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

by Marie Force

  “Did you tell Grace?”

  “Not yet. I figured I’d let her have a good time tonight, and we’ll deal with it in the morning.”

  “That sucks, but I’m sure you’ll find somewhere else. You’ve got a couple of months, right?”

  Evan nodded. “Five months.”

  “Good luck with that.”

  “Thanks. We’re going to need it.” Evan pulled up to the hotel and turned into the parking lot. “Hang in there, buddy. It’ll work out.”

  He shook hands with his cousin. “Hope it works out for both of us. Thanks again for the ride.” Shane got out of the car, went into the hotel and straight up to his room, where the scent of Katie’s perfume lingered from her earlier visit.

  What had started out as a rather great day had gone to shit, and it was all Courtney’s fault. Lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling he’d helped to paint, he wondered if he’d ever be free of her.

  From his vantage point in Luke’s kitchen, Mac had a perfect view of Maddie, sitting among the women, laughing and chatting as if she hadn’t a care in the world. She didn’t have a word to say to him, but had no trouble talking to her friends. He was hardly ever truly angry with her, but he was right now. What were they even doing here? They should be home alone, recovering from their loss together.

  Did their friends and family think them uncaring because they’d come out to socialize so soon after losing their baby? No one would ever say such a thing, but he was sure they were thinking it, because he was, too.

  “Mac?” Grant offered him another beer.

  “No, thanks.” The one he had wasn’t going down well. He had no desire for another.

  Grant followed his gaze to the living room. “She seems to be doing well.”

  “A little too well, if you ask me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  The moment the words left his mouth, he felt disloyal to his wife. “I shouldn’t have said that.” As Grant eyed him inquisitively, Mac released a deep sigh. He was unaccustomed to problems in his marriage and had no idea how to handle this situation. “She’s acting like nothing happened, when I feel like I’m going to be sick.”

  “Perhaps that’s her way of coping?”

  “Maybe,” Mac conceded. “She’s been really, really quiet since we found out, especially around me. Last night, with Mallory, she seemed more like herself, but as soon as Mallory left, she was right back in the shell.”

  “It’s only been a couple of days. I’m sure she’ll bounce back to her old self before too long.”

  “I’m mad with her,” Mac said softly. “I’m never mad with her.”

  “Don’t go there. Nothing good will come of that.”

  “Believe me, I know. Can’t help it, though.”

  When Stephanie came into the kitchen, Grant extended his hand to her.

  She took his hand and snuggled up to him. “I just got some horrible news.”

  “What is it?”

  “One of my best waitresses is resigning because she’s really sick. She has lung cancer, of all things.”

  “Not Lisa Chandler,” Mac said as a sense of dread overtook him.

  “Yes, right, you know her, too. The house and everything.”

  Mac felt like he’d been gut punched. “Oh my God. This is awful. She was at the house the other day and couldn’t stop coughing. She said she couldn’t afford the clinic, so we asked David to check on her.”

  “I hate to hear that she couldn’t afford the doctor,” Stephanie said. “I pay my staff as much as I possibly can, but it’s still not enough for some of them.”

  “Her poor kids,” Mac said.

  “I know,” Stephanie said tearfully. “They’re adorable.” She looked up at Grant. “Do you mind if we go home? I’m not much in the mood to party after hearing this.”

  “Sure, hon. I’m ready to go.” To Mac, he said, “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Hang in there,” Grant said, “and stay calm, okay?”

  “I will.” He knew Grant was right. Allowing his anger to fester wouldn’t help the situation. It would only make things worse. Mac pushed off the counter and went into the living room.

  Maddie looked up when she saw him coming. But rather than the usual adoring look he always received from her, this time she seemed wary.

  “Can we go?” he asked.

  “I didn’t drive. Did you?”

  “No.” Mac’s frustration grew when he realized they were stuck there until they could get a ride.

  “I’ll take you,” Tiffany said. “I promised Blaine I’d be home early.”

  “He was with us earlier but went home after dinner.”

  “He has to work tomorrow.”

  “The rest of us do, too,” Mac said, thankful for the diversion that gave him something else to think about besides Maddie’s unusual silence.

  “Blaine is ridiculously disciplined on work nights. So much so I’ll probably have to trick him into having sex with me tonight.”

  “I can just imagine the kind of tricks you’re capable of,” Maddie said dryly.

  Tiffany winked at her sister. “Works every time.”

  Mac had little doubt that Tiffany had sensed the tension between him and Maddie and was trying to lighten the mood with her irreverence. The three of them said good night to the others and headed out the door. Mac took the backseat so Maddie and her sister could sit together.

  The two of them chatted about the kids, the carpool for Thomas and Ashleigh’s art camp in the morning and the possibility of a beach outing in the afternoon.

  “I’ll call you in the morning,” Tiffany said when they arrived at Mac and Maddie’s house.

  “Sounds good. Thanks for helping Mom with the kids while we were gone.”

  “It was no problem at all. We adore them.”

  Maddie hugged Tiffany and got out of the car.

  “Mac,” Tiffany said in a low tone. “I want you to know how sorry I am. If there’s anything I can do…”

  “See if you can get her to talk about it. I’ve had no luck.”

