Wounded Love (A Rocky Harbor Novel Book 3)

by Marianne Rice

  “You’re not my keeper.” Ellie cringed. Since when did she turn into an ungrateful…bitch? “Sorry.”

  “Have I done something wrong? You’re sending off more mixed signals than a drunk air traffic controller.”

  She’d love to blame it on PMS, the weather, CJ’s upcoming surgery. Only it had nothing to do with that and everything to do with her conflicting feelings for Colton.

  No. There were no conflicting feelings. She knew what she felt. She was head-over-heels in love with him. And he was taking her son away from her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Colton

  Today was going to be hell. Worse than his upcoming kidney transplant. The doctors had called him in to their office last week to confirm the match. His and CJ’s transplant was scheduled for the first week in December.

  Recovery would be a piece of cake compared to his last stint in the hospital. And easier than Thanksgiving with his family. Not only had he not been home for the holidays since his father’s death six years ago, he’d also never brought a woman with him.

  Or a son.

  His mother had been waiting impatiently for the past three weeks to meet her grandson. And all the family would be there. Even Blake. Business was typically slow or nonexistent for him during the holidays and, from what Colton had heard, he’d crash at the house and keep his mom company between Thanksgiving and Christmas before jetting off across the country to build the next great obstacle course for diehard athletes to challenge themselves.

  With his siblings and their husbands and fiancé, there were plenty of non-relatives to keep his brothers in line. And with CJ there as a distraction, he’d be able to—hopefully—avoid too much shit from them.

  CJ would be fine. He already knew Rachael, Jack, Graham, and Maggie. It was Ellie he worried about. Hopefully the women would keep her entertained and away from Lucy and Blake’s taunting.

  Dressed in khakis and a button down, Colton knocked on the front door to the Inn. He knew it was unlocked and open to the public, but it felt wrong walking into Ellie’s house today without being invited in.

  Today he was picking her and CJ up for a formal yet casual dinner at his mother’s house. Etiquette had been pretty much the only thing ingrained into his thick head.

  CJ answered the door dressed in almost matching attire, except his shirt was black and he wore a crooked clip-on red tie, where Colton wore a dark blue shirt and tie.

  “You have a fancy shirt just like me.”

  “You look good, kid.”

  “I put my tie on all by myself.”

  Colton chuckled. “Nice job. Can I come in?”

  “Aren’t we leaving?”

  “In a minute. Is your mom ready?”

  “She’s putting makeup on her face.”

  “Better than on her feet.”

  CJ stared at him for a moment before getting his joke. “That would be funny.”

  “Think she’d still have to wear shoes?”

  “You could carry her to the car.”

  Colton thought about that. The weight of her butt resting on his arms, her arms wrapped around his shoulders, her breath tantalizing his neck. Yeah. He could do that.

  “What are you two doing standing in the doorway? You’re letting all the cold air in.”

  So lost in his fantasy he’d completely forgotten his manners. Colton stepped into the entryway and closed the door behind him. Looking up, he nearly lost his balance. Ellie wore a simple black dress. Her sleeves were long but lacey so he could see her skin underneath. The neckline was scooped yet modest, not revealing the cleavage he wanted to see. The bottom of the dress rested at her knees, showing off legs he hadn’t had the pleasure of seeing in over a month.

  How he missed those legs wrapped around his legs, his waist, his shoulders. Those lightly painted lips on his. Remembering his company, he hid behind CJ so she wouldn’t notice his arousal.

  “You look beautiful.” She wore her dark hair down and it flowed past her shoulders to the middle of her back. Yeah, he missed seeing her hair down and splayed across her pillow as well.

  “Am I overdressed? Underdressed? I don’t have anything really nice to wear. Black is the most versatile and this is the only dress I have.”

  “You’re perfect.” In more ways than one. He was going to have a hell of a time not making a fool of himself. His brothers would be on to him and his uncontrollable lust in a heartbeat.

  “I know you said not to bring anything, but I can’t go empty handed. I have some wine from a local vineyard. I served it this summer and my guests loved it. It’s more summery than fallish. Is that okay? Or should I leave it here? I also packed some snacks for CJ. He shouldn’t have too much sodium. We talked about it last night and he understands—”

  “Mom. I’m not a baby.”

