by Marie Force
“I’m exhausted and bruised from all the falling.”
Patrick laughed. “Take a hot bath.”
“That’s the plan.”
“One of the other reasons I called is I was trying to remember the name of that friend of yours in the city who does personal shopping. You know who I mean?”
“Oh, Layla?”
“Yes, is she still doing that?”
“Yep.”
“You think she’d mind helping me out with some Christmas shopping since I’m going to be gone for a couple of weeks?”
“Ah, yeah, Dad,” Cam said with a laugh, “I guarantee she’d be thrilled to have Patrick Murphy as a client.”
“Excellent. Will you send me her info?”
“As soon as we hang up. Have a safe trip, and call me if you get a chance.”
“I will, sweetheart. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
He ended the call with a smile stretching across his face. Not only had he gotten the chance to talk to his little girl, but he’d found someone who could help make sure that Mary didn’t forget about him while he was gone.
Returning to her routine after the magical weekend with Patrick was pure torture for Mary. The days dragged. Work that normally kept her fully engaged was suddenly boring and tedious. The book her book club had chosen didn’t hold her attention, and Mildred was battling a bad cold and had forbidden Mary to come over out of fear of her catching the bug. Even the needlepoint projects that were her favorite spare-time hobby didn’t interest her the way they usually did.
The only thing that raised her spirits was the euphoria of the Abbott family when they welcomed Max’s son, Caden, the day before Thanksgiving, which they spent in Burlington to be near Max and the baby. Things had been weird between Max and his girlfriend, Chloe, during the final months of her pregnancy, and everyone was on edge about what would happen next. For now, though, they were focused on the baby and Max, the youngest of the ten Abbotts, who’d given Molly and Linc their first grandchild.
Otherwise, Mary was completely out of sorts, and it was all Patrick’s fault, which she told him on Thanksgiving night when he called around eleven.
“How is it my fault?” he asked, sounding close enough to touch when he was on the other side of the world.
“Spending time with you makes the rest of my life look boring in comparison.”
“I think that’s a compliment, but I can’t be entirely sure.”
Mary laughed. “It’s a backhanded compliment.”
“See, you should’ve come with me since you’re no good to anyone there.”
“True. This is all part of your evil plan to lure me into your trap, isn’t it?”
“Is it working?”
“Maybe… But it’s a good thing I stayed home, because Linc is going to be out all next week. They’re staying in Burlington to help out with the baby, and Hunter, Ella, Will and Cam are heading to their friend’s wedding in Turks and Caicos tomorrow.”
“I talked to Cam earlier. They’re so excited for the trip.”
“They were giddy with excitement in the office this week. So I have to ask how you managed to have another gift delivered, and on a holiday, no less.”
“Which one did you get?”
“A gorgeous pale pink cashmere sweater, scarf and hat that is so soft I may never take it off.”
“I can’t wait to see it on you—and to take it off you.”
“This has to stop.”
“No, it really doesn’t.”
“Patrick…”
“Mary…”
“I told you I’m not going to forget you in the two weeks you’re gone. How could I when I can still feel…”
“Finish that sentence,” he said on a low growl. “Right now.”
“I can still feel you inside me.”
His groan echoed through the phone line. “Mary…”
“I couldn’t forget you. Stop sending me presents.”
“No.”
“Yes!”
“No.”
Mary laughed and shook her head. “I don’t need you to do that, Patrick.”
“Maybe I need to do it. It makes me happy to imagine you getting something from me every day.”
“We need a compromise. Every other day.”
“No.”
“Patrick! Do you know the definition of the word compromise?”
“Yes.”
“Are you being intentionally dense?”
“Maybe.”
“Ugh. You drive me crazy.”
“I love driving you crazy. Will you do something for me?”
“What?”
“Apply for a passport. The next time I go somewhere, I want you with me.”
“We were talking about you sending me gifts.”
“Now we’re talking about you getting a passport.”
“I can’t pick up and travel around the world. I have a job and a life and bills to pay.”
“If the stars align and you’re able to join me, having the passport would make it easier.”
“I’ll look into it.”
“Excellent.”
“See, that’s called a compromise. You need to compromise on the gift issue.”
“I like sending you gifts. It makes me happy.”
“So you said, but we both know you aren’t actually sending them.”
“That’s not true. I was personally involved in choosing everything you’ve received.”
“You were? Really?”
“Swear to God. I have someone who has given me options, and I choose what I want for you. It’s actually been fun imagining what you’ll think of the things I sent.”
“I love it all. Anyone would love cashmere and sterling silver and designer purses. But it has to stop, Patrick.”
“Tell me again why that is?”
“Because!”
“Ahh, I get it now.”
“You enjoy being intentionally obstinate, don’t you?”
“I enjoy sparring with you.”
“Will you please stop sending me gifts every day?”
“I’ll stop as soon as I get home. How’s that for a compromise?”
“That is not a compromise!”
