Worth It All

by Claudia Connor

  Paige was right. He’d run from the idea of a child. At nineteen, he hadn’t actually pictured a little girl or boy who would cry on his shoulder, hold his hand, and look to him for courage and comfort.

  He’d always wondered if he would have stepped up and what kind of father he would have been. He still wasn’t at all sure he would have been a good one. But holding Casey here in this park with the scents and sounds of a summer coming to an end, an enormous weight lifted off his soul. He loved Casey and Paige more than himself. He wanted to give them everything, wanted to do what was best for them. And he always would.

  Chapter 28

  By the next morning, Paige felt like a new person. Still a little sore, but it was a wonder what Tylenol and twelve hours of sleep could do. Not to mention the man in the car beside her. They’d been on the road to Jake’s surprise almost thirty minutes. All she’d been told was to pack bathing suits, a change of clothes, and a toothbrush. When she’d tried to protest, she’d been silenced with a kiss.

  Paige looked back at Casey, who was content to stare at the new sights out the window. She’d run out of questions five minutes ago.

  “So, where are we going?”

  Jake glanced over at her. “Somewhere I bet you’ve never been.”

  “Well, that’s not hard. I can count on one hand the places I’ve been since I moved here.”

  “I think you’ll like it.” He took her hand across the console. “Trust me.”

  “I do.” She trusted him more than she’d ever trusted any man in her life. Maybe more than she trusted anyone. And she pushed all her doubts and fears into the background.

  With Jake in charge, she relaxed, even let herself be filled with a giddy excitement for the adventure. Not the scary kind with life-altering unknowns at the end. This one could only end well because she was with Jake. The ocean came in and out of view as they traveled up the great highway.

  “You’re not being nearly annoying enough,” Jake said with a grin. “I haven’t heard a single ‘Are we there yet?’ ”

  “I can’t believe you remembered that. I can try harder if you want.” Paige smiled at him, so hot and in charge behind the wheel. In charge of her day, and other deeper things that were too scary to admit.

  A new song came on his satellite classic station and he turned it up. “Ahh. I did a lot of laps around the skating rink to this song.”

  “Skating rink?”

  “Sure. What?”

  She stared over at him, six four, roped with muscle, all man. “Just trying to picture you there.”

  “I was an excellent skater. Push-cart races, shoot the duck, Pac Man. You didn’t skate?”

  “No. And I should have known it was the competition.”

  “And that’s where the girls were,” he added with a wink.

  “I want to skate,” Casey said, pulling her attention from the window.

  Jake smiled into the rearview mirror. “Sure thing, Little Bit.”

  And there he went again with his yeses. Quick and easy. Her first instinct was always maybe or we’ll see, working out in her mind how far away it was, when she’d have the time off, and how much it would cost. Besides the questions of how it would lace up around her prosthesis. But not Jake. He just said yes.

  Jake sent her a thoughtful look. “What?”

  “You’re good with her,” she said softly, thinking it was more than that, that maybe it could be more than that.

  A classic Elton John duet came on the radio and she turned up the volume.

  They both knew the words and Jake surprised her with his dramatic facial expressions as he sang his part. She sang hers too, through her laughter, and Casey caught on quickly to the “Don’t go breaking my heart” part of the chorus. Soon they were an overly loud trio, butchering the lyrics of a classic.

  “Sing it, Jake!” Casey yelled from the back like she was running a party.

  They didn’t speak for a while after that, didn’t need to. More classics came on the radio and they sang along or just listened. And with her hand in his, they sped along Highway One, windows down, hair blowing, and the smell of the sea in the air.

  An hour later, Jake parked in an open area at the top of a steep ravine. She’d seen the ocean, stretching blue and endless from the car, but now she could feel it. The enormity and movement of it pulled her gaze left and right as the power of it pounded in her chest. The white foam contrasted with the vivid blue where it crashed against half-submerged boulders. “It’s beautiful.”