  “I know, sweetie. We just need to be careful what you eat so you don’t get sick again before your surgery.”

  They talked to him yesterday about the kidney transplant. Reality hadn’t set in yet. He teared up when he learned he’d have to go back in the hospital, but hearing Colton would be there too, wearing an ugly johnny and giving him a kidney, helped eased his fears. A little.

  “I’m on the same diet too, remember? I eat what you eat.” Colton didn’t have to be as strict as CJ’s diet, but he’d do anything for the kid. Even if it meant skipping out on his mother’s mountain of mashed potatoes and gravy. He rubbed CJ’s hair and picked up the bag sitting by Ellie’s feet. “Anything else?”

  “I guess not.”

  They rode in silence. When they reached his mother’s house he expected everyone to bound down the stairs and accost them with hugs, overwhelming both Ellie and CJ.

  Only no one appeared. CJ opened his door first and Sadie leaped over him and ran across the field, as comfortable at the farmhouse as any Riley. His mom greeted them at the door.

  “Come on in.” She hugged Colton tighter than usual, her body leaning into his, holding on to him for comfort. He swore he heard her sniff before she lifted her head to kiss his cheek. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  “I had dinner here four days ago.” He heard the stillness as soon as he entered, knowing his siblings lurked around the corner, listening to the exchange.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Mom, this is my friend, Ellie. Ellie, my mom, Doreen.”

  “I’ve heard so much about you.” Doreen enveloped Ellie in a quick hug and squeezed her hands before pulling away.

  “Really?” Ellie gave Colton a skeptical look.

  He hadn’t said much about Ellie to his mother. Or to anyone. Only Luke and Graham knew the story—sort of—and they weren’t the kiss and tell kind of guys.

  “Rachael.” Colton said her name with a curse.

  “My son isn’t a man of many words, so yes, Rachael has been my source. Not that I’m a prying mother, mind you. She’s told me about the work you’ve put into the Rocky Harbor Inn. I’ve been meaning to stop over but didn’t want to appear like I was snooping.”

  “You’re welcome any time, Mrs. Riley.”

  “It’s Doreen.” His mother shifted her attention to CJ, who had been hugging Ellie’s legs during the exchange. “And I’ve heard a great deal about this fine looking young man as well.”

  “CJ.” Colton placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. “This is my mother, which makes her your grandmother.” He hadn’t asked his mom what she wanted to be called.

  “It’s so wonderful to meet you, CJ. Can I give you a hug? I’m a very huggy type of person.”

  CJ nodded. “So is my mom.”

  Doreen drew the boy in for a hug and lowered her head to her chest, breathing in the scent of his hair. He remembered her doing that to him when he was younger and fresh from a shower. And even now, as an adult.

  She pulled back, keeping one arm around CJ’s shoulder and walking him toward the back of the house where Colton’s siblings hid. “Since you’re my first grandchild you get the honor of figuring out w
hat my future grandkids will call me. The baby in Maggie’s belly will be your cousin.”

  “How about Mèmè?” Graham asked, his arm resting around Maggie’s shoulder.

  “That makes her sound like she’s a hundred. Grams is cool,” Lucy offered. “Hey kid. I’m your aunt Lucy. I’m the coolest of the bunch.” She held up her knuckles and showed CJ how to do a fist pump. “Ellie. I haven’t seen you in a while. Colton’s been keeping you to himself.” Lucy smirked at Colton’s growl.

  “How about Grandma Riley?” Luke suggested. “Nice to see you both again. This is my wife, Sage.” Sage waved.

  “Grammy Do sounds epic.” Blake swiped his finger through whatever Rachael was mixing and laughed as she swatted him away. He kissed Ellie on the cheek, grinning when Colton tensed. “You’re more beautiful than Colton gave you credit for.”

  “Blake,” Colton warned. He hadn’t seen his brother since he visited him in the VA hospital nine months ago and he sure as hell had never mentioned Ellie.

  “I can see why my brother has been keeping you secret,” Blake whispered so only Ellie and Colton could hear him.

