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

by Marie Force

  Katie smiled at Laura. “Thanks for the invite, but it seems I have other plans.”

  “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”

  “She’s not going to change her mind.”

  Katie knew he was joking around with his sister, but something about the way he said that gave her pause. “Wait.”

  “What?” Shane asked.

  Katie looked over at Laura. “I’d love to go tomorrow night. Thanks for asking me. Let me know what time.”

  “Oh,” Laura said. “Okay.”

  Keeping her head down, Katie moved slowly and painstakingly into the restaurant, uncertain if Shane was following her or not. Her heart beat fast from the exertion as much as the fear of what he might have to say to her. She wasn’t actually “afraid” of him or anything like that, but where she came from, being assertive and overruling a man led to trouble.

  “Table for two, please,” Shane said from behind her as Katie reached the hostess stand.

  They were led to the same table Katie had shared with her grandmother the day before. As she settled into her chair, Shane took the crutches from her and leaned them against the porch rail.

  Maybe it was less than courageous of her, but while he took a seat, she took an interest in the menu.

  “Katie.”

  She glanced at him, hoping he couldn’t somehow tell that her heart was racing and her hands were trembling ever so slightly. This, right here, was why she’d avoided men all her life.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I was doing what I do with Laura. I shouldn’t have answered for you. If you want to go out with her and the others, that’s exactly what you should do.” He smiled. “I’ll find a way to get by on my own for the evening.”

  His adorably heartfelt apology and innate understanding of what had upset her went a long way toward calming her rattled nerves. “Thank you for apologizing. That scenario…” She gestured toward the lobby. “Sort of a hot-button issue for me.”

  “I understand. It won’t happen again.”

  She stared across the table at him.

  “What?”

  “I… I didn’t expect that to be so easy.”

  “Why not? I was way out of line and realized it about two seconds after I said what I did. You don’t think I’m going to fix that ASAP?”

  “How in the world did your wife ever let you get away?”

  The stricken expression that overtook his face made Katie instantly sorry for asking the question. She shook her head. “I shouldn’t have said that. My turn to apologize.”

  “It’s okay. It’s a question I’ve asked myself lots of times. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I’m as far from perfect as it gets, but I was always good to her. I put her first, which turned out to be a huge mistake.”

  “It might’ve been a mistake with her, but that doesn’t mean it’s a mistake with everyone. If you’re with the right person, they’re putting you first, too, or at least that’s how it seems it should work.”

  “You’re absolutely right, and as much as I loved Courtney—and I did love her—she never put me first. Our marriage was all about her, which is something I’ve come to see with some rather painful hindsight.”

  “That makes me sad for you. I’ve only known you a short time, but I already know you deserve better than that.”

  “Yes, I do, but it took me a long, long time to come to that conclusion.”

  Katie sat back in her chair, feeling relaxed and at peace, which was a rare state of being for her. She’d been intimate with a man, and the world hadn’t ended. It was, she realized, a relief to have finally taken that step. Everything seemed brighter today—the sparkle of the sunshine on the water, the clean fresh air, the mouthwatering scents coming from the plates of nearby diners. Even the coffee they were served tasted more robust. She felt more alive than she ever had before.

  Despite the lingering ache between her legs, she had no regrets. She’d chosen the right man to take this important step with. No matter what happened between them—or what didn’t—she’d never forget how sweet and tender he’d been. Shane had given her another important gift last night—hope, which had been in short supply in her life.

  Maybe last night would be the start of something lasting with him, though she had no way to know if that was what he wanted, and she wasn’t about to ask him. Not now anyway. There would be time for that conversation much later. For now, she planned to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, the company of a smart, sexy, sweet man and the rare tingle of hope that made everything seem fresh and new on this glorious morning.

  Sitting alone in the surgical waiting room, Mac stared at a poster on the wall and tried to think about anything other than what was happening to Maddie. The picture of the meadow filled with wildflowers reminded him of their backyard. He’d much rather be sitting on his own deck looking at the real thing than forced to exist in this cold, sterile room, looking at pictures that were intended to provide fake serenity.

  The table next to him was stacked with magazines, and a nearby coffee station was well stocked. Mac didn’t partake of either. He couldn’t work up the interest in anything other than his wife. At times like this and the night Hailey was born, his mind traveled to worst-case scenarios that made him crazy.

  The thought of life without Maddie was so unbearable it could bring him to his knees. He couldn’t stand to be without her for even a single day. Hell, the two hours they’d told him it would take to perform the procedure and see her through recovery seemed endless to him.

  He scrubbed his hands over his unshaven face, and when he dropped them, his father’s big frame filled the doorway. Mac blinked repeatedly, certain he was seeing things. “What the… What’re you doing here?”

  Wearing his summer uniform of a faded logo T-shirt, khaki shorts, deck shoes and sunglasses propped on his thick gray hair, Big Mac dropped into the seat next to Mac’s. “I thought you might like some company.”

  Mac had managed to hold it together all morning for Maddie’s sake, but his father’s kind words broke his composure.

  Big Mac’s heavy arm came around Mac’s shoulders, offering comfort the way he had all of Mac’s life, from skinned knees to broken hearts and everything in between.

