Gansett Island Boxed Set Books 1-16 (Gansett Island Series)

by Marie Force

  It had been a long, lonely time since a man had kissed her so tenderly. Maybe since the last time she’d kissed Ned.

  He finally broke the kiss. Looking as stunned as she felt, he stared at her for a breathless moment. “Let’s get you home.”

  Since Francine didn’t trust herself to speak, she let him guide her into his cab for the ride home.

  Luke insisted on driving them to dinner at her parents’ house. After spending much of the day with his foot elevated and on ice, he was going stir-crazy. But that was the least of his concerns. Ever since the night before when she’d arrived with Thomas, Sydney had been distant. Something was clearly bothering her, but he couldn’t get her to sit still long enough to talk to her about it.

  She’d fussed over Thomas until Mac picked him up, and then she announced she was tired and went to bed. Even though they’d slept in the same bed, they may as well have been in separate houses. He’d awoken to a note that said she’d gone to check on Buddy and to help Maddie. She had been out most of the day, returning in time to shower and change for dinner. The silence between them was deafening to Luke, and all of a sudden he couldn’t take it anymore. He pulled the truck off the road and brought it to a stop.

  Sydney looked over at him. “What?”

  “I might ask you the same thing. What’s going on, Syd?”

  “Nothing.”

  Luke wanted to yell and scream, but that was so not his style. “What happened yesterday that caused you to shut down on me?”

  Her eyes widened and her lips pursed, but she stayed silent.

  “We’re not moving until you tell me what the hell is going on.”

  “We’ll be late.”

  “If you’re worried about that, start talking.”

  She crossed her arms, and her face was set in a mulish expression he would’ve found cute if he hadn’t been so concerned about what was bothering her.

  “Syd. Talk to me.”

  She spun around in her seat. “Were you ever going to tell me you’re a part owner of McCarthy’s now?”

  Okay, he hadn’t seen that coming. “Eventually. I guess.”

  “No, you weren’t.”

  “Wait, so you’ve been all frosty to me because you heard that from someone other than me?”

  “Why didn’t you tell me? We had all those conversations about your life, our possible life together, and never once did you see fit to tell me that you’re not exactly what you pretend to be.”

  “And what is it that I pretend to be?”

  “Just a guy who works the docks and fixes up boats. Simple. Uncomplicated.”

  “I am that guy, Syd. I’ve always been that guy.”

  “You own the business!”

  “Only part of it, and only for the last year or so. It’s no big deal.”

  “It’s a huge big deal. That you kept it from me makes me wonder if I know you at all.”

  “Sydney, Jesus, you know me better than anyone else in this world. I’ve shown you parts of me that no one else has ever seen. How can you say you don’t know me?”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because.”

  “You have to do better than that.”

  “I didn’t want it to be a factor in whether you decide to stay.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “I wanted you to want me for me, not because of what I have.”

  Her mouth fell open. “Oh my God. You haven’t forgiven me. All that talk about clean slates, and you’re expecting me to do exactly what I did before!”

  “That’s not true. But money is important to you. You come in my house and all you see is the threadbare furniture and that nothing has changed. You assume it’s because I can’t afford to get new stuff. But the truth is, I don’t care if it’s old. It still works, so why would I replace it? I didn’t tell you about the business because it hasn’t given me anything I didn’t already have. For years Mr. McCarthy has paid me a year-round salary to work six months a year because he said he couldn’t run the place without me.”

  “Luke—”

  “Who do you think was keeping the business going before Mac came home?” Luke gripped the steering wheel and stared out the window. “I own my house. I own my truck. I live simply. Even before the partnership, I made plenty of money, and I only spend a fraction of it, not because I’m worried about spending it, but because I have everything I need. Last year someone offered me a million dollars for my property—as is. Of course I declined, but he gave me his card in case I change my mind.” Looking over at her, he said, “I’m not without means, Syd.” He couldn’t remember a time when he’d made such an impassioned speech, but for some reason, he felt like he was suddenly fighting for his life.

  “I don’t know where you got the idea I care about any of that.”

  “You married the guy who could keep you in the lifestyle you’d become accustomed to. Don’t tell me you don’t care about money.”

  “Maybe I used to, but that’s not what I care about now. Apparently, you don’t think too much of me if you think money matters more to me than you do.”

  “The thing is, I have no idea what matters most to you. Is it me? Is it what we have together? Is it your life in Boston? I’d really like to know.”

  Her hands were folded so tightly in her lap that her knuckles had turned white.

  He covered them with his hand. “What matters most to me is you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about McCarthy’s. I should have.”

  “I’m sorry you felt I was such a money-grubbing bitch that it would matter so much to me.”

  Shocked, he stared at her. “I never said that! You’re twisting my words all around.”

  “Am I?”

  “Yes! I don’t think you’re a money-grubbing anything.” He paused for a moment, hoping to contain the swell of fear and despair that threatened to overtake him at the thought of losing her again. “I spent a lot of years living with the knowledge that I wasn’t good enough for you the first time around. This time, I wanted to be good enough. Just the way I am. What you see is what you get.”