  Her cheeks burned red. Colton would enjoy kicking his brother’s ass tomorrow.

  “And you’re my new favorite nephew, Colton James, right?” CJ nodded. “I’m your dad’s brother. Lucy might be the coolest aunt, no offense, ladies,” he said over his shoulder. “But she pales in comparison to me. I’m the one you want to hang out with. Your old man is a bore. I’ll help you get in with the ladies.” Blake tapped CJ’s cheek with his knuckles.

  Another reason to kick Blake’s ass even harder than he’d planned. While they’d told CJ Colton was his father, they avoided referring to him as dad, letting CJ take the lead on that one.

  “Did you help him get in with the ladies too?” CJ asked and the room erupted with laughter.

  Colton was the only one not laughing. Rachael ignored her cooking to come to his rescue. “Be a good sport.” She chuckled in his ear. Jake came up behind him and slapped him on the back.

  “Good to see the attention is off me now. Appreciate it, bro,” Jake teased.

  “Where are our manners? Here you are standing in the kitchen, your coats still on. Blake. Be a good host.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He reached out to undo the button on Ellie’s coat and Colton quickly slapped his hand away.

  “She can take her own coat off, asswipe.”

  Blake, enjoying the spectacle Colton was making of himself too much, crouched to help CJ with his zipper. “Nice duds, man. Looking sharp.”

  All the men wore a tie with the exception of Jake. Rachael probably had to fight long and hard to get him to wear something other than jeans and a sweatshirt. His new brother-in-law cleaned up all right in a black button down and dark jeans. Doreen would work her magic on him eventually.

  “I brought wine,” Ellie offered.

  “Oh, thank you. You didn’t need to, though.”

  “Oh, yes she did. Let’s open that baby up.” Lucy took the bag from Colton while Blake hung up their coats.

  It should have been chaos with thirteen adults and one kid crammed into the house, but they teased and laughed as everyone put in a helping hand setting the table and placing the food on the kitchen table, buffet style.

  Colton studied the familiar spread of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and green beans and noticed many of his favorites were missing. No mashed potatoes or sweet potato pie on Thanksgiving? A beautiful fruit salad and vegetable platter sat in their places. The table in the corner that held their desserts was different too. No pumpkin, chocolate cream or banana cream pies. There were three apple pies and a berry-looking thing instead. No one said anything at the absence of the staple dishes as they formed a line heaping their plates with food.

  Remaining until the end as always, Colton pulled Rachael aside since she had a huge hand in making the dinner. “What’s going on?”

  “Uh, it’s dinner time?”

  “That’s not what I mean. Where’s the other stuff?”

  “Be thankful for what you have, Colton. Don’t complain about what you don’t have.”

  “That’s not what I mean and you know it.”

  “I adapted our usual dishes and eliminated the ones that are on the no-no list.”

  “What list?”

  “CJ’s. And yours. We didn’t think it was fair to indulge in potatoes and creamy pies when you and CJ were on a strict diet. Protein, low salt, and lots of veggies.”

  Colton looked away from his sister and stared up at the ceiling, touched beyond comprehendible words at his family’s gesture.

  Unable to speak his gratitude of their thoughtfulness, he yanked Rachael into a hard hug and placed a quick kiss on her head before shoving her away, not wanting the emotional moment to turn him into a pansy ass.

  Ellie picked up a plate for CJ and Colton whispered in her ear what Rachael had done, that all the food on the table was cooked so CJ could eat it. She clutched at her heart and Colton had to look away before he did something stupid.

  Like kiss her.

  When they were all seated Doreen said a prayer of thanks, mentioning every person at the table. Colton saw CJ’s face light up when she mentioned his name. The first few minutes of the meal were filled with moans and words of appreciation. It was all good, but different. The gravy was well-seasoned and undersalted, as were the vegetables. His mother and Rachael were amazing cooks and doctored the low sodium versions of the holiday favorites really well. He doubted Ellie and CJ noticed any difference.

  His appetite was still small, but Colton was impressed with the food CJ had selected from the buffet table.

