Maybe We Will (Silver Harbor)

by Melissa Foster

  “Isn’t it great?”

  “Yeah, almost as great as the way you light up around her. Is it ever like that with you and Deirdra?”

  “Sometimes. But other times we just roll our eyes at each other. Did I tell you she’s coming to the tasting?”

  “I think you might have mentioned it six or seven times since she texted two hours ago.” He leaned down and kissed her.

  “You two almost make relationships look worth the effort,” Cait said as she walked past the stairs.

  “You’re as stealthy as a ninja,” Aiden called down to her.

  “What do you mean almost?” Abby asked.

  Cait shrugged. “I like my solitude more than I like anything else in the entire world.”

  Abby watched her disappear down the hall toward the junk room and said, “Is it just me, or is that kind of sad?”

  “You’re asking the wrong guy. Before you jogged into my life, I treasured my solitude more than anything other than Remi.”

  He carried the box out to the garage, and Abby joined Cait in the junk room. Once they cleared the room of old furniture, some of which was headed to the dump, the rest to Goodwill, they started going through boxes. Abby was shocked that her mother had kept things like their old school backpacks, homework assignments, and even Deirdra’s old skateboards. She found Deirdra’s roller skates, too—every pair, right down to the ones her father had given her in first grade.

  “Deirdra was a skater. What were you?” Aiden asked.

  She didn’t even have to think about her answer. “A dreamer.”

  “Thank goodness some things never change.” Aiden opened another box and said, “How about you, Cait? What were you like when you were younger?”

  Cait tucked her hair behind her ear and said, “I kept to myself. I wasn’t into any sports, but I loved to climb trees and take walks. I’d find a place in a field or a park and draw for hours.”

  “I wish Deirdra and I had known you then,” Abby said.

  “Me too,” Cait said.

  They found boxes of her father’s clothes, his easels and other painting supplies, and several of his paintings. Abby told them more stories about her father, and she got a little choked up as they looked over his things.

  “Cait, I know you draw, but do you paint?” Abby asked.

  “Sometimes,” she said as Aiden pulled another box from the closet and began going through it.

  “Would you like my dad’s easels and the other supplies? I’d love to keep them in the family.”

  “Really? Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  “It would make me happy, and I know Deirdra would feel the same way.” Abby pushed the boxes over to Cait.

  Cait put one of her hands on top of two of the boxes ever so lightly, as if they were fine pieces of art, and said, “Thank you.” She sat like that for a long time, and as Abby started going through another box, she said, “I’ve been thinking about the Bistro. How would you feel if I painted a mural on one wall? Remember the story Grant told us about your dad painting on the patio? I have this vision in my head of your father standing at his easel and our mother sitting on a chair with you on her lap and Deirdra behind her chair, leaning her elbow on the back of the chair, with her chin in her palm. You’re all watching him paint. I can’t seem to shake the idea, but if you’d rather I didn’t, that’s totally fine.”

  “Oh, Cait, that sounds beautiful. But it wouldn’t feel right if you weren’t represented, too. You’re a big part of the Bistro now, and of our family.”

  “But I wasn’t there,” Cait said.

  “I have a feeling you were never far from your mother’s thoughts,” Aiden said as he handed Cait a journal he’d been looking through. “Based on the dates in that journal, I’d say the baby Ava is talking about is you.”

  “What?” Abby moved next to Cait and scanned the pages the journal was open to.

  The lump that had clogged Abby’s throat earlier was back in full force as she read her mother’s innermost thoughts about loving the child she would never have a chance to know. Cait turned the page, revealing more of their mother’s heartbreaking sentiments about longing to hold and to get to know her baby.

  “She loved me,” Cait whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks.

  Abby, swamped by her own emotions, could do little more than take hold of Cait’s hand and choke out, “She did.”

  Aiden knelt between them and gathered them both in his arms, holding them as they wept for the mother and daughter who never had a chance to be together and for the sisters who had finally become a family.

