As she pulled a small picnic together, Dean walked over and took a blanket from the drawer. Tucking it under his arm, he picked up the picnic basket and finally took hold of Mack’s hand as they headed down to the beach.
During the walk, Mack couldn’t help but wonder whether she was making the wrong decision, trusting a guy she’d only known a short time. He was certainly the first guy to get her libido to sit up and take notice from the get go. That had never happened to her before; perhaps it was an omen.
She led Dean over to the sheltered section of beach she’d come to favor over the past few weeks. He unfolded the blanket as Mack set the beach mats with the back supports built in on top of the blanket—these were the best purchase she had made in a long time. She loved sitting on the beach and reading. With this support, she was rather comfortable and could sit for hours.
Dean sat down and reclined against one of the mats. He held his hand out for her. She reached into her purse for the diary, and then snuggled into a comfortable position between his legs, resting against his chest.
He put his arms around her and they just enjoyed the peace and quiet for a few minutes. Dean felt good with her wrapped in his arms. A soft, warm woman with curves. Not only was she hot, but she also had the biggest heart going. Not many young women would befriend an eighty-year-old man like Thomas.
Mack broke the silence. “The day after we moved into Rose Cottage, I was putting some boxes on top of the cabinets in the kitchen and found this.” She showed him the diary. “When I opened it, the first page says, ‘This is the diary of a Rose, March 4, 1947.’”
“Wow, that’s some time ago.” This could be his moment. The time to admit whom he was related to.
“I know. I’ve been reading it, and it’s a love story between Rose and a young man by the name of Jacob Evans.”
He went still and Mack gave him an odd look. “Carry on, it’s interesting,” he told her.
“Okay. It’s so sad, Dean. They didn’t even know each other more than two months when she died trying to run away with him to Boston.”
He didn’t know what to say so he stayed silent, lost in his own thoughts. He knew his grandfather had married in 1947. It was also the year his father had been born.
It seemed impossible that his grandfather, who had always seemed so in love with his grandmother, Eliza, could have wanted someone else. Whenever they passed each other, they always touched or shared a loving embrace.
For as long as he could remember, his grandparents always looked to be in love, always touching and kissing, whenever they passed each other. Whenever his grandfather had gone away on business, his grandmother had always accompanied him. They had five children; his father, James; his uncles Luke, Peter, and Derek; and his Aunt Rosalind. Could Aunt Rosalind have been named after his grandfather’s first love ‘Rose’ without his grandmother’s knowledge? It seemed so farfetched.
“Dean?”
“Yeah.” He leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead.
“The part that upsets me the most is that the night Rose died, Jacob had no idea she’d passed away. All these years, her family led him to believe she married someone else.”
“Seriously?”
“She was on her way to meet him when she died. A month later, apparently, Jacob called to ask about Rose and her father told Jacob that she had stayed and married this other man, who was interested in her, named Richard. He told Jacob that she didn’t want anything to do with him. So all these years, he’s believed she chose someone else.”
“That’s sad, Mack.”
“Exactly. I found him. Jacob Evans. He’s ninety and lives in Brookline, Boston. I left a message with his housekeeper, but he hasn’t gotten back to me yet. I know he’s married, but I need to tell him that Rose really did love him. I need to tell him that she died before meeting him that night.”
She lifted her head from Dean’s chest. “Thomas is Rose’s brother. She referred to him in her diary as JT. He told me what his father said to Jacob on the phone. Do you think that I’m right in wanting to tell Jacob about Rose? It really does break my heart.”
He looked down into Mack’s eyes, which were full of tears. “Come here.” He pulled her even closer and used his thumbs to wipe her tears away.
“Yes, I do.” He took a deep breath for courage. “I’ll help you see Jacob Evans because I’m—”
“Auntie Mack, look at the size of this fish,” Lucas shouted, running toward them on the beach.
Damn, just when he’d worked himself up to tell her the truth, they were interrupted.