“It is to me. I’d planned to send you something every day for the rest of our lives. So, you see, I did listen to you, and I heard what you said, and I’m doing what you asked me to.”
Mary’s mind had gone completely blank at his mention of the rest of their lives.
“Nothing to say to that?”
“I…”
His laughter rang through the phone, and she wondered if it were possible to actually die from missing someone so badly. In all her life, she’d never missed anyone as much as she currently missed him.
“No wonder you’re so successful in your business. You’re a scoundrel.”
“Why thank you, sweetheart. That’s so nice of you to say.”
“Only you would take being called a scoundrel and a tempting devil as compliments.”
“Coming from you, they’re the best compliments I’ve ever received. I miss you. You’re all I think about. I can’t concentrate in any of my meetings because I’m thinking about you and counting the days until I can see you again.”
“Patrick,” she said on a long sigh. “I miss you, too.”
“You do? Really?”
“Yes,” she said, laughing. “Really. I’m having some concentration issues of my own at work.”
His deep sigh said it all. “I wish you had a smartphone or a computer at home so we could FaceTime. I want to see your gorgeous face.”
“There’s no point to having a smartphone in Butler, and I spend enough time staring at a computer at work. I’ve never felt the need for one at home.”
“Maybe I should send you one so I can have the pleasure of seeing you.”
“Don’t you dare!”
His low chuckle made her smile. “I should let you get some sleep, and I’ve got a meeting
to get to.”
“Thanks for calling.”
“Highlight of my day. Sleep tight.”
“I’ll try.”
“You have to hang up.”
“You first.”
“Don’t want to.”
“Bye, Patrick.”
“Mary…”
“What?”
“Don’t go out with anyone else while I’m away, okay?”
She laughed—hard. “I’ll do my best to resist the multiple offers rolling in on a daily basis.”
“That’s not funny.”
“Yes, it really is. Now hang up and go to your meeting.”
“You first.”
It pained her greatly to click the Off button on her portable phone, but she did it so he wouldn’t be late to his meeting. After the phone went silent, she pulled her down comforter up around her shoulders and tried to get comfortable as thoughts of him and the things he’d said kept her wide awake.
What was happening to her and her well-ordered life at the hands of this man she couldn’t stop thinking about? If you’d asked her a couple of months ago if she knew what it felt like to be in love, she would’ve said of course she did. She’d been in love with the man she’d expected to marry after college—or so she’d thought. Patrick was showing her that she’d known nothing about love or desire or true passion until she met him.
And what was she going to do about the many emotions running around inside of her, all of them focused on a man who lived six hours from her and ran a complex life that in no way resembled hers? How would they ever make it work?
Though he hadn’t said he loved her again since last weekend, he’d been showing her every day with his thoughtful gifts, the phone calls, the words he used to tell her how much he missed her. Mary was woefully unequipped to deal with the myriad emotions he roused in her and fearful of where it all was leading. She wished she could talk to someone about it, but she was fiercely private. Cameron was the one person who could shed some insight, but she couldn’t talk to Patrick’s daughter about the weekend she’d spent with him, the things he’d said or what they’d done together in bed.
Dear God, the thought of that conversation mortified her. And besides, it was up to Patrick to decide what he told his daughter about them, not her. That left her stuck without anyone who knew him and knew her and could maybe tell her whether she was a total fool for letting this happen.
Molly. The thought popped into her head out of nowhere. Linc and Molly had known Patrick for thirty years, since the two men had gone to college together. Molly had always been a good friend to her, and Mary had no doubt that if Molly had insight to share about Patrick, she’d do so willingly.
After tossing and turning for another hour, Mary decided she was desperate enough to confide in her boss’s wife, if she got the chance.
Chapter 7
“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.”
—Oprah Winfrey
Mary got her opportunity almost a week later when she worked through lunch to make up for some of the time she’d spent staring off into space lately. She had the office to herself and was pushing through her to-do list one item at a time. Charley had asked her to input some new items into the inventory system, and Mary was taking advantage of the quiet to work on a project that required her complete focus.
Patrick was due back next week, but they hadn’t talked about when she might see him. He’d said something about coming to see her, but would he come right away, or would he wait until he had a chance to get away? The not knowing was making her crazy as his gifts continued to arrive every day without fail. Yesterday, he’d sent an obscenely sexy black lingerie set made of the softest silk Mary had ever felt. Thinking about him choosing such a thing for her had her longing for him.
Even when she thought she was concentrating on her work, thoughts of him were never far from her mind.
Footsteps on the stairs that led to the office caught her attention. She looked up to see Molly coming in and breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of her. Mary had decided earlier that if she didn’t get a chance to talk to Molly today, she would call her tonight.
“Hi there,” Molly said cheerfully as she stopped at Mary’s desk. As usual, her pretty silvery gray hair was contained in a braid that she wore down her back. In deference to the cold, she had on a coat from the store and a knit scarf around her neck.
