by Marie Force
After a fierce argument with his lawyer followed by an interminable period of silence, Mark nodded.
His attorney stood. “Your Honor, my client wishes to change his plea.”
“Approach,” the judge said.
Both attorneys walked to the bench to confer again with the judge.
Owen couldn’t seem to breathe.
Laura gripped his hand.
After the attorneys stepped back from the bench, the judge cleared his throat. “The defendant has agreed to plead guilty to all charges.”
The group around Owen erupted into cheers as the judge banged his gavel and called for order.
“The defendant will please rise.” One by one, he read the charges, and one by one, Mark pleaded guilty to each of them. The judge set sentencing for one month from today and advised Mark Lawry to use that time to get his affairs in order.
His father had admitted his guilt and was going to jail. Owen leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t seem to breathe. He couldn’t make himself believe it was actually over and neither he nor his mother had had to testify.
“O?” Laura said, her hand on his back. “Are you okay?”
He nodded because that was all he was capable of at the moment.
She gave him a little tug, encouraging him to lean on her, which he gladly did.
“I don’t understand,” she said softly. “Why would he plead guilty?”
“Because he’d rather go to jail than have the dirty laundry aired out in the press,” he said haltingly. “Eva Lewis cemented our case. We’ve known the Lewises for years. Her husband was one of my father’s subordinates.”
“I’m so happy for you and your mom.”
“So am I. I’m happy for all of us.”
“Owen?” Sarah said.
He raised his head to look at her.
“Come here, son.” She held out her arms to him, and he rose to hug her. “I can’t believe this.”
Owen didn’t think he’d ever heard her sound so euphoric. She hadn’t had much reason for euphoria during her dreadful marriage. As he held his mother, he locked eyes with his father, who watched them with a look of such abject hatred that Owen’s blood went cold. “Let’s get out of here, Mom. It’s time to go home.”
They were back on the island by sunset. While Laura took a shower, Owen brought Holden down to his favorite spot on the porch and chose a rocking chair that was separated from a livelier group at the other end of the porch. As he rocked the baby, he continued to process what had happened. His father had pleaded guilty. He’d been forced to take responsibility for the nightmare he’d inflicted upon his wife and children.
Owen would never see him again. Of that he was certain. They wouldn’t attend the sentencing hearing because neither he nor his mother felt the need to be there when Mark learned his fate. He was going to prison. That was all that mattered to them.
Holden snuggled in closer to Owen, his sweet breath warm against Owen’s neck. He and Laura could never believe how much heat that little body generated when he was sleeping. Owen rubbed Holden’s back as they rocked, and a feeling of peace and contentment unlike anything he’d ever experienced came over him as he looked out over the town he now called home while holding the baby he loved more than life itself.
His emotions were raw and close to the surface tonight, threatening to spill over at any second. He’d managed to hold it together during the flight home, during which everyone had been in high spirits—no one more so than Sarah. Owen had never seen his mother so happy.
“There you are,” his grandmother said when she came onto the porch. She and her husband had hitched a ride home to Gansett with them and planned to stay until the wedding.
“Hey,” Owen said. “Sorry. Were you looking for me?”
“All over the place.”
“If I’m not upstairs with Laura, you can usually find me and my little buddy right here.”
“You always loved this porch,” Adele said as she took the chair next to his.
“What’s not to love?”
“Indeed. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed it until we arrived earlier. And what you and Laura have done with the place! The pictures simply didn’t do it justice.”
“I’m glad you’re happy with it. Laura must’ve asked me a thousand times during the renovation if Adele would be pleased with whatever decision we were making at the moment.”
“Adele is very, very pleased—and not just with the hotel, which is spectacular. I’m also extremely thrilled to see you so happy and in love with such a wonderful young woman.”
“She’s quite something, isn’t she?”
“Oh, Owen… She’s incredible. I already loved her from all our phone conversations, but to spend time with her and to see how much she loves you…” Adele smiled and shook her head. “It does your old granny’s heart good to know you have that in your life—to know you allowed yourself to have it.”
“I didn’t have much choice. She bowled me over from the first time I met her.”
“I can see why.”
“And PS, there’s nothing old about my granny.”
She laughed at that. “Whatever you say, you charmer.” Adele zeroed in on the movement of his hand on Holden’s back. “He’s a sweetheart.”
“He really is.”
“I’m so glad you and Laura can focus on your wedding now and all the exciting things to come. The past is now officially where it belongs. Finally.”
“It’s such a relief, but it’s also surreal. I never thought it would be resolved so easily.”
“I’m not as surprised as I probably should be. Mark’s ego is as healthy as it ever was, and there was no way he was going to let you, your mother and Eva drag him through the mud in public.”
“Thank God she showed up when she did.”
“He could’ve fought back against the two of you, and I bet that was his intention. But he couldn’t do a thing about her, and he knew it. His goose was cooked the minute she walked into the courtroom.”
