Summer at the Shore

by Carol Ross

  “Levi actually put it together. You know how he is.”

  Mia nodded and looked toward the ocean. “I know how terrible this all sounds, how terrible it seems...is. It’s such a tricky ethical subject even when it is done right and legally. To be perfectly honest, I’m not even sure how I feel about it in general... The benefits are indisputable and yet...”

  “Mia,” he interrupted. “I understand. And I understand Ted’s desperation. I might do it, too, to save one of my siblings. I don’t know... I can only imagine the feeling a parent has for a child. I feel so bad for him I can barely stand it.”

  His comment tightened the knot of sadness already lodged in her chest. “The company is in real trouble, so that’s good. Their operation is shut down. Ted has to quit practicing for now. I don’t know what will happen long-term.”

  “But you’re in the clear?”

  “Yes, Levi and me both, thanks to Dr. Anthony. I mean, he confessed to everything and he made a deal with the prosecutor’s office. And the best news is that the cats are all going to be fine. There wasn’t enough time and the doses weren’t high enough for the drugs to do any harm.”

  “That’s more good news then. But Mia, I’m so sorry.”

  “Me, too.” She stared into his eyes, willing him to understand what she had to say next. “Jay, I’m going to help them in any way I can. I’m angry about what he did to Levi and to those cats, but I’ve been close to them... I feel for them and I have to...” She was unable to hold them back any longer, and tears began to slide down her cheeks.

  He reached over and squeezed her shoulder. “I understand. Levi even understands. We all fell in love with McKenzie. If there’s anything we can do to help, please let me know.”

  A rush of admiration flooded through her at his words. “You’re serious? After what he did to Levi?”

  “Mia, in hindsight, I know my devotion to my family seems over the top. To the exclusion of other things and people, even you. But I hope you’ve seen that I do have compassion. And that over the years, I just got in the habit of using it judiciously, so to speak. To keep from getting my hopes up and getting hurt, to keep myself together and to stay focused.

  “Thanks to Levi and Laney, I’m learning that I can’t control everything. Regardless of how hard I try to prevent the worst, sometimes things just happen. And I need to deal with the unexpected a little better. You’re my inspiration for that, by the way. Because of my feelings for you, I’ve also learned that I don’t have some set amount of love in my heart. Just because I love someone or somebody—” he tipped his head toward Coastie “—outside of my family, it doesn’t mean that I love my family any less.”

  She stared, trying to absorb what he was saying while hope bloomed inside her.

  “I realize this family of mine is a lot to take. But right from the beginning they didn’t seem to scare you. Even when things went south with Laney and Levi got arrested, you were just...calm. You dealt with it. You helped us, even when I didn’t see that you were helping. That’s why Laney ran to you. And saving Levi—I’ll be forever grateful for that. I know you have a deep aversion to military life, but you would make one top-class soldier. Nothing seems to scare you.”

  She let out a laugh as her mind replayed the thoughts she’d had before the airplane crash. She loved that she was more like her mom in this way than she’d realized. “I’m afraid of plenty, trust me.”

  “Really? Like what?”

  “When the plane was going down all I could think about were the things I hadn’t yet accomplished in my life. My biggest fear is that I’ll die without making any difference on this planet, that my life and my hard work will have been meaningless. I’m afraid of being invisible.”

  He flashed her a look of surprise. “Well, you can rest easy now, huh? In the couple months that I’ve known you, you’ve made a difference in more lives than I could ever keep track of. Levi, Laney, her friend Elise, a cat hoarder, not to mention the innumerable cats, one perfect dog and another that is incredibly sweet even though he looks like he’s about ready to eat a jellyfish...”

  Mia followed his gaze down the beach. “George,” she called. “Leave it.” The dog flashed her a disappointed look but moved on. “Good boy!” she called happily.

  “Even Dr. Anthony’s life, even though he screwed that up for himself. You were always there for him and for Sara and McKenzie doing what you could to make the situation more bearable. And you’re going to keep helping them, too.”

  He was right. And that felt good. But the mention of Levi and Laney made her heart hurt. She’d missed them these last few weeks. She missed Jay most of all.

  He took her hand and placed it on his chest. Closing his eyes for a few seconds, he drew in a deep breath and blew it out. When he opened his eyes, he said, his voice almost a whisper, “It’s so weird. Almost since we met, it’s like I can feel you, right here, all the time...” He trailed off with a little shake of his head.

  Mia’s pulse fluttered and the air around them suddenly felt light.

  He went on, “But you know what?” With his other hand, he gently cupped her cheek. “The life you’ve made the biggest difference in is mine.”