“Hi, Molly.”
“It’s cold out there today. Here comes another winter in Vermont.” Her face lit up with gleeful pleasure. Molly loved winter in Vermont. “Linc’s not back yet?”
“No, he and Hunter were having a working lunch at the diner.”
“I can catch up to him there.”
“Any new baby pictures?” Mary asked, hoping to keep Molly there long enough to work up the nerve to talk to her about Patrick.
“Of course! What kind of granny would I be if I didn’t have pictures?” She pulled a small photo album from her purse and handed it over to Mary.
“He’s so cute,” Mary declared, “and Max’s smile…”
“I know. I told Linc last night I’ve never seen him smile the way he does when he’s looking at that baby.”
“How are things with the mom?”
“Ugh, not so good. She’s not really engaging with Max or the baby. He’s so stressed out about it all, and so are we. It’s a very difficult situation.”
Mary handed the album back to Molly. “I’m sorry that’s taking some of the joy out of Caden’s arrival.”
“We’ll figure it out. We always do.”
Before she could lose her nerve, Mary forced herself to speak. “Molly…”
“Yes?”
“Could I talk to you about something kind of private?”
“Of course.”
“Let’s go into Linc’s office.”
“Okay…”
Molly followed her into the office and closed the door behind them. “Is everything all right? You’re not ill, are you? Your face is flushed.”
“I’m not ill, and everything is all right. I… I need…” She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. “I need some advice. About Patrick.”
“Ohhhh. I see.” Molly’s face lit up with glee. “Does this mean something has happened with the two of you?”
“Um, you could say that.”
Molly unwrapped her scarf, removed her coat and took a seat. “Do tell. I want to hear every detail.”
An image of Patrick on top of her, his cock in her mouth while he tended to her, chose that moment to pop into her head, leaving her speechless from the wave of desire that overtook her. Dear God, the man was ruining her life!
“Whoa,” Molly said. “I’ve never seen you blush like that in all the years I’ve known you.”
“Because I’ve never had a reason to blush like that in all the years you’ve known me. Until now.”
Molly rubbed her hands together, her eyes dancing with delight. “I knew it! I told Linc that something was going to come of you two. I saw it at Will and Cam’s wedding, and I’ve been dying to ask you if anything had happened, but Linc told me not to ask. I think he’s petrified that you’ll quit.”
“I’m not going to quit.”
“Never say never, Mary.”
“I love it here, you know that. My whole life is here. I can’t just…”
“What? What can’t you do?”
“I can’t let a man upend my entire existence!”
“Why not?”
“Because! I love my life. I love my job and my home and my friends and this delightful little town. I can’t let a man change everything, but that’s exactly what he’s doing.”
Molly laughed her ass off. “I’ve never seen you so undone. This is the best news I’ve heard since I found out about Ella and Gavin.”
“Ella and Gavin Guthrie? Since when?”
“A while now, and they called us last night to tell us they got engaged. I’m so happy for h
er. She’s crazy about him.”
“I’ve noticed that she seems very happy lately. But Gavin…”
“I know. We feel the same way. That boy has never been the same since he lost his brother. Linc and I are keeping an eye on the situation, or as much of an eye as we can. It’s not as easy as it was when they lived in our barn. We have a good feeling about those two. If anyone can help that boy to heal once and for all, it’s Ella. But we’re not talking about Ella. We’re talking about you—and Patrick.”
“How did this happen, Molly? I was minding my own business when he came into the office with Cameron, and my whole world turned upside down. How does that just happen?”
Smiling, Molly said, “The same way it happened to me the day I met Linc and felt like I’d been struck by lightning. It’s the best feeling ever, isn’t it?”
“I guess…”
“You guess?” She raised a brow. “What does that mean?”
“It is the best feeling. Don’t get me wrong. It’s just that he’s him, and I’m me, and… I lack the imagination to picture what could happen with him. And he’s so…”
“Charming? Magnetic? Sexy?”
Mary stared at her. “Yes, all those things.”
“Just because I’m crazy about my husband doesn’t mean I can’t see those qualities in another man. I’ve always thought Patrick was incredibly handsome, and in the years since he lost his Ali, I’ve so hoped that he would find someone special. I love the idea of the two of you together. He couldn’t have found anyone better than you.”
“You’re very sweet to say so, but what can possibly come of it? I’ve never even been to New York where he lives, and he’s been everywhere. He’s in the Orient right now on business. Imagine having business in the Orient!”
“Have you heard from him since he’s been there?”
“Every day. And he’s sent presents. Lots of them.” Mary gestured to the pink cashmere sweater that she’d worn to work.
“That is gorgeous.”
She pulled back her sleeve to show Molly the elaborate sterling silver bracelet he’d sent two days ago.
“He’s wooing you.”
“He’s driving me crazy!”
Molly laughed. “So I see.”
“Let me ask you something…”
“Anything you want.”