Love on the Boardwalk: A Cinnamon Bay Romance - Book One

by Barrett, Nikki Lynn

  BY THE TIME Mac parked his car in his grandfather’s driveway, the sun was slipping lower on the horizon.

  “Do you mind if we eat a little later? There’s something I want to show you in the shed before it gets dark. I’m not sure it’s wired for electricity. It’s something I’d like to check on one day.”

  “Absolutely. Let’s go.”

  Before Eva could hop out of the truck, Mac raced around the front and opened her door. She placed her hand with the bandaged finger in his, and the current that shot through him was instantaneous, bold and hot.

  There might not be any electricity in the old shed, but Mac was sure the current running between him and Eva could light up all Cinnamon Bay.

  With a small tug, he had her body pressed against him. Every exquisite curve of her fit him to perfection, and Mac couldn’t resist lowering his head and claiming her lips.

  He could no longer hear the crashing waves of the ocean, the chirping of insects or the rustle of leaves over the hammering of his heart. Whenever he had her in his arms, everything seemed to stop, and all he could do was consume her.

  Her crisp floral scent, the sweet, fruitful taste of her mouth—strawberries and cream—and the soft, womanly body nestled up to him. He knew any second someone could come by and see them, but he couldn’t stop himself. Maybe Eva would come to her senses and put a halt to the scorching kiss. Instead, she looped her arms around his neck, angled her head and bit his lower lip.

  Desire came crashing down on him like a torrential storm, and Mac was about three seconds from taking her there in his truck for the world to see. Damn the consequences.

  But the sound of a car approaching had him pulling back because even though he wanted Eva more than taking his next breath, he swore he’d never put her in a position to be gossiped about. And yet here he was making out with her in the front yard of his grandfather’s house.

  Stormy gray eyes peered up at him in confusion. “Why’d you stop?”

  With one arm still banded around her waist, Mac used his free hand to twirl a section of her silky hair around his finger. “Because we were making out like a couple of horny teenagers in the front yard for all of Cinnamon Bay to see.”

  Her eyes widened as she placed both hands on his chest and shoved him back. “My God, Mac. I can’t think straight around you,” she grumbled as she stomped off toward the back of the house where the shed was located.

  Deciding he had better follow, Mac shut the truck door and jogged to catch up with her. “Hey, no one saw us, okay?”

  “Yeah, but they could have. You’re absolutely right,” she scoffed. “Horny teenagers, indeed.”

  “Would it really be so bad if people knew we were seeing each other?” he questioned in a tiny voice.

  “I don’t think what we are doing is called dating.”

  “It could be.” If you wanted.

  Eva stopped walking and turned to face him. “No, it can’t. You’re going back to Maine, and I’m staying here.”

  “But,” he started to argue, but she’d already turned back around and was walking away.

  “Not up for discussion, Mac.” Keep it light, keep it breezy. She had no other choice. “Now show me what you found in the shed.”

  “Fine.”

  Again, Mac caught up with Eva and opened the shed door to look for a light switch. Luckily there was one, and when he flipped it, the shed lit up bright enough to showcase the sailboat that his father had built.

  “Wow,” Eva exclaimed as she ran her hand along the side of the boat like a gentle caress. “It’s beautiful. Was it your grandfather’s?”

  Something that felt a lot like pride had his heart swelling at her words. He couldn’t explain why; it wasn’t his craftmanship Eva admired. But something about her appreciating his birth father’s work warmed him.

  He went over to the workbench and picked up the binder he’d found earlier then handed it to Eva. “It was my birth father’s. Here, look at this.”

  Elegant, pink-tipped fingers traced the lettering of the name “Royce Parker” on the front of the leather binder before opening it. Mac watched her forehead scrunch as she looked at the hand drawn blueprints of a boat. He knew the moment she realized what she was seeing when her expression turned to one of amazement and awe. Her head moving back and forth between the boat and the blueprints.

  “Oh my gosh. Your dad really built this boat!”

