by Marie Force
"Yep." He decided not to mention what her father had told him about vet school. Joe wanted her to tell him herself—when she was ready. It was enough for him to know she was seriously considering it.
"What did he say?"
"He basically asked my intentions."
"Oh, my God! He did not!"
Joe shot her a look. "You know he did."
"Oh, God. What did you tell him?"
Joe brought her hand to his lips. "That I've always loved you, and I always will."
"Joe," she said. "That's so sweet."
"It's true, and guess what? I don't give a shit who knows it. I'm so tired of hiding it from everyone. That gets really exhausting."
Janey released her seat belt and moved closer to rest her head on his shoulder. "How did I get so lucky?"
He let go of her hand and put his arm around her, bringing her tight against him. "I'm the lucky one."
"We're both lucky." Her arm snaked around his waist, and her lips burrowed into his neck.
"Janey…"
"Hmm?"
"Driving over here. Don't get too busy."
As if he hadn't said a word, her hand roamed his chest and belly before heading south. When she pressed against his erection, he jolted. With one hand on the wheel and the other arm around her, he couldn't stop her from unbuttoning and unzipping his shorts.
She stroked him, and it was all he could do to keep the truck on the road. "Janey! Jesus. Come on."
She laughed and dipped her head to take him into her mouth.
"Shit," he groaned, pulling the truck to the side of the road.
The heat of her mouth and the caressing strokes of her hand brought him quickly to the verge of climax. Then she added her tongue to the mix and took him right over. For many minutes afterward, Joe focused on getting air to his straining lungs. Her lips and tongue on his neck drew him out of the stupor he'd slipped into. Reaching for her, he arranged her on his lap so she straddled him and fused his lips with hers. With one hand firmly buried in her hair, his other hand ventured under her skirt to find her panties damp with desire. The discovery reawakened him, and with just the slightest shift of his hips and her panties, he surged into her.
Her head fell back, and she whispered a startled, "Oh…" She clutched his shoulders and rotated her hips. "Thought we were on a diet…"
"Not anymore." Cupping her buttocks, he urged her to move and couldn't believe how fast she once again had him fighting for control. Being with her reminded him of his horny teenage years.
"That was a dumb idea anyway," she said.
"The dumbest idea ever." Keeping one hand on her bottom, he dipped the other under her shirt and up to her breast. He pushed her bra aside and rolled her nipple between his fingers. That sent her into overdrive, and her hips began to move more urgently.
Joe pushed her shirt up and replaced his fingers with his mouth. After just one hard tug of his lips, she came with a cry of completion that took him with her. He held her tight against him, absorbing the aftershocks and the scent of jasmine that never failed to arouse him.
"I've always thought diets were so pointless," she whispered in his ear.
Joe chuckled. "Some more pointless than others."
"It wouldn't do for us to be caught like this. I'd hate for you to end up in jail twice in one week because of me."
"Then how about we take this somewhere more comfortable?"
She raised her head to press her lips to his in a sweet, chaste kiss that took his breath away. "Let's go."
Janey hadn't told anyone about her visit with Francine. As the two o'clock hour inched closer, she was riddled with anxiety over whether or not Maddie's mother would show. In hindsight, Janey wasn't sure which would be better for Maddie—if her mother came or if she didn't. Janey took a look around at the festive decorations, the buffet table and the small mountain of gifts she and her mother had contributed.
Linda came up behind Janey and massaged her shoulders. "Why so tense?"
"Just hoping it all goes well today."
"It will. Don't worry." Linda turned Janey so she could see her face. "This has to be hard on you. Throwing a bridal shower for someone else…"
Janey shook her head. "I'm okay. You know I couldn't be happier for Mac and Maddie. And I've decided that marrying David would've been a huge mistake." Memories of her erotic night with Joe flashed through her mind. Remembering the bliss of waking up in his arms that morning, Janey smiled to herself. "For a number of reasons." She looked up at her mother. "We need to cancel the wedding plans." Janey thought wistfully of the ballroom at the Samuel Turner Inn, the sunset ceremony and reception they'd planned for next August. The wedding of her dreams—right down to the music, the cake and the dress.