  “I can’t believe you’re here.” Mac wiped his face.

  “Joe got me and the truck on the eight o’clock boat. It was no big deal.”

  “It’s a huge big deal. Thank you.”

  “You don’t have to thank me. I’ve been where you are right now, son. It’s a bitch. No way around it.”

  Mac couldn’t have said it better himself. “Yes, it is.”

  “How’s Maddie?”

  “She’s… She’s quiet. Very, very quiet.”

  “She’s processing it in her own way.”

  “I want us to process it together, but she’s… It’s like she’s somewhere else.”

  “As hard as it is, you’ve got to follow her lead. She’s going to think she did something wrong to cause this.”

  “She already does. That was her first question to Victoria. And I told Shane yesterday, right before the appointment, that the thought of having three kids gave me hives. I didn’t mean that. I was excited to meet our new little person.”

  “Course you didn’t mean it. It’s not her fault and it’s not yours for saying what any dad expecting his third kid would say.” He glanced at Mac out of the corner of his eye. “I heard Mom told you what happened to us.”

  “She did, and I’m sorry. I had no idea.”

  “Wasn’t talked about so much in those days. It happened, and you went on with your lives. Took your mother a long time to understand it wasn’t her fault, but she got there eventually. Was one of the more difficult stretches in our life together.”

  “So I should prepare for a long siege?”

  “Possibly.”

  The idea of distance between him and Maddie depressed him profoundly.

  “Just remember… You’ll get past this. It mi
ght take awhile, but you guys are solid, and you’ll bounce back. Maybe you’ll even have another baby someday.”

  “Maybe.” Mac wondered if either of them would be willing to try again. “I’m sorry it happened to you.”

  “I’m sorry it happened to you.”

  “Do you still… You know… Think about the one you lost?”

  “All the time. I figure he had to be a boy because we had four boys before we got our girl. He’d be thirty-eight now.” Big Mac shook his head at that realization. “But then if we’d had him, we might not’ve gotten you when we did, because it would’ve been too soon after him. And I simply can’t imagine this world without you in it. So things work out the way they’re meant to, you know? Even shitty things like this.”

  “Yeah, I guess so.”

  “I’m going to tell Mallory this isn’t a good weekend to come out to the island.”

  “Damn, I forgot she was coming.” They’d recently discovered that Big Mac had fathered a daughter before he was married. Mallory had come to the island to find her father after her mother’s death.

  “She’ll understand.”

  “Don’t cancel on our account. You wanted to get together with her again before Grant’s wedding, and that’s coming up soon. Keep the plans. We might not be there, but the rest of you can carry on without us.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive.”

  After a long, companionable silence, Big Mac said, “How long did they say it would take?”

  “Couple hours.”

  Big Mac nodded.

  “Hey, Dad?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Means the world to me that you came.”

  “Had a feeling it might help to have some company.”

  “It does. More than you’ll ever know.”

  After breakfast with Katie, Shane headed for the marina, hoping he could borrow his uncle’s truck, since Mac had taken his to the mainland. However, when he arrived, he found his dad and Ned sitting with Luke Harris at the picnic table where Big Mac usually held court in the morning.

  “Hey, guys,” Shane said when he joined them.

  “Hey, son,” Frank said with a big smile for Shane. “What brings you to the meeting of the minds this lovely morning?”

  “I was actually looking for Uncle Mac.”

  “He’s gone over to keep Mac company,” Frank said.

  Of course that was where he was, Shane thought, knowing his own father would’ve done the same thing, because that’s how they rolled. “I assume he took his truck?”

  “Since he wouldn’t be caught dead in Linda’s yellow bug, you assume correctly,” Frank said as Ned grunted with laughter.

  “I’m kind of in a bind,” Shane said. “I’ve got a ton of stuff to pick up at the ferry today and no truck.” It was time to look into getting one of his own.

  “Take mine,” Luke said, producing the keys.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. With both Macs off-island, I’m here for the day.”

  “Thanks a million.”

  “You need help with the delivery?” Frank asked.

  “I wouldn’t say no to some help if you feel up to it.”

  Frank flexed his biceps. “I’m up to it.”

  “Shit…” Ned muttered. “Don’t hurt yerself.”

  Shane took the time to have a coffee and a couple of doughnuts before he and his father left to meet the ferry. On the way there, Shane glanced over at his dad in the passenger seat. “So I talked to Mac the other day about the off-season, and I’ve decided to stay.”

  “That’s great news, son.”

  “He says there’s plenty of work to keep me busy, so no sense leaving when everything and everyone I care about is here.”

  “Good thinking.”

  “It’s that baby’s fault. He’s got me totally hooked. I can’t imagine not seeing him every day.”

  “Babies do that to the best of us. I’ve got a bad case over him myself, and two more coming soon. Lots to look forward to.”

  “Yeah, there is. For the first time in a long time, that’s very true.”

  “So just a few babies keeping you here?” Frank asked, trying to affect a casual tone that Shane saw right through.

  “Why don’t you say what you really mean?”

  “Which is?”