  “I know. But as amazing as this is, the freaky part is I build boats too, as a hobby. I’ve never done a sailboat, but I have built a few kayaks and canoes.”

  “You have a connection to your birth father even though you don’t remember him…never met him,” she murmured. “That’s not amazing. It’s mind-blowing.” Eva continued walking around the boat, examining every detail, only stopping when she came to the back. “Uh, Mac? Did you see the name of the boat?”

  One corner of his mouth lifted as he shook his head. “When I realized my birth father and I shared the same love of building water vessels, the guilt hit me, and I had to get out of here.”

  “Guilt? Why?”

  Mac tossed the binder Eva had handed back to him onto the workbench to avoid having to look her in the eye. “I have no hobbies in common with my dad. My real dad, David. He raised me, loved me, and has become one of my best friends, yet I repay him by having a connection to my birth father instead?”

  A soft hand landed on his back, and the warmth gave him the comfort he needed. “You and Royce having something in common doesn’t take away the love you have for your dad. That’s a bond that can never be broken. But this, the boat, the same hobby, is incredible. Enjoy it. Embrace it. Have fun with the fact you found something both you and Royce loved.”

  The emptiness that came rushing over him when Eva removed her hand had Mac glancing over his shoulder. There she stood with her arm extended, asking him to take her hand in his. “Come on. You need to see the back of this boat.”

  Something in the pit of his stomach sat like a rock. He didn’t know if it was anticipation or nervousness. Maybe a little of both. But what he saw, was not what he’d expected. Across the back of the boat were the words.

  “Amber’s Dream.”

  His father had named the boat after his mother. A mother he knew nothing about, except she’d died of an overdose a few months after he’d been born.

  The pressure of Eva squeezing his hand calmed him. It was like she could read his mind, instinctively knowing what he was feeling. He didn’t think he could process any of this information without her by his side. She’d become so important to him in such a short amount of time, he wasn’t sure if he could leave her when the time came.

  But staying here would be a slap in the face to his parents. How could he ever explain to them he was choosing to live where his birth family was and not near his family he loved beyond words? The family who raised him, nurtured him, taught him and helped him become the person he was today.

  Without thought, Mac pulled Eva into his arms as he stood and stared at the boat with his mother’s name.

  Afraid to let her go, but knowing he had to.

  Chapter Seventeen

  THEY HAD FINISHED what turned out to be a quiet dinner, and Eva was cleaning up while Mac went into his grandfather’s office to get the other item he wanted to show her.

  Picking up the blanket they had laid out on the floor for a picnic style dinner, she folded it and placed it on the leather sofa.

  Eva was bouncing with excitement even though she couldn’t imagine that whatever Mac had found was more amazing than the sailboat. But anything that could help him find out more about his birth family delighted her. Mac deserved the answers he’d denied himself for years. The closure of why his grandfather didn’t keep him and the opportunity to find a connection to his relatives.

  Now that everything was put back in its place, Eva curled up with her legs tucked under her in the corner of the couch. Trying to be patient. Not her strong suit. So, she pulled out her phone
and scrolled through social media to keep her mind occupied.

  “Are you ready for this?” Mac asked as he walked back into the room. His forehead creased with worry, and his eyes showed his apprehension.

  “Yeah. But the million-dollar question is, are you?”

  Mac handed her a letter-sized envelope. “Here. Read it.”

  With care, she removed what she assumed was a letter and unfolded the papers. Mac was in the process of wearing a hole in the carpet as she began to read.

  * * *

  My Dearest Grandson,

  If you are reading this letter, then it means we never got the chance to meet in person, at least as adults. Much to my regret. I was lucky enough to hold you in my arms once, right after you were born. I’ll never forget the feeling, the way your little eyes stared up at me and I couldn’t help remembering your father the same way. So tiny, so fragile.