"Let's get past next weekend, and then we'll deal with that."
"Yes, you're right."
Linda raised an eyebrow. "Now what's all this with Joe?"
"That seems to be the question of the week."
"Do you have feelings for him?"
"Lots of feelings. I'm trying to figure out what they all mean. It's complicated…"
"How so?"
"He's had… He's been in love with me." She glanced at her mother. "For years."
"I wondered," Linda said with a smug smile.
"You knew? And didn't say anything?"
"I only suspected."
"Why?"
"His eyes follow you around the room. He lights up when he sees you coming. He listens to you—really listens."
"Yes, he does," Janey said.
"But you can't let his feelings for you pressure you into something you're not ready for. You've just gotten out of a very long relationship."
"Which was over a long time ago, if I'm being truthful."
"Regardless, it just officially ended. If you rush in, you risk hurting yourself and Joe."
"We're kind of past the don't-rush-in warning at this point."
Linda put her hands over her ears. "Lalala. Don't want to know."
Janey laughed. "What would you think, really, of me with Joe?"
Linda framed her daughter's face with her hands. "You'd be one very lucky girl. He's handsome, successful, charming, attentive, a hard worker, your parents and brothers already love him, and most important of all, he's loyal." With a kiss to Janey's forehead, Linda went to check the oven. "I'm sure you'll agree there's a lot to be said for that."
"It's the most important thing. At least to me."
The screen door swung open, and Maddie came in with Mac, who was carrying Thomas. Maddie wore a pink floral sundress, and her hair fell in soft waves around her face. Janey thought she'd never looked lovelier. Mac, on the other hand, looked like death warmed over.
"Oh, there's my baby!" Linda said, reaching for Thomas.
Mac winced. "Not so loud, Mom."
"Did someone have a few too many last night?"
"A few?" Janey asked with a snort. "You were pretty funny."
"I'm never drinking again," Mac grumbled.
"Can I get that in writing?" Maddie asked with a charming smile for her fiancé.
He glowered at her.
"Go home and get some sleep," Linda said. "We'll keep Thomas with us."
"You don't want to do that," Mac said. "He's cruising like a mad man. You'll do nothing but chase him all day."
"We don't mind, do we, Janey?"
"Of course we don't. We can put him down for a nap upstairs." She gave her brother a push. "Go. Come back in three or four hours."
"Are you okay with this plan?" he asked Maddie.
"If it'll put you in a better mood, I'm all for it." She kissed him and sent him on his way. After he left, Maddie hugged Janey. "Everything looks beautiful. Thank you so much. And Linda… Thank you."
"Our pleasure, honey," Linda said, helping Thomas with a cookie.
"Five more days!" Maddie clapped her hands with excitement. "The time is flying by!"
"What do you still have left to do?"
&nb
sp; "A quick run to the mainland on Wednesday to pick up my dress. That's about it."
"Do you want me to go with you?" Janey asked.
"You'd have to take the day off, and you're already taking half of Thursday and all day Friday," Maddie said. "I can handle it. It's just over and right back."
"If you're sure…"
"Don't worry—I'll let you know when I need you this week."
"You'd better!"
Maddie's coworkers from the hotel flooded in a few minutes later, along with her sister and baby niece Ashleigh.
"Is Mom coming?" Maddie asked Tiffany.
Her sister shook her head. "I tried."
Maddie forced a smile. "That's all right. We'll have fun without her."
Janey put her arm around Maddie to lead her to the guest-of-honor chair, which she had decorated with balloons and streamers. "You bet we will."
Chapter 22
Two hours later, the women had eaten and watched Maddie open most of the presents. Thomas had fallen asleep in Linda's arms in the rocking chair, and she'd refused to take him upstairs.