  Jake wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Something on your to-do list.”

  Casey stood in front of her, for once speechless. Paige’s heart expanded as she imagined the picture they made and then even more when Jake pressed his lips to the top of her head.

  “Come on. It gets better.”

  The trail down was narrow and barely visible through the thick vegetation. Jake carefully picked his way down the steep path made uneven with rocks and small plants and shrubs. But even with his prosthesis, he was more sure-footed than she was in thin-soled sandals. He carried the backpack with food on his back and a blanket under one arm.

  She also had a blanket under her arm. Might be more useful tied under her butt. She considered taking her sandals off, but the ground was covered in prickly-looking things. Casey walked a few steps in front of her. “Do you want me to carry you, Case?”

  “No. I can do it.”

  Of course she could. If Jake could do it, she could do it.

  He held his hand out to steady her. “Almost there.”

  “You’ve been here before?”

  “A few times.”

  She was hit with a sudden pang of jealousy and it must have shown.

  “Always by myself,” he said, and her possessive heart warmed.

  The trail was even thicker the last few steps, but then her feet reached the sand and she froze. The crashing waves were louder here at the bottom and the cool mist blew strongly on the wind.

  Jake took a towel out of the bag and changed into a new prosthesis he’d already explained was designed specifically for water. Casey didn’t have one of these yet, but he assured her it was okay to wear the one she did have into the ocean. Within minutes the three of them ran into the frothy tide, one on either side of Casey, holding her hands.

  —

  JT smiled, listening to the girls laugh and squeal as they ran in and out of the chilly surf. But then everything about Paige and Casey made him smile. He didn’t remember seeing the ocean for the first time, but he’d always remember this. The joy on their faces, their eyes light with excitement.

  The water was too cold for them to swim. Water temperature in the mid-sixties was a long way from the low eighties of Virginia Beach where he’d spent his summer days as a child. They gathered sticks and other items washed onshore and went to work on a sand castle. When Casey flicked sand in her eyes, he went back to the bag for a towel.

  As he walked toward them, Paige glanced over her shoulder at him, just a simple turn of her head, and time stopped. It was a swift, hard punch to his chest, realizing how much he loved her. Both of them. They filled a hole in him that he’d made himself, or maybe he’d always had it. But he felt fixed, healed, a better version of himself than he’d ever been.

  She gave him a curious look, then left her sand castle and came to him. Her arms circled his waist and she looked up at him, her chin on his chest. “What is it?”

  “Nothing. Having fun?”

  “So much fun.” She smiled. “I think Casey might take a nap, and then I could have even more fun.” She waggled her eyebrows suggestively, or tried to, and he laughed.

  “I’m all for more fun.”

  They finished their castle, a haphazard structure that ended up covered in dirt and rocks. After a quick dip to rinse off the sand, he coaxed Casey into lying down on her quilt. Now that she’d finally stopped moving, there was a lot of yawning going on. He pointed out the moon, faint in the late-afternoon sky, and told her
a constellation story, guessing at the facts and completely making up the rest. She was asleep in minutes.

  “Hey,” Paige called softly. “You asleep over there?”

  He rolled to face her where she lay a few feet away on the other quilt. “Nope.” He stood, pulled Casey’s quilt into the shade, then made his way to Paige.

  She smiled up at him, looking all sun-kissed and tousled and beautiful. Her blond hair was messy and tangled from the wind. Her cheeks had a glow he’d never seen before, and her eyes were clearer. He wanted to keep her here always. “You need me to help you fall asleep too?” he asked, lying down beside her.

  “No. But I could use your attention.” Her teasing, seductive tone reminded him of the night he had planned. He’d only had three nights with her so far. None of them long enough.

  He lay down, took off his prosthesis, and faced her. The wind played in the foliage on the mountain behind them while the surf crashed rhythmically at their feet. His gaze fell to the curve of her breast, almost covered by her bathing suit top, but not quite. He slid his hands slowly up and over her hip, carefully caressing the bruise there. “How do you feel?”