  Shane laughed. “Same tricks, different decade. You’re still trying to pry personal info out of me.”

  “That’s my job.”

  “Am I staying because of Katie? Is that what you’re asking?”

  “I’m wondering if she factored into the decision.”

  After last night, she definitely factored into the decision, but he kept that thought to himself. “She’s part of it. I haven’t known her long, but we’re having fun together. But it’s more than that. I feel at home here. You’re here, Laura’s here, the rest of the family… It’s a good fit.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way. I do, too.”

  “What about Betsy? Is she staying for the off-season?”

  “She hasn’t decided anything yet. I hope she’ll stay.”

  “Are you going to be okay if she doesn’t?”

  “Sure I will. I’ve been through worse. But I’ll sure as hell miss her if she goes.”

  “Are you doing everything you can to get her to stay?”

  “Um…”

  “Does she know you love her?”

  “Oh, well,” Frank said, sputtering, “I don’t think it’s come to that.”

  “Hasn’t it?”

  Frank was quiet for a long moment. “Yeah, it has.”

  “Then tell her.”

  “I’m not sure she’s ready to hear it.”

  “Don’t let her get away, Dad. I’d hate to see you have regrets later. Put your cards on the table.”

  “What if she doesn’t feel the same way?”

  “Then at least you’ll know, but I don’t think she’s going to be unhappy to hear it. She seems really into you for some strange reason.”

  “Ha-ha, very funny. I could say the same about Katie.”

  “Don’t try to turn this around on me. We’re talking about you.”

  “Now we’re talking about you.”

  “I walked right into that, didn’t I?” Shane asked, amused by his dad.

  “She’s a nice girl.”

  “She’s a nice woman.”

  “That, too.”

  “I nearly screwed it up this morning.”

  “This morning, huh?”

  “Pay attention, Dad.”

  “Oh, I am. What’d you do?”

  “I got a little bossy with her, which was totally Laura’s fault, but Katie didn’t like it and let me know that. It’s a touchy issue for her after everything with her dad.”

  “That family’s been through the wringer. I know Owen has his demons where his father is concerned. It’s only natural that Katie would, too. Owen, Katie and her twin, Julia, are the oldest. They witnessed the worst of it.”

  “Despite everything, she’s very sweet and sincere. She’s cautious but willing to take some risks, too. I like her. A lot.”

  “Thrills me to hear you say that. For a long time, I feared you’d never date again, let alone anything else.”

  “Who says ‘anything else’ is going on?”

  “A father knows these things.”

  “Oh Jesus…” As skeptical as he sounded, Shane was all too familiar with how tuned in to both his kids Frank was. It had driven them nuts as teenagers, and now was no different. “Do me a favor and keep the speculating to yourself. She’s special, and I’m trying not to screw it up before it even starts.”

  “My lips are sealed.” After a long pause, Frank said, “Just one more thing, and then I’ll shut up.”

  “Promise?”

  Laughing, Frank said, “Yeah, I promise. I only wanted to say that I hope you won’t let what happened with what’s her name keep you from going all in again with someone else, maybe
even Katie.”

  Shane thought about that. “A few months ago, I would’ve said no way to going all in again. It’s just not worth the aggravation. But now… I might be open to changing my mind on that.”

  “Which is the best news I’ve heard in weeks.”

  “I don’t want you to worry about me. I have absolutely no desire to ever again be where I was when she left me. I’m being careful.”

  “Good. I never want to see you in that place again. Ever.”

  “You won’t. Don’t worry.”

  “Of course I’ll worry. That’s my job.”

  Chapter 21

  Shane and Frank arrived at the cargo area at the ferry landing, which was bustling with forklifts moving freight around with a precision that made sense only to them. Emerging from the truck, Shane waved to Seamus, who was directing traffic with a clipboard in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.

  “Big load for you today, Shane.” Seamus tucked the clipboard under his arm to shake hands with Shane and Frank. “You need some help? I might be able to spare a couple of guys for an hour or two.”

  “I’ll take you up on that.”

  “Hey,” Frank said. “You’ve got me.”

  Shane pointed to the huge refrigerator box.

  “On second thought,” Frank said, “we’ll gladly take you up on that.”

  Seamus laughed. “Thought you might.” He whistled to a couple of young guys who were chasing after one of the forklifts. “Help Mr. McCarthy load up his truck and then go with him to offload. Get your asses back here, pronto.” He handed over keys to the taller of the two young men. “Take my truck, too, so you can do it in one run.”

  “Yes, sir.” They ran off to get Seamus’s truck.

  “Thanks so much,” Shane said. “That’s a huge help.”

  “No problem. I heard what’s going on with Mac and Maddie. Happy to help him out where I can.”

  “I’ll let him know that. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”

  As they loaded the freight into a couple of borrowed trucks with the borrowed guys helping them, Shane thought about the sense of community on Gansett Island. Everyone was willing to lend a hand to whomever needed help. He liked being part of that. From the house he was building for Lisa and her kids and the satisfaction he got from meaningful work to his adorable nephew to the burgeoning relationship with Katie, Shane had a lot to be thankful for these days.