Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 1-16

by Force, Marie

  “Thank you,” she said, moved by the effort he was making.

  “Your dad has something with him that I asked him to give you after the baby arrived.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Signed divorce papers.”

  Laura gasped. Despite the effort they’d both been making to be more civil, she’d thought they were still a long way from brokering a settlement in the divorce. “What changed?”

  “You won’t believe it, but my mom had a come-to-Jesus conversation with me,” he said, sounding sheepish. “Apparently, she heard about what happened between us from Mrs. Harrigan.”

  “Ahhh,” Laura said. Mrs. Harrigan’s daughter Tamara had been one of the bridesmaids who’d set up the phony date with Justin.

  “She was extremely disappointed, and by the time she was through with me, I was ashamed of myself.”

  Laura winced, imagining the scene. “Your mom is one to be reckoned with.”

  “Indeed.” He released a deep sigh that sounded almost regretful. “She also reminded me that we’ve got a child to consider, and it’s best for him if we make an attempt to be civil.”

  “I completely agree. Thank you—and your mom.” Laura couldn’t believe this was happening. “What about the custody arrangement?”

  “I agreed to your request—occasional weekends when he’s older, alternating holidays, two weeks in the summer. I want to be part of his life, even if I’m no longer a part of yours.”

  “As long as we share a child, you’ll always be part of my life, Justin.”

  “I suppose you’ll want to marry the surfer dude once you’re free of me.”

  She smiled at the way he described Owen. If only he knew how much substance the “surfer dude” brought to their relationship. “We haven’t gotten that far.” As long as she was still married to Justin, there hadn’t been much point in discussing their future.

  “I’d like to come see the baby in the next week or so. Whenever you’re up for it.”

  “Of course. I’ll call you when we’re home and settled.”

  “Thank you for giving me a son, Laura. I’m sorry for what happened between us. I regret that I hurt you—and I felt that way before my mother laid into me.”

  “Things work out the way they’re meant to.”

  Owen stuck his head in the door, and Laura waved him in.

  “I really believe that,” she added to Justin.

  “Don’t forget to send pictures.”

  “I won’t.”

  He paused for a moment before he said, “You may not believe this, Laura, but I did love you, and I married you for the right reasons. Afterward, I don’t know what happened. . . I freaked out, I guess. I couldn’t believe you actually left me.”

  Astounded, she said, “What did you think I’d do when I found out what you were up to?”

  “I never expected you to find out. It was stupid. In hindsight, I wasn’t ready to be married, but I was so afraid of losing you. And then when I did. . . I behaved badly, and I’m sorry about that. I really am.”

  “It’s in the past now,” Laura said, filled with relief that they were finally moving past the ugliness. “All that matters now is this beautiful baby who needs both his parents in his life.”

  “He’ll have us both,” Justin said. “Take care of yourself. And the baby.”

  “I will.” Laura ended the call and realized she had tears streaming down her cheeks.

  Owen’s sunny disposition immediately darkened. “Did he say something to upset you?”

  “Quite the opposite. Apparently, he signed the divorce papers. My dad has them with him.”

  Owen’s mouth fell open, and his gray eyes went wide. “Are you kidding me?”

  “Nope.”

  “He really signed the papers.”

  Laura laughed at his reaction. “That’s what he said.”

  “And the custody agreement?”

  “That, too.”

  Owen’s whoop startled the baby, who’d been dozing in his mother’s arms. He let out a lusty wail of dismay.

  “Sorry,” Owen said sheepishly.

  “That’s okay. He’s probably hungry anyway.” She shifted on the bed, and her entire body protested the movement. “God, everything hurts.”

  “Let me help you.” He took the baby until she was able to find a more comfortable position.

  Laura wiggled her way out of the hospital gown, freeing breasts that had become embarrassingly large in the final weeks of her pregnancy. When she was ready, she reached for the baby. “Let’s give this a whirl, shall we?” It took several attempts, but the baby finally latched on.