  By the time you were born, Royce had already passed away in a military training accident. Sadly, he never knew you existed. Oh, but if he had been alive, he would have loved you more than all the stars in the sky. Your dad couldn’t wait to get out of the service and start a family with your mother. He spoke about it often.

  But as you know, life doesn’t always work the way we planned. And I am so sorry you never got the chance to meet him.

  Once your dad was gone, your mom went into a deep depression. She had no one. She herself had lost her parents at a young age and grew up in foster homes. They say she accidentally overdosed on drugs, but I never accepted that. Amber had left you with a friend she had met on the military base, went home, and they found her later. I think she just couldn’t go on without your father and she took her own life.

  Don’t judge her for this. I certainly did not.

  Child services contacted me since I was your next of kin. And as much as I wanted to raise you, I knew I couldn’t give you the life you deserved. I was an old man at that point. You needed young parents who were able to take care of you, love you, and give you a good life.

  I’ve regretted giving you up every day of my life, but I know it was the right thing to do. You have been in my prayers every night, my thoughts every day, and always in my heart. I pray one day you can forgive me and know that I loved you.

  Always,

  Macklin Parker

  * * *

  Wow.

  Eva swiped the tears from her eyes with her fingers and looked over at Mac. He’d stopped pacing and was now staring out the large window in the living room. Hands on his hips, still as a scared animal.

  What had he felt, reading the letter? What kind of crazy thoughts rushed through his head now that this missing piece of the puzzle had been discovered?

  Her heart lurched at the sight of him.

  Oh God, she was falling this man. Emotions were coming into play, and she wouldn’t let that happen.

  She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Mac.” With bated breath, she waited for him to turn around, move, or make some noise. But he didn’t. She tried again. “You got all of your answers. You found the information you were hunting for. What’s going through your head right now?”

  “Anger. Excitement. Happiness. Finality. But mostly… guilt.” His voice was gruff with emotion.

  Eva lifted herself off the couch, walked over to Mac, slid her arms around his waist, and laid her head on his back. So much for not letting emotions get involved.

  “I think I understand your sense of responsibility,” she murmured. “My situation isn’t the same as yours. But there are times I wonder about my dad. I want to see him. Wish we had a relationship. Then I remember what he did to my mom, and I put a stop to all those thoughts and wishes.”

  Mac turned to face her, but Eva never let go of him. Somehow, this moment of him getting the answers he’d been searching for had become a bonding experience for them. Right now, she craved his touch, needed his warmth wrapped around her.

  His arms enveloped her in a vise-like grip, and Eva had never felt so secure. She could feel his breath glide across her hair, causing shivers to run down her spine. It was a closeness she’d never experienced before. It was as if they both were giving and receiving comfort, understanding, and dare she say, love?

  “I need you. Here. Now. Beneath me, wrapped around my body, joined.” His whispered plea sent her body temperature soaring.

  Unable to form a single word, Eva unwound herself from his body, took hold of his strong yet gentle hand and led him toward the guest room.

  AN INCESSANT POUNDING followed by ringing jarred Mac from a deep sleep. His gaze bounced around the unfamiliar room.

  Where was he? And why couldn’t he move his arm?

  Glancing over to see what had him trapped, Mac came face to face with the most beautiful angel ever.

  Eva’s long hair caressed the skin of his arm, tucked under her head. Eyes shut, mouth open just enough to catch a glimpse of her pearly whites. If this was heaven, Mac never wanted to leave. Last night had been beyond perfect. They may have started out as friends with benefits, had gone down that road for a week now, but what they’d done all night long was make love. There was no doubt in his mind.

  After the emotional rollercoaster ride of finding his father’s sailboat and his grandfather’s letter, Mac and Eva had connected in a way that spoke of more than just friendship. He’d gone and fallen in love with the one woman who shied away from romantic relationships like the plague.

