by Marie Force
“Hey, Mallory,” Mac said when he saw her come in with Quinn. “What brings you to our home away from home for the last few months?”
“Dr. James wanted to show me the facility.”
“We’ll stay out of your way,” Quinn said.
“No problem, Doc,” Mac replied. “We’re working in the kitchen today, so you’ve got the run of the rest.” To Mallory, he added, “We’re in the home stretch, so feel free to notice what a fantastic job we’ve done.”
“Nothing wrong with his ego,” Mallory said.
“I’ve noticed that,” Quinn said.
They left Mac and the others laughing as Quinn gestured for Mallory to go ahead of him into a hallway. “These are all offices.” He pointed to several new wood doors. “Mine, the administrator and the nursing director.”
“Nice that the nursing director gets the same treatment as the medical director. You don’t see that everywhere.”
“I made sure of that. The nursing staff will be the backbone of this place.”
He took her through a large community lounge and a dining room that would allow residents to eat together. “They’ll also have the option of having meals in their rooms, if that’s what they prefer.”
Mallory took it all in. The individual patient rooms were big, spacious and well lit, many with views of the water. “Will it cost more to live on the water side of the building?”
“A little more. Most of those rooms are already spoken for.”
“This is amazing. I can’t believe something like this is happening on such a small island.”
“You can thank my sister-in-law Lizzie for making it a reality. She was so moved by the plight of Alex and Paul Martinez. They had to move their mom, who has dementia, to the mainland when they could no longer care for her at home. They own Martinez Lawn and Garden, so they’re tied to the island and couldn’t go with her. Lizzie said no family should have to face that kind of decision. Within a couple of days, she’d bought the old school and hired Mac to do the renovations. He and his team have been here all winter.”
“She gets things done, huh?”
“Sometimes I think my brother has no idea what hit him when he married her, but he’s so crazy about her that he’d give her anything she wants, including an old school that’s about to be a long-term healthcare facility.”
“That’s true love.”
“Yep.”
“When do you plan to begin recruiting for staff?”
“I hired an agency to handle that for me. I’m meeting with the recruiter at the end of the week.”
Mallory nodded in agreement. That was what she would’ve done, too.
“Our new administrator is starting next week. She’s responsible for hiring the support staff. My brother and Lizzie have given me complete autonomy over the medical side of the house, including hiring the nursing director.”
“That’s great. That’s how it should be.”
He smiled then, and Mallory was struck dumb. His smile revealed deep grooves in his cheeks that couldn’t really be called dimples but were sexy as hell nonetheless. Not to mention the way the smile lit up his golden-brown eyes. “Earth to Mallory?”
She realized she was staring at him and flushed with embarrassment. “Sorry. What did you say?”
“Do you know anyone who might be interested in a management-level nursing position, overseeing a staff of about twenty nurses?”
“I, um… After running an ER with ninety nurses and other support staff, I could do that job with one hand tied behind my back and my eyes closed.”
“Or maybe you could do it with both hands and your eyes open?”
A joke. He’d made a joke. She laughed. “I could do that, too.”
“So you want the job?”
“You know nothing about me! You haven’t checked my references or my experience or… anything!”
“I saw you in action that day on the road. I already know you’ve got the chops, and you ran an ER at a top hospital in Providence.”
“A job I recently lost.”
“Not because you weren’t good at it, but because they couldn’t afford you anymore. Right?”
“Right.”
He shrugged. “I’d consider myself fortunate to have a nurse with your experience on our team if you’re interested in the job.”
Mallory took a deep breath. Her head was spinning. A job offer had been the last thing she’d expected when she came with him to see the facility. “I… Um… I’m committed to work for Mason on the rescue for the summer.”
Quinn opened the door to his office, which already looked fairly lived-in, with piles of folders and papers on the desk. He reached for a piece of paper on the desktop and handed it to her. “That’s fine. We’re not due to open until October. If you’d be willing to consult on the hiring of the nursing team over the summer, you could officially start after Labor Day.”
Mallory perused the job description and the salary range, which was close to what she’d been making in Providence. “Would you mind if I took a little time to think about it? My plan was to spend the summer here and reevaluate in the fall.”
“Of course. Take a few days, but if you’re interested, I’d like to have you at the meeting with the recruiter, if at all possible.”
“How about I commit to the meeting for now, and let you know about the job itself later?”
“I can live with that. If you give me your number, I’ll let you know when the meeting is.”
Mallory recited her phone number and watched as he punched it into his phone.
“I sent you a text so you’ll have mine.”
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
He gave her a questioning look. “I feel like I’ve shocked you speechless with my offer.”
“A little,” she said with a laugh. “And that’s not easy to do. It’s more that I wasn’t expecting it than anything else. Did you plan this whole thing? To lure me out here and wow me with the awesomeness of the place and then offer me a job you hoped I couldn’t refuse?”
“That would be awfully premeditated on my part.”
Oh my God, she thought. He is adorable when he pours on the charm. “Ah-ha! I knew it. And I walked right into your trap.”