Janey was proud of her mother for embracing the child and making him a part of their family. It hadn't been easy for Linda to get past the rumors that had plagued Maddie for most of her life. But once the letters from Evan and the others ran in the paper, Linda had to admit she'd been wrong about the woman her son loved. She'd apologized to Maddie and had made a real effort to get to know her and Thomas since then. In the midst of the rift with her own mother, at least Maddie would be able to lean on her new mother-in-law.
Janey's cell phone vibrated in her pocket. When she checked the caller ID and saw Doc Potter's name, she took the call because he never bothered her after hours unless there was an emergency at the clinic. She immediately thought of Mrs. Roberts and Molly.
"Hey, Doc." She stepped onto the back deck that overlooked the hotel, marina, and Salt Pond. The fog that had been worse than usual this year hung over the edges of the pond.
"Janey! I'm so glad I caught you. You won't believe it!"
"Believe what?"
"I just got off the phone with Dean Richards at OSU."
Her heart slowed to a crawl, and she had to remind herself to breathe. "What did he say?"
"They've had several students in this year's incoming class who were unable to secure financing."
Janey gasped.
"When I mentioned you had financing already arranged, he agreed to facilitate your application—for this year! This year, Janey! Like a month from now!"
Her legs went weak beneath her, and she dropped to a lounge chair.
"Still there?" Doc asked.
"Yes, yes. I'm just trying to absorb it all."
"I don't think I've ever been more excited about anything! I can tell you now that I always thought it was a travesty how David got in the way of you going to vet school the first time around. I didn't care for that one bit."
"You and everyone else."
"Well, we're righting a terrible wrong, and we're doing it in one month!" His smile faded all of a sudden.
"What, Doc? What's wrong?"
"I just realized this means I'll be losing you at the clinic."
Her eyes filled. He'd been such a constant in her life, one of the most important people in her world. "Maybe you can find a spot for me in the summers?"
"I suppose we can squeeze you in until you're too important to come back."
Janey laughed. "I'll come back the second I'm done, and then you can retire."
"You've got yourself a deal, my friend."
"Thank you, Doc. For whatever favors you called in or the donation you made or whatever you did, thank you."
"No thanks necessary. Just go out there and make me proud."
"I will. I promise."
Janey ended the call and clutched the phone to her chest as she looked out over the pond with unseeing eyes. She was going to veterinary school. It was really and finally happening. She must've been out there for a while because Maddie came to find her.
"I'm sorry," Janey said, snapping out of the stupor. "I totally abandoned you."
"I was well cared for. What's wrong? You're pale as a ghost."
"I got in," Janey whispered.
"To?"
"Vet school at Ohio State."
Maddie gasped. "Oh, that's fabulous! Congratulations! For next year?"
"This year."
Maddie's eyes widened. "Oh, my God! Janey! Oh, my God!"
Before she knew what hit her, Maddie had wrapped her up in a tight hug.
Janey was in tears by the time Maddie released her.
"What's wrong?" Maddie asked, alarmed. "I thought you'd be thrilled!"
"I am." Janey brushed at the tears, annoyed by them. "It's just…"
"Joe," Maddie said, her mouth set in a grim expression.
"I can't do another long-distance relationship, Maddie. I just can't."
"I understand. Anyone would. Joe will."
"What will he understand? He's in love with me. We've spent almost every night together for two weeks. If I walk away from him now, he'll be crushed."
Maddie rested her hands on Janey's shoulders. "You have to go to Ohio, Janey. You have to."
"I know. But I need to break things off with Joe now. Today. I can't let this go on when I'm leaving in a month. He's tied to this island and his business. It's not fair to get any more involved with him." She thought of the date they had planned for later, and her heart ached. She'd gotten awfully used to seeing him every day, to leaning on his quiet strength, to finding unimaginable pleasure in his arms.
"Surely there has to be some way," Maddie said.
