by Marie Force
“What’re your doctors saying about your risk level?”
“It’s high, and I’m going to be on full bed rest at Uncle Frank’s house in Providence during the last month.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“I keep telling myself that, but the idea of a month in bed makes me crazy. I had bed rest with PJ, too, and about lost my mind.”
“It’ll go by fast.”
“I guess, and it’s comforting to know we’ll be minutes from the hospital.”
“Sounds like you’ve got it all worked out.”
“Except the part where I’m scared out of my mind that something will go wrong again.”
“You’ll be right where you need to be. Try not to worry.”
“Can I ask you something, and will you tell me the truth?”
“Of course,” Mallory said. “Anything you want.”
“As a nurse, do you think I’m crazy for letting this happen again after what I went through the last time?”
“No, Janey, I don’t think that at all.”
“Really? Because sometimes I wonder if the whole world doesn’t think Joe and I are insane for having another baby.”
“What happened with PJ is very, very rare. There’s no reason to believe it’s going to happen again, and if it does, it won’t happen on a remote island without an OB and a surgical suite. I’m sure your doctor will recommend a C-section around thirty-eight weeks, just to be on the safe side.”
Janey nodded. “That’s what they said.”
“All right, then. No chance for disaster.”
“I just have to get to thirty-eight weeks without a disaster.”
“Try not to think the worst. It’s not good for you or the baby.”
“I know. I’ve been meditating and breathing and doing everything I can to stay calm, but nine months is a long time to be anxious. It’s taking a toll on Joe, too. He tries to hide it, but he’s not sleeping well and is tightly wound.”
“You two need a couple of nights away from it all. Why don’t you take off and go somewhere? I’ll watch PJ.”
Janey stared at her as if she had three heads. “Are you for real?”
“Yes,” Mallory said, laughing. “I’m sure the grandmothers would help, wouldn’t they?” She did have a new job, after all, and couldn’t be with the baby around the clock.
“They would and Joe gets a small break after Race Week before the season officially kicks into high gear. Are you sure?”
“Yes!” Mallory laughed. “Go for it. I gotcha covered. My offer even includes pet sitting.”
Janey hugged her. “You’re the best sister I’ve ever had.”
Once again, Mallory had to blink back tears because of something one of her siblings said to her. “Same goes.”
“I’ll talk to Joe and see what we can work out. I know it can’t be this week because Seamus and Carolina are going to the mainland to finalize their adoption of Jackson and Kyle, so Joe is on duty at work.”
“That’s so exciting,” Mallory said. “They must be thrilled.”
“They are. The boys are adapting so well, all things considered. Losing their mom at such a young age was a terrible blow, but Seamus and Caro have done what they could to fill the void. And now they’re making it official. I hear there’s a party to celebrate soon.”
“Never a lack of parties around here.”
“And people say island life is boring.”
“Not in this family.”
“So tell me… What’s up with you and the hunky Dr. James?”
“Ummm, we’re friends?”
“With or without benefits?” Janey asked.
Mallory laughed at the blunt question. “Is this what it’s like to have a sister?”
Janey nudged her. “You know it. Answer the question.”
“With partial benefits. For now, anyway. We have the same exact birthday. That’s kind of cool, right?”
“That’s very cool. You should go for it with him. He’s a stud.”
“Are you talking about me again, babe?” Joe asked when he came into the kitchen.
Janey rolled her eyes. “You wish.”
Joe flexed his biceps. “Am I or am I not a stud?”
“I think that’s my cue,” Mallory said, gathering her purse and the plate she’d brought with the brownies.
“Guess what, Joseph? My lovely sister has offered to stay with PJ so we can get away by ourselves for a couple of nights. What do you say?”
“I say can we go now?”
Both women laughed at his quick reply.
“How about in a week or so when I get used to my new schedule on the rescue?” Mallory said.
“I suppose I can wait that long,” Joe said. “That’s nice of you, Mallory. Thank you.”
“I’m looking forward to some time alone with my nephew. I’ve got lots of spoiling to do.”
Janey groaned. “He’s already spoiled rotten.”
“No such thing.” Mallory hugged Joe and walked with Janey to the front door. “Thanks for a fun night.”
“Thanks for the cleanup help.”
Mallory zipped her jacket. “No problem.”
“Hey, Mallory?”
“Yeah?”
“I just wanted to say…” She paused, seeming to collect her thoughts. “When I first heard about you, I didn’t react the way I should have, and I just want you to know that I’m really glad you’re here and that I have a sister. I always wanted one while growing up with the four animals we call brothers, and… I’m, well, I’m glad you’re my sister.”
Deeply moved, Mallory hugged her. “Thank you so much for that. I couldn’t have dreamed this family, but I’m so happy to be part of it and to have you as my baby sister.”
“As long as you don’t call me brat, we’re all good.”
Mallory laughed. “I’ll try to refrain.”
Janey pulled back, and they both dabbed at their eyes. “So is your stud doctor making a house call tonight?”
Shaking her head, Mallory said, “Good night, Janey.”