His face lifted in a half smile that was no less dazzling than the full one. “Hopefully, you’ll decide my trap is actually a good career move.”
“I’m honored that you offered it to me. Please don’t think I’m not. It’s just that I’m in this weird transition right now, and I want to be sure I’m making the right decision, not the most convenient one.”
“Fair enough.” He stared at her with an intense gaze that made her feel like he could see right through her. “Could I ask you something else?”
“Sure.”
“Will you have dinner with me later?”
For a second, Mallory’s brain went completely blank. He was asking her out? After offering her a job? “I…”
“It’s a simple yes or no question.”
Mallory studied him for a second, but his expression gave nothing away. “Is it? Is it simple?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. I guess we’ll find out.”
“You offered me a job.”
“So I did.”
“And now you’re asking me out?”
“It seems that I am. Yes.”
“I’m confused.”
“Which part is confusing?”
“You asking me out after offering me a job in which you would be my boss if I were to accept the position.”
“I’d prefer to think we’d be colleagues rather than boss-employee. Besides, I’m not proposing marriage here. Just dinner. For now.”
“Why?”
His brows furrowed. “Now I’m confused.”
“Why do you want to have dinner with me?”
“We’re both new to the island, and I thought it would be nice to get to know each other better. Also, I’m sure my brother and sister-in-law are getting tired of having m
e underfoot all the time. I need to make some friends of my own. Are those good reasons?”
“Those are good reasons.”
“So you’ll have dinner with me?”
“I’ll have dinner with you.”
“Excellent,” he said with the half smile that did wondrous things to his face. “Seven thirty good for you?”
“That works. Where would you like to meet?”
“I’ll pick you up. Where’s your new place?”
She gave him the Ocean Road address of Janey’s house, which she should probably think of as hers now.
“Can I give you a ride home?”
“I’ll ride the bike. It’s a nice day. But thanks for the offer.”
“Let me help you get the bike out of the truck.”
They walked together toward the main entrance, and Mallory stuck her head into the kitchen to say good-bye to her brother and cousins.
“Have a good one,” Mac called.
“You, too.”
“That’s my brother,” she said to Quinn. “And my cousins. It still feels weird to say those words. I’d never had brothers or cousins or a sister before last year.”
“That has to be surreal.”
“It is, but it’s also amazing. That guy in there…” In a conspiratorial whisper, she said, “He’s my brother.”
Quinn laughed. “You look like a little kid on Christmas morning when you talk about him.”
“That’s how I’ve felt since I met them all. Like every day is Christmas, and anything is possible.”
“Must be nice to feel that way,” he said wistfully. Reaching into the bed of his truck, he retrieved her bike.
Mallory enjoyed watching his muscles flex under the weight of the bike. “Thank you. For the tour, the job offer and the dinner invitation. This morning turned out quite differently than expected.”
“When every day’s like Christmas, you never know what’ll happen.”
“Very true. I’ll see you later.”
“Yes, you will.”
As Mallory pedaled the bike down the dirt lane that led to the main road, she felt him watching her go. She would admit to being extremely curious about him and wondered if he’d share more about himself at dinner. Mallory couldn’t wait to find out. The Summer of Mallory was already turning out to be much more interesting than expected.
Chapter 6
After watching Mallory ride away, Quinn went back inside, intending to spend some time in his office attempting to get organized. He’d never been part of an endeavor like this one, launching a healthcare facility from the ground up, and was finding it a welcome challenge. Working twelve hours a day sure beat trying to figure out what to do without the discipline of army life.
He missed everything about it—the traveling, the camaraderie, the feeling of being part of something bigger than himself. His unexpected retirement from the military had left a huge, gaping hole in the middle of his life, and he was thankful to Jared and Lizzie for giving him a new sense of purpose.
Quinn fired up his computer to check his email and was replying to a message from one of the medical equipment suppliers when Mac appeared in the doorway.
“Hey,” Quinn said without taking his gaze off the screen. “What’s up?”
“That’s what I wanted to know. What was my sister doing here?”
“She wanted to see the place.”
“How do you know her?”
“We met through friends in town.”
“What friends?”
“Is there a point to this inquisition, Mac?”
“I’m not sure yet.”
“Okay, well, get back to me when you know.”
“She’s been through a rough time.”
“I know. She told me.” That seemed to take Mac by surprise. “You don’t need to play the protective-brother role with me. I have no intention of harming your sister in any way, so you can stand down.”
“You seem like a straight-up guy,” Mac said. “But you keep to yourself a lot. Don’t let anyone get too close.”
His general contractor was an observant sort of guy, Quinn thought. “So?”
“I’m just saying…”
“What is it exactly that you’re saying?”
“Nothing in particular.”
“Good talk, Mac. Glad you stopped by.”
“Mac!” Luke called from the kitchen. “Get your ass back here, and leave him alone.”
“Be nice to my sister,” Mac said over his shoulder as he returned to work.