New tears spilled down Janey's cheeks. "How? His business is his life, Maddie. He'd be lost without that, and it's not like he can just walk away from it. And he would. He'd do that for me, but I can't ask that of him. I just can't."
"You need to talk to him about this. At least give him a chance to figure something out."
"There's nothing to figure out. He lives here, and for the next four years, I'm going to live a thousand miles from here. Look how it worked out when David was only in Boston. I can't go through that again."
"Comparing him to David would be very unfair."
"Do me a favor?"
"Anything."
"Keep this quiet until I figure out what to say to Joe?"
Maddie thought about that for a moment. "I have to tell Mac. I won't keep it from him. I'd like to think I've learned my lesson in that regard."
"You have to swear him to silence. I don't want him to tell Joe until I decide how I'm going to handle it."
"He won't. I promise you that." Maddie hugged her again. "It'll work out, Janey. Joe would wait forever for you."
"I can't ask him to wait four years."
"Maybe you won't have to."
Still holding the sleeping Thomas, Linda came to the door. "Everything all right out here?"
"Yes," Janey said, forcing a smile. "We're fine."
"Maddie, you have a late-arriving guest."
Maddie glanced at Janey. "Who?"
"Why don't you go see?" Maybe Francine had come through after all. Janey could only hope. She followed Maddie inside where Francine waited, gripping a festively wrapped gift and looking exquisitely uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry I'm late," Francine said.
"That's all right." Maddie reached around the box to hug her mother. "I'm so glad you came."
"Could I get you some coffee or punch, Francine?" Linda asked. "A slice of cake?"
"I'm fine, thank you," Francine said stiffly.
"May I?" Maddie asked, gesturing to the package.
Francine handed it to her and followed Maddie to the family room, where the other women had gone quiet.
"This is my mother, Francine." Maddie introduced her coworkers from the hotel and then sat to open her mother's gift. Maddie removed the paper and opened the box. "Oh. Oh, Mom."
"I gave Tiffany my mother's china. I th
ought you might like to have her silver."
"I'd very much love to have it," she said, hugging her mother. "It's so shiny and clean!"
"That's why I was late. It took longer to clean it up than I'd expected."
Maddie clutched her mother's hand. "I'm so glad you came."
"Well, your future sister-in-law over there let me know I'd be welcome."
All eyes shifted to Janey, who flashed a sheepish grin and shrugged.
Maddie mouthed the words thank you to Janey, who nodded in response.
After she helped to load Mac, Maddie, Thomas and the shower loot into the SUV, Janey turned her attention to the last of the dishes all the while trying not to think about the terrible task that lay ahead.
"Joe," she whispered. "God. What've I done to both of us?"
The irony of the situation wasn't lost on her. In the same instant she'd decided she had to give him up, she'd realized she loved him. Loved him loved him. At some point during their exquisite nights together, he had worked his way into her heart, and the idea of losing him hurt more than anything ever had—even finding David in bed with another woman.
Standing at the sink, Janey dropped her head to her chest, absorbing the blow as all the images from their brief time together flashed through her mind.
Linda came back into the room. "Janey? Honey, what is it? What's wrong?"
Tears clogged her throat, threatening to burst free at any moment. "I, um, I have something I need to do. Would you mind finishing up these last few dishes?"
"Of course not. Go on ahead."
Janey kissed her cheek. "Thanks for everything today. It was a lovely shower."
"Yes, it was, and you did a good thing talking Francine into coming. I'm proud of you for doing that."
The dam broke, and tears flooded her eyes.
"Janey! My goodness! What's going on?"
"It's nothing," she said, even though her heart was breaking. "I just … I need to go."
Linda hugged her and wiped the tears from Janey's cheeks. "Call me later?"
Janey nodded, grabbed her purse and headed for the door. In the car, she rested her head on the steering wheel and tried to imagine what Joe would say when she told him they were over. Her heart ached at the thought of hurting him, but better now than in a month, when they'd be even more involved.