With her heart full after the night with her family, she got into her car and debated whether or not she should text Quinn. At this hour, a text could be construed as a potential booty call, but she’d promised to let him know when she was heading home, so she went ahead and sent the text.
On the way.
She put the phone in her purse and concentrated on driving, resisting the temptation to see if he’d replied.
“You’re so incredibly tense,” Dan said to Kara as he massaged her shoulders. He’d brought her home right after dinner at Janey and Joe’s because he could tell she wasn’t in a partying mood tonight. Now he had her positioned in front of him in bed and was trying to help her relax. “Your muscles are like rocks.”
“It’s wedding stress. I can’t take much more of it.”
“I have a suggestion that might not win me any points with my future mother-in-law but will win me all sorts of points with my future wife.”
“I can’t wait to hear this.”
“Stop taking her calls. Stop reading her texts. Just stop everything with her.”
“You want me to stop speaking to my mother a week before our wedding?”
“Well, I don’t want that, but she’s making it impossible for you to enjoy what should be the happiest time in your life, and I find that highly unacceptable.”
Kara turned her head so she could see him behind her. “I love when you go all lawyerly on me.”
“Then how about I file an injunction prohibiting her from contacting you until after we say ‘I do’?”
“As much as I love the thought of that, I’d hate to have you stuck in her cross hairs, too. It’s bad enough that I’m there.”
“I’d happily take a bullet for you.”
“Don’t even say that. I’ve had enough of you being injured to last me a lifetime.”
His low chuckle drew one from her, too. “That’s what I want to hear. Laughter and ha
ppiness and nothing but pure joy, which is what I feel when I think about being married to you.”
“I can’t wait to be married to you. I just wish the wedding hadn’t turned into such a circus.”
“The wedding could be an actual circus with a big top, elephants and clowns, and I wouldn’t give a flying fuck as long as you were there to marry me.”
“You mean that, don’t you?”
“I mean it.”
“So you’re suggesting I let the wedding turn into a circus?”
“I’m suggesting you do it exactly the way you want it and ignore anyone who tries to deter you from having what you want on your day. And PS, babe, we’re paying for it, not them, so we get to do exactly what we want.” He’d insisted on paying for it so she could have it her way, thus the months of back and forth with her mother, who wanted to control the whole thing.
“That’s true.”
“So, no more calls or texts or fights with your mother?”
“No more.”
“That’s my girl.”
“I hope you know what a shit show you’re marrying into with my family.”
“I’m not marrying them. I’m marrying you, the one person in this entire world I can’t live without. If that means taking on the Ballard family shit show, too, then sign me up.”
“You’re crazy, you know that?”
“How can I not know when you’ve been telling me that since the day we met?”
She rested her head on his shoulder, and he put his arms around her. “I have an awful feeling that Kelly is going to show up whether I invite her or not.”
“So what? Let her see how happy you are with the rich, handsome stud you landed while she’s stuck with Matt the cheater for the rest of her life.”
Kara laughed so hard her body shook with it, which pleased him endlessly. “Not sure which part of that was funnier—you calling yourself a rich, handsome stud or her being stuck with Matt the cheater for the rest of her life.” She wiped laughter tears from her eyes. “In case I forget to tell you this, I’m so glad you forced yourself on me until you wore me down and got me to fall in love with you.”
“I’m afraid I have to object to your terminology. There was no ‘force’ involved. Rather, I employed a combination of devastating charm and a level of perseverance never before required with any woman to get you to fall madly in love with me. It was a tough battle at times, but well worth it in the end.”
“You’re too much, Torrington.”
“Maybe so, but I’m just enough for you, and I can’t wait to marry you.”
“I can’t wait either.”
Seated with Jared and Lizzie on the back deck of their house, Quinn scratched Brutus behind the ears and enjoyed the fire Jared had lit. “Outdoor fireplaces are all the rage on this island, huh?”
“We love ours,” Lizzie said. “After I saw Alex and Jenny’s, I asked Jared to build one for us.”
“And whatever my lovely wife wants, she gets,” Jared said with an indulgent smile for his wife who was cuddled into his lap as usual.
“Oh hush. As if you don’t get what you want, too.”
Quinn put his hands over his ears. “Lalalalala. Can’t hear you.”
Lizzie giggled. “You’re one to talk. I saw you snuggled up to Mallory tonight. What gives, big brother?”
Quinn loved his brother’s wife. He truly did. She was perfect for Jared and had brought much-needed balance to his insane life. Quinn barely recognized the man that Jared was now—relaxed, decompressed and crazy in love with his adorable wife and her passionate desire to help people in need. Only because he loved her so much did he indulge her nosiness. “I was not snuggling with anyone.”
“Semantics. What’s up with her?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“But you admit there’s something up?”
“Lizzie,” Jared said with exasperation. “Leave him alone.”
“You leave me alone,” she retorted. “You know I need the info on everything that goes on around here.”
“Sorry, bro,” Jared said. “At least if she’s badgering you, she’s not badgering me.”
“You love when I badger you.”
Quinn put his hands over his ears again. “Lalalalalala. Make it stop.”
