by Marie Force
“Thank you.”
“You should’ve ironed your shirt.” Marion Martinez had made sure both of her boys could do their own laundry and knew how to handle an iron before they left her house. She’d tried and failed to impart some basic kitchen skills, however.
“I know. I’m already running late, though.”
“That’s no excuse to go out looking rumpled.” She surprised him when she stood. “Take it off. I’ll do it for you.”
“Oh,” he said, stunned by the offer as much as the lucidity. “You don’t have to.”
She looked at him with the eyes of the mother he used to know. “Please let me.”
Overwhelmed by her request, Alex unbuttoned the shirt and took it off, following her to the laundry room off the kitchen to keep an eye on her while she operated the iron. But he needn’t have bothered. She ironed the shirt with the kind of skill that came from a lifetime of doing such things for the men she loved. When she was finished, she held it for him while he slid his arms into the cooling sleeves.
He turned to face her and watched in stunned amazement as she buttoned it and then patted his chest.
“Much better.”
“Yes, it is. Thanks, Mom.”
“My pleasure.”
He could see that doing something for him had indeed brought her pleasure.
“Are you seeing that nice girl who was here the other day? I can’t recall her name.”
Alex saw to putting the iron away and stashing the ironing board. “Yes, I’m seeing Jenny.”
“I like her.”
“So do I.”
“Bring her to see me again soon, will you?”
“I will.” As tears stung his eyes, Alex hugged her. “Love you, Mom.”
“Love you, too, honey. Now don’t stay out too late. You know how Daddy and I worry when you boys drive at night.”
Alex wasn’t sure what hurt more—the stark reminder of who she’d once been or the sudden return to dementia. “I know, Mom. I won’t be out too late.” He pulled back from her and looked down at her. “Thanks again for ironing my shirt.”
“Your shirt? What about your shirt?”
“Never mind.”
She might not remember, but he’d never forget.
Chapter 19
When she heard the rumbling roar of the motorcycle coming down the lane that led to the lighthouse, Jenny grabbed her jacket and put it on, slung her purse over her shoulder and headed down the stairs to meet him.
Filled with anticipation, she stepped outside as he brought the bike to a stop and cut the engine. While he took a good long look at her, she did the same, enjoying the sight of him in a freshly ironed cotton shirt that was rolled up to reveal his tanned forearms, well-faded jeans and the boots he always wore on the bike. His dark hair was messed up from the ride, but the messy look—like everything else—only added to his over-the-top sex appeal. Or maybe it was the fact that she thought everything about him was sexy.
He got off the bike and held out a hand to her. “Those jeans are hot, babe.”
Feeling the now-familiar magnetic pull, she went to him and was thrilled when he wrapped her up in a tight hug. She put her arms around him and held on just as tightly to him.
“You have no idea how badly I needed this,” he said after a long moment of quiet.
“Everything okay?”
He released a deep sigh. “It is now.”
Jenny loved that he seemed to feel better when he was with her, that they brought each other comfort as well as passion and companionship and all the other things they’d found together. But the comfort seemed to be what he needed right now. “You want to talk about it?”
“Later.” He drew back from her so he could kiss her. “I want to enjoy being with you, because I’ve been looking forward to it all day.”
“I’ve been looking forward to it just as much.”
“Well, I promised you a date, so let’s get to it.”
“If it’s not a good night for it, we don’t have to go anywhere.”
“It’s a good night, and it’s going to get even better before it’s over.”
The playful wiggle of his brows was much more in keeping with the Alex she’d come to know. He helped her into the helmet he’d brought for her and showed her where to put her feet.
“It’s probably best if you hold on really tight to me,” he said when she was settled behind him on the bike. “Then there’s no chance you’ll fall off.”
“You’re just saying that about me falling off to get my hands on you.”
“Well, yeah. What’s the point otherwise?”
It was her very great pleasure to put her arms around him and to feel the press of his most-excellent ass against her spread thighs. She was already hot and bothered, and they hadn’t even left yet.
“Ready?” he asked over his shoulder.
“I think so.”
“All kidding aside, hold on tight and follow my lead.” He fired up the engine, and they took off like a shot down the dirt lane that led to the main road.
She’d had very limited experience with motorcycles. A high school boyfriend had had one, but her parents freaked out when they heard she’d been on it and forbade her from ever going with him again. Being the good girl that she’d been at the time, she’d obeyed their directive, which wasn’t hard, because that guy was a moron, and he’d scared the crap out of her with his crazy antics on the bike.
As Alex took her on a thrilling ride on the island’s winding roads, Jenny was glad her parents didn’t know what she was doing, because she absolutely loved everything about it—especially being pressed up against him as he drove. This was nothing like the last time, when she’d been too scared to enjoy the ride. This time was exhilarating and freeing and extremely exciting. But that probably had more to do with the man than the motorcycle.