“It’s amazing when you think about it. All those years, I thought no one knew. I thought people were oblivious.”
“They weren’t oblivious. They were as intimidated by your father as all of you were. He was a powerful man with a powerful temper. No one wanted to cross him.” She reached over to rest her hand on his arm. “I’m only sorry it took this long for someone to come forward on your behalf. It should’ve happened a long time ago.”
“It doesn’t matter now. All that matters is that it happened when it needed to, and now it’s over.”
Sarah came out to join them on the porch. She wore a pretty dress and had obviously spent time on her hair and makeup.
“Going out, Mom?”
“Charlie is taking me to dinner to celebrate.”
“He’s a nice man, Sarah,” her mother said.
“Yes, he is.”
“Will we be seeing you in the morning, then?” Owen asked.
Sarah blushed to the roots of her hair. “Honestly, Owen. Not in front of my mother.”
Adele burst into laughter. “Oh for goodness sakes, Sarah. You’re almost sixty years old and have seven grown children and a grandchild. Go have some fun while you’re still young.”
“In that case,” Sarah said with a saucy grin, “don’t wait up.” She leaned over to kiss Holden’s cheek and Owen’s forehead and then kissed her mother.
Charlie arrived a few minutes later to pick up Sarah. They walked off arm in arm, his head tipped toward hers so he could hear what she was saying.
“Well,” Adele said as she and Owen watched them walk away, “isn’t that a sight for sore eyes?”
“You know it. They’re great together.”
“Do you think they’ll get married?”
“Eventually. Once her divorce is final.”
“And you’d be okay with that?”
“I’d be thrilled for them both. They’ve been to hell and back and mad
e it through intact.”
“As have you, my love. And now it’s time to leave hell behind and wallow in the joy.”
Since that sounded like a fine idea, Owen decided to take his grandmother’s advice. It was definitely time for some joy around here.
The next two weeks flew by in a flurry of last-minute wedding details, while the bride and groom tried not to think about the fact that they’d yet to receive her divorce papers.
“What’ll we do if they aren’t here in time?” Laura asked Owen three days before the wedding.
“We’ll go forward like everything is okay, and we’ll do it again later, by ourselves, to make it official. No one, other than your dad, would need to know it wasn’t entirely legit.”
“Evan and Grace will need to know why we need them to sign something later as our witnesses.”
“Then we’ll tell them and no one else.” Owen kissed her. “Try not to worry. It’s all going to be fine. I promise.” It wasn’t an ideal solution, but neither of them wished to postpone the wedding.
The next night, Evan threw a bachelor party at the marina restaurant that turned into an all-nighter.
As he and Evan walked back to town early the next morning, Owen was still buzzed from the evening with most of his favorite men and an endless flow of liquor.
“What a fantastic time,” he said again as they crested the top of the hill near Evan’s parents’ house and headed down the sidewalk that led to home.
“Glad you enjoyed it,” Evan said. His voice was husky from smoking cigars and singing all night. His dark hair stood stiffly on end, the result of a beer shampoo compliments of his brother Mac.
“We kinda stink,” Owen said.
“That means the party was a success.”
“I can’t believe I’m actually getting married tomorrow.” Later today, his sisters Katie and Julia would arrive, followed tomorrow morning by his brothers Jeff and Josh and his other sister Cindy. Only his brother John wouldn’t make the wedding because he’d been unable to get out of work.
Though they kept in close touch, especially lately, Owen hadn’t seen his siblings in a couple of years and was looking forward to their arrival.
“You ready?” Evan asked.
“To get married? Hell yeah, but only because I get to marry Laura. If it was anyone else, I wouldn’t be so ready.”
“If it was anyone else, you wouldn’t be getting married.”
“Well, duh. How about you? Ready to get married?”
“Absolutely. I hate that we decided to wait until January. That was a huge mistake in hindsight. I want to be married now.”
“I hate that we’re probably going to miss it since Laura will be too pregnant to fly by then.”
“I know,” Evan said with a groan. “I can’t imagine getting married without you there with me.”
“She wants me to go without her, but I don’t think I can do that. You’ll understand, won’t you?”
“Of course I will, but I’ll miss you. I wanted you to be my best man. You know that, right?”
“You have three brothers, Ev.”
“So do you, and you still picked me to be yours.”
“That’s because…” Owen blamed the liquor for the surge of emotion, but in truth, he’d been an emotional mess for weeks now, ever since that day in the courtroom when he’d been officially set free from the past. “You didn’t know it then, Ev, but the time we spent together in the summers, our friendship… It meant so much to me. It still does, but back then… There was no one else I would’ve asked.”
“Aw jeez, man. You’re gonna make me bawl like a girl.”
The comment made them both laugh, which eased the knot of emotion that had settled in Owen’s chest. He’d wanted to tell Evan that for some time now, and it felt good to have it out there. It was important to him that Evan know how important their friendship had been to him during an extremely difficult time in Owen’s life.
“Laura wants us to play tonight at the rehearsal,” Owen said. “You game for that?”