Mack stood and started heading toward Lucas. She turned back to Dean. “Thanks, for listening.”
She ran over to Lucas. “Wow! That is huge!” Then stopped short. “Is it dead?”
“Don’t be silly. Of course, it’s dead!” Lucas replied in disgust.
“Do you both want a sandwich?” she offered.
She sat back down on the blanket as Dean started to wrestle on the sand with Lucas. Mack wished this were her family. She was really falling for Dean.
That was something she had never wished for before, with anyone else, until now. Reading Rose’s diary had made her long for that kind of love and commitment.
There was something real happening between her and Dean, although they didn’t know a great deal, if anything, about each other. Over the past week, she’d mentioned family, but for some reason he always changed the subject. Although, on one or two occasions, Lucas had interrupted.
“No thanks, Mack. We’ll leave you two alone. We’re going to put the fish in the fridge, have lunch, then more comic reading!” Taking hold of Lucas, Thomas pulled him along to leave the lovers alone.
“Bye, Auntie Mack. Bye, Dean.”
“See you later, rugrat.” Dean smiled at Lucas as he ruffled his hair.
“We’ll see you both later then,” Mack said.
As he watched them walk away, Dean knew he now had the perfect opportunity to come clean and break it to her gently. He was praying he didn’t upset her too much.
“Tell me about Mackenzie?” he asked. He took Mack by the hand and pulled her back down to cuddle into his side with her head resting on his shoulder and his arm around her.
She smiled and inhaled deeply. “Okay. You already know some of this, but let me refresh your memory. Mackenzie Louise Harper is twenty-seven years old and a teacher from Roslindale, Boston. Her parents are Louise and Alex Harper, who are fifty-nine and sixty-five years old, respectively. They live in a retirement village on the North Shore after spending more than thirty-five years teaching high school. My sister, Melinda, is four years older than me and married to a doctor, Daniel. They only have the one son, Lucas. I’m not divorced, married, or in a relationship. I think that about covers it. What about you?”
Now or never. He inhaled. “Mack, my name is Dean James . . . Evans.”
She stilled beside him.
He continued, “My mother’s maiden name is Simone. I’m a graphic novelist, and my sister, Alice is five years older than me and married to Simon, who’s in financing.”
He took another deep breath for courage while he glanced at Mack. “I’m thirty-two, not divorced, married, or in a relationship. My parents are Anne and James, who are sixty-two and sixty-five years old, respectively. They live with my grandparents in Brookline . . . They are Jacob and Eliza Evans.”
She was so still and silent that he could barely feel her breathing. He felt sick and really hoped he hadn’t lost her because he hadn’t been totally upfront. “Mack, did you hear me?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“I wanted to tell you the minute the name Simone left my mouth, and I don’t know why I didn’t, or rather I didn’t want to look like an idiot in front of a woman I couldn’t take my eyes off. I’m really truly sorry, Mack.”
“Why?” She sat up and rested her arms on her raised knees as she gazed out at sea.
“My grandfather made a lot of money, and so did my father
, for that matter. People get ideas about it and contact us for various reasons, sometimes shady reasons. When I heard Martha on the phone with you, I told her that I would check you out first. I knew the minute I saw you that you weren’t in that category, but I’m so worked up over you and want you like crazy that I can’t kiss you again until you know the truth.”
Mack was so quiet as Dean continued, “After listening to you earlier, I think my grandfather really is your Jacob Evans. I have an Aunt Rosalind. Could he have named her after Rose?”
“Seriously?” she asked.
“Yes.”
After what felt like an hour of silence but was probably only five minutes, she took hold of his hand and laced her fingers with his. “Thank you for telling me. I’m glad you told me now, rather than later,” she admitted, blushing.
Dean moved in close to her. “Am I forgiven?”
“Is that the only untruth you’ve told me?”
