Chapter 5
L ong after McKenzie went upstairs and the lights went off in the apartment, Duke sat watching the fire and thinking about the things she’d told him about herself. The baby’s father had deceived her terribly before bolting. That made him a loser of the highest order. She and the baby were better off without him.
Her mother was complicated and difficult, which he’d heard before from Rosemary. She’d often lamented about her daughter Cecelia’s challenges in getting along in the world. He remembered her saying how she and her husband used to call Cecelia their little porcupine, which was cute until Cecelia grew up and became even more contrary and difficult to deal with as an adult.
Cecelia’s many struggles had caused heartache for her mother. “All a mother wants for her kids is an easier life than she had,” Rosemary had said. “That was never going to happen for that girl because all she did was make things harder for herself than they needed to be.”
He’d never thought about what that sort of behavior might be like for Cecelia’s kids.
That McKenzie would rather be alone with a baby on Gansett than at home with her mother said a lot about their relationship.
Duke was glad she’d come to their island and looked forward to getting to know her better. The more time he spent with her, the more intrigued he became, even as he tried to slow his roll. He had nothing but respect for her as his dear friend’s granddaughter, who was coming back from a tough couple of years.
The last thing she needed was an older man following her around like a dog in heat.
He grunted out a laugh at the way he’d described himself. He wasn’t quite that far gone, but he needed to mind his manners around her. Right now, she needed a friend much more than she needed another complication with a man.
While she figured out a plan for herself and her son, he would be her friend and would help her navigate the maze of insurance and reconstruction of the cabin.
Maybe something more would come of it. Maybe it wouldn’t. Either way, he was content with his life and would continue to be no matter what happened next.
Even as he told himself that, he couldn’t wait to see her and Jax tomorrow.
Blaine Taylor woke from the deepest sleep he’d had in days. Ahead of the storm and after, he’d worked around the clock to ensure the safety of the island and its residents. As the chief of police, he felt a deep responsibility for every one of his seven hundred year-round residents, as well as the thousands who came each summer to enjoy the island’s beaches and other attractions.
It weighed on him that two men were missing after the storm. That one of the missing men was his wife’s ex-husband and the father of his beloved stepdaughter made things even more complicated.
Blaine turned toward his wife’s side of the bed and realized it was empty. The clock read 4:06 . Where the heck was she? He rolled out of bed and went to find her, checking first in the girls’ rooms. Both their little ladies were sound asleep. Hopefully, they’d stay that way for a few more hours.
Downstairs, he followed the glow of light to the half-bath off the kitchen, where his pregnant wife was on her knees scrubbing the tile floor.
“What’re you doing, babe?”
She turned to him, startled by his sudden appearance.
That’s when he saw the yellow rubber gloves that covered her hands and forearms. Something about those damned gloves struck him as ridiculously adorable.
“You scared me.”
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to. I woke up and couldn’t find you, so I came looking. Why are you cleaning the bathroom floor in the middle of the night?”
“It needed to be done.”
“Tiff, honey, come on. Let me help you up.”
“I want to finish this.”
“Let me do it if it needs to be done right now.”
“I need to do it. It helps me to stay busy.”
“Why don’t we sit together for a few minutes and see if that helps?” He could tell she didn’t want to take the hand he offered but did it for his sake.
He helped her up and waited for her to get her bearings before leading her to the living room. After they’d sat next to each other, he tugged the gloves off her hands and put them on the coffee table. Then he reached for a throw blanket and arranged it over her to keep her warm.
“I’m sorry if I disturbed you when you needed sleep so badly.”
Blaine put his arm around her, encouraging her to rest her head on his chest. “You didn’t disturb me. When I woke up and you were gone, I had to come find you.” He wished he could take away her pain and sorrow.
“I couldn’t sleep, so I figured I should get something done while I could.”
“You want to talk about it?”
“What’s there to say? My ex-husband, who I despised, is missing and presumed dead, and all I can think about is how will I ever explain this to Ashleigh.”
“We’ll tell her together. We’ll tell her how her daddy loved her more than anything, that she was the brightest light in his life and how he never would’ve wanted to leave her. We’ll make sure she knows she’s loved by us and everyone else in her life and always will be.”
A sob shook Tiffany’s body.
He held her close as he ran a soothing hand over her back. “Let it out, honey.”
“I can’t cry about my ex-husband all over my new husband.”
“Sure, you can. The new guy isn’t at all threatened by the ex.”
She laughed even as she continued to sob. “It’s so bizarre for me to be sad about him.”
“I know, honey, but I’d be surprised if you weren’t. You have the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. Of course you’re sad over this.”
“That biggest heart has contained a whole lot of ill will toward him in recent years.”
“For very good reason. You’re only human for feeling the way you did about him. He put you and Ashleigh through hell. But the Tiffany I know and love will grieve for the man she loved once upon a time, for the man who gave her our precious Ashleigh, for all the things that could’ve been.”
