Never Too Late: A Sweet Romance (The Magic of Love Isle Book 4)

by Lillianna Blake

  “It was difficult in many ways, yes. All-consuming at times. Mom lost her ability to care for herself very quickly and at times she forgot who I was—and who she was. That was the hardest part.” She bit into her bottom lip. “But then there were moments when she looked into my eyes and I knew she remembered everything and that she loved me for being there for her. And honestly, I loved her for giving me the opportunity to care for her. I can’t say there weren’t moments that I longed to just walk away.” She winced. “That sounds horrible, I know.”

  “No, it doesn’t.” He paused—not far from the house where Gina had grown up, a house he knew almost as well as his own childhood home—and turned to look at her. “I had those moments as I cared for Michelle, and that was only for a short time compared to your mother. The pressure, the demand—it can be so much. It’s okay to feel that way.”

  “Thanks, I needed to hear that.” Gina smiled a little. “I’ve been carrying quite a bit of guilt.” She led him up to the front door, unlocked it, and flipped the light on as they stepped aside.

  “Me too.” He paused just inside the door. “For other reasons.”

  “Oh?” She turned toward him and finally met his eyes. “It sounds to me like you were a wonderful husband and I’m certain that you are a fantastic father. I always knew you would be.”

  “I tried.” He cleared his throat as he looked at her. “I adore Amber and I always will. But I wasn’t fair to Michelle. I knew it then and I still know it now.”

  “What do you mean? You took care of her, you stayed with her until the end. How could that not be fair?”

  “Because—well, I did love her, but—I don’t know.” He shook his head as his emotions seemed to cause his voice to waver. “Not the way she deserved to be loved.”

  “Frank.” Gina lowered her eyes.

  “I know.” He whispered as he crossed the final distance between them. “It wasn’t right. I tried, I really did. I hoped that she never knew, but I know she did. I wanted not to love you still. I spent so many nights so angry at you because I just couldn’t forget.”

  He reached for her hand, but she turned away before he could catch it.

  “There’s no reason to talk about this now.” Her shoulders lifted as she drew a deep breath. “You need to rest. You can have the guest room. It was my room. I’m sure you remember where it is.” She headed down the hall to her mother’s room, which she now called her bedroom. It had made her feel closer to her to move into it.

  “I don’t want to rest, GiGi. I want to talk about all this.” He walked toward her, as the sight of her disappearing down the hallway made his heart pound. Would she really walk away again?

  “Not now, Frank. Try to get some sleep.” She closed the door, indicating that the conversation was over.

  He stood outside it, tempted to knock, tempted to demand that she be honest with him as he was trying to be honest with her. But he resisted. He wouldn’t be reduced to begging for the affection of a woman who had shattered his heart decades ago. If she couldn’t feel for him what he still felt for her, then perhaps it had never been real in the first place. Maybe all the years he’d spent pining for her was just a fantasy he’d created in his mind. That’s what he’d been telling himself all these years, anyway.

  As he walked down the hall to her old room, a shudder coursed along his spine. Yes, he remembered it, though it was different. It was no longer decorated with whimsical art and bright colors. It was simple, decorated in navy blue and yellow. But that was still the window he’d crawled through in the middle of the night. That was still the floor they’d sprawled out on, listening to music for hours.

  He walked over to a painting on the wall and slid it slightly to the side. There was the scuff he’d left behind when he’d helped her move the furniture around. They’d grown up together; that was why their love had felt so intense.

  Clearly, it wasn’t as genuine as he once believed.

  Maybe all those years he’d spent trying to love Michelle the way he’d loved Gina had been wasted. Maybe it had never been real.

  Chapter 11

  Gina slept for hours. She slept more deeply than she had in a very long time. Was it because she knew he was under the same roof as her?

  She sat up in her bed and listened. The house was quiet. She guessed Frank was still sleeping.

  As she climbed out of bed and got dressed, she wondered what it would be like to see him just after he’d woken up. It used to be her favorite time with him. His face was so soft when he was still sleepy, his hair mussed and his lips eager to find hers.

  No, she reminded herself. There wouldn’t be any of that. She couldn’t allow it.

  He’d lived his life. He had a world she would never be part of and she didn’t want to spend another thirty years of her life heartbroken over him again.

  Frank had reminded her of her desire to travel, he’d reminded her of the person she once was and for that she was grateful. But anything between them was over long ago and it needed to stay that way.

  As she cooked breakfast, she focused on making their visit pleasant—two old friends catching up, nothing more.

  “Good morning, Gina.” Frank’s voice drifted through the kitchen.

  She smiled as she turned to face him. Still in the same clothes he’d worn the day before; they were rumpled, but his expression was stern, not soft like she’d expected. And the look in his eyes had nothing to do with kissing.

  “Were you able to get some rest?” She slid some scrambled eggs onto a plate for him and grabbed a piece of toast from the toaster.

  “Yes, some. And you?” He smiled as he took the plate from her. “Thanks.”

  “Actually I slept very well.” She sat down at the table with her own plate of food. “I had someone cover for me at the diner today, so I have the whole day free. I thought you might like to see some of the changes on the island—and some of the places that are still the same.”

