by Marie Force
Hearing his mother call Tiffany “a woman like that” made him as mad as he could ever recall being. “Listen and listen good.”
Startled by his tone, she took a step back from him.
“I like her. She’s nothing like Kim or Eden, and I don’t give a rat’s ass what you or your bridge club or the mayor or anyone else thinks of her or her business. You got me?”
She shook her head in dismay. “You’re making another huge mistake with this girl.”
“It’s my mistake to make.”
“Don’t expect me to pick up the pieces when it blows up in your face and you get fired—again.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Blaine, please…”
“I was going to bring her to meet you, but I guess there’s no point in that now.”
She set her lips in the stubborn expression he knew far too well.
“Maybe you ought to go.”
“You think about what I said.”
He opened the door and held it for her. “You do the same.”
As she moved past him, she stopped and looked up at him with sad eyes. “I love you. I don’t want to see you hurt again.”
“I know that. Trust me when I tell you I’m fine. She’s good for me.”
Her cluck of disapproval wasn’t lost on him. He closed the door, turned the lock and rested his head against it. While he understood her concern, how could he make her see that everything about this relationship was different?
It was his own fault for leaning on her and his family after the earlier disasters. With hindsight, he should’ve kept the details to himself. But he’d been so blindsided and devastated both times that his parents and siblings had come to him out of concern and helped him get his life back on track. He’d given his mother—hell, his entire family—reason enough to worry about him. He couldn’t deny that, but this time, he was older and wiser and had chosen a far more worthy woman to spend time with.
He turned and was shocked to find her standing in the doorway to the bedroom. Shit. How much of that did she hear? Judging by her stricken expression, she’d heard enough.
“I’d… I’d like to go home, please.”
The quiet dignity in her voice broke his heart. He crossed the room to her in two strides. “Tiffany—”
When she looked away from him, something in him tore and began to bleed.
“Please,” she said softly.
If he let her go now, he’d never get her back. That much he knew for sure. “Didn’t you hear my half of the conversation?”
“I heard it.”
“And it means nothing to you that I told her I choose you?” He rested his hands on her shoulders and felt her warmth through the thin robe. “I choose you, Tiffany. I want you. I need you. I…”
“Don’t. Please don’t say what you think I need to hear.”
“That’s not my style, and you know it.” Slipping his arms around her, he drew her in close to him, rubbing his hands up and down her back until she acquiesced and returned his embrace. “I’m sorry you had to hear that.”
“I’ve been deluding myself, thinking I got off easy because the islanders didn’t kick up much of a fuss about the store. Naturally, they’re talking about me and my store, but they’re doing it behind my back.”
“So what? Let them talk. Today’s gossips are tomorrow’s customers.”
“It’s not that simple, and you know it. What she said about your job—she’s right. You should be worried.”
“I’m not. This town needs me far more than I need them, especially going into the season. Don’t add me or my job to your list of worries. I can take care of myself.” He kept his arms around her as he walked her backward to the bed.
“I should go.”
“No, you shouldn’t. You’ve been sick, and I don’t want you to be alone.”
“But—”
He kissed the words off her lips. “No buts.” When she was settled in bed, he dropped his jeans and crawled in next to her. “Come here.”
She turned into his outstretched arms, resting her head on his chest.
“I don’t care what anyone says,” he whispered. “Being with you feels right, and that’s all that matters.”
She didn’t say anything, which worried him. The Tiffany he’d come to know always had something to say. Blaine fell asleep with the uneasy feeling that he might’ve dodged a bullet he’d have to deal with tomorrow.
Stephanie’s grand opening wound down to include only her closest friends and Grant’s family gathered on the porch in Adirondack chairs they’d pulled into a circle around the outdoor fireplace.
When she walked out to join them, the group erupted into applause.
“There she is,” Grant said as he stood to welcome her with an outstretched hand. “My superstar fiancée. Everything was awesome, babe. Congratulations.”
Glowing from the compliment and the warmth in his eyes, Stephanie took his hand. “Thank you, and thank you everyone for coming and for liking the food.”
“It was amazing,” Jenny said. “All of it.”
“Totally awesome,” Grace added.
Stephanie raised her wineglass. “To my dear friends Grace, Jenny and Sydney, who absolutely saved my hide tonight by filling in for sick servers. To Laura and Owen and Sarah, who put up with me and my restaurant during the final hotel renovations and never once threatened to have me killed. To my amazing dad, Charlie, who was my jack-of-all-trades over the last few months and never said no to any challenge I tossed his way. I can’t possibly tell you how much it means to me to get to see you every day, to work side by side with you, to…” Her throat closed, taking the rest of what she wanted to say with it.
Charlie stood to hug and kiss her. “So proud of you, kiddo,” he said gruffly.
“Thank you,” Stephanie said, returning his hug. “To my future in-laws, who kept me on as the marina restaurant manager even while I was working over here, too.”
“Couldn’t do it without you, honey,” Linda said, raising her glass.
“Hear, hear,” Big Mac added.
