Love After Dark, McCarthys of Gansett Island, Book 13

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Love After Dark, McCarthys of Gansett Island, Book 13 Page 32

by Marie Force


  Dottie wiped her hands on a towel before reaching across the counter to shake Patrick’s hand. “So nice to meet you, Patrick. We’re all very big fans of your daughter.”

  “As am I.”

  “Can I get one of those for him?”

  “Of course! Another for you, sweetie?”

  “Absolutely not! I’ve got a dress to fit into on Saturday, so don’t tempt me.” To Patrick, Cameron added, “Dottie is the devil when it comes to these doughnuts.”

  “Why, thank you,” Dottie said with a proud smile as she handed over a piping-hot doughnut to Patrick.

  Both women watched expectantly as he took a bite.

  His blue eyes lit up. “Holy Moses, that’s good.”

  “Right?” Cameron said, pleased by his obvious pleasure. “I limit myself to two a week, or I wouldn’t fit through the doors around here. Come on upstairs and check out the office. See you later, Dottie.”

  “Bye, Cam. Nice to meet you, Patrick.”

  “You, too.”

  He followed her through the store, stopping to look at various items as they went.

  “That’s Hannah’s jewelry,” Cameron said of the pieces that had stopped him for a closer look. “She’s Will’s older sister, twin to Hunter, who’s the company CFO.”

  “She does beautiful work.”

  “I know! I’m a huge fan. I have a couple of her bracelets. Helps to have friends in high places.”

  “I’m glad you’re making friends here.”

  They proceeded up the stairs to the offices on the second floor. “So many friends. And now Lucy’s here a lot, too, which makes it even better.”

  “Back so soon?” Mary asked when they arrived in the reception area. “I didn’t think I’d see you here again for at least two weeks.”

  “I wanted you to meet my dad, Patrick.”

  Mary came around her desk to shake his hand. “So nice to meet Cameron’s dad. We adore her here.”

  “So I’m hearing. Nice to meet you, too.”

  “This is our office.” Cameron opened the door and turned on the lights so her dad could see her workspace.

  “Our office?”

  “Mine and Will’s.”

  “You two share an office? They didn’t give you one of your own?”

  “We tried,” Mary said. “Those kids are inseparable.”

  Cameron blushed and shrugged. “What she said. Besides, if I’m in another office, how am I supposed to play footsie with him during the day?”

  “Ugh,” Patrick said with a grunt of laughter. “TMI. I’d go crazy sharing office space with anyone, especially such a small one.”

  “Not everyone can have an acre in the sky to call their own,” Cameron said disdainfully.

  He tweaked her nose. “It’s not a full acre, and I do need my elbow room.”

  “You’re a spoiled, pampered brat, and we all know it.”

  Mary laughed at their sparring.

  “Don’t listen to her, Mary,” Patrick said with a wink, which had Mary blushing to the roots of her brown hair. “We all know who the spoiled brat is here.”

  “Yeah, and it’s not me.”

  “I’m afraid I have to side with your daughter, Patrick. There’s nothing spoiled about her. She works harder than all of us put together.”

  “Thank you, Mary. I’ll make sure Hunter hears about your fifty percent raise.”

  They left Mary laughing as they went back downstairs.

  “What’s her story?” Patrick asked.

  “Who, Mary?”

  “Yeah. She’s adorable.”

  “Dad . . . Don’t. She’s a really nice person. Leave her alone. She wouldn’t stand a chance against your brand of charm.”

  “Why can’t I have a little fun while I’m in town?”

  Cameron stopped on the landing and turned to him. “She’s off-limits. I mean that.”

  “Don’t be so touchy, Cam.” He kissed her cheek and proceeded ahead of her into the store.

  She watched him go with a growing sense of unease. She’d be watching him this weekend and keeping him far, far away from Mary—and all the other single women in Butler.

  You’ll Be Mine is out on October 20, 2015!

  And get It’s Only Love, Green Mountain Book 5, Gavin and Ella’s story, on November 3!

  It’s Only Love

  Green Mountain Series, Book 5

  Ella Abbott has had a secret burning love for Gavin Guthrie for almost as long as her sister Hannah loved his late brother, Caleb. A few recent encounters have only added to her infatuation, especially the kiss they shared on the day Hannah got remarried and Gavin admitted that the re-marriage of his brother’s widow was hitting him hard. It doesn’t matter to Ella that Gavin is in a bad place or that he says he has nothing to offer her. It doesn’t matter that he’s made it clear there’s no hope for a future for them. All that matters is the overwhelming love and compassion she feels for him.

  Gavin Guthrie is spiraling. It’s been seven long years since he lost his only sibling and closest friend, and he thought he had things under control until Caleb’s beloved dog died and his adored wife re-married. Since then, he’s been off the rails, drinking and fighting and even getting arrested for the first time in his life. It seems the only time the spinning stops and his demons leave him alone is when lovely Ella Abbott is around. Gavin knows it wouldn’t be fair to drag Ella into his darkness, but when Ella inserts herself into his life, what choice does he have but to allow her to soothe the ache with her sweetness and light?