  “You want to take me sightseeing?” He picked up his fork and began to pick at his eggs.

  “I mean, if you’d enjoy that. Or we could do something else. I’d just enjoy spending time with you. We were always such good friends.” She picked up her glass of juice and took a big swallow.

  “Friends.” The word seemed to crash to the table between them. Then he spoke again. “Yes, you’re right, we were.” He began to eat. “I’d enjoy that; thanks, Gina.”

  It felt a little strange to hear him call her Gina. He’d been the first one to call her GiGi and he’d never stopped once he had. But it was for the best that he didn’t.

  As she tried to fill in some lighthearted conversation, she noticed that his demeanor had changed. He tried to hide it behind smiles and forced laughter, but she still sensed it.

  As they headed out to explore the island, he walked beside her, but not too close. She appreciated that. She guessed that her instincts had been right. Time had passed, and he realized that too.

  Relieved that they could just be friends, she began to relax and enjoy her time with him.

  “So developers are buying the place up, hmm?” He shook his head. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

  “Well, we’re fighting against it. We don’t mind progress, but we want to keep the authenticity of the island.” She tipped her head toward a three-story house nestled between two smaller ranch-style homes. “This is just ridiculous.”

  “Yes, it’s definitely out of place.” He crossed his arms as he studied it. “You know, I’ve always wanted to bring Amber here. I’m sure she would like it. She has an interest in history and old places, as she calls them.” He laughed as he glanced at Gina. “Apparently everywhere I’ve ever been is an old place to her.”

  “I know that feeling.” Gina grinned. “All these young people moving onto the island and the kids I babysat for getting married and having kids of their own—I just wonder how I got so old.”

  “Oh, sweetheart, you’ll never be old.” He met her eyes with a sudden warmth
that startled her.

  “Thanks.” She glanced away, but couldn’t hide a small smile. “But the truth is, I am. We both are. You should bring her here, Frank. Let her learn about your youth. It’s important to pass on those memories.”

  “My youth doesn’t exist without my memories of you.” He turned back to the house. “I guess that’s why I’ve never brought her here, why I never came back.”

  “Don’t let it stop you anymore. We both know now that we’ve moved on. You coming back here—it reminded me of who I once was. Now I’m actually thinking about taking a little trip—maybe do some of those things I thought I never would. There isn’t time to wait anymore, is there?”

  “Losing Michelle taught me that tomorrow is never promised.” He slowly turned back toward her. “That’s why I came here. Maybe you’re right, maybe I am wasting my time.” He stared into her eyes.

  As his words echoed through her mind, she understood that they carried far more weight than the simple conversation they were having.

  “Maybe you are.” She forced the words from between her lips. “Once the doctor clears you, you’ll be free to go.”

  “Yes.” He glanced at his watch. “I’d better check in with him.”

  “I’ll meet you at the diner for dinner? It’s almost five.” She tried to peer through the hardness in his eyes. His attitude had certainly shifted.

  “Sure. I’ll see you there.”

  As he walked away, she wondered if she should call out to him, just like she’d wondered all those years ago. She almost had then, but she didn’t.

  What right did she have to now?

  Chapter 12

  Waking up in Gina’s house had been quite strange for him. For a split second he was twenty-four again and afraid that he was about to be caught in Gina’s room by her mom. But seconds later, he was fifty-four and the events of the night before washed over him.

  She’d made it sound so noble—her letting him go back then—as if she did it for him. But he never would have been able to let her go. Didn’t that prove that she just didn’t feel the same way about him as he’d felt about her?

  Now she’d wanted to avoid a reunion? How many more signs did she need to send that she just wasn’t interested?

  He’d made it through their morning together as kindly as he could. He never wanted to be cruel to her. But he was angry and hurt and there was a lot more between them than she seemed willing to admit.

  When she’d mentioned that there was no time to wait, it was like a blade through his heart. She wanted to travel—wanted to live her life—but she was making it clear that she had no room in her life for him. She had moved on and she’d insisted that they had both moved on.

  But when she brushed her hair back behind her shoulders and smiled in that enthusiastic way, he’d admired her just as intensely as he had thirty years before.

  As he walked away from her in the direction of the doctor’s house, he thought maybe he should turn back. His tone had been a little sharp when he’d spoken about wasting his time and his intentions probably seemed hurtful.

  He considered apologizing, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. What did he have to apologize for? The lie she’d told him? The anger that he’d harbored for years? The distance that he’d kept from his wife, secretly because he hoped one day Gina might change her mind?

  Frustrated, he quickened his pace. By the time he reached the doctor’s house, his chest had tightened to the point that it hurt. A bit breathless, he knocked on the door.

  “Frank, I just got in from the office. I hoped you’d come by. Are you okay?” Dr. Cooper ushered him inside. “You look pale—are you breathing okay?”

  “My chest.” Frank pressed his hand against it. “It’s tight and I feel like I can’t get enough air—and I guess I might be a little dizzy.” He frowned as his heart pounded. What if there really was something wrong with his heart? What if Amber was left without parents?