When they pulled into the parking lot at the Sand & Surf Hotel, Jenny was almost disappointed that the ride was over. Alex got off first, helped her remove the helmet and kept his hands on her shoulders until she got her legs under her.
“How does dinner at Stephanie’s and a movie at the theater sound?”
“It sounds perfect.”
He took her hand and led her inside, where Sarah Lowry was working at the hotel’s front desk.
Owen’s mom noticed their joined hands but thankfully offered only a welcoming smile. “Hi there, Jenny, Alex. How are you?”
“We’re good,” Jenny said. “How are you?”
“Keeping busy,” Sarah said. “Are you having dinner?”
“We were hoping to,” Alex said.
“Go on in,” Sarah said. “I think Steph still has some tables.”
“Great, thanks.”
“I’m looking forward to the shower tomorrow,” Sarah said to Jenny.
“So am I. See you there.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
“What’s all this about a shower?” Alex asked as they waited for Stephanie to seat another party.
“I keep meaning to ask you if you want to come. Tiffany and Blaine got married so quickly that we never got a chance to give them a shower, so we’re doing it late tomorrow afternoon at the lighthouse.”
“That sounds like fun for you, but why would I want to go? Isn’t that a chick thing?”
“Usually it is, but here on Gansett, we like to include the guys.”
“You mean you like to torture the guys.”
“Trust me when I tell you, they give as good as they get.”
“I haven’t done anything to deserve that level of torture.”
“You haven’t yet, but you will,” she said with a saucy smile that made him laugh. “There’ll be plenty of other guys, lots of food and beer. What more do you need?”
“Well, when you put it that way… I guess I could try to make it.”
“Yay.”
“I never made any promises.” He gave her a sideways glance. “So you’re ready to take this public with all your friends?”
> “I believe I am. Is that okay with you?”
He put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. “That’s more than okay with me.”
Stephanie approached them, stopping a couple of feet from them to stare when she realized they were on a date. “Okay, so what did I miss?”
“A few things here and there,” Jenny said mysteriously.
“Apparently. Am I allowed to spread this rumor far and wide?”
“Since it’s no longer a rumor, have at it,” Jenny said with a smile for Alex.
“This is the biggest news since Tiffany and Blaine’s three-day engagement.” Stephanie seated them at a table with a view of the sunset and within earshot of the music Owen was making on the deck. “Is this okay?”
“It’s perfect,” Alex said. “Thanks, Stephanie.”
She gave them a rundown of the specials and then left them to peruse the menu after giving Jenny’s shoulder an affectionate squeeze. A waitress appeared at their table a few minutes later with a bottle of champagne. “Compliments of Stephanie,” she said.
Touched by the gesture, Jenny said, “Please tell her thanks from us.”
“I sure will.” The waitress poured the bubbly into crystal flutes and took their order.
When they were alone, Alex raised his glass to her. “Here’s to going public.”
Jenny touched her glass to his. “To going public.”
“You sure you’re feeling okay about that?”
“I’m feeling extremely okay about a lot of things that haven’t been okay for me in a very long time.”
“It makes me happy to hear you say that.”
“You look really nice tonight,” she said. “Not that you don’t always look nice.”
Alex looked down at his shirt. “My mom ironed for me.”
“She did? Really?”
“Yeah. Ten minutes of complete lucidity, during which I got back my mom and then lost her again almost as quickly.”
“I’m sorry. That’s got to be awful.”
“It sucks so bad.” He looked down at the table and then at her. “I acted like an ass with my brother earlier.”
“How so?”
“I…um, well… I was pissed off about what I witnessed when I came into the store after work.”
Genuinely baffled, Jenny said, “What did you witness?”
“You, him, the beers, the nearness.”
Her mouth fell open in shock.
“Before you can assure me there was nothing to be pissed off about, I already know that.”
“But still, that you even thought it…”
“I know. I was way out of line, and the only reason I’m even telling you is because I thought you might like to know that you have the power to make me insanely jealous.”
She stared at him, incredulous. “Because I was talking to your brother and having a beer with him after a long and extremely awful day?”
“Uh-huh. Pretty sad, huh?”
“It’s actually rather adorable, if I can get past the fact that you thought you needed to worry about me messing around with your own brother.”
“I know I don’t need to worry about that with either of you, so let’s get back to the adorable part.”
Jenny laughed and shook her head in amazement. “You were really jealous?”
“Insanely.”
“Huh.”
“What does that mean? Huh.”
“Nothing. I’m just enjoying this for a minute.”
“I never should’ve told you.”
Jenny reached for his hand across the table. “I’m glad you did. I like knowing how you feel.”
“If that’s the case, I’ve got other stuff to tell you.”
“Good stuff?”
“I hope you’ll think so. It feels good to me.”
Jenny wondered if he was hinting at what she thought he was and tried to determine how she felt about that. It didn’t take long for her to decide she felt very good about it, because she was definitely on the same page.
Without exchanging words, they decided to table that discussion for later, and Jenny told him about her day at the store.