  His beautiful green eyes were shining with so much emotion, emotion that she’d been longing for but had given up on ever seeing. She felt his heart pounding fast and hard beneath her palm. “Oh yeah?”

  “Yep. In fact, I would say that you’ve tipped my life upside down, shaken it, and now I’m trying to figure out how all the pieces fit back together. But I also know that nothing will ever fit right again without you in my life—in our lives. I love you, Mia. And if you’re willing to give me another shot I’d like to show you how much. I’d like a chance to prove to you that a military man can make you happy.”

  She already knew that last part. And she was done punishing herself for the way her dad had treated her. She’d spent far too much time associating the military with her unhappiness when Bill Frasier was the only one to blame. No, she wouldn’t choose to live her life with a man in the military, but sometimes love had other plans. She would definitely accept those plans if it meant she could be with Jay.

  She stood and moved until she was facing him. Placing one hand on each of his shoulders, she leaned in until her face was only inches from his. “I’m more than willing to let you try.”

  His lips curved up into a smile while his arms wrapped around her and drew her down onto his lap. Sliding the fingers of one hand around the back of her head, he stared into her eyes for a long moment. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Entwining their fingers together, he pressed their joined hands against his chest, over his heart. “Right here,” he told her. Then he dipped his head and kissed her.

  EPILOGUE

  A few months later

  MIA PULLED UP in front of Jay’s cabin, nearly overflowing with excitement. She got out of the van and slipped on her jacket. The fall breeze brought a taste of winter, but the sun was bright in the sky. The gorgeous weather matched her mood perfectly. George hopped out of the van and she grabbed the pet carrier from the backseat. She knew Laney and Levi probably wouldn’t be home yet; Laney had volleyball practice. It was Levi’s day off from the clinic and he was going skateboarding with Ty. Mia loved Ty for a lot reasons, not the least of which was her influencing Levi’s decision to start high school this year at Pacific Cove High.

  Josie had been right about the custody hearing; their mom didn’t fight it. Turned out, Neil wanted absolutely nothing to do with the Oregon court system. The judge awarded Josie full custody of all four of their younger siblings. Soon after that, Jay had officially been made Levi and Laney’s guardian.

  Mia heard the sound of a pounding hammer and knew Jay must be putting the finishing touc
hes on the cabin’s new deck. George knew the path and he trotted around back seeking his best pal. Coastie let out a bark and met them at the corner of the house. Mia set the carrier down where it would be out of Jay’s sight for the time being.

  Jay saw George first, and Mia liked that he immediately lowered the hammer, his gaze searching for her. His lips curled into a smile as his eyes found hers.

  “Hey, you,” he said, climbing to his feet.

  “Hi.” She moved closer. He bent and gave her a kiss. When he pulled away, Mia could see the love shining in his eyes. Love and joy, both of which she liked to think she was somewhat responsible for.

  He said, “Your text said you have a surprise for me. Which is fun because I have one for you, too.”

  “Okay, do you want to go first?”

  “Nope. You.”

  “Mia!” Laney came running out of the house and stopped in front of them. “Did you hear? Did Jay tell you?” she asked, bouncing up and down on her tiptoes.

  “Not yet, Lanes. Mia actually has something to tell me first.”

  “Oh, sorry. Am I interrupting?”

  “No, I’m glad you’re here. You’ll like this.”

  Mia was surprised to see Levi and Ty come out of the cabin, too. They were both smiling as they walked over to join them.

  “Okay.” She jogged back and picked up the carrier, then brought it over and set it in front of Jay.

  “May I present to you, His Majesty, the Duke of... Go ahead and fill in the blank because I can’t come up with anything off the top of my head.”

  “Duke?” Jay bent and peered into the cage. “You found him? You found my cat?”

  Mia nodded and grinned. “I did. It took a while. You already know about how the police confiscated the cats from the lab. That’s how I got Jane and Edward back. But some of the cats were unaccounted for. The lab didn’t want them due to age or illness or whatever and they were taken to area shelters. Believe it or not, I think Duke’s bum paw may have saved him.” The paperwork was a terrible mess and Mia had run down one disappointing lead after another. But finally, this morning she’d received a call, and here he was.

  Jay’s smile was electric as he stuck a finger through the metal. “Hey, buddy, how are you doing?” From inside the crate the cat started to purr. “Time for you to finally get your freedom, too, huh?”

  “So, Lanes, do you want to tell Mia our good news?”

  She blurted out the words so fast, it took Mia a few seconds to absorb their meaning. “Jay is buying the cabin and starting his own business.”

  “You’re... What?”

  “There’s a little more to it than that. You know how I only have a year and a half left at Astoria and I’ve been trying to decide what to do?”