  “Okay, try to take a deep breath, let me see what’s happening here.”

  As the doctor examined him, panic took over Frank’s mind. He’d been cruel to Gina, whether she realized it or not. What if his life was coming to an end and he never had the chance to rekindle things with her? He couldn’t even imagine that.

  “Frank.” Dr. Cooper placed a chair right in front of him, then sat down in it and looked into his eyes. “I received your records from your doctor and they clearly show that your heart is in pristine condition. My exam shows it as well—that your heart is healthy.”

  “But something is definitely wrong. It’s hard to breathe.”

  “Is there anything going on in your life that might be upsetting you?” Dr. Cooper’s voice softened. “Some stress?”

  “Stress?” Frank shook his head. “Are you saying stress could be causing this?”

  “I’m saying that sometimes when we feel strong emotions—fear, anticipation, nervousness—it can have a strong impact on our bodies. Your heart is racing and you are having a hard time breathing, but there is no medical cause for it.”

  “So I’m just crazy?” Frank rolled his eyes. “No offense, Doc, but I think I might need a second opinion.”

  “I understand, and you’re entitled to that. But if there is something going on with you, something that is making you anxious, you might want to consider resolving it or speaking to someone about it. I’m sure it will help you to feel better.”

  “I see.” Frank held his tongue. He wanted to tell the doctor that he was the crazy one, that he’d never had an issue with anxiety, but he couldn’t. All of this had started since coming back to Love Isle and seeing Gina again. Reluctantly, he had to admit that it made sense. “Then you can clear me to fly?”

  “Sure. I don’t see any reason at this time not to.”

  “Can you put that in writing? Gina’s pretty insistent.” He cleared his throat.

  “She’s wonderful, isn’t she?” Dr. Cooper smiled as he jotted down a note. “I’ve never met a more caring person. What she did for her mother—well, it was nothing short of saintly.”

  “Did you know her?” He took the note.

  “Yes, unfortunately I didn’t meet her until the end of her illness. Gina took her mom everywhere with her—even to the diner—and took care of her twenty-four hours a day. She wasn’t able to speak, to feed herself, to care for herself in any way. Others might have put her in a nursing home. I even suggested it to her once. But Gina wouldn’t even consider it. She said she wanted every moment she could have, even the difficult ones. She’s a very special person.”

  “Yes, she is.” Frank stood up from the chair. “Thanks for your help, Doctor.”

  “Of course. And Frank, some deep breathing, casual strolls, maybe even some meditation—it might help, but there are also medications you can consider.”

  “Thanks, I’ll think about it.”

  As Frank left the house, he realized he had a decision he had to make.

  Gina was right. He either had to fight for her or he had to find a way to move on once and for all.

  Maybe distance would help, but he wasn’t sure if he was ready to leave.

  Chapter 13

  Gina headed for the diner. She wanted to know what the doctor said to Frank, but he hadn’t invited her along. As she walked near the lake, she thought about the sensation of his arms around her, his lips pressed against hers. It made her dizzy with desire.

  She squeezed her eyes shut tight and pushed away the memory.

  It had been a moment of weakness, a moment when they both forgot that life had marched on. She knew that it had been difficult for him to lose his wife and even harder for him to continue on as a father all alone. He had a lot of responsibility on his shoulders and she wouldn’t add to it by complicating their relationship. Still, she hoped that it could become the friendship that it once was.

  As she pushed open the door to the diner, she caught sight of Sabrina perched on one of the bar stools. Sabrina spotted her at the same time.

>   “Hey you.” Sabrina grinned as she locked eyes on her. “I heard you played hooky today. Could it have anything to do with that strawberry-milkshake-drinking guy yesterday?”

  “Nosy, nosy.” Gina wagged her finger at her as she approached the counter. Even though she didn’t own the diner, she felt as if it belonged to her. Even when the manager was there, she was always the one to keep things running smoothly. Right away she began putting things back into place.

  “It’s all everyone’s talking about.” Sabrina leaned closer to her, her eyes shining. “I even heard that he spent the night at your place. But I said, Gina? No way, that’s not possible. She would never take a man home that fast—”

  “Sabrina!” Gina blushed as she shot a glare in her direction.

  “What? I was defending your honor.” She laughed. “So? Do I get the details?”

  “It’s not like that.” She frowned. “Frank and I knew each other a long time ago—a very long time ago. I was about your age, I guess.” She sighed as she lined up the salt and pepper shakers correctly. “And yes, I did take him home with me, but only because he needed a place to stay. We’re just friends.”

  “Friends?” Sabrina watched her as she moved along the counter. “I’m not convinced.”

  “We are.” Gina looked over at her and shrugged. “At least I hope we are.”

  “You know, this has all the makings for a great romance.” Sabrina tapped her fingertips on the table.

  “You would know, you’re the expert.” Gina laughed. Sabrina had read just about every romance novel in the library where she worked. She loved sharing the plot lines with Gina, but now she had her own romance, which made her even more eager to see romance all around her. “But I’m sorry to disappoint you, that’s not what’s happening here. Things are a little different when you’re my age. Not as simple.”