“Yeah, that’s it exactly. I’ve been thinking a lot about when we were first together. I never expected us to end up the way we did.”
“Why would you? You were a devoted, loyal, loving wife to him.”
“How do you know I wasn’t a hag?”
“You wouldn’t know how to be. You gave him everything you had, which, in my experience, is a hell of a lot, and he was too stupid to know how good he had it. That, and everything else he did before and after your split, is on him. And he knew it. More than once, I caught him looking at you with yearning. He understood what he’d let get away.”
“He did not look at me that way. He couldn’t stand me.”
“That’s not true, Tiff. He frequently looked at you with longing and regret. I saw that as recently as two weeks ago when he brought Ash home from dinner and you went out to meet them. I was watching from the kitchen window. I saw how he looked at you and the house where he used to live with you. He knew what he’d lost. I’d bet my life on that.”
Tiffany had gotten the house in their divorce agreement, and they had decided to stay put after they got married since Ashleigh had already been through enough upheaval.
“You really think so?” she asked.
“I’m one hundred percent positive that any man who was lucky enough to be loved by you would regret losing you for the rest of his life. I sure as hell would.”
“That’ll never happen.”
“No, it won’t, because I’m smart enough to know I hit the jackpot the day you decided to love me, and I’ll never take that for granted.”
She laughed. “Decided to love you. As if it was a decision.”
“However it came about, it’s the best thing to ever happen to me. The difference between me and him is I’m able to see that and he never was until it was too late. I’ve always been thankful for that if I’m being honest. I mean, if he hadn’t fucked it up, I never would’ve had my chance to love you.”
“And what a tragedy that would’ve been.”
“Definitely. I understand the heartache you’re feeling, even if I don’t feel it the same way you do. I feel it for you and for Ash and Jim’s parents. Despite what I thought of him, I didn’t want this for him or any of you.”
“You were right. It does help to talk about it. Thanks for coming to find me.”
“I’ll always come to find you, babe. Always.”
“I’ve had faith in that from the beginning. Knowing you were out there waiting for me to be free of him was what got me through a very rough time.”
“I thought I’d go mad waiting for you.”
“And then you still had to come after me.”
“You didn’t make it easy for me, but every second since then has been worth the wait and the chase.”
“Thanks for this, for being here for me.”
“I’m here, sweetheart, for you and Ash, and I’m not going anywhere.” Blaine nuzzled her hair and breathed in the strawberry scent of his love. “Do you think you could go back to sleep for a while?”
“I can try.”
He helped her up, followed her upstairs, waited while she looked in on each of the girls and then sat on her side of the bed to tuck her in. “Close your eyes and put it all aside for a little while.”
She reached for him and brought him close enough for a kiss. “Love you.”
“Love you more.”
“No way.”
“Yes way.”
Smiling, she shook her head.
He kissed her again. “Sleep, love.”
She closed her eyes but kept smiling while he stood watch over her. As soon as he was confident she was asleep, he got up to check in at work, hoping for an update on the search for Jim and Billy.
He needed to get some resolution for his beloved wife and daughter.
His ringing phone pulled Fire Chief Mason Johns out of a deep sleep. Hoping that Jordan would stay asleep for a while yet, he grabbed the phone and took it into the bathroom, closing the door.
“Johns.”
“Hey, it’s me,” Blaine Taylor said. “Did I wake you?”
“Uh, well, it is five o’clock in the morning, so kinda. What’s up?”
“Sorry, I was awake and hoping for an update on the search. Having Jim missing is taking a huge toll on Tiffany and the family. I’m sure it’s the same for Billy’s family.”
“Linc and the Coast Guard searched until around ten last night. They were planning to resume the search in the Salt Pond at first light. We believe they were probably on Billy’s boat, so they might’ve tried to swim to shore when the boat sank. Might’ve been drinking…”
Blaine’s deep sigh was loud and clear.
“I can’t imagine how tough this is on his family and yours. We’re doing everything we can to find them.”
“I know. Thank you, and I’m sorry I woke you. I wasn’t even thinking about what time it was.”
“No worries. I need to get going anyway. Not sure which is worse, the storm prep or the cleanup.”
“Definitely the cleanup. What’re you hearing about Jeff and Kelsey?”
“Both are on the mend. He’s got a stint in rehab ahead of him before they can return to the island, but he should make a full recovery.”
“Thank goodness for that.”
“Indeed. I’ll never forget the sight of that barn collapsed on them.”
“Me either.”
“All right, I’ll let you get to work. I’m sticking close to home for now but call if you need me. My team is available for anything you need.”
“Will do. Please tell Tiffany that Jordan and I are thinking of her and Ashleigh.”
“That’ll mean a lot to her. Thanks.”
Mason ended the call, thinking about how weird it must be for Tiffany to be upset about Sturgil being missing when he’d been such a dick to her. He headed for the shower, still pondering the mysteries of love and grief and hoping for Tiffany and Ashleigh’s sake that Sturgil was found alive. But the longer he was missing, the less likely that became.