  Preorder It’s Only Love here!

  Who’s Who on Gansett Island

  Updated through Kisses After Dark, Book 12. May contain spoilers for those who haven’t read all the books.

  The McCarthy Family

  “Big Mac” and Linda McCarthy, owners of McCarthy’s Gansett Island Marina and McCarthy’s Gansett Island Inn, are parents to:

  Mac McCarthy Jr., who is married to Maddie Chester McCarthy and father to Thomas and Hailey McCarthy

  Grant McCarthy, screenwriter, engaged to Stephanie Logan, owner of Stephanie’s Bistro

  Adam McCarthy, computer geek, engaged to Abby Callahan, owner of Abby’s Attic

  Evan McCarthy, owner of Island Breeze Records, engaged to Grace Ryan, owner of Ryan’s Pharmacy

  Janey McCarthy Cantrell, married to Joe Cantrell, owner of the Gansett Island Ferry Company; mother of P.J. Cantrell

  Mallory Vaughn, daughter of Big Mac McCarthy and Diana Vaughn

  Judge Frank McCarthy, brother to “Big Mac” McCarthy, father to:

  Laura McCarthy Lawry, cousin to Mac, Grant, Adam, Evan and Janey; married to Owen Lawry, mother of Holden Newsome

  Shane McCarthy, cousin to Mac, Grant, Adam, Evan and Janey; brother to Laura Lawry; engaged to Katie Lawry

  Dr. Kevin McCarthy, brother to Big Mac and Frank McCarthy; psychiatrist:

  Deb McCarthy, estranged wife of Kevin McCarthy; mother of Riley and Finn McCarthy

  Riley McCarthy, son of Kevin and Deb McCarthy

  Finn McCarthy, son of Kevin and Deb McCarthy

  McCarthy Friends & Family

  Owen Lawry, musician and best friend of Evan McCarthy; married to Laura McCarthy Lawry

  Luke Harris, co-owner of McCarthys Gansett Island Marina and married to Sydney Donovan

  Sydney Donovan, interior decorator, married to Luke Harris

  Ned Saunders, best friend to Big Mac McCarthy; married to Francine Chester Saunders, mother of Maddie McCarthy and Tiffany Taylor

  Francine Chester Saunders, mother of Maddie McCarthy and Tiffany Taylor; married to Ned Saunders

  Tiffany Taylor, sister to Maddie McCarthy, daughter of Francine Saunders, mother to Ashleigh Sturgil; married to Police Chief Blaine Taylor

  Blaine Taylor, Gansett Island police chief, married to Tiffany Taylor

  Bobby Chester, estranged father of Maddie McCarthy and Tiffany Taylor, ex-husband of Francine Saunders

  Jim Sturgil, ex-husband of Tiffany Taylor,
father to Ashleigh Sturgil

  Seamus O’Grady, manager of the Gansett Island Ferry Company; married to Carolina Cantrell

  Carolina Cantrell O'Grady, mother of Joe Cantrell, married to Seamus O’Grady

  Lisa Chandler, neighbor to Seamus and Carolina Cantrell

  Kyle Chandler, son of Lisa

  Jackson Chandler, son of Lisa

  Dan Torrington, celebrity lawyer and friend to Grant McCarthy, engaged to Kara Ballard

  Kara Ballard, operator of Ballard’s Launch Service, engaged to Dan Torrington

  Abby Callahan, owner of Abby’s Attic, former girlfriend of Grant McCarthy, engaged to Adam McCarthy

  Dr. Cal Maitland, former island doctor and ex-fiancé of Abby Callahan

  Charlie Grandchamp, stepfather of Stephanie Logan, engaged to Sarah Lawry

  Sarah Lawry, mother of Owen Lawry, engaged to Charlie Grandchamp

  Mark Lawry, father of Owen Lawry; estranged husband of Sarah Lawry

  Katie Lawry, sister of Owen Lawry; daughter of Sarah Lawry; twin to Julia; engaged to Shane McCarthy

  Julia Lawry, sister of Owen Lawry; daughter of Sarah Lawry; twin to Katie

  Slim Jackson, Gansett Island pilot

  Dr. David Lawrence, Gansett Island doctor, former fiancé of Janey McCarthy Cantrell; dating Daisy Babson

  Daisy Babson, friend of Maddie McCarthy’s, housekeeping manager at McCarthy’s Gansett Island Inn; dating Dr. David Lawrence

  Jenny Wilks, lighthouse keeper; engaged to Alex Martinez

  Alex Martinez, co-owner of Martinez Lawn & Garden; fiancé of Jenny Wilks

  Paul Martinez, co-owner of Martinez Lawn & Garden; member of Gansett Town Council