Stephanie’s heart slowed to a steady thump when she turned to Grant. “And last but not least, thank you thank you thank you to my wonderful fiancé, who has supported me every step of the way. I love you so much.”
A collective “Awwwwwww” followed her toast as Grant gave her a kiss and then a hug.
“Have a seat and take a load off,” Grant said, tugging her down onto his lap.
Stephanie had never been so happy to sit in her life. In fact, she decided as Grant’s arms came around her, she’d never been so happy, period. Here were most of the people she loved best in the world, less those who were home sick and those who were tending to them.
Evan, who’d provided the evening’s entertainment, strummed his guitar and had them all laughing when he turned “Hotel California” into “Hotel Sand & Surf.”
Sarah came outside carrying a plastic shopping bag.
“What’ve you got there, Sarah?” Stephanie asked.
“A little treat for the late-night crowd.” She handed the bag to Stephanie, who laughed when she looked inside and found the makings for s’mores. “To break in the new fireplace.”
It had been Stephanie’s idea to offer s’more makings to guests enjoying the fireplace on the porch. Laura and Sarah had been all for it.
“I forgot to bring the sticks for toasting the marshmallows,” Sarah said. “Be right back.”
Stephanie watched as Charlie followed her into the hotel. “Something’s up,” she whispered to Grant.
“With Charlie?”
“And Sarah.”
“Really? Wow, that’d be cool, right?”
“I adore her, but I worry about him.”
“Old habits are hard to break, but he doesn’t need you to worry about him anymore. He wants nothing more than for you to be happy and worry free. That’s what I want, too.”
The spring breeze off the water was chilly, so
she snuggled in closer to him. “I’m happier than I ever hoped to be.”
“Good,” he said, kissing her forehead and then her lips.
“So, hey,” Mac said, “who’s in for sailing tomorrow? I’ve gotten a definite from Grant. Anyone else? Going once…”
“I’ll go,” Evan said. “I’m at a standstill until my equipment gets here. May as well play while I can.”
“I could use one more able body,” Mac said.
“What for?” Dan asked.
Mac explained about the crew that’d been sidelined by the flu.
“I’ll do it,” Dan said.
“Do you even know how to sail, Torrington?” Grant asked with a laugh.
“I’ll have you know I was on the sailing team at Yale,” Dan retorted.
“Oh, pardon us and your Grey Poupon,” Grant said in a snobby tone, making the others roar with laughter. “You might be too good for this crew.”
“I can probably teach you a few things,” Dan said with a good-natured grin.
“You’re in,” Mac said. “I’ll text the captain and let him know we’re good to go. Zero seven hundred, boys,” he added to groans from the other guys.
“Better call it a night, then,” Evan said.
“Oh, poor baby needs his beauty sleep,” Grant said, rubbing his eyes and making baby-crying noises.
Evan threw an empty beer can at his brother. “Shut up.”
“Children,” Linda said from her perch on her husband’s lap. “Try to behave in public.”
“It’s him, Mom,” Evan said with a pout. “He’s bothering me.”
“Grace, would you please deal with him?” Linda asked.
“Happily,” Grace said, looping her arms around Evan’s neck and kissing the pout off his lips.
Evan slid his arms under her and stood so quickly that Grace might’ve toppled off his lap if he hadn’t been holding her so tightly. She let out a squeak of surprise. “If she’s going to deal with me, it’s not going to be in front of you jokers,” Evan said to groans from his brothers and parents as he carried his girlfriend toward the steps. “Great time, Steph. Best of luck with the restaurant.”
“Thanks for coming, and Grace, thanks again for the help.”
“My pleasure,” Grace called over Evan’s shoulder.
He made a comment about her pleasure that earned him a slap on the back from Grace. “Not in front of your parents,” she said loud enough that everyone on the porch heard her and laughed.
“Thank goodness we have her to manage him now,” Grant said.
“And thank goodness we have Stephanie to manage you and Maddie to manage him,” Linda said, gesturing to her firstborn.
“Hey,” the brothers said in stereo.
“Hay is for horses,” their mother said. “If only we could find a nice girl to manage Adam, I’d have nothing left to worry about.”
“Good luck with that project,” Mac said.
To her husband, Linda said, “Take me home, my love.”
“With pleasure, babe.” Big Mac followed his son’s lead by picking up his wife and heading for the stairs.
“Check it out,” Grant said, grinning. “The old man’s still got game.”
“You know it,” Linda said suggestively to gagging noises from her sons.
“Disgusting,” Mac said.
“Totally revolting,” Grant added. “Good thing Janey and Joe already left, or she’d be barfing all over the place hearing that.”
“We’re out, too,” Luke said, standing with Sydney in his arms.
“Another man refuses to be outdone by Evan McCarthy,” Grant said as they bade good night to Luke and Syd.
“Are you going to be outdone by Evan McCarthy?” Stephanie asked, raising a brow in inquiry.
He patted her bottom. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
Stephanie loved when he looked at her in that particular way, letting her know she was the most important person in his life. She wasn’t sure, exactly, how he managed to convey so much emotion in a look, but she’d learned not to question their amazing connection.