  Reaching out, he ran a finger down the slope of her nose to the pert tip. There wasn’t a part of her he didn’t think was exquisite. She was beauty from the top of her head down to her adorable painted toes that were currently curled up next to his. He didn’t want to leave her. Didn’t want to go back to Maine. But he knew she wasn’t ready for him to stay. For now, he was going to enjoy what time he had with her and pray she might come to feel the same about him.

  Bam, bam, bam.

  Dammit. He was going to have to see who was at the door. Mac placed a hand on Eva’s shoulder and gave her a light shake.

  “Wake up, sleepyhead. Someone is at the door. I need to see who it is.”

  Her bottom lip stuck out in a cute pout, and he had to resist the urge to lean in and nibble it a little.

  Bam, bam, bam.

  “Eva. We have to get up before whoever is out there breaks down the door.”

  Bam, bam, bam.

  Ring, ring, ring.

  “Mac! We know you’re in there. Your car is parked out front.”

  Eva’s eyes popped open at the sound of Trixie’s voice. She flipped off the blankets, hopped out of bed and raced to the window to take a quick peek through the blinds.

  “Crap. It’s the freaking Bay patrol. I swear those women can sniff out good gossip like a pack of wolves can find its prey.”

  “They are tenacious old birds,” he agreed, pulse racing.

  Eva threw on her bra, panties, and jeans, then grabbed the t-shirt off the floor and put it on as she walked out of the bedroom.

  “Eva, wait!” Mac yelled.

  “I’ve got to open the door before they suspect something. Get dressed and come out here and act like we’ve been working.”

  “But you need to—”

  And she was gone.

  Three different cackles could be heard in the bedroom where he patiently waited for more instructions because he couldn’t follow the ones Eva had just given him. She had grabbed his shirt on her way out of the room, and now he had nothing but his jeans to put on.

  “Where’s Mac? His car is here,” asked one of the trio. He had no clue which one. This early in the morning, they all sounded alike.

  “He’s working back in the office. Some last-minute graphic design project. He’s had his head in the computer for hours,” Eva explained in a rush. “Hey, Mac. Hattie, Trixie, and Birdie are here. Come say hi,” she yelled from the living room to make sure he heard her.

  “I can’t just yet, I’m a little busy,” he said loud enough they could all hear him in the
other room. Crap, where had he left his computer?

  “You can take a break. Get out here and show them what all we’ve accomplished so far.”

  Okay, but she wasn’t going to be happy. He got out of bed, put on his jeans and boots then sauntered to the living room to be greeted by a few gasps.

  “Where is your shirt?” Eva questioned, giving him the stink eye.

  Four sets of eyes were staring at his chest, and Mac squirmed. He didn’t mind Eva ogling his bare torso, but the old eyes of the Three Amigos he could do without.

  Trying to be inconspicuous, he nodded his head toward the bedroom, hoping that Eva would get the hint and follow him. But no.

  “What?”

  Mac walked over to her, leaned down and whispered in her ear.

  “What?” she asked again, blinking in confusion.

  “He said you have on his shirt,” replied Hattie. The picture of smug.

  There was no stopping the smile that spread across his face at the look of horror on Eva’s. Then she looked down at what she was wearing and turned to book it out of the room.

  “Um, Eva dear,” Birdie called out. “Here are some tissues.”

  She stopped and peered over her shoulder at the old woman, her cheeks a pale red. “Why do I need tissues?”

  “To wipe the smeared morning after makeup off your face. We wouldn’t want everyone in town to know what you were doing last night, would we?”

  Birdie’s words hit him like a freight train out of nowhere, causing a growing knot of fear in the pit of his stomach. He’d just done what he’d promised Eva he’d never do.

  He’d made her the town gossip.

  Chapter Eighteen

  EVA STEPPED OUT of Brewed with a View and locked the door behind her, the sun casting peach and gold rays across the wood of the boardwalk.

  Kolby was supposed to stay and close, but she’d sent him home early. Going home and seeing Mac’s car parked across the street in front of his rental house was too much. It was as if the car was taunting her. Daring her to make the first move and seek out Mac before he inevitably found her.