for you. Is Mom around?”
“We’re both here, and the phone is on speaker.”
“Hi, honey,” Linda said.
“Hey, Mom.”
“What’s your news?”
“Since I’d never want to be accused of pulling a Grant, I wanted you to be the first to know that Abby and I are engaged.”
“Oh, Adam!” Linda said. “That’s wonderful! Congratulations to both of you.”
“Thanks, we’re excited.”
“When did this happen? We just saw you a little while ago.”
“I popped the question on the way home.”
“So it was totally spontaneous?” Mac asked with a smile for her. She knew he was just as thrilled as she was to see their kids settling down with mates who were perfect for each of them. Not that long ago, Linda had worried that none of their sons would ever marry, and now one was married and three were engaged.
“Not totally. I’ve had the ring for a while and was waiting for the right moment.”
“Abby must’ve been thrilled.”
“She cried, so I guess that’s a good thing.”
Linda rested her hand on her heart, moved at the thought of the young woman she adored crying over her son. “I’m so happy for you both, Adam. Thanks for calling us.”
“Make sure you tell Grant that you were the first to know.”
“I’ll do that,” Linda said with a laugh. Her kids were incredibly close but still enjoyed one-upping each other every chance they got.
“Congrats, pal,” Mac said. “We love you both and can’t wait to dance at the wedding.”
“We can’t wait either. Love you guys, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Bye, honey.” To her husband, Linda said, “What wonderful news!”
“The best news. They’re great together.”
“I was afraid they’d never get around to getting married since they moved in together.”
“He told me a while ago that he’d been thinking about it.”
“And you never said a word to me?”
“Private conversation with my son, babe.”
“Private…” She attempted a scowl that
probably failed because she was too happy with Adam’s news to be mad. “You still should’ve told me.”
The doorbell rang, and they both went still, looking to each other for reassurance. He bent his head to kiss her. “I love you. Everything is fine. All right?”
“Yes. I love you, too.”
With his hand on her lower back, they walked to the entryway to welcome their guest.
Mallory wore a pretty summer dress and carried a bottle of wine. As Mac had said, she was tall and striking with dark hair that fell in curls to her shoulders and pretty brown eyes. Though their coloring was completely opposite, Linda saw a hint of Janey in her and could see the distinctive resemblance to her late mother-in-law that Mac had mentioned.
“Come in,” Mac said. “This is my wife, Linda. Linda, Mallory Vaughn.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Mallory said, extending her hand to Linda.
“Yes, nice to meet you, too.”
“It’s okay if you don’t really mean that.”
The humorous comment, delivered with a warm smile, had Linda thinking of her own kids, who might’ve said something similar. “I do mean it,” Linda said, earning a pat on the back from her husband. “We’re happy to have you. Come in.”
Mac led the way to the kitchen with Mallory following him and Linda bringing up the rear. Passing the framed photos of their five children on the wall, Mallory stopped.
“These are your kids.”
“Yes,” Linda said. “That’s Mac, Grant, Adam, Evan and Janey. And that’s everyone—with one husband, one wife, three fiancées—as of today—and three grandchildren.”
“You have a beautiful family,” Mallory said wistfully.
“Thank you. Our family is growing in leaps and bounds. Adam and Abby just told us they’re engaged.”
“Congratulations.”
“Would you like to see some other pictures?”
“I’d love to.”
While the lasagna she’d taken from the freezer finished baking, Mac opened the bottle of wine Mallory had brought and poured glasses for both women and got a beer for himself. In the family room, Linda pulled out recent albums to show Mallory pictures of Mac, Maddie, Thomas and Hailey as well as Janey, Joe and P.J., Evan and Grace, Adam and Abby and Grant and Stephanie.
“They’re all coupled up.”
“They are—finally. For the longest time, I thought none of them would ever settle down and get married, and now all of them are. Grant and Steph told us earlier today that they’re getting married on Labor Day.”
“That’s very exciting.”
“Are you married?” Linda asked and then regretted the question as possibly too personal.”
“Not anymore.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. It was a long time ago.”
Though she’d love to know what that meant, Linda didn’t want to pry. “Well, you must be hungry.”
“Linda… I just want to say… Thank you for having me here and for being so nice to me. I know this had to come as a shock to both of you, and I have no desire to mess up anything for you or your family.” She glanced at Mac. “I just wanted to meet you.”
“I’m very glad you came,” he said. “I’m only sorry your mother didn’t tell me about you sooner. I would’ve liked to have known you.”
“I hope you aren’t angry about what she did, although I suppose you have every right to be.”
“I don’t want to be angry with her,” Mac said thoughtfully. “But I’m disappointed she didn’t come to me when she found out she was expecting you. I would’ve liked to be part of your life, and I never would’ve tried to take you away from her. I wish she’d trusted me a little more.”
“I do, too. I’ve spent most of my life wondering about you.”
“Did she ever talk to you about him?” Linda asked.
Mallory shook her head. “She was very vague on the subject of my father even after I was an adult and there was no chance I could be taken from her. That’s why it was such a surprise to find the letter about you among her things after she died.”