  Much later that evening, after clearing out the junk room, which was a pretty impressive master suite, they got cleaned up for dinner, and then Aiden turned on one of Abby’s father’s records and set the table while Abby gave Cait another cooking lesson. They enjoyed a delicious chicken Parmesan dinner, and as they cleared the table, Aiden twirled Abby around the kitchen to the sound of the Allman Brothers. He washed the dishes and Abby dried, while Cait stood at the counter drawing in one of her sketchbooks and telling them about a new tattoo she was designing for a client. Aiden tried to focus on what Cait was saying, but he was sidetracked, trying hard not to think about leaving in the morning and how much he hated the idea of missing almost an entire week with Abby.

  Deirdra called as they finished cleaning up, and Abby answered on speakerphone as she dried the last pot. “Hi, Dee.”

  “Hey. I just finished working and wanted to see how you were holding up today.”

  “Aw. Are you getting sentimental on me?”

  “Please,” Deirdra said. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I’m good. Thanks, Dee. Cleaning out Mom’s room was weird, but it’s done, and remember how bad the junk room was? I have to show you what we did. You can actually see the floor. I’m going to FaceTime you, so accept the call.”

  Deirdra groaned, and then her face appeared on the screen. Her hair was pinned up in a messy bun, and she looked tired.

  “There you are. Say hi to Aiden and Cait.” Abby moved the phone so Deirdra could see them.

  Cait waved, and Aiden said, “Good to see you.”

  “Hi, you guys,” Deirdra said with a tired smile. “How are you two doing this Mother’s Day?”

  “It’s been the best one I’ve had in years,” Aiden said honestly.

  “Me too,” Cait agreed.

  “Guess what Aiden did?” Abby raved about the work he’d done outside, how they’d planted all morning, and how excited she was to have a garden again.

  “That was really nice of you, Aiden,” Deirdra said, a tinge of suspicion in her tone. “How long are you there for?”

  “Actually, I’m heading out tomorrow for the week,” he said regretfully. “I’ll be back Friday and will stay until the following Sunday, when my vacation is over.”

  “But we’re not talking about that because it bums me out,” Abby said. “Let me show you the junk room and Mom’s room.”

  When Abby left the kitchen, Cait said, “You’re leaving?”

  “Unfortunately. A client has an issue I have to take care of.”

  Abby came through the kitchen chatting on her way upstairs. And just like that his heart did a double take. Damn. He’d gone his entire life not thinking twice about taking care of business, and in the span of less than two weeks, Abby had not only gotten under his skin, but she’d become such a big part of him, he didn’t want to leave her.

  “Will you be here with Abby while I’m gone?” Aiden asked.

  “Yes, until Friday morning.”

  “Good.” He knew Abby could take care of herself, but he liked the idea of her having Cait to keep her company.

  Abby returned a few minutes later, still talking to Deirdra. “I was thinking about using the junk room for my bedroom, unless you or Cait want to use it?”

  “Not me,” Deirdra said.

  “I’m cool with staying in the apartment when I’m here. I really like having my own space,” Cait said.
“Unless you want the apartment for something else?”

  “No, I just didn’t want to make plans until I checked with you,” Abby said. “I’m going to make a few calls tomorrow to have the boxes, Mom’s bedroom furniture, and the rest of the stuff picked up. I’ll swap the living room furniture with mine when I have it shipped. I’m excited to give the house a makeover.”

  “I can see that. Look how happy you are, and how much you’ve accomplished,” Deirdra said earnestly. “Mom and Dad would be proud of you.”

  “Do you really think so? You never talk like that about Mom,” Abby said, her words laced with emotion.

  “I know I don’t. It’s harder for me than it is for you, but yes, I think they’d be very proud of everything you’re doing.”

  Abby teared up.

  “Oh no. Don’t get all weepy on me.” Deirdra raised her wineglass and said, “How about we make a toast instead?”

  “Hold on!” Cait hurried out of the living room and returned with the bottle of champagne and the bottle of tequila they’d left in the foyer the other night. “Looks like Wells Silver is good for something after all.” She held up the bottles and said, “Tequila or bubbly?”