  She stared off into the encroaching darkness.

  Luke’s heart beat hard as he waited for her to say something. Anything. “Syd.”

  “You’ve certainly given me a lot to think about.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Just what I said. I need to think.”

  “For how long?”

  “For as long as it takes.”

  “Do you still want to go to dinner?”

  “Yes, let’s go. My parents are waiting for us.”

  Luke started the truck, but he wondered how he’d manage to eat when all he could think about was the cold block of dread that had settled in his gut. Had he just totally blown it with her? Again?

  Chapter 26

  Sydney’s head was spinning during the dinner with her parents. Because they’d obviously gone to some considerable trouble with the meal and were trying to make Luke feel welcome, Sydney was doing her best to remain engaged, even though her heart ached after their roadside conversation.

  Maybe they’d been deluding themselves that they could get past what’d happened years ago and make their second chance work out better than the first one did. After what he’d said earlier, it was clear to Sydney that Luke hadn’t completely forgiven her for leaving him without a word or for marrying Seth. He was waiting for her to leave him again.

  “Syd?” His deep voice interrupted her thoughts.

  She looked up at the three faces watching her with concern and realized her best efforts to remain engaged had failed miserably.

  “Everything okay, honey?” her mother asked.

  From across the table, Luke studied Sydney intently.

  She met his gaze when she said, “Yes, everything’s fine.” Was that relief she saw on his face?

  “Sydney’s upset with me because I failed to tell her I’m now a part owner of McCarthy’s Marina,” Luke said, his gaze locked on her.r />
  Well, he was full of surprises tonight.

  “She found out from someone else, which was wrong of me. I should’ve told her myself.”

  “Oh,” Mary Alice said. “Well.”

  “So you’re a partner,” Allan said.

  Luke nodded. “When Mac came into the business, he didn’t want the full responsibility, so Mr. McCarthy made us partners and retained a small share for himself.”

  “Congratulations,” Allan said. “That’s a very successful business.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  Watching the exchange, Sydney saw her father looking at Luke with newfound respect. Right in that moment, she got why he hadn’t told her. He hadn’t wanted it to matter to her the same way it clearly mattered to her dad.

  Sydney’s heart ached as she understood how worried he was that she would leave him again—or that she would stay for the wrong reasons. Everything became crystal clear to her as she studied his adorably handsome face across the table. The minute they were alone, she would put his mind at ease. There was nowhere else she wanted to be than with him. Why bother to fight it anymore?

  The phone rang, and her mother got up to answer it, returning a moment later, her face ashen and her eyes large. “Allan, Simone has had a mild heart attack.”

  “Oh God. Is she...”

  “She’s at Mass General, but she’s okay.”

  Her father took a deep, rattling breath.

  “My aunt,” Sydney said to Luke.

  “I need to go there.” Allan checked his watch. “Oh, we won’t make the last boat.”

  “I’ll call Slim,” Luke said. “The McCarthys’ pilot friend. He’ll fly you over if he can.”

  “Oh, thank you, Luke,” Mary Alice said.

  While Luke went to make the call, Sydney gave her dad a hug. “Simone is still young and strong, Dad. She’ll get through this. I know it.”

  He nodded, but his entire body was rigid with worry over his younger sister.

  Luke hobbled back into the room. “Slim said he’ll meet you at the airport in thirty minutes.”

  “Thank you so much, Luke,” Mary Alice said. “Come on, Allan. Let’s go pack. I’m sorry about dinner.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Mom. Go get ready.” Her parents went upstairs, and Sydney turned to Luke. “Thank you.”

  “Happy to help.” Propped on his crutches, he drew her toward him. “I’m sorry about your aunt. If you want to go with them, I’ll take care of Buddy. Grant can help me move him to my house.”

  Sydney rested her head on his chest. “I’ll stay for now and see what tomorrow brings, but thanks for the offer.”

  “What I said before—it came out all wrong.”

  “No, it didn’t. We’ll talk about it after they leave.”

  Her parents departed a few minutes later in a flurry of hugs and promises to call as soon as they knew more about her aunt’s condition.

  From his pillow on the floor, Buddy watched the goings-on. He’d been up and around a little more that day and was able to go outside when he needed to but was still weak and easily tired.

  After seeing her parents off, Sydney bent to press a kiss to Buddy’s sweet face and was rewarded with a lick to the cheek. “Aww, you’re feeling better, aren’t you? I’m so glad.” She kissed him again and stood to face Luke.

  “When I came out here earlier this month,” she said, hoping she could get through this without becoming too emotional, “I was hoping to make a few decisions about what’s next for me. I’d left my job as a teacher because it was too difficult to be around kids that age without constantly being reminded of the children I’d lost.”

  Propped on his crutches, Luke watched and listened, but he didn’t say anything.

  “I never could’ve imagined you and I would reconnect the way we have or that being with you again would make me so...”

  “What, Syd?” He tucked her hair behind her ear and stroked her cheek. “Tell me.”