  “Would you look at that?” Owen seemed awestruck by the sight of the baby’s tiny mouth tugging on her nipple. “Does it hurt?”

  “No, but it feels kind of weird.”

  “I suppose it will until you get used to it.” He brushed her hair back from her face and leaned in to kiss her softly. “You’ve never been more beautiful than you are right now.”

  Laura released an unsteady laugh. “You might need to invest in some glasses, Mr. Lawry.”

  Shaking his head, he stole another kiss and ran a finger over her breast, tracing a vein that stood out vividly against her pale skin. “Gorgeous.” He turned his attention to the baby, letting his finger glide over the dampness on his little cheek. “What’s his name?”

  “Holden Francis.”

  “Holden. I like it. It suits him.”

  “I think so, too.” The baby chose that moment to release her nipple. Laura lifted him, so Owen could kiss the baby’s forehead. “Holden, say hello to your second daddy.” Knowing the role Owen planned to play in her child’s life, the title of stepfather didn’t seem appropriate, so Laura had long ago decided that her child would have two daddies, and that would be that.

  “Very nice to finally meet you, Holden,” Owen said, shaking his little hand gently. “So what brought on Justin’s change of heart?”

  “Apparently, his mother laid into him and told him to do what was best for the baby.”

  “Thank goodness someone finally got through to him.”

  “He was very nice just now.” She glanced at Owen. “He told me he did love me but wasn’t ready to be married. It was nice to hear that he married me for the right reasons.”

  “Of course he did, Princess. That’s why he was such an ass when you left. I’d go batshit crazy if you ever left me, so I get that.”

  “No worries about me going anywhere. I’m afraid you’re stuck with us.”

  Owen leaned in to steal a kiss. “Thank God for that.”

  Laura transferred the baby to her other breast. When he latched on like an old pro, she smiled up at Owen. “Check him out. He’s clearly gifted.”

  “Clearly,” Owen said, amused by her delight. “So when will this divorce of yours be final?”

  “Six months.”

  He counted on his fingers. “August.”

  She nodded.

  “That’d be a fine time for a wedding on our new deck at the Surf, wouldn’t you agree?”

  Laura could almost feel the soft summer breeze on her face and pictured the sun setting over the ocean. “I’d say that sounds just about perfect.”

  “Consider it a plan.”

  “You don’t like to make plans,” she teased.

  “That was the old me. The new me is all about making plans, as long as they include you and the little guy.” Somehow he managed to get on the bed with them and arrange her so he was supporting her and the baby, surrounding them with his love. “This, right here, is just about perfect.” As he spoke, his lips brushed against her forehead in a soft kiss.

  She leaned her head on his chest, happier than she’d ever been in her life. “Yes, it is.”

  ***

  A Gansett Island Wedding

  Sydney Donovan

  &

  Luke Harris

  invite you to join them as they

  exchange wedding vows on Christmas Eve
/>   at their home on Gansett Island

  Ceremony at 7 p.m.

  Reception immediately following

  All day, Luke had expected to feel nervous. At thirty-seven, he was about to be married for the first time, to the woman he’d spent half a lifetime waiting for. Now, as he donned the jacket to the black suit Syd had picked out for him during a trip to the mainland, Luke still didn’t feel nervous. He was ready to take this step with the only woman he’d ever loved.

  The one thing that would’ve made this day completely perfect was if his mother had lived to see it. She’d always loved Syd and had championed their teenage romance, while the Donovans had disapproved. Her support had meant the world to them back then, and it would’ve pleased her greatly to know they’d ended up together after a long and winding road. He’d given Syd his mother’s diamond earrings as a wedding gift and couldn’t wait to see how they looked on her.

  A knock on the bedroom door had Luke turning away from the mirror. “Come in.”

  Mac McCarthy stepped into the room, also dressed in a dark suit with a red tie in deference to the season. With him was his father, Big Mac, who’d been the closest thing Luke had ever had to a father of his own.