Despite his bull-in-a-china-shop approach, it wasn’t lost on Quinn that he’d been put on notice that Mac—and probably the rest of the McCarthys—would be keeping an eye on him when it came to Mallory. She’d probably be delighted to know that Mac had played the brother card with him.
The thought brought a smile to his lips, making him realize he’d smiled more today than he had in a very long time, and the day was still young.
Mallory rode her bike to the marina, coasting down the hill into the cool spring breeze off the Salt Pond. Gansett Island was one of the most beautiful places she’d ever seen. From the panoramic water views to the lush landscapes to the hidden waterways to the ancient stone walls and crushed-shell driveways, there was something to see everywhere she looked.
With the spring flowers in full bloom and Race Week about to get underway, the island’s residents were preparing in earnest for the summer season. Arriving at McCarthy’s Gansett Island Marina, Mallory parked the bike and walked toward the main dock that extended into the Salt Pond. Her dad was on his knees, pounding nails into one of the wide planks that made up the pier.
He’d turned sixty recently, not that he looked a day over fifty with his wiry gray hair, gleeful smile and bright blue eyes.
“Hi there,” she said as she approached him, recalling the first time she’d ever seen him, right here on this pier one week after her mother died and her letter told Mallory where to find him.
He looked up from what he was doing and smiled with pleasure at the sight of her.
Mallory wondered how long it would be, if ever, before she’d become accustomed to the fact that this extraordinary man was her father.
“What a nice surprise this is. What brings you by?”
“I was hoping I might talk you into lunch.”
“Sweetheart, you should know by now that I never have to be talked into lunch, or any other meal, for that matter.” He wiped beads of sweat from his brow with the sleeve of the faded Gansett Island sweatshirt he wore over shorts and rugged work boots. “Let’s take a walk over to the Oar Bar.”
“That sounds good.”
He showed her the shortcut on a path that wound from McCarthy’s Marina to McCarthy’s Gansett Island Hotel, which he and Linda owned, and over to the neighboring marina where the Oar was located. They walked up the back stairs to the hostess stand, where the woman working greeted him by name.
“Hi there, sweetheart,” he said. “Could I get a table for me and my daughter?”
“Of course! Right this way.”
He smiled down at Mallory and placed a hand on her back to encourage her to go ahead of him. Everything he did and said thrilled her. Her dad. His daughter. It never got old.
“What’s good here?” she asked, taking in the thousands of painted oars that dominated the space.
“Everything, but I love the lobster roll. Comes with fries and slaw.”
“That sounds good to me, too.”
When the waitress came by, he ordered for both of them. “A Diet Coke?” he asked Mallory.
She loved the way he paid attention to every little thing about her. “That’ll do it,” she said.
“Make it two.” After the waitress walked away, he said, “I’d love a beer, but it’s a little too early.”
He’d given her the opening she needed to bring up one of the reasons she’d invited him to lunch. Mallory marshaled her courage and took the plunge. “About that… I wanted to tell you… I should’ve
mentioned it sooner, but things have been so busy…”
“What’s on your mind, sweetheart?”
His genuine interest made it so easy to say the words. “I’m actually an alcoholic.”
“Oh… Okay.”
“I’m sure you’re wondering how that can be when you’ve seen me drink.”
He held up a hand. “No judgment from me. I swear.”
“That’s nice of you to say, but I’ve been doing a lot of personal judging and wondering why I so easily forgot ten years of sobriety the minute I met my dad and his big wonderful family.”
“Your big wonderful family.”
“My family,” Mallory conceded.
“Why do you suppose that happened?”
“I’m chalking it up to stress and excitement and getting caught up in the moment and wanting to fit in. None of those are excuses, but they’re all I’ve got. I’m back to daily meetings, and I haven’t had a sip of alcohol since New Year’s Eve.”
“At Adam’s wedding?”
Mallory nodded. “I kind of snapped out of it the next day and was horrified by what I’d let happen over the last few months.”
“You probably ought to cut yourself a break. Those few months in question would’ve tested anyone’s mettle.”
“I know, but still… I was disappointed in myself and vowed to get back on track. I went to a meeting that day, and I haven’t missed a day since.”
“It’s a strong person who can look at herself with that kind of scrutiny. You should be proud of yourself for being able to do that.”
“Thank you. It means a lot to have your support and understanding.”
“You’ll always have my support—and my understanding.”
She used her napkin to dab at tears that suddenly filled her eyes. “I’m still getting used to that.”
“Take your time. I’m not going anywhere. You and me… We’ve got a lot of time to make up for.” After a pause, he said, “I find myself wondering…”
“About?”
“So many things. I want to know everything. Who your friends are, who you’ve loved, where you’ve lived, the awards you won in school, the big and little things that I missed out on.”
Touched by his interest, she said, “My very best friend in the whole world is Trish Bennett. We met in second grade and have been best friends ever since. She lives in Boston and is an accomplished photographer. We’ve been through everything together.”