  “The bubbly is to celebrate Abby’s win.” Aiden took the bottle of champagne and set it aside.

  “Tequila it is, then,” Cait said.

  “I like a confident man,” Deirdra said.

  “He’s taken. Claws off,” Abby said as she took three shot glasses out of a cabinet and set them on the counter.

  Aiden put his arm around Abby and said, “Happily taken, babes.” He kissed her temple.

  As Cait poured the shots, Abby set the phone on the counter where Deirdra could see them.

  Cait handed them each a glass and said, “What are we toasting?”

  “I think we should toast our mother for bringing us all together,” Deirdra said.

  “Hear, hear,” Aiden said.

  They cheered, tapped their glasses, and drank their shots, while Deirdra sipped her wine.

  “Woo-hoo!” Abby shouted. “Fill ’er up. We need to toast Aiden’s mom.”

  “Oh boy, here we go. Aiden, I hope you have strong arms,” Deirdra said as Cait refilled their glasses. “You might need to carry Abby to bed tonight. She’s a total lightweight.”

  Abby glowered at her.

  Aiden hugged her and said, “I’ll gladly carry you anyway, sweetheart.” Abby snuggled closer, turning soft green eyes on him, and he felt something inside him click into place—as if he’d always been slightly off-kilter, and she’d finally set him right.

  Abby raised her glass and said, “To Aiden’s mom for bringing him into this world, and to his parents for raising such an amazing man.”

  The girls cheered, and they all drank.

  The rest of the night passed with sisterly banter and stolen kisses. Abby was tipsy when they finally ended the FaceTime call and Cait headed up to the apartment.

  Abby hung on to Aiden as they made their way upstairs and said, “You’re really handsome. Have I told you that? Like, super-duper handsome.”

  “Thank you, beautiful.”

  “And sweet. I know guys don’t like to be called sweet, but it’s true. I mean, you’re manly and incredibly strong. But you’re also sweet to your sister, the girls, my sisters. You’re sweet to me,” she said as they headed down the hall to the bedroom.

  “You’re so damn cute, you make me crazy.”

  She stepped in front of him, walking backward into the bedroom as she worked the buttons on his shirt open. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes glittering flirtatiously.

  Aiden worried she’d had too much to drink and put his hand over hers, pressing it to his chest. “Babes . . .”

  Her eyes narrowed seductively. “Aiden Aldridge, I know you are a gentleman, but I promise you, I am not drunk, and this is our last night together until Friday. You’d better let me get you naked.”

  “God, I adore you.”

  He lowered his lips to hers, savoring the taste of desire and happiness all wrapped up into one enchanting woman. They kissed as they stripped each other bare, touching and tasting each other’s bodies. How would he go almost a week without holding her in his arms? He laid her on the bed and sheathed himself, gazing into her eyes as he came down over her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hooked her heels around the backs of his thighs as their bodies slowly and perfectly became one. Another shift took place inside him, and she sighed, as if she’d felt it, too.

  “Jesus, Abby.” He cradled her face between his hands, overwhelmed by the feelings consuming him. She whispered his name, so full of emotions he wanted to drench himself in them and hear her say it every day for the rest of his life. He touched his forehead to hers, and his heart slipped out. “I’m falling so hard for you, Abby, and I don’t want to stop.”

  She put her hand on his cheek, and he leaned into it, soaking in the feel of her as she said, “You were so unexpected. I think I tripped on day one and have been rolling ever since.”

  He lifted his head so he could see her face, and the emotions gazing back at him brought a thrust of his hips. Fuuck. He wanted to be so deep inside her, he didn’t know where she ended and he began. He’d never felt so in and so out of control, but there was no stopping it now.

  “You probably won’t remember saying that in the morning, but I sure hope you do.”

  Her eyes sparked with something even more intense than before as she said, “I haven’t forgotten a single moment we’ve shared or a single word we’ve said.” Her lips curved up. “Not since the first time I saw you sitting on the patio of the Bistro in your fancy clothes and those sexy loafers, reading the newspaper.”