  “Mmm. Perfect,” she muttered. “I love the ocean.”

  “I knew you would.” And he was glad he’d been the one to bring her, to give them both this day. He wanted to give them everything.

  “How could anyone not love it?” Her eyes fell slowly closed. “How could anyone stay awake near it?” Stopping just below her bathing suit top, he repeated the motion.

  “Oh really? Having a hard time, are you?” He let his hand travel all the way this time, and her laugh was cut off when he brushed his thumb over her nipple. Moving to her shoulder, he slipped a finger under the strap, slid it down, and followed with his lips.

  “You just close your eyes then. Take a little nap.” He shot a quick glance over to Casey to make sure there were no little eyes on him. Paige looked over too, and they shared a smile at her sleeping face, mouth open with little puffs of breath. Yeah, she was definitely asleep and he wasted no time pressing a slow, tender kiss to Paige’s mouth.

  “I love your eyes, your lips. I can’t even think when I’m near these lips.” He nibbled at the edges and let his hand slide down to cup her breast.

  With his body blocking Casey’s view, he sucked on her nipple through her suit. He played with her slowly, paying attention to her breathing and what she liked. He’d store that information away for later. “Are you asleep yet?”

  “Not quite.” They lay like that for a long time after, her head on his chest, the sound of the waves in the background. He ran his fingers through her hair, letting his hand drift around until it cupped the back of her head.

  She rose up to look at him. “Thanks for bringing me here.”

  “You’re welcome.” He brushed a piece of hair back from her face. She didn’t have any makeup on, but she didn’t need any. He’d never get tired of lying beside her, looking at her face. “So beautiful.”

  She dipped her chin, embarrassed by his words. It only made him want to tell her more often.

  “Are you trying to make me believe in rainbows and fairy tales?”

  “Maybe.” He flipped their positions. “Or maybe I’m a troll.”

  She cupped his face in her hands and lifted her head to kiss him. “You don’t look like a troll, and for a big tough guy, you’re pretty romantic.”

  “Nah. It’s you.” He stared down at her, losing himself in her blue eyes and not minding one bit. “No one else has ever made me want to lie on a beach and have a picnic or sing in the car.” Or smile and laugh and jump over waves. Or be a father and a husband.

  “Me either,” she whispered and pulled him down for another long kiss.

  “Ready to pack it up?”

  “No, but I guess it’s time.”

  He pressed a last kiss to her lips and sat up. “Don’t sound so disappointed. The best part of this show is still to come.” They were going to drive a little ways farther and stay at a B and B. A suite with their own room.

  Chapter 29

  Paige heard Jake getting out of the shower, and while Casey sang in the second bathroom’s bathtub, she slipped into his. A towel hung low on his hips and drops of water clung to his fine, dark hair that covered his muscled chest and abs. His hair was slightly damp, his face fresh-shaven.

  She’d seen him naked before, kissed and touched every inch of his body, but damn.

  His eyes caught hers in the mirror and he sent her a wicked grin. “Can I help you with something?”

  Busted. “Later,” she muttered, slipping back into her own room.

  But not before she heard his deep voice say, “Definitely.”

  Ready well before her, he took Casey down to the lobby while she took a little extra time. She fixed her hair that she’d never thought much of before feeling Jake run his fingers through it. She outlined her eyes that Jake told her a hundred times were beautiful and added scented lotion she thought he’d like. Last was a swipe of the cherry lip gloss Jenny had insisted she bring.

  She smiled at herself in the mirror, thinking how much Jake was going to like the lip gloss.

  They drove to a nearby restaurant facing the water as the setting sun threw its last light across a water-colored sky. The room was full of families and couples talking softly, interrupted by intermittent bursts of laughter. Their table was no different.

  She and Jake shared one side of the booth. Casey, all grown up with her Shirley Temple, sat on the other. Jake colored on Casey’s children’s menu, conveniently losing all the games.