“We can’t make up for the time we’ve lost,” Mac said, “but I sure hope you’ll let me be a part of your life going forward. I’d really like to be.”
“Oh… You would?”
He nodded. “I absolutely would.”
“I expected you to ask me for proof, and I wouldn’t be opposed… If, you know, you wanted…”
“I don’t need proof.” Mac got up and went to his study off the den, returning a minute later with a framed photograph. Linda knew exactly which one it was. “This was my mother as a young woman.” He handed the frame to Mallory, who gasped and then covered her mouth as tears filled her eyes.
“Oh my God.”
“I know,” Mac said, “right? The proof is in the DNA.”
Mallory ran her finger over the image of her grandmother. “This is unbelievable. I always thought I looked like my mother.”
“You do. I can definitely see her in you.”
“This is so amazing,” Mallory said, still staring at the photo. “To fill in these blanks… It’s so priceless to me.”
“I’m glad we were able to do that for you,” Mac said. “We’ll fill in a few more when you meet the rest of the family.”
“What do you think they’ll say when they hear they have a half sister?”
Mac looked to Linda to answer for him. “If I had to guess,” Linda said, “they’ll be surprised, of course, but Mac will be rattled to hear he’s not the oldest, and Janey will be a little disturbed to learn she’s not the only girl. If I know my kids, though, they’ll be welcoming and friendly, if a little hesitant at first.”
“Which is certainly understandable.”
“I’d like for you to meet them while you’re here,” Mac said. “We don’t keep secrets from them, so I’d rather do it sooner than later. Mac is already aware that something’s up. He knows me very well and could tell I was rattled after we spoke this morning. Would you be willing to meet them before you head home tomorrow?”
“Sure. I’d like that.”
“Okay, then,” Mac said. “We’ll tell them to come by at ten. Perhaps you could come a little later so we have a chance to speak to them first?”
“Of course.”
“Great,” Mac said with a big smile for both women. “Now that we’ve got all the business out of the way, I’m ready for lasagna. Wait until you taste Linda’s lasagna.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Mallory said.
As she realized that Mallory was a nice person who wasn’t out to destroy her family, Linda felt herself relax. Tomorrow they would tell their children about Mallory and then figure out their next steps as a family. Though slightly apprehensive about how the kids might take the news, she decided not to get too far ahead of herself. They’d find out soon enough.
David finished stitching up the gash in Dan’s palm and applied a bandage that covered most of his hand. “Keep it clean and dry for the next couple of days,” he said. “I’ll write you a script for pain meds.”
“No need,” Dan said. “I’ve got stuff left over from the earlier disaster.”
“Come back on Friday to get the stitches out.”
“Got it. Can I go?”
“What’s the status of your tetanus shot?”
“I’ve had one.”
“How long ago?”
“I don’t know.”
“Since we have no idea what was on that knife or how clean it was, I recommend a tetanus shot and a dose of antibiotic, too.”
“Fine, whatever you say, Doc. Let’s just get it over with.”
“You’re in an awful rush, Counselor. You’re giving me a complex.”
“Nothing personal, but I’ve got plans with my lady. And besides, I’m sure you’ve got better things to be doing on a Sunday afternoon than stitching me up.”
“Not to worry,” David said. “Part of the job. Be right back.”
&n
bsp; Kara came into the cubicle with a can of Coke that she handed over to him. He’d sent her to get it so she wouldn’t be in the room while David stitched him up. She was upset enough without having to see that.
“Come hold my hand while David sticks more needles in me.” The shots to numb his palm had been so painful he’d nearly passed out. The thought of more shots made him queasy and sweaty.
Kara came to sit next to him on the hospital bed, reaching for his uninjured hand.
David returned with two syringes and administered two more shots that burned like a bastard on the way in. “There you go,” he said, adding for Kara’s sake, “Keep it clean and dry.”
“We hate it clean and dry,” Dan said, earning an embarrassed scowl from his fiancée.
“Yeah, he’s fine,” David said with a laugh. “Get out of here so I can go home.”
“Thanks again, David.”
“No problem. Let me know if you have any problems or if it gets especially red or swollen.”
“Will do.”
As they left the clinic, Dan dropped his arm over Kara’s shoulders. “Do you have my keys?”
“Yes.”
“Can I have them?”
“You’re not driving.”
“Yes, I am.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Baby, I’m fine. I swear.”
“You just had thirty stitches in the palm of your right hand. How do you propose to drive a stick shift?”
“My fingers are still working fine,” he said, waggling his brows as he demonstrated his manual dexterity.
“Everything is a joke to you, isn’t it?”
Seeing that she was on the verge of tears, he stopped walking and turned to her. “Not everything. I got us a room at the Summer House. I was going to surprise you after the party.”
She leaned her head against his chest.
He ran the fingers on his uninjured hand through her silky hair.
“I hate that you got hurt again.”
“I’m really fine. I promise.” He caressed the nape of her neck, one of his favorite places to kiss. “Will you come with me to the Summer House and spend the night with me so we can celebrate our engagement properly?”
“Haven’t we already done that at least a hundred times since we got engaged?”
