Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 1-16

by Force, Marie

  “Are there other things you want that I don’t know about?”

  She shook her head. “You covered all the high points in your proposal.”

  “I want you to know—I get what you said about how you grew up. Things will be different from now on.”

  “Thank you for listening—and for hearing me.”

  “Any time I don’t do that, just give me a kick in the ass. Promise?”

  “Yes,” she said laughing. “It’ll be my pleasure to kick you in the ass. Can I spank you sometimes just to mix things up?”

  “Whatever you want, babe.” The suggestion was all it took to get Grant thinking about officially sealing their deal. “Speaking of your pleasure. . .” He extricated himself from her embrace and stood, offering her a hand up. Drawing her into his arms, he held her tight for a long time before he let her go, slung an arm around her shoulders and directed her to the path. “Let’s go home.”

  An hour after they left Point Judith, Owen followed the GPS directions to Providence’s tony East Side, still hoping he was heading to her father’s house. Laura hadn’t stirred once during the ride, and her face remained ghostly pale.

  He got his answer about the address when they reached a two-story white colonial with black shutters, nicely trimmed bushes and the name McCarthy on the mailbox. Owen pulled into the driveway and parked next to a silver Cadillac sedan. He tried to decide his next move. Did he wake her up or let her sleep a while longer? He wanted to let her sleep but didn’t think it was appropriate to sit in her father’s driveway for half an hour without letting him know they were there.

  Frank McCarthy solved the problem for him by coming out of the house to greet them.

  Owen emerged from the car and stopped short at the sight of Laura’s dad, a shorter version of Big Mac McCarthy. Whereas Big Mac was all rough edges and relaxed cool, Frank was tailored and urbane in a light blue dress shirt, dark dress pants and black wingtips. While Big Mac’s gray hair was often wild and unkempt from the wind that whipped through the docks, Frank’s was combed into a tame style suitable for a courtroom. He wore a concerned look in the blue eyes he shared with his brother, daughter and nephews.

  “I trust you’re the Owen Lawry I’ve heard so much about,” Frank said, as he approached Owen with his hand extended.

  While Owen digested the fact that Laura had told her father about him, Owen shook the older man’s hand. “Yes, sir. I can’t believe our paths haven’t crossed before now. I’ve been close to your brother’s family since I was a kid.”

  A flash of regret registered on Frank’s face. “I’ve not been able to spend as much time on the island as I would’ve liked to over the years.” He glanced at the car. “Did she get sick? I wondered if she would. The ferry has always made her queasy even on the best of days.”

  “Is that right?” Owen said, surprised to realize she’d lied to him about never getting sick. He took that as an indication of just how badly she’d wanted to keep the appointment with Justin. “She did get pretty sick, and it wiped her out.”

  “Poor baby.” He glanced at the gold watch on his wrist. “You’ve got about forty minutes until you need to head out to meet he who shall not be named.”

  In that moment, Owen realized he was going to get along famously with Laura’s dad. Laughing, he said, “I like that.”

  “Thought you might.” Frank opened the passenger door. “Let’s get her inside.”

  “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 a
lone 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 am, too. That’s what I thought I was getting when I married Justin.”

  “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.
r />   “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.”