“I feel bad that you had to deal with all our irate customers.”
“Someone had to do it, and I think I smoothed some ruffled feathers.”
“Again, that’s above and beyond the call of duty.”
“I don’t mind, Alex. It makes me feel good to think there’s something I can do to help you and Paul.”
“Do you think maybe…” He shook his head. “Never mind.”
“Tell me. Do I think what?”
He blew out a ragged deep breath. “Paul, David and I are interviewing a nurse tomorrow, hoping she’ll agree to move out here to help us manage Mom’s care. I was wondering if you might have time to sit in on the meeting. I’d love to get your take on her.”
“I’d be happy to.”
“You would? Really? I know it’s a lot to ask—”
She tightened her grasp on his hand. “It’s not a lot to ask. I’m honored that you want my opinion.”
“I just want to do the right thing for my mom, but I have no idea what that is.”
“For what it’s worth, I think that getting a qualified professional to be part of her daily life at this point is the right thing to do. You and Paul can’t continue like this forever, or your health is going to be affected, too. Hopefully this woman will be who you need.”
“Her name is Hope,” he said with a small smile.
“And how perfect is that? My fingers are crossed for you.”
“Thanks, and thank you for coming to the interview.”
“Well, you’re coming to a wedding shower with me…”
He laughed, as she’d hoped he would. “That’s blackmail.”
“I prefer to think of it as quid pro quo. I scratch your back, you scratch mine.”
“I can’t wait for you to scratch my back, but not until after the movie. You’ll just have to keep your hands off me until then.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “I’ll see if I can control myself.”
“Don’t try too hard.”
***
Alex was in love with her. He’d more or less acknowledged that fact earlier when he nearly took off his brother’s head for daring to have an after-work beer with her. But sitting across from her as she offered care and concern and support along with incredible sweetness and hot sexiness, Alex knew she was the whole package. She was exactly the woman he’d nearly given up on ever finding, and to think he’d found her on Gansett Island. The irony wasn’t lost on him. If he hadn’t come home to Gansett to help care for his mother, he never would’ve met Jenny.
Now that he had met her and fallen for her, he hoped he could find a way to keep her when his life was in such turmoil at the moment. The addition of full-time nursing assistance to their situation would offer a measure of relief, but he and Paul would still be responsible for their mother—not that either of them would have it any other way.
Still, it was a lot to ask any woman to take on, especially a woman like Jenny, who’d already been through so much in her life. He wanted to make things easy and simple for her, but his life was hardly easy or simple.
After a fantastic dinner at Stephanie’s, they walked to the movie theater at the other end of town. Alex loved walking through the busy downtown area with her hand tucked into the crook of his elbow. He loved the sense of connection he felt to her. He loved that she was easy to talk to, compassionate and understanding of the challenges he faced. He also loved how hot her ass looked in those jeans.
At the theater, they shared a laugh over the one-man show as Alex paid the man in the ticket booth for the tickets, and then the same man moved to the other side of the counter to serve them popcorn. Then he collected their tickets at the door to the theater.
“This place hasn’t changed one bit since I was a kid,” Alex said. “It even smells the same—mildew and popcorn.”
“Foldin
g chairs?” Jenny asked as she took in the ramshackle theater.
“I take it this is your first time at Island Cinemas?”
“Plural? I see one cinema, and calling it that is being very generous. And yes, it’s my first time.”
“Oh, you’re in for a very special treat. Shall we make ourselves comfortable in the folding chairs?”
“That’s an oxymoron.”
“Are you calling me a moron?”
She elbowed his ribs, making him grunt with laughter as he strategically led her to the back row.
“What’re we doing way back here?”
“You’ll see.”
More people filtered into the theater and took seats closer to the screen, leaving Alex and Jenny with the back mostly to themselves.
“I’m beginning to see the method to your madness.”
“Just wait.” He offered the popcorn to her and took a huge handful for himself.
“Didn’t you just eat?”
“I’m a growing boy, and you can’t go to the movies and not get popcorn. It’s un-American.”
“If you say so.”
“I say so.”
The lights in the theater went off, plunging them into darkness. Alex put his arm around her and dragged her metal chair closer to his. At the top of the far left wall, windows allowed in the sweeping headlights of cars coming down a hill into town. The lights illuminated almost everyone in the theater, except for those in the back row.
“You didn’t tell me this was a drive-in theater.”
“That’s part of the charm of the place.”
“It would appear to me that you might’ve done this before.”
“Done what?”
“Commandeered the back row with a date.”
“Are you accusing me of something?”
“Yes, I’m accusing you of being an opportunist.”
“I’m really hurt by that.”
Her laughter delighted him. He enjoyed every second he got to spend with her, no matter what they were doing. She was easy to talk to and quick to laugh, which brought lightness to his life that had been sorely lacking before he met her. Alex was beginning to think that the instant her tomato connected with his back would turn out to be the most fortuitous second of his life.
The movie was a comedy that had been released on the mainland months ago.