  Man, she made him smile. “Why does everyone hate my loafers?”

  “It turns out, I have quite a thing for a particular guy in loafers.” She lifted her head off the pillow and kissed him. “And an even bigger thing for that same guy naked.”

  “Abigail de Messiéres,” he whispered against her cheek, “you have stolen my heart, and every other piece of me. I’m going to miss you.” He lowered his lips to hers and spent half the night showing her just how much.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  ROAD SHOWS WERE grueling, though imperative, for companies such as Pennington Development Group, which had enormous potential but lacked capital. Aiden was normally laser focused during the presentation and investor Q and A, but today his thoughts were back on Silver Island with the sexy brunette he’d poured his heart out to last night and had reluctantly left in bed this morning. Abby had put on a brave face when he’d kissed her goodbye, but there was no masking the longing in her eyes or the ache in his heart as he’d walked out that door. He’d texted her on his way into the city, but he hadn’t had a break since. The presentation lasted all day, as underwriters and members of the management team, including Aiden, as a representative of the company, introduced the opportunity to potential investors, analysts, and fund managers in an effort to interest them in investing. They covered the history, vision, and goals of the company, as well as its financial performance, projected growth, and earnings forecasts. When the presentations were over, he and the team went to dinner, and then they headed to the airport—next stop, Chicago, where they’d do it all over again.

  After going through airport security, Aiden excused himself from the group to call Abby. It was already eleven o’clock. He hoped she was still up. She answered on the first ring, and he swore his entire body exhaled at the sound of her voice.

  “Hi, Abs. Sorry to call so late.”

  “That’s okay. How are you? How are your meetings going?”

  “They’re long, but they’re going well. How are you, babe?”

  “I’m good. It’s been a crazy day here, too. I got approved for the line of credit, which is a huge relief.”

  “Awesome. I knew you would.” He was proud of her for doing it on her own, but he gritted his teeth at the idea of Abby accumulating debt when he could write a check and giv
e her everything she needed.

  “Thanks. I’m thrilled. Justin and Blaine Wicked, from Cape Stone, worked all day and finished the patio and the flooring. They’re incredible. Tomorrow their father, Rob Wicked, the owner of Cape Renovations, is coming with his guys to do the inspection and then start the ordering window and . . .”

  She continued telling him about the renovations and the work she and Cait were doing, but the more she talked, the more he missed her, and if he didn’t let that out, he was going to lose his mind.

  “We’re picking up the computer tomorrow. Cait touts herself as a tattooist, but she’s a literal computer genius. I swear if we locked you two in a room, you could fix all of the world’s economic probl—”

  “Abs, I’m sorry to interrupt. I’m interested in everything you’re saying, but damn, baby, I miss you. I need you to know that.”

  “Oh, Aiden,” she said longingly. “I thought if I talked fast I wouldn’t feel the ache of missing you so badly.”

  Wishing he could hold her in his arms, he said, “How’d that work out for you?”

  “Sucky.”

  He heard her smile in her voice. “What have you done to me, Abs? Before I met you, I’d have memorized every word out of everyone’s mouth in that meeting. But I couldn’t concentrate on anything but wishing I could be there with you. How messed up is that?”

  “Um . . . ? I think I’m supposed to say that it’s pretty messed up, but I’m in the same boat. At least we’re lost at sea together.”

  “Yeah.” He leaned his forearm against the wall, dipping his head for privacy, and said, “I want you in my arms, Abby, in my bed. I want to get on a different plane and head back to Silver Island. I want to look into your eyes and hold you while you fall asleep. I want to hear you snore and soak in that adorable little hum that follows.”

  “I do not snore, but if you think a hum is adorable, I’ll own up to that.”

  He closed his eyes, feeling more vulnerable than he ever had, and that brought on the in- and out-of-control feelings again. He stood up and rolled his shoulders back, trying to regain control of his emotions, and said, “Listen, Abs. I won’t get to my hotel in Chicago until after two a.m. I’m not going to call and wake you, okay?”