  “This is amazing,” Ellie said in between bites. “I’ll never buy a microwave turkey dinner again.”

  “You did not just say that.” Blake nearly choked on his wine. “And you and Rachael are friends?”

  “I’ve been working on her all fall. I’ll have her preparing a home-cooked meal for Colton and CJ in no time.”

  Colton winced. His family would push her away before he had the time to figure out what was happening between them.

  His brothers came to his rescue by steering the conversation back to CJ, each trying to one up the others with the favorite uncle bribe.

  “After we do the dishes, because it’s tradition that the Riley men do the dishes and since you’re a Riley man, you’re stuck with us,” Graham said to CJ. “You’ll need to complete the Riley initiation process.”

  “Tonight?”

  “Easy, Dad,” Blake chimed in, egging him on some more. “Tomorrow.”

  “What’s the in-ishng process?”

  “Initiation,” Ellie corrected. “And I’m curious about this myself.”

  “Every Riley man needs to learn how to take care of his womenfolk.”

  “You sound more and more like your father every day,” Doreen said to Blake.

  “Thanks, Ma. Anyway, we’re taught to clean up their messes.” Rachael and Lucy, who sat on either side of him, each gave him a smack on the arm. “I mean, do the dishes when they’ve been so kind as to labor away in the kitchen.”

  “And you must learn to do your own laundry,” Luke added.

  “I was going to leave that one out.” Blake rolled his eyes. “Anyway, the fun stuff. If you live in Maine you gotta know how to fish, hunt, snowmobile, and ride an ATV.”

  “You’re not doing all of that tomorrow.” Ellie’s big blue eyes pleaded with Colton.

  “Blake has no sense of responsibility or how to be a normal human being. One thing at a time, okay? Let’s start with a four-wheeler ride. Have you ever been on one?” Colton asked CJ.

  “Stevie’s dad has one and they go in big mud puddles all the time.”

  “You like to get dirty?” Blake asked, a gleam in his eye. Blake had always been the adventurer in the family. So had Colton. The Marines cured that.

  “Yeah!”

  “Boys. We got an initiation to do tomorrow.”

  The
married brothers looked sheepishly at their wives, who grinned in approval. “Women, we’ve got a day to ourselves tomorrow. What do you say, Ellie. Shop or spa?” Rachael held up her glass to the other women at the table.

  Yeah, Ellie and CJ would fit right in to his crazy family.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Ellie

  The weekend reservations filled up again with vacationers coming to Maine to visit family and do some holiday shopping at the outlets. The crowd was nothing compared to the inns and resorts by the ski lodges, though. Comforted that Rachael would be around to see to the guests, Ellie made final preparations before CJ’s kidney transplant.

  Including making the dreadful call to her parents. She’d been spending more time with the Riley women—by adoption and by marriage—who encouraged her to call the Fairfields. The last thing she needed was their judgment. Afraid they’d blame CJ’s kidney failure on Ellie’s stubbornness or her pride, she’d avoided contact with them until recently.

  Thomas hung out the olive branch first. She’d always been Daddy’s girl and the disappointment in his eyes when she announced her pregnancy at the dinner table all those years ago came rushing back again. He’d raised her better than that.

  While Ginnie may have never sat down and had the sex talk with her, she’d sent Theresa to do it enough times. Especially the summer she started hanging out with Colton. And they’d been careful. For the most part. Just not careful enough.

  The following months had been hell. Not only had she lost Colton, she’d lost her family as well. Her father had distanced himself and Ginnie rarely let Ellie out of the house, as if embarrassed at her daughter’s growing belly. If the tabloids got a hold of the news, Thomas Fairfield’s shot at the White House would be over. Though a devout Republican with a firm stance against abortion, he couldn’t support his daughter’s decision to keep the baby.

  Her parents had tracked her down after she gave birth, most likely to make sure she kept quiet. Ellie didn’t know because she refused to see them. Refused to let them take her baby away. For the most part they left her alone. And penniless. They hadn’t exactly closed her account, but she had limited access to her trust fund until she was thirty. Not that she cared too much; she’d keep the money for CJ’s education. She still had three years to go, if it even existed anymore.