Chapter 12 #3
He got his answer about the address when they reached a two-story white colonial with black shutters, nicely trimmed bushes and the name McCarthy on the mailbox.
Owen pulled into the driveway and parked next to a silver Cadillac sedan.
He tried to decide his next move. Did he wake her up or let her sleep a while longer?
He wanted to let her sleep but didn’t think it was appropriate to sit in her father’s driveway for half an hour without letting him know they were there.
Frank McCarthy solved the problem for Owen by coming out of the house to greet them.
Owen emerged from the car and stopped short at the sight of Laura’s dad, a shorter version of Big Mac McCarthy.
Whereas Big Mac was all rough edges and relaxed cool, Frank was tailored and urbane in a light blue dress shirt, dark dress pants and black wingtips.
While Big Mac’s gray hair was often wild and unkempt from the wind that whipped through the docks, Frank’s was combed into a tame style suitable for a courtroom.
He wore a concerned look in the blue eyes he shared with his brother, daughter and nephews.
“I trust you’re the Owen Lawry I’ve heard so much about,” Frank said, as he approached Owen with his hand extended.
While Owen digested the fact that Laura had told her father about him, Owen shook the older man’s hand. “Yes, sir. I can’t believe our paths haven’t crossed before now. I’ve been close to your brother’s family since I was a kid.”
A flash of regret registered on Frank’s face. “I’ve not been able to spend as much time on the island as I would’ve liked to over the years.” He glanced at the car. “Did she get sick? I wondered if she would. The ferry has always made her queasy even on the best of days.”
“Is that right?” Owen said, surprised to realize she’d lied to him about never getting sick. He took that as an indication of just how badly she’d wanted to keep the appointment with Justin. “She did get pretty sick, and it wiped her out.”
“Poor baby.” He glanced at the gold watch on his wrist. “You’ve got about forty minutes until you need to head out to meet he who shall not be named.”
In that moment, Owen realized he was going to get along famously with Laura’s dad. Laughing, he said, “I like that.”
“Thought you might.” Frank opened the passenger door. “Let’s get her inside.”
“Allow me,” Owen said.
Frank stepped back to let Owen unclip the seatbelt and scoop Laura out of the front seat.
She woke up when they were halfway to the door. “Oh, hey, are we here?”
“You’re home, honey,” Frank said. “Everything’s okay.”
“Hi, Daddy,” she said with a weak smile. “Sorry to show up in ragdoll condition.”
“I figured it might be a tough crossing today.”
“That’s one word for it,” she said. “You met Owen?”
“I sure did,” Frank said, leading the way into the house.
In a low tone that was for her ears only, Owen said, “We’ll discuss the fact that you lied to me about getting seasick later.”
“Sorry,” she said sheepishly. “I couldn’t think about this meeting with Justin anymore. I need to get it over with.”
“I get it, Princess. I’m just kidding.”
“Here you are carrying me around again.”
“It’s a terrible hardship,” he said, kissing her forehead before he put her down on the sofa in what looked to be a formal living room.
“What can I get you, honey?” Frank asked. “Some of that lemon tea you like? Will that settle your stomach?”
“That’d be great, Dad. Thanks.”
“Coming right up. Owen? Ready for a cold beer?”
“I wouldn’t say no to that. Thank you.”
“Be right back.”
Owen sat next to Laura and took her hand. “Do you feel any better after you slept?”
“A little. Sorry to be so high maintenance. I hate that you’ve seen me puke at least ten times by now and we haven’t even slept together. Yet.”
The word “yet” sent a shiver of anticipation dancing down his spine as he thought of the hotel room he’d booked at the Westin. “I hate to remind you that we have slept together.”
A heated blush added some much-needed color to her cheeks. “You know what I mean.”
“Don’t talk about it with your father in the next room,” he said in a low growl that betrayed his ragged emotions.
Her soft laughter filled him with anticipation and love. So much love. At some point, he’d fallen so damned hard for her and couldn’t wait to have the chance to show her what she meant to him.
Frank returned with their drinks and turned his focus on Owen.
Owen tried to release her hand, but she only held on tighter.
“Daddy,” Laura said with a note of warning in her voice. “Don’t even think about it.”
“What?” Frank asked, all innocence. “What’d I do?”
“If the word ‘intentions’ comes out of your mouth, I won’t be responsible for my actions.”
Owen couldn’t contain a chuckle at Laura’s attempt to “manage” her father. Owen realized that Frank shared his brother’s ball-busting sense of humor.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Frank said. “All I was going to say is that it’s nice to finally meet him. Am I allowed to say that?”
“Yes, but nothing else.”
To Owen, Frank said, “She was always such a nice girl. I’m not sure where I went wrong.”
“She’s still a nice girl,” Owen said with a warm glance at her. “The best girl.”
The compliment earned him a smile from Laura.
“On that we agree,” Frank said. “So what’s the plan for he who shall not be named?”
At the reminder of why they were in Providence, Laura lost some of her sparkle. She put the teacup on a side table. “I’m going to tell him about the baby and try to convince him that our marriage may be over, but we’ve got a child to consider.”
“I’m very concerned about him getting physical with you,” Frank said.
“He never would, Dad. He’s far more likely to come at me with words, but I’m ready for him with a few words of my own.”
“That’s my girl.”
Owen was proud of her determination, but the hollow feeling in his gut was a reminder of all the many ways this could go horribly wrong for her—and for them. Whatever happened, he decided as she visited with her father, he’d be there for her. They were in this together.