Chapter 20 #2
“All the time. I figure he had to be a boy because we had four boys before we got our girl. He’d be thirty-eight now.
” Big Mac shook his head at that realization.
“But then if we’d had him, we might not’ve gotten you when we did, because it would’ve been too soon after him.
And I simply can’t imagine this world without you in it.
So things work out the way they’re meant to, you know? Even shitty things like this.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“I’m going to tell Mallory this isn’t a good weekend to come out to the island.”
“Damn, I forgot she was coming.” They’d recently discovered that Big Mac had fathered a daughter before he was married. Mallory had come to the island to find her father after her mother’s death.
“She’ll understand.”
“Don’t cancel on our account. You wanted to get together with her again before Grant’s wedding, and that’s coming up soon. Keep the plans. We might not be there, but the rest of you can carry on without us.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.”
After a long, companionable silence, Big Mac said, “How long did they say it would take?”
“Couple hours.”
Big Mac nodded.
“Hey, Dad?”
“Yeah?”
“Means the world to me that you came.”
“Had a feeling it might help to have some company.”
“It does. More than you’ll ever know.”
After breakfast with Katie, Shane headed for the marina, hoping he could borrow his uncle’s truck, since Mac had taken his to the mainland. However, when he arrived, he found his dad and Ned sitting with Luke Harris at the picnic table where Big Mac usually held court in the morning.
“Hey, guys,” Shane said when he joined them.
“Hey, son,” Frank said with a big smile for Shane. “What brings you to the meeting of the minds this lovely morning?”
“I was actually looking for Uncle Mac.”
“He’s gone over to keep Mac company,” Frank said.
Of course that was where he was, Shane thought, knowing his own father would’ve done the same thing, because that’s how they rolled. “I assume he took his truck?”
“Since he wouldn’t be caught dead in Linda’s yellow bug, you assume correctly,” Frank said as Ned grunted with laughter.
“I’m kind of in a bind,” Shane said. “I’ve got a ton of stuff to pick up at the ferry today and no truck.” It was time to look into getting one of his own.
“Take mine,” Luke said, producing the keys.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. With both Macs off-island, I’m here for the day.”
“Thanks a million.”
“You need help with the delivery?” Frank asked.
“I wouldn’t say no to some help if you feel up to it.”
Frank flexed his biceps. “I’m up to it.”
“Shit…” Ned muttered. “Don’t hurt yerself.”
Shane took the time to have a coffee and a couple of doughnuts before he and his father left to meet the ferry. On the way there, Shane glanced over at his dad in the passenger seat. “So I talked to Mac the other day about the off-season, and I’ve decided to stay.”
“That’s great news, son.”
“He says there’s plenty of work to keep me busy, so no sense leaving when everything and everyone I care about is here.”
“Good thinking.”
“It’s that baby’s fault. He’s got me totally hooked. I can’t imagine not seeing him every day.”
“Babies do that to the best of us. I’ve got a bad case over him myself, and two more coming soon. Lots to look forward to.”
“Yeah, there is. For the first time in a long time, that’s very true.”
“So just a few babies keeping you here?” Frank asked, trying to affect a casual tone that Shane saw right through.
“Why don’t you say what you really mean?”
“Which is?”
Shane laughed. “Same tricks, different decade. You’re still trying to pry personal info out of me.”
“That’s my job.”
“Am I staying because of Katie? Is that what you’re asking?”
“I’m wondering if she factored into the decision.”
After last night, she definitely factored into the decision, but he kept that thought to himself. “She’s part of it. I haven’t known her long, but we’re having fun together. But it’s more than that. I feel at home here. You’re here, Laura’s here, the rest of the family… It’s a good fit.”
“I’m glad you feel that way. I do, too.”
“What about Betsy? Is she staying for the off-season?”
“She hasn’t decided anything yet. I hope she’ll stay.”
“Are you going to be okay if she doesn’t?”
“Sure I will. I’ve been through worse. But I’ll sure as hell miss her if she goes.”
“Are you doing everything you can to get her to stay?”
“Um…”
“Does she know you love her?”
“Oh, well,” Frank said, sputtering, “I don’t think it’s come to that.”
“Hasn’t it?”
Frank was quiet for a long moment. “Yeah, it has.”
“Then tell her.”
“I’m not sure she’s ready to hear it.”
“Don’t let her get away, Dad. I’d hate to see you have regrets later. Put your cards on the table.”
“What if she doesn’t feel the same way?”
“Then at least you’ll know, but I don’t think she’s going to be unhappy to hear it. She seems really into you for some strange reason.”
“Ha-ha, very funny. I could say the same about Katie.”
“Don’t try to turn this around on me. We’re talking about you.”
“Now we’re talking about you.”
“I walked right into that, didn’t I?” Shane asked, amused by his dad.
“She’s a nice girl.”
“She’s a nice woman.”
“That, too.”
“I nearly screwed it up this morning.”
“This morning, huh?”
“Pay attention, Dad.”
“Oh, I am. What’d you do?”
“I got a little bossy with her, which was totally Laura’s fault, but Katie didn’t like it and let me know that. It’s a touchy issue for her after everything with her dad.”
“That family’s been through the wringer. I know Owen has his demons where his father is concerned. It’s only natural that Katie would, too. Owen, Katie and her twin, Julia, are the oldest. They witnessed the worst of it.”
“Despite everything, she’s very sweet and sincere. She’s cautious but willing to take some risks, too. I like her. A lot.”
“Thrills me to hear you say that. For a long time, I feared you’d never date again, let alone anything else.”
“Who says ‘anything else’ is going on?”
“A father knows these things.”
“Oh Jesus…” As skeptical as he sounded, Shane was all too familiar with how tuned in to both his kids Frank was.
It had driven them nuts as teenagers, and now was no different.
“Do me a favor and keep the speculating to yourself. She’s special, and I’m trying not to screw it up before it even starts. ”
“My lips are sealed.” After a long pause, Frank said, “Just one more thing, and then I’ll shut up.”
“Promise?”
Laughing, Frank said, “Yeah, I promise. I only wanted to say that I hope you won’t let what happened with what’s her name keep you from going all in again with someone else, maybe even Katie.”
Shane thought about that. “A few months ago, I would’ve said no way to going all in again. It’s just not worth the aggravation. But now… I might be open to changing my mind on that.”
“Which is the best news I’ve heard in weeks.”
“I don’t want you to worry about me. I have absolutely no desire to ever again be where I was when she left me. I’m being careful.”
“Good. I never want to see you in that place again. Ever.”
“You won’t. Don’t worry.”
“Of course I’ll worry. That’s my job.”