He looked slightly sheepish. “I really am single, unless you’re willing to be my girl, in which case I’m spoken for.” He grinned. “But my mother is trying to marry me off to her friend’s daughter, Cynthia. That’s one of the reasons why I decided to check you out. I needed to get away from her matchmaking. I was glad I did the moment I met you.”
“So am I . . . Cynthia?”
He sighed. “Yeah.” Not really knowing where to start, he just hoped he didn’t blow it. “My mother decided she wanted grandchildren, and my sister refused to cooperate so she focused on me. Cynthia’s mother has been friends with mine since school, and as we’re of a similar age and background, they decided to push us together.”
He glanced at Mack. “I’m not interested in Cynthia. In fact, she’s starting to annoy me, always showing up wherever I am. No one but Martha knows I’m here right now, and I plan to keep it that way. You’re the only one I want, Mack.”
She smiled and brushed the hair from his forehead. “Thank you for telling me. What was the other reason?”
He blinked, having completely forgotten he’d told her Cynthia was one reason. “Curiosity, after your message. I love my grandparents, and I think if my grandfather truly did love Rose, then I’ll take you to see him and distract my grandmother while you speak with him.”
He noticed the frown on Mack’s face. “They go everywhere together, always have and always will, I guess—” he swallowed back the lump in his throat, “—when one passes away, the other one will follow not long after, I’m certain.”
She gently used her fingers to wipe the tears away from her eyes. “Oh, Dean!”
She climbed astride him and took hold of his face, then placed a light kiss to his lips. “That is so sweet and heartbreaking at the same time.”
“Yes, it is.” He moved in to kiss Mack again and licked along the seal of her lips.
She felt Dean’s tongue against her lips. Opening her mouth, she allowed him entry, hearing him groan as a gentle kiss became heated.
Dean could feel the blood in his ears pound and wondered why when he was sure all his blood had gone straight to his erection the minute she opened her mouth to him. She felt totally amazing in his arms.
Mack was desperate for more of him and wriggled further onto his lap, where she came into contact with his hardening length. She ran her hands through his hair, deepened the kiss even further, and rubbed herself against him.
Dean pulled away, breathless. “Hell, Mack. We have to stop because I’m seconds away from taking you here on the beach.”
Mack placed a light kiss against his lips. “I want that, too.” Dean’s eyes darkened. “Lucas could reappear. Heck, what am I thinking? We’re on an open beach, you made me forget.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “I know!”
She climbed off him and avoided looking into his lap. “Do you want me to read some of the diary to you?”
“That would be great.” He pulled Mack in beside him.
“I must warn you, there’s some racy writing in it.” She laughed at the look on Dean’s face.
“Can’t we miss those bits?”
“No, we cannot,” she grinned. “Those are the best bits!”
As she picked up the diary, Dean hoped there weren’t too many explicit tales. He didn’t want to imagine his grandfather in that way. Ever.
Chapter 20
April 9, 1947
Jayne went out with Richard…
Today was a lovely, sunny day, and for the first time in a long time, I was actually looking forward to going to work, or I was, until Jayne called around to the house to walk to work with me.
“Why are you so grumpy this morning?” she asked.
“Work,” I replied. I thought it was better keeping to myself how much I was looking forward to walking to work on my own so I could get lost in my thoughts.
“I went out with Richard last night.”
I raised my eyebrow when she stopped talking, waiting for her to tell me how it went. It wasn’t like Jayne to keep anything to herself, especially about her dates.
She sighed. “All he did was talk about you. He is really angry that you refused his marriage proposal, and I think he only asked me out to try to make you jealous. When I told him it wouldn’t make you jealous, he declared it was time to take me home.”
I hadn’t been expecting that. I actually thought he only wanted to marry me because of his father, but perhaps that was what he wanted me to believe. I rubbed my temples, feeling really confused. “Jayne, I’m not interested in Richard. In fact, the last time I saw him, I told him I didn’t want to see him for a while. I was so angry with him for talking to Mother and Father.”