  “I will. Tomorrow.”

  “Thanks.” He followed Maddie up the stairs and into the family room, where his parents were watching TV—or he should say his mom was watching. His dad was asleep next to her but came to when they walked in.

  “You’re home early,” Linda said.

  “We’re tired,” Mac replied.

  “I’m sure you are. We’ll get out of your hair.”

  Maddie hugged and kissed her in-laws. “Thanks for coming over tonight.”

  “We’re happy to do it any time, honey,” Big Mac said.

  Maddie gave him a grateful smile and said good night.

  Watching her go up the stairs, Mac had never felt more impotent. He knew in his heart of hearts that she was suffering, but she refused to let him in, and he didn’t understand why.

  “Give her time, sweetheart,” Linda said softly.

  “It’s killing me that she won’t talk to me.”

  “She will. When she’s ready. Try to be patient.”

  “I’m not exactly known for my patience, especially where she’s concerned.”

  “It’s what she needs right now, Mac. I know it’s so hard for you, but please try.”

  “I will.” Mac hugged both his parents and waited for them to get into his dad’s truck before he turned off the outside lights and locked up. He trudged up the stairs without the enthusiasm he always felt when it was finally time to go to bed with Maddie.

  Tonight he felt anxious and sad. While he knew his mother and Grant were right and he had to be patient, he wanted to scream with frustration and grief and a million other emotions that swirled through him. Instead of screaming and raging, though, he checked on the kids, then took a shower and shaved before getting into bed beside Maddie.

  She shut off the bedside light and turned on her side, facing away from him.

  Staring at her back in stunned disbelief,
Mac began to feel truly afraid.

  Chapter 30

  After Shane left, Katie remained on the deck, trying to get her emotions under control before she rejoined the party. The conversation with him had been one of the most grueling things she’d ever been through. When she’d wanted to pull him close and hold on tight to him, she’d had no choice but to push him away. And now her heart was truly breaking, especially as she recalled the stricken expression on his face when he realized she’d meant it when she said she needed time.

  The sliding door opened, and Owen and Laura came outside.

  “Are you all right?” Concern caused Owen’s brows to furrow the way they used to when he was dealing with their father. “We tried to give you a minute to yourself, but when you didn’t come back in…”

  Katie nodded. “I will be. Did you talk to Shane?”

  “He said you asked for some time,” Laura said as she rubbed her hand over Katie’s back soothingly.

  “That’s right.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Owen asked.

  “I told him I needed some time to think, but I’m not the one who needs the time. He does.”

  “How do you mean?” Laura asked, clearly perplexed.

  “He found out today that Courtney still loves him, that she always has. I can’t help but assume he needs to process that information before he moves on with me or anyone.”

  “He sent her away,” Laura reminded her.

  “That doesn’t mean he wasn’t affected by what she said to him. How could he not be after the way he suffered over her?”

  Owen folded his arms and studied her intently. “So what you’re saying is you sent him away because he needs time to think, not you?”

  “That’s right. I know what I want, but I need to make sure he’s ready before I commit to a relationship with him.”

  “He said he never wants to see her again,” Laura said gently.

  “I know all that. But what happens if he wakes up tomorrow or the next day and feels differently? Where does that leave me?” Chilled, she rubbed her arms. “I need to be sure. He needs to be sure.” She drew in a deep breath. “Sending him away just now was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It was the last thing I wanted to do.” Her voice broke on the final words.

  Owen took off his jacket, put it around her shoulders and then drew her into a hug.

  “You’re just like your brother,” Laura said with a kind smile. “Always thinking of others before yourself.”

  “I care about him. I want to be with him, but only if he’s truly free.” Tears rolled unchecked down her face, and Owen wiped them away. She looked up at her brother. “Did I do the right thing, O?”

  “You did, honey. You’re right that he needs to think things through now that he’s seen Courtney. And you’re absolutely right to protect yourself, too.”

  “I’m more worried about him than I am about me. Did he leave?”

  “Evan took him back to town.”

  “Oh, good. I was afraid he was walking in the dark.”

  “How about we head home, too?” Laura said. “Something tells me you’re not in the mood for girls’ night this time around.”

  “I don’t want to take you away from your friends.”

  “I’m in a constant state of exhaustion these days.” Laura patted her belly. “You’d be doing me a favor if you took me home.”

  “In that case,” Katie said, forcing a smile, “I’d love to go home.”

  They made their excuses to the others and headed out just as Evan was returning from taking Shane.

  “Is he okay?” Katie asked.

  “He’s upset and confused, but he’s all right.”

  “I hate this,” Katie whispered to her brother, who squeezed her shoulder in support. While she ached from head to toe, at least she understood why everyone made such a big deal about romantic entanglements. Nothing had ever hurt more than seeing Shane with his ex-wife or having to take a step back from him tonight out of self-preservation.

  She used to think her sister was being a drama queen when she’d weep for days over a breakup. Now she got it. As Owen drove them back to the hotel, Katie sat in the backseat, brushing away tears. “Don’t let me go to him when we get there,” she said.