Lizzie giggled some more. “If you spill the beans, I won’t have anything to badger you about.”
“I promise,” Quinn said, “that when there are beans to spill, you’ll be the first to know.”
“I can live with that,” Lizzie said.
“Thank goodness,” Jared said. “Can we talk about other stuff now?”
“Like how your parents want to come visit?” Lizzie asked.
“They do?” Quinn asked, shocked to hear that.
Jared nodded. “They said if Mohamed won’t come to the mountain…”
“I assume I’m playing the role of Mohamed in this drama?” Quinn asked.
“You assume correctly,” Jared said, “and PS, thank you for sucking me into your drama.”
“It’s not intentional. Trust me on that. When are they coming?”
“They said sometime this summer, so we have time to prepare.”
Quinn had tried to be a dutiful son. He called home every Sunday without fail and sent gifts for birthdays, holidays and his parents’ anniversary. But he hadn’t actually seen them in far too long and had felt guilty about it for a while now.
He was saved from having to further discuss his parents’ upcoming visit when David Lawrence and his fiancée, Daisy Babson, pulled into the driveway in front of their garage apartment next door and came over to say hello.
“You’re back!” Lizzie said, jumping up to hug David and Daisy. “Did you have a good trip?”
“We did,” Daisy said. “It was nice to be off the island for a couple of days, and we got to see Marion, too.”
“When she says it was nice to be off the island, she means it was nice to have access to stores,” David said. “Lots and lots of stores.”
Daisy laughed. “It’s true. I went a little wild buying stuff for our new house and the wedding.”
“That sounds like fun to me,” Lizzie said.
“Not me,” Jared added.
“Or me,” David said. “But if Daisy is happy, so am I.”
“Awww,” Lizzie said, “you two are so cute. Don’t forget we’ve got your caterer coming out on Tuesday to talk wedding plans.”
“How could we forget?” Daisy said. “We’re so excited to finalize everything.”
“When’s the big day?” Quinn asked.
“September,” Daisy said, “but the time is flying by. Thank goodness we’re doing it at the Chesterfield, and Lizzie is taking care of everything for us.”
“Almost everything,” Lizzie said. “Did you get a dress?”
“I did, and I love it.”
Lizzie clapped her hands. “Fantastic! I can’t wait to see it.”
“I can’t wait to show you. I was by myself when I bought it, and no one has seen it yet.”
“I offered to give an opinion,” David said, “and was schooled about the superstitions surrounding these things.”
“Which you should’ve known since this isn’t your first time being engaged,” Daisy said with a teasing smile for him.
“Everything about this time is different.” He put his arm around Daisy and kissed her. “I had nothing to do with planning that wedding. I wasn’t even here.”
“Ancient history,” Daisy said, smiling up at him.
“I meant to ask, how was Marion?” Lizzie said.
“Not great,” Daisy replied glumly. “She’s definitely declined since we last saw her. She didn’t recognize me at first.”
“That’s so sad,” Lizzie said with a sigh. “Alex and Paul are talking about moving her home once our facility is open.”
“That’d be a blessing for them to have her closer,” David said.
“They’re so grateful for what you all are doing with the facility
,” Daisy added. “They can’t wait to move her back to the island.”
“I’ve been thinking we should name the facility for Marion,” Lizzie said. “She’s the one who inspired the idea.”
“That’d be amazing,” Daisy said. “Alex and Paul would be so thrilled.”
“That’s a great idea, hon,” Jared said. “I like it.”
“Then it’s done,” Lizzie said. “I’ll let Alex and Paul know tomorrow.”
Daisy hugged her. “Thank you so much for honoring Marion in this way.”
Lizzie returned Daisy’s embrace. “It’s so nice to be able to do something with Jared’s obscene fortune to make things better for people we care about.”
While everyone else laughed, Jared huffed. “There is nothing obscene about my fortune.” Though his tone was indignant, his expression was full of love for his irrepressible wife.
“We’re off to bed,” Daisy said. “See you all in the morning.”
“Good night,” Lizzie said for all of them.
Chapter 18
“Tell me more about this Marion who inspired our facility,” Quinn said after David and Daisy went up to their apartment over the garage. “How does Daisy factor into the story?”
“One day, Marion wandered off and ended up in town in a rocking chair on Daisy’s front porch.”
“She went from their place to town by herself?” Quinn asked.
“Yeah, and she was barefoot, so her feet were all cut up. That’s when the guys realized it was really getting bad and they needed to make some changes. They hired Hope to be her live-in nurse.”
“Home nursing didn’t work out?”
“It did for a while,” Lizzie said, “but the specialist recommended in-patient care, and the mainland was their only option. They’re tied to the island because of their landscaping business, so it was an awful quandary for them.”
“Enter my gorgeous wife with the idea for a facility out here,” Jared said. “Someone mentioned the former school as a possible site, and she had me out there at seven o’clock the next morning.”
“I don’t believe in sitting on a good idea.”
“It’s a great idea,” Jared said, “and it’s going to immediately benefit our friends, not to mention so many others.”