“Are you still seeing Jacob?” My silence spoke a thousand words. “Rose Degan, you have to stop right now. Your father will make your life miserable if he ever finds out.”
“I can’t stop seeing him. I love him.” I blurted out, close to tears.
“Richard asked me last night if you were seeing someone else. I avoided the question, but it won’t be long until he finds out.” She saw the look on my face. “It won’t be from me, I promise you.”
She hugged me briefly before I parted from Jayne outside the library. She worked one block over from me and I watched her wander down the street . . . another person I would miss when I left. I really hoped Richard didn’t cause any trouble. I only had five days left in Cape Elizabeth, and I really wanted them to go smoothly.
My parents had been leaving me alone, and I really hoped they continued to do so.
April 10, 1947
A strange day…
This morning on waking, I had to run to the bathroom to be sick. Yuck. I ate dried toast and sipped some water, which seemed to help some. With my stomach settled, I had a slow walk to work.
As soon as the library doors were unlocked, Richard walked in. He’d given me such a weird look before he went to find whatever book he’d come in for that I felt a chill run up my spine. He didn’t leave with a book though, as he left, he glared at me, and then he stomped out.
His behavior was odd. After what Jayne had told me yesterday, I still found it hard to believe. He seemed so genuine when he said it was his father making him ask me to marry him. Now I really didn’t know what to think.
“Rose, can you come into my office for a minute, please?” Mr. Young asked, taking my mind off Richard.
“Yes.” I walked into his office.
After he cleared his throat a few times—horrid—he looked at me. “Take a seat.” I sat down. “Rose, I’m afraid I have to cut your hours. The library isn’t as busy so I can’t justify having as many staff.”
He just sat staring at me. I wasn’t sure what he wanted me to say. “Okay. From when will the new hours start?”
He seemed relieved. “From May 6th.”
I would be gone by then. I felt like telling him what to do with his job, but I wouldn’t give Father the satisfaction of knowing I’d given my job up.
Only four more days to go! I feel so apprehensive, but exci
ted, for my new life with Jacob.
Before going to bed, I played cards with JT, who was so infuriating. He cheated—all the time.
I really wished I could take my brother with me. I would miss him more than anyone.
April 11, 1947
A delightful discovery…
I was sick again this morning. Could I possibly be pregnant? I didn’t have any experience with this kind of thing and couldn’t exactly ask Mother. Heaven forbid. I had some toast for breakfast again, which seemed to help calm my stomach.
I was meeting Jacob this evening with some of my things. I love him so much and couldn’t wait to see him. Before I left for work, I packed as much as I could into my travel bag, then stuffed it into the back of my wardrobe and just prayed it wasn’t discovered while I was at work.
How I got through the day, I will never know. Mr. Young had a bee in his bonnet and did nothing but fuss the whole day. I actually felt like a wet lettuce leaf as I walked home. He had us running around, doing this, that and the other. Nothing was right, and as soon it was time to close Mary, Emma, and I stopped what we were doing to retrieve our jackets and purses, and left.
Dinner with my parents was a silent affair. JT had been in trouble again. Not sure why this time, but no one spoke. It was pretty horrid really. Excusing myself, I dashed up to my room and retrieved my travel bag.
Luckily, my bedroom overlooked the back garden and Mother’s rose bushes so I stuck my head out of the window to check that the coast was clear and dropped my bag. I prayed it didn’t land in the middle of the roses!
I slipped out of the house, having snuck down the kitchen stairs, and retrieved my bag. The roses were intact. Thank goodness.
I walked to the end of the drive and found Jacob there waiting for me. I dropped my bag and threw myself into his arms. “I’ve missed you,” I whispered.
His lips met mine. The kiss lingered. He tasted divine.
We were breathing heavily when we finally parted, and Jacob took my hand while we walked into town. I should have been bothered about my parents seeing us, but I wasn’t. In town, Jacob pulled me into a photography studio.
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