  “We’ll tuck you in,” Laura assured her.

  “Will you check on him?”

  “Of course I will.”

  “Thanks.”

  True to their word, Laura and Owen walked her to her room and stayed until she was ready for bed. Katie climbed into the big comfortable bed where she and Shane had shared such magical hours together and broke down all over again.

  Laura and Owen stretched out on either side of her, making her laugh through her tears.

  “You guys are on your honeymoon,” she said. “You don’t need me in the middle.”

  “We don’t mind staying for a while,” Owen said.

  “I’m all right,” Katie said after several quiet minutes. “It’s safe to leave. But thanks for holding me up the way you always have.”

  “And I always will.” Owen kissed her forehead and got up.

  They left, promising to check on her in the morning.

  As soon as she was alone, the tears flowed freely down her face as she thought about the wonderful day she’d spent with Shane until it veered off course. She relived every minute they’d spent together, from that fateful day at the beach through to the painful conversation on Luke’s deck and everything in between. The trip down memory lane only made her cry harder as she hoped they’d get the chance to make more memories together. His words ran through her mind, torturing her and threatening her resolve to keep her distance from him.

  I’m three thousand percent sure.

  I actually love you.

  I sent her away. It’s truly over between us.

  You’ve been more right for me in five days than she was in five years.

  Had she done the wrong thing? Would he want her back after she pushed him away? Was she in love with him? Was that why she hurt so badly? Questions filled her mind, but answers were elusive as she drifted off to sleep even as sobs continued to rack her body.

  She woke when a crack of thunder crashed through her room, making the windows rattle. Lightning lit the darkness, sending Katie burrowing deeper into her bed, pillow over her head, which was how she nearly missed the soft knock on her door.

  She flew out of bed and threw open the door to find Shane, wearing only a pair of basketball shorts.

  “I thought you might be scared.”

  Thrilled to see him and overwhelmed by his kindness, she took his hand and all but dragged him into the room, closing the door behind her. They got into bed, and Shane reached for her.

  Katie snuggled up to him as another loud boom of thunder made her whimper.

  “It’s okay, honey. I’m right here.”

  He held her close as the storm raged, reassuring her with soft words and the gentle caress of his hand on her back.

  Katie fell asleep in his arms, no more certain that she belonged there than she’d been earlier, but comforted nonetheless by his tenderness.

  Tiffany arrived home to find Blaine in bed but still awake. Her daughter, Ashleigh, was cuddled up to him, her dark hair spread out on the pillow. “Bad dream?” Tiffany asked, moved as she always was by the sight of her child in the arms of the man she loved.

  “Thunder.”

  “Oh, right.”

  Tiffany smoothed the hair off her sleeping child’s face. “I can take her back to bed.”

  “No way are you lifting her. I’ve got her.” He picked up the little girl and carried her to her room.

  Tiffany followed and helped to tuck her in.

  When Blaine leaned over to kiss Ashleigh’s forehead, Tiffany blinked back tears. She was an emotional basket case these days, but never more so than when she witnessed how much her husband loved her daughter.

  With his hand on her back, Blaine followed Tiffany from Ashleigh�
�s room into theirs at the other end of the hallway. “How was Maddie?”

  “Good, actually. Surprisingly good. Except for one thing. She seems to be avoiding Mac.”

  “Why would she do that?”

  “I don’t know, but he’s a mess over it.”

  “I’d be a mess, too, if that happened to us.” He rested his hand on her flat belly. “Feeling okay?”

  “Better than earlier.”

  “Did anyone notice that you didn’t drink?”

  She shook her head. “I used the designated-driver excuse. No one thought a thing of it.”

  “You’ll have to tell Maddie eventually.”

  “I know, but not now. Not for a while.”

  Blaine groaned. “I really can’t tell anyone?”

  “I know it’s so hard to keep it a secret, but my sister…”

  “I understand, honey. I really do. And it’s the right thing. It’s just hard not to shout it from the rooftops. My wife is pregnant! We’re having a baby!”

  She smiled at his adorable enthusiasm. “You can shout it to me all you’d like. I’m always happy to hear the good news.”

  “Even though you feel like crap?”

  “It’s a small price to pay, and it won’t last forever.” Tiffany kissed him. “I’ll be right with you.”

  “I’ll be right here, waiting for you.”

  The loss of her unborn niece or nephew had hit Tiffany hard, especially in light of her own recently discovered pregnancy. She’d been so excited to be pregnant with her sister again, like they were with Thomas and Ashleigh. And then to hear that Maddie’s baby was gone… She’d cried for hours while trying to be supportive of her beloved sister.

  Tiffany changed into a T-shirt and brushed her teeth before joining Blaine in bed. Thank goodness for him. He’d been her rock this week while her emotions swung from elated to despondent and back to elated.

  “Come here, baby—and baby.”

  “You are so damned cute, you know that? I love how excited you are about the baby.”

  “I’m so far beyond excited they haven’t yet invented the word for it.”

  “I’m glad you’re happy. Don’t get me wrong. It’s just… It’s kind of soon still, and anything can happen.”