“Jenny,” Mac said as he stood to leave, “I’d love to give you a lift off the porch, but I’m afraid my wife, who’s stuck at home with a sick kid, wouldn’t approve.”
“That’s all right,” Jenny said with a laugh. “I completely understand. If you wouldn’t mind walking me to my car, we’ll call it even.”
“You got it.” He mussed Grant’s hair on the way by. “See you in the AM, bro.”
“Thanks again for the help, Jenny,” Stephanie said.
“It was so much fun. Thanks for asking me.”
After they left, Shane got up, said good night and went inside.
“He’s so quiet,” Stephanie said. “You’d never know he was here until he says good night.”
“He never used to be,” Grant said. “But he’s been through some rough shit.”
“Haven’t we all?” Dan said with a small smile for Kara.
“I worry about him,” Grant said of his cousin. “I’d hoped he’d be bouncing back by now, but he just gets more withdrawn all the time. I know Laura worries about him, too.”
“Give it some time,” Kara said, surprising them all with the comment. “Not everyone bounces back on the same schedule.”
“That’s very true.” Dan gazed out at the darkened sea with a brooding expression on his face that he quickly shook off. “We ought to call it a night, too.”
“Don’t even think about trying to outdo Evan,” Kara said in a warning tone that made Grant and Stephanie laugh.
Grinning, Dan said, “Wouldn’t dream of it.” Instead, he stood and bowed before her, holding out his hand to help her up.
“Jeez,” she said, rolling her eyes as she took his hand.
“I like to think I’ve got my own moves, thank you very much,” Dan said.
“Don’t injure yourself showing them off.”
Grant howled with laughter. “Oh, I like her. I like her very, very much.”
“So do I.” Dan shocked Kara when he brought her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “I like her a whole lot.”
“Best of luck to you, Kara,” Grant said gravely. “You’re going to need it.”
“I can handle him,” she said. “He’s mostly all talk.”
Dan’s mouth fell open in surprise, and then his eyes darkened with what might’ve been desire. “Not all talk.”
“I like her, too,” Stephanie said, intrigued by the sparks flying between them.
Kara smiled at her. “Thanks for inviting me, and best of luck with the restaurant.”
“I appreciate that. I need all the luck I can get.”
“If tonight was any indication, you’re going to be a huge hit,” Dan said, bending to kiss Stephanie’s forehead on the way by.
In the months since he’d helped to free Charlie from prison, Dan had become a dear friend to her, too, and she’d love to see him happy with a nice girl like Kara. With all he did for others, he deserved nothing less.
“See you in the morning,” Dan said to Grant as he kept a firm hold on Kara’s hand and led her to the stairs.
“That’s seven a.m. East Coast time,” Grant called after him. “Not seven a.m. LaLa time.”
“Yeah, yeah, I got it.”
When they were alone, Stephanie rested her head on Grant’s shoulder and snuggled in closer to him.
“Cold?”
“A little.”
“Ready to go home?”
“In a minute.”
He kissed her forehead and tightened his arms around her. “What’re you thinking about?”
“I was wondering if you ever miss LA.”
“Not at all.”
“Never?”
“Why in the world would I miss that rat race when I’m here with you and my family, and now one of my best friends has found his way here?”
“I don’t know. I wondered. That’s all.”
“Are you afr
aid I’ll wake up one day and have a sudden longing for my old life?”
His question struck right at the heart of one of her deepest fears. “Maybe.”
“Let me put your mind at ease, then.” With his finger on her chin, he turned her face, forcing her to meet his intense gaze. “I’m exactly where I want to be with exactly who I want to be with, and I’ve got no plans to be anywhere else. Ever.” He punctuated his sweet words with an even sweeter kiss. “I love you so much, and I’m so happy to see you finally getting everything you’ve always wanted. I’d never do anything to mess with that.”
Closing her eyes, she leaned her forehead against his. “I love you, too.” Listening to the ocean pound against the breakwater that formed South Harbor, Stephanie experienced a moment of profound peace unlike anything she’d ever known. Her entire life up to now had been a chaotic disaster. To finally be free of the chains of the past, to be wildly in love with the most amazing man, to have some of the best friends she’d ever had, to be part of a big, funny, wonderful family, to have her own business and to know her stepfather was finally free… She, who’d never allowed herself to want anything, now had everything. Sometimes she feared her heart would simply explode from the overload of emotion.
“Ready to go home for part two of our celebration?” Grant asked suggestively after an extended period of silence.
“I suppose,” she said with feigned boredom.
Not to be outdone by his brother or father, Grant scooped her up.
As Stephanie smiled at him, another thought occurred to her. “My dad and Sarah never came back!”
Chapter 19
“Walk with me,” Charlie said.
Sarah spun around to discover he’d followed her into the kitchen. “But the kids are waiting—”
He took her hand. “Walk with me.”
Sarah reacted instantly to the feel of his work-roughened hand wrapped around hers. It’d been such a long, lonely time since anyone had touched her so tenderly. “The kids will—”
“Be just fine without us.” Giving her hand a gentle tug, he led her from the kitchen to the hotel’s back door.