  “Happy,” she whispered. “I’ve been so happy. I didn’t think that was possible anymore, and you’ve helped me see I still have a whole life in front of me, and it doesn’t have to be filled with sadness and grief.” She ventured a look up at him and found him watching her intently. “Thank you for that.”

  “Believe me, it’s been my pleasure.”

  She smiled. “Mine, too.”

  “But?”

  Sydney shook her head. “No buts. I love you, Luke. I don’t know if I ever stopped loving you or if it was just on hold or what. But I love you, and I want to be with you, whether it’s here or on the mainland or wherever—”

  He took a step to close the distance between them, letting his crutches fall to the floor in a loud clatter that drew a whine of concern from Buddy. Hooking an arm around her waist, he tugged her in tight against him.

  Sydney’s hands landed on his chest. “Luke, your ankle!”

  “It’s fine,” he whispered as he brought his mouth down on hers for a devouring kiss.

  Having surrendered to the overwhelming love she felt for him, Sydney threw herself into the kiss, meeting every stroke of his tongue until she was so breathless spots danced before her eyes.

  His lips shifted to her jaw and then to her neck. “I love you so much, Syd. Only you. I’ve loved you for as long as I’ve known what love is.”

  Her fingers sank into his hair, anchoring him to her.

  “I have a proposition for you,” he said.

  Sydney tilted her hips into his erection. “So I see.”

  “Not that kind of proposition,” he said, laughing. “Although that one is definitely on the agenda.” As if he couldn’t resist, he kissed her again.

  “I want to hear your proposition,” she said against his lips.

  He drew back an inch or two so he could look her in the eye. “I’d like to hire you to redecorate my house.”

  Sydney started to reply, but he stopped her with a finger to her lips.

  “Hear me out. It needs everything, so you’d be committing to a project that could take a year or two.”

  “That’s a long time,” she said gravely, playing along.

  “Hopefully long enough for you to try island life on for size, and while you’re at it, you can try me on for size, too.”

  Sydney reached down to cup his erection, squeezing in the places that made him crazy. “I like your size just fine.”

  “Syd,” he gasped, “quit that. I’m trying to talk to you.”

  “I’m listening.” She smiled up at him, enjoying the tortured look on his face.

  He closed his hand around hers to stop her from stroking him. “After you finish the house, you can decide if you want to stay for good. If you don’t, we’ll go somewhere else.”

  “And you’d be okay with that?”

  “As long as you’re with me, I’d be okay anywhere.”

  Touched by what he’d said, she flattened her hands on his chest and kissed him. “I’ll accept your proposition on one condition—you don’t have to hire me. I was hoping to use before-and-after pictures of your place in my portfolio to help start my business.”

  “I suppose I can live with that.”

  “Then I suppose I can live with you.”

  “That’s the best news I’ve had in years.”

  “I have some things to deal with at home after Labor Day.” Her euphoria faded a bit at the reminder. “But then I’ll be back.”

  Luke traced a finger over the furrow between her brows. “Every time you refer to the things you need to take care of at home, you lose your sparkle. What do you have to do?”

  “The guy who hit us is being sentenced on September fifth.” She looked up at him. “I have to be there.”

  “Maybe so, but you don’t have to go alone.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t expect you—”

  He silenced her with another kiss. “I’m going with you. What else?”

  “Well, if I’m moving out here, there’s no reason to keep my house in Wellesl
ey. I’ll need to pack up my stuff, the kids’ things I want to keep, Seth’s stuff.” Just the thought of it was enough to make her want to run and hide, but she knew it had to be done eventually.

  “Hey,” he said, compelling her to meet his gaze. “We’ll do it together. Whatever you need to do, I’ll be right there with you.”

  Sydney hugged him, relieved to know she wouldn’t be alone when she closed the last door to her former life and stepped forward into a new life with Luke. “Thank you.”

  “Whatever comes our way, we’ll deal with it together, okay?”

  Closing her eyes against the rush of emotion, she nodded.

  His hands slid down her back to bring her in tighter against his erection. “Now, about that other proposition you mentioned...”

  Sydney laughed and drew him into another heated kiss. “You need to get off your ankle,” she said when they resurfaced many minutes later.

  With his arms around her waist, he fell backward onto the sofa, bringing her down on top of him. “There. Happy now?”

  Nodding, she brushed the hair off his forehead and leaned in to kiss him, hungry for more of the way he made her feel.

  He combed his fingers through her hair and down her back as his lips moved over hers. “I used to think about this all the time,” he said. “The way your hair would drape down over me when we made love.” Squeezing her bottom, he held her still and pressed his erection into the V of her legs.

  “It’s not as long as it used to be,” she said, breathless with wanting him.

  “It’s every bit as beautiful as it always was, and so is the rest of you.”

  Sydney sat up to pull the top over her head and release her bra.

  Luke cupped her breasts, running his thumbs over the tight buds. “Come closer.” He closed his hot mouth over her nipple, sucking and licking her until Syd was half out of her mind with wanting him. She extricated herself to get rid of the rest of their clothes.