  “You clean up well, Mr. Harris,” Mac said.

  “Same to you, Mr. McCarthy.”

  “You both look pretty good for a couple of ugly dudes,” Big Mac said.

  “Gee, thanks, Dad.” Mac held up the red rose boutonniere that matched the one on his lapel. “I’m told it’s my job as the best man to make sure your flower’s on straight.”

  “Do your worst.” Luke forced himself to stand still while Mac attempted to secure the stem.

  “Step aside, son,” Big Mac said. “Let an expert handle this.” Big Mac had the flower in place ten seconds later. “There.”

  “I could’ve done that if you’d given me a chance,” Mac muttered.

  Luke looked up at the older man. “Thank you.” There was more he wanted to say, but the words wouldn’t come. Apparently, he didn’t need words, because Big Mac understood. He always did.

  Big Mac patted Luke’s face and hugged him. “Congratulations, son.”

  Luke clung to him for a brief moment and then pulled back before he humiliated himself by bawling like a baby. His every emotion was hovering on the surface today, threatening to break free at any second.

  Mac rested his hands on Luke’s shoulders. “Are you ready?”

  “Yep.” Luke retrieved a jeweler’s box from his dresser that contained both rings and handed it to Mac. “Don’t lose them.”

  Mac laughed. “I’ll see if I can hold on to them for the next twenty minutes.”

  “Thanks, Mac. For being my best man and for being such a good friend.”

  Mac replied with a back-slapping hug. “My pleasure. I’m happy for you, man.” He straightened Luke’s tie. “Syd will be here any minute.”

  “Let’s get this bromance on the road to the living room, shall we?” Luke said.

  “Lead the way,” Mac replied.

  * * *

  In the bedroom where Syd had spent every summer of her childhood, she fastened the back of the diamond earrings Luke had given her. They’d belonged to the mother he’d loved and lost far too young. The slight tremble in Syd’s fingers was the first sign of nerves she’d experienced all day.

  In the full-length mirror, she took a final look at the simple cream silk gown she’d chosen for her second wedding. It was sleeveless with classic, elegant lines and no train. She’d gathered her hair into a loose knot at her nape that showed off the gorgeous earrings.

  Wandering to the window, she looked out at the snowy landscape that led to the empty Salt Pond. In the summer, the pond was chockablock full of boats and activity. Today, it was desolate, and the view stretched unimpaired all the way to the Coast Guard station that guarded the entrance to the vast pond.

  Sydney thought of all the summer nights she’d snuck out of this house as a teenager to make love with Luke on the beach. She remembered the fine art of sneaking back in before dawn and being so certain each time that she was going to be caught.

  Those summers had been among the happiest days of her life. And then they’d grown up, and she’d gone off to college and met Seth, the man she’d married and had two children with. Though she’d been happy with Seth and wild about her kids, she’d never forgotten her first love or forgiven herself for leaving for college one September and never returning to him.

  She hadn’t seen Luke again until the previous summer, when she’d come home to the island to pick up the pieces of her shattered life and Luke had come to find her. They’d been together again ever since.

  Wandering to the bedside table, she picked up one of the many pictures of Seth and the kids that her mother kept in the house. They’d been gone nearly two years now, taken by a drunk driver in an accident that had left her badly injured and her life in tatters.

  Syd ran a finger over the three dear faces: Seth, so handsome and full of life and plans and ideas. Max, with his father’s dark hair and eyes and sharp intellect. And Malena, a girl from the top of her silky dark head to the tips of her polished toes. The kids had been seven and five at the time of the accident, their lives just getting started. She hoped they were looking down on her today and blessing this new union with Luke.

  With a kiss to the cool glass that covered the picture, Syd returned the frame to the table and dabbed at the moisture collecting at the corners of her eyes. Today wasn’t a day for tears. Today was a day for joy and new beginnings.