“Dude, I am always game for playing with you. Always.”
They parted company at the pharmacy where Evan lived with Grace.
Owen shook his hand and gave him a bro hug. “Thanks for a truly memorable night.”
“Entirely my pleasure.”
“I’m still a little drunk and sloppy here, so you’ll excuse me for what I’m about to say.”
“No, I will not leave Grace for you. I told you that the last time you asked me.”
“Shut up, will you?” Owen said with a laugh. “All I was going to say… Well, now it sounds doubly stupid since you want to leave Grace for me, but… I love you, man. I truly do.”
Evan hugged him. “Love you, too. We all do. We’re so happy to have you officially joining the McCarthy family.”
He might’ve been drunk and sloppy, but he’d been overwhelmed with more emotion than he knew what to do with since his father’s trial ended, and right now was no different. Before he made a complete fool of himself in front of Evan, he released his friend. “We must never speak of this again.”
“Ever,” Evan said gravely. “See you tonight.”
“See you then.”
“You aren’t going to fall over or find some other way to injure yourself on the way home, are you?”
“Nope, I’m good. I’m really, really good.”
Evan smiled and shook his head in amusement as Owen waved and headed toward the Surf and the home he’d found with Laura and Holden. A few early risers were enjoying coffee on the porch when he went up the front stairs and stepped inside. The reception desk was dark and quiet, as was Stephanie’s Bistro and Abby’s Attic. Both would open in a couple of hours to start another summer day on Gansett. Eager to get to his family, Owen took the stairs two at a time, stopping short when he found a large envelope outside their door.
He picked it up and brought it inside, going directly to the bathroom, closing the door so he wouldn’t disturb Laura or Holden. Inside the envelope, he found a sheaf of papers and a note from Dan. “Thought this might make your wedding day a little more special. It took an act of Congress, but we got it done, and Slim flew the papers over last night. Congratulations and best wishes. Dan.”
Laura’s divorce papers.
Owen’s knees went weak with relief and gratitude for the amazing friends who’d gone all out to make it happen in time for the wedding.
Chapter 27
Owen showered, shaved and brushed his teeth before sliding into bed with Laura. His intentions had been good—catch a couple hours of sleep before Holden woke them up. But then he caught the scent of her hair and felt the heat of her body, and the next thing he knew, his arm was around her, his leg was between hers and his face was buried in the silk of her hair.
“So you decided to come home,” she said in a gravelly, sleepy-sounding voice that instantly turned him on.
“It was a tough call, but you know, Holden needs me, so I figured I’d better come back.”
Her hand covered his, which was curved over the round bump of her belly. “I’m glad you did.”
“Nowhere else on this entire planet I’d rather be.”
“Mmmm,” she said, her bottom snuggling back against his cock, which was suddenly and rigidly erect. “Looks like you brought me a present.”
The unexpected comment made him laugh. “He shows up whenever you’re close by.” He kissed her cheek and every other bit of soft skin he could get to as his hand slid upward to cup her breast. Rolling her nipple between his fingers, he teased it until it was hard and tight. “Guess what was waiting outside the door when I got home?”
“What?”
“Divorce papers.”
“Oh God! Really? They really came?”
“Thanks to Dan and Slim, who flew them over.”
“Oh my God! That’s the best news I’ve ever gotten.” She let out a laugh full of happiness and relief that was infectious. Their wedding could proceed without anyt
hing standing between them and happily ever after.
He continued to tease her nipple until she strained against him.
“Owen…”
“Do you want me to leave you alone so you can go back to sleep?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Have I told you yet today how much I love you and how much I can’t wait to be married to you?”
“You just did.”
He slid his hand down her side, over her hip and down her leg until he encountered the hem of her nightgown, which he eased up to her waist.
“Let me turn over.”
“No, like this. Just like this.” Owen removed her panties and tested her readiness, moaning when he found her slick and hot. “Were you thinking about me before I got home?”
“Maybe a little. I kept waking up looking for you.”
Never in his wildest dreams had he ever expected to love a woman the way he loved her. And when she said things like that… “You’ll never sleep without me again.”
“What about tonight? We’re not supposed to see each other before the wedding.”
“Screw that. I’m not superstitious. Are you?”
“I have been in the past,” she said. “I am Irish, after all.”
“And now?”
“Screw it.”
“I do love the way you think, Princess.” Lifting her leg over his hip, he pressed into her slowly and carefully.
She squirmed, trying to get closer. “I’m sort of digging the way you’re thinking right now, too.”
He smoothed his hand down over the bump where their babies were and found the heart of her desire.
She gasped as he went deeper, and her head came back to rest against his shoulder. “Owen, God… Feels so good. So good.”
“For me, too. Nothing feels better than this.”
“And after tomorrow, we get to do this forever.”
“And legally, too.”
“Bonus.” When he thrust further into her, she groaned. “Speaking of bonus.”
“Every time!” he said with a laugh.