  Marion Martinez, mother of Paul and Alex Martinez

  Hope Russell, nurse to Marion Martinez, mother of Ethan Russell

  Ethan Russell, son of Hope Russell

  Jared James, resident billionaire, co-owner of The Chesterfield; married to Lizzie James

  Elisabeth “Lizzie” James, co-owner of The Chesterfield; married to Jared James

  Erin Barton, lighthouse keeper

  Mason Johns, island fire chief

  Truck Henry, Daisy Babson’s abusive ex-boyfriend

  Victoria Stevens, Gansett Island midwife; dating Shannon O’Grady

  Shannon O’Grady, cousin of Seamus O’Grady; dating Victoria Stevens

  Rebecca, owner of the South Harbor Diner

  Chelsea Rose, bartender at the Beachcomber

  Doc Potter, island veterinarian

  Chloe Dennis, owner of the Curl Up and Dye Salon

  The Children of Gansett Island

  Thomas McCarthy, son of Maddie McCarthy; adopted son of Mac McCarthy

  Hailey McCarthy, daughter of Maddie and Mac McCarthy

  Ashleigh Sturgil, daughter of Tiffany Taylor and Jim Sturgil

  Holden Newsome, son of Laura McCarthy and her ex-husband, Justin Newsome

  P.J. Cantrell, son of Joe and Janey Cantrell

  Other Books By Marie Force

  Download A Sample of Books by Marie Force which includes chapter one of all her works!

  Contemporary Romances Available from Marie Force

  The Gansett Island Series

  Get the entire Gansett Island Series

  McCarthys of Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 1-3

  McCarthys of Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 4-6

  Book 1: Maid for Love

  Book 2: Fool for Love

  Book 3: Ready for Love

  Book 4: Falling for Love

  Book 5: Hoping for Love

  Book 6: Season for Love

  Book 7: Longing for Love

  Book 8: Waiting for Love

  Book 9: Time for Love

  Book 10: Meant for Love

  Book 10.5: Chance for Love A Gansett Island Novella

  Book 11: Gansett After Dark

  Book 12: Kisses After Dark

  Book 13: Love After Dark

  Book 14: Celebration After Dark, A Gansett Island Holiday Novella

  The Treading Water Series

  Get the entire Treading Water Series

  10th Anniversary Treading Water Boxed Set

  Book 1: Treading Water

  Book 2: Marking Time

  Book 3: Starting Over

  Book 4: Coming Home

  The Green Mountain Series

  Book 1: All You Need Is Love

  Book 2: I Want to Hold Your Hand

  Book 3: I Saw Her Standing There

  Book 4: And I Love Her

  Novella: You'll Be Mine

  Book 5: It's Only Love (November 3, 2015)

  Single Titles

  The Single Titles Boxed Set

  Georgia on My Mind

  True North

  The Fall

  Everyone Loves a Hero

  Love at First Flight

  Line of Scrimmage

  Books from M. S. Force

  The Erotic Quantum Trilogy

  Get all three books in the Quantum Trilogy

  Book 1: Virtuous

  Book 2: Valorous

  Book 3: Victorious

  Romantic Suspense Novels Available from Marie Force

  The Fatal Series

  One Night With You, A Fatal Series Prequel Novella

  Book 1: Fatal Affair

  Book 2: Fatal Justice

  Book 3: Fatal Consequences

  Book 3.5: Fatal Destiny the Wedding Novella

  Book 4: Fatal Flaw

  Book 5: Fatal Deception

  Book 6: Fatal Mistake

  Book 7: Fatal Jeopardy

  Book 8: Fatal Scandal

  Book 9: Fatal Frenzy (September 15, 2015)

  Single Title

  The Wreck

  About the Author

  With more than 4 million books sold, Marie Force is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling, award-winning author of more than 40 contemporary romances. Her New York Times bestselling self-published Gansett Island Series has sold 2 million e-books since Maid for Love was released in 2011. She is also the author of the New York Times bestselling Fatal Series from Harlequin’s Carina Press, as well as the New York Times bestselling Green Mountain Series from Berkley, among other books and series. Marie’s new erotic Quantum Trilogy was released under the name of M.S. Force in April 2015, and all three books were New York Times and USA Today bestsellers. The trilogy is now set to become a series.

  While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and she is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two teenagers and two feisty dogs, Brandy and Louie.

  Join Marie's mailing list for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Twitter @marieforce, Facebook and Instagram. Join one of Marie's many reader groups. Contact Marie at [email protected]. Subscribe to my new blog to hear the latest and greatest news, including giveaways and other great prizes. Go to the blog website and enter your email address on the upper right-hand side.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Epilogue

  Author’s Note

  Celebration After Dark

  You’ll Be Mine

  It’s Only Love

  Who’s Who on Ganset
t Island

  Other Books by the Author

  About the Author

 

 

 


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