  “Yes,” Mia said, her stomach taking that familiar dip at the idea of him being transferred. He’d talked about requesting another assignment at Air Station Astoria, but she knew there were no guarantees. But she’d committed herself to trusting Jay’s promise that if he had to move they’d somehow make it work.

  “I’m starting my own construction business.”

  Laney added, “We’re staying in Pacific Cove forever! Well, until I go to college. Josie and Craig are moving here, too, after Josie finishes school.” Laney’s volleyball season was going better than anyone could have hoped. She already had colleges expressing interest.

  Mia’s mind was spinning. Did that mean...?

  “I’m not reenlisting. We’re here to stay.”

  She stared at Jay and asked, “Are you sure about this?”

  “Yes, I’m positive. This is my dream, Mia. You know that. I’ve never felt I was able to take a chance on it. But now, with everything finally stable in our lives, it’s time to try.”

  “You’re going to be great.” Mia felt her heart squeeze inside her chest. She threw her arms around him as the sweetest combination of relief and happiness washed over her. They would have made it work if Jay had to leave, but she was incredibly grateful that they wouldn’t have to try. She hugged Laney next, then Levi, and Ty, too, for good measure.

  Jay reached a hand in his pocket and pulled out a velvet-covered box. The sound of Mia’s pulse pounding in her ears was louder than a storm-tossed beach. Laney let out a gasp and slapped a hand over her mouth.

  “Come on, Jay. Don’t be a bum. Take a knee,” Levi advised.

  Jay rolled his eyes at his little brother. “Give me a second here, will ya?”

  Mia said, “You don’t have to do that.”

  He knelt and opened the box. “Mia, will you marry me?”

  “Us, too?” Laney teased. “Think about this before you answer because you’ll be stuck with the lot of us forever.”

  She reached out and gave Laney’s arm a gentle squeeze. “Oh, Laney, there’s nobody on earth I’d rather be stuck with.” She looked at Jay and then the ring. She bent to take a closer look.

  “It was special made. I hope you like it. But even if you don’t, the guy said we could return it.”

  Mia felt tears gathering in her eyes. “Oh, Jay, I love it and I love you. Yes, I’ll marry you. I can’t wait to marry you all.”

  Beside her, Laney let out a whoop. Ty clapped while Levi grinned. Jay removed the sparkling paw-shaped ring set with tiny diamonds and slipped it on her finger.

  “I never would have believed that an airplane crash would be the best thing to ever happen to me,” Mia said, admiring the ring and its perfect fit.

  Coastie barked excitedly and ran in a circle around Jay and Mia. George sniffed the air for a cookie.

  Jay chuckled. “Who would have believed that fostering a dog would be the best thing to ever happen to me?”

  “Me, Jay. I did.”

  * * * * *

  If you enjoyed this romance from acclaimed author Carol Ross, be sure to check out the companion story, CHRISTMAS AT THE COVE, available from www.Harlequin.com!

  Keep reading for an excerpt THE MAN SHE KNEW by Loree Lough.

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  The Man She Knew

  by Lo
ree Lough

  CHAPTER ONE

  “MALEAH, YOU WANT to explain this?”

  She placed the bowl of mashed potatoes on the dining room table. “Explain wh—”

  When she saw what her brother held in his big hands, the words froze in her throat.

  “Tell me you’re not still mooning over this low-life criminal!”

  “Mooning.” She forced a laugh. “You’re picking up old-people talk from Grampa.”

  “You can’t distract me.”

  She’d made two mistakes: thinking the buffet’s silverware drawer was a good place to hide the photograph, and saying yes when Eliot offered to set the table.

  “It’s no big deal.” Maleah shrugged. And there it was... Eliot’s I’m a decorated cop and I can tell when someone is lying look.

  Maleah shoved a serving spoon into the potatoes. She and Eliot had gone round and round on this subject too many times to count, and she’d lost every round.

  “Only one explanation makes sense. You’ve stayed in touch with him, even though the whole family asked you not to, haven’t you?”

  “First of all, no one asked anything.” Their relentless demands had been the primary reason she’d traded the comfort of her childhood room for a noisy, crowded dorm room at the University of Maryland. “How any times do I have to tell you I haven’t had any contact with him in...” Years had passed since she’d scrawled Leave me alone! Please! across Ian’s final letter. “Why won’t you believe me?”

  He dropped the picture into the drawer and closed it, hard. “Maybe because that creep turned you into an OCD control freak. You can’t sleep with dishes in the sink. And name me one other person who alphabetizes the contents of her pantry and spice rack? Or color-codes and hangs stuff in her closet in order by length.”

  Maleah didn’t bother to explain it was because she’d learned how much one mistake could alter a person’s life—and the lives of everyone close to them.