  A light tap on the door stirred Syd from her musings. “Come in.”

  “Hey,” her friend, Maddie McCarthy, said as she stepped into the room. “Are you ready?” Maddie was gorgeous in a red silk gown that emphasized her extravagant curves. “Wow, look at you! Oh, Syd… You look amazing.”

  “So do you! That color is perfect on you. Not bad for a couple of old broads, huh?”

  “Not bad at all.” Maddie took a closer look at her friend. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m good.” She glanced at the photo by the bed. “A little emotional, but I suppose that’s to be expected.”

  Maddie reached for Syd’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Of course it is. I have to believe they’re here with you today, and they’d approve of what you’re doing.”

  “I hope so. Life has a funny way of marching forward even when you think it’s over.”

  Maddie blinked back tears of her own. “I’m so proud of you, Syd.”

  “Of me? Why?”

  “It would’ve been so much easier to curl up in a ball and turn your back on what was left of your own life. You didn’t do that. You chose to live, and that wasn’t the easy path.”

  Sydney smiled. They’d been friends since a long-ago summer job at an ice-cream shop in town. “You all didn’t give me much choice. You and Luke and everyone here dragged me out of my grief and gave me a reason to keep going.”

  “It was no hardship on our part, believe me. We’re thrilled to have you here with us.” Maddie gave her a quick hug. “Let’s not keep your groom waiting.”

  “No, let’s not. He’s already waited long enough for me.”

  * * *

  The home Luke had once shared with his mother was Sydney’s home now, too. They’d decorated the outside with twinkling white lights that greeted Syd when she arrived with her parents and Maddie.

  As they drove down the long driveway that was lined with cars, Syd’s heart began to race with excitement and nerves and anticipation. She closed her eyes and imagined how handsome Luke would look in the suit they’d chosen on a trip to the mainland. His silky dark hair would be shiny from the shower, his handsome face freshly shaven, and his brown eyes would be steady and sure. He’d always been so sure about them, despite what she’d put him through.

  She’d broken his heart when she left him without a word all those years ago, but he’d been good enough to forgive her, and their second chance had quite simply save
d her life. Now they would get their forever, and she couldn’t wait.

  Luke had shoveled a path around the house to the kitchen entrance. Taking her father’s arm, Sydney raised her skirt and traversed the path illuminated by the outdoor lights she and Luke had installed in the fall. They stepped into the kitchen to a roar of voices and laughter from the living room.

  Syd’s mom turned to her and helped to remove Sydney’s cream wool cape. “You look absolutely lovely, honey.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  “I’ll hope and pray for your every happiness.”

  Grateful for her parents’ blessing of a union with a man they’d once disapproved of, Sydney hugged her mother. “Thank you for everything. I never would’ve made it through without you.”

  “Oh, honey,” Mary Alice said. “Don’t make me cry.”

  “Sorry,” Syd said with a smile for her mom.

  “I’ll see you in there,” Mary Alice said.

  Maddie’s caramel-colored eyes were bright with excitement when she handed Syd her bouquet of Christmas greens, fragrant white lilies and red roses. “Shall we?”

  “Ready, Dad?” Syd asked.

  “Whenever you are, my love,” Allan Donovan said.

  “Then let’s do it,” Syd said.

  Maddie signaled to someone in the next room.

  Luke had asked if he could be in charge of the music, so it was a total surprise to Sydney when their friends Owen Lawry and Evan McCarthy played the Firehouse song “Love of a Lifetime,” the same song Syd and Luke had danced to at a party their first summer together.

  The song and the memories it resurrected took Syd’s breath away as she was transported back to the sweetness of first love, the heart-pounding excitement and the joy. She’d loved him from the very beginning, and he’d loved her just as much. He’d never stopped loving her, even during all the years they’d been apart. And now he waited in the next room, ready to bind his life to hers.

  Sydney slipped her hand into the crook of her father’s arm. “Let’s go, Dad.”