  They ate fresh salads and warm bread, then creamy lobster bisque and crab claws. Casey declined on the claws. She also wasn’t too excited about the vegetable portion of her meal.

  “Eat five green beans if you want dessert.”

  “Five?” Casey carefully counted out the smallest ones and pushed the rest to the side.

  “Oh, wow. Paige, look at that.”

  Paige turned toward the window, expecting a boat or an exciting animal. She didn’t see anything, and when she looked back, he and Casey were smiling.

  Her gaze dropped to Casey’s plate, now with suspiciously less green beans. “Did you just eat her vegetables?”

  Jake and Casey sat in allied silence.

  “Jake.”

  “You know what I think about your serious Mommy voice,” Jake said, his own voice low and full of innuendo.

  “That you’re about to get in trouble?” Casey offered.

  Jake sent Paige a hot look. “Yes, I’m in trouble and—”

  “Fine.” Paige cut him off, distracted by his mischievous grin that had her insides quivering. “No dessert for either of you.”

  “What!” They both protested in unison.

  Casey made it halfway through the dessert that came with her children’s meal before falling asleep with her head on the table. Jake slipped out and gently laid her on the bench, then came back, scooting in closer than he’d been before.

  They took their time eating, sharing food off each other’s plates, talking about everything from books to movies to music. She’d remember this day always. The beach, the luxurious room, which Jake said was for her first real vacation. And mostly him.

  “I have good news,” Paige said when they got a second drink.

  Jake laid his fork down and gave her his full attention. “Really? Let’s hear it.”

  “I got an A in my class.”

  “That’s awesome.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m proud of you, but I had no doubt.”

  “Thank you.” She was proud of herself and it felt good. It felt good to share it with Jake. “And, I’m enrolled in three more classes for the fall.”

  “Mmm. Sexy. Are you a naughty college girl?”

  Paige laughed and slipped a bite of her chocolate cake between his lips. “I’ve been talking to Hannah, and she’s really got me thinking about physical therapy. I don’t know how I could manage it, but…I think I finally know what I
really want to do.” She picked at the cake on her plate. “It took me awhile to get here, but it’s a start.”

  “Don’t. Don’t do that. Don’t minimize it.” He covered her hand with his own. “It’s more than a start. You’ve done everything you needed to do in just the right order it needed to be done.”

  She looked away, but smiled, feeling warm inside and enormously happy because of the man beside her. It meant more than she could ever explain or maybe even understand that Jake cared about what she wanted, that he understood what she needed.

  She pressed a quick kiss to his lips because his face was right there and because she couldn’t resist. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

  “I’ve been wanting to take you out on a date. I hope to do it again.”

  “I’d like that, but I meant all of it. The dinner, the trip, the beach, everything.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  The waitress came over to refill their tea and paused with a smile. Paige understood the touch of wistfulness in her eyes. It was the same way she felt when she looked at couples in love.

  Or couples who looked in love. Is that what they were? Her stomach dipped, knowing she was falling. Had fallen. She didn’t know when or exactly how she’d come to believe that the fairy tale actually existed, that she could possibly have it, but with Jake she absolutely did.

  When they’d finished and paid, Jake carried a sleeping Casey out of the restaurant. The girl at the hostess stand smiled as they passed. “Your little girl is such a sweetie. Letting her parents have some alone time.”

  Jake didn’t correct her and neither did she as they walked out into the perfect night that still wasn’t over.

  Of course Casey was wide awake by the time they got back to the bed-and-breakfast. She and Jake did the bedtime routine together, both of them anxious and trying not to rush. Casey asked for one more story, one more song, a glass of water. Then she needed a different shirt because hers was scratchy and on and on until Paige was giggling uncontrollably at the pained look on Jake’s face.

  She found it even funnier to brush her breasts against his chest every time they passed each other in the small sitting area between the two bedrooms. Just a suggestive wiggle of her eyebrows made him groan.