Even if he was a dick, he wouldn’t make his loved ones suffer this way.
He turned on the shower and was grateful for hot water. Power had been spotty since it returned over the weekend, so he never knew what to expect.
Mason turned his face up to the hot water and tried to relax muscles gone rigid with stress over the last few tumultuous weeks. Having their island under assault by Mother Nature had taken it out of him and everyone else who worked in public safety.
Because his eyes were closed, he had no warning before Jordan’s warm, sexy body was pressed against his back. Just that quickly, he wanted her. “What’re you doing up so early?”
“I wanted to see you before you leave.”
“I’m glad you did.” He moved carefully to turn to face her, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. “Best way to start the day.”
“Mmm, for sure.”
“How’re you feeling?”
“Not nauseated for once.”
“I’m glad.” He hated how difficult her pregnancy had been so far and wished he could do something to ease her burden. “I hate when you feel shitty.”
“I do, too.” She looked up at him with the eyes that had captivated him from the first time he ever saw her—after saving her life. Then she’d turned right around and saved his. “But I’m not feeling shitty now.” She slid her hand down his chest and curled it around his straining erection.
His legs went weak under him as she stroked him and kissed his chest. “Jord… Uh…”
Her giggle echoed off the shower walls.
“Are you laughing at me?”
“Maybe a little.”
He put his arm around her and lifted her, pressing her back against the wall.
She batted her eyelashes at him. “Whatever is happening, Chief?” she asked in the coy tone that drove him wild.
Hell, she drove him wild simply by breathing.
He pressed his cock against her heat. “ This is happening.”
“Yes, please.”
Everything about her did it for him, from the way she looked at him with pure adoration to her silky soft skin to the lips that skimmed over his neck, setting him on fire, to the tight fit that required him to go slowly so he wouldn’t hurt her.
He loved her madly, passionately, eternally.
She curled her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist as they moved together in the sort of perfect harmony that had eluded him before he found her. Now, his whole life was perfect, and it was because of her.
“Jord…”
She gasped. “Right there with you.”
He pushed into her and held on tightly as they hit the peak together, which was another thing that’d never happened to him before her.
For a long time afterward, they stayed where they were, joined and breathing the same air before he carefully withdrew and put her down.
“Nice way to start the day,” she said as she snuggled up to him under the warm spray.
“Best way ever.”
They took turns washing each other, which had him hard and ready for round two in a matter of minutes.
“You’re insatiable,” she said, laughing.
“Only with you.”
“Better be only with me.”
“Who else could I possibly want if I have a goddess like you at home?”
“That’s a good point.”
He adored the curvier body and fuller cheeks that had come with pregnancy, but he didn’t dare say so because he knew she was sensitive about her changing shape.
As they left the shower and wrapped up in towels, she looked back over her shoulder and caught him staring at her. “What?”
“You.”
“What about me?”
To hell with it. “You’re always sexy, but pregnant sexy is a whole other level.”
“No way.”
“Way.”
“How can that be? I’m huge.”
“No, you’re beautiful.”
“You have to say that. You did this to me.”
“I did, and I can’t wait to do it again.”
“Easy, stud. Let’s see how this one goes.”
“So far, it’s going great from my perspective. My baby mama is the sexiest baby mama on the planet.”
“We need to get your eyes examined.”
He gave her a playful pat on the rear. “My vision is perfect, and I like what I see.”
“Well, thank goodness for that, because anyone else would’ve sold me back to the aquarium by now. Whales are a big draw, you know.”
“Stop that.”
She turned to him, brow raised, unaccustomed to such a sharp tone from him.
“I don’t like to hear you saying stuff like that about yourself. If you could see you the way I do, you wouldn’t be thinking about aquariums.”
She came to him and flattened her hands on his bare chest. “Thanks for the ego boost.”
“I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“You didn’t. You snapped me out of my prego pity party.”
“Please don’t be down on yourself. You’re growing a baby human in there. When I tell you you’re a goddess, I’m not just saying that.”
“I know and thank you for the kind words. I’m used to looking a certain way. Pregnancy has been a bit jarring.”
“As far as I’m concerned, you’re even more beautiful pregnant, and I wouldn’t have thought it was possible for you to be more beautiful than you already were.”
“You’re very good for the baby mama’s self-esteem.”
“Any time you need a reminder, let me know.” He kissed her and went to get ready for another long day of searching for the missing men and other hurricane cleanup. “Will you be okay by yourself today?”
“I’m going to Eastward Look to hang out with Nikki since the Wayfarer is still closed.” Her identical twin sister was the general manager of the beachfront venue the McCarthys had restored and reopened last year. They’d continued to have power issues that kept them closed after the rest of the island had reopened.
“Be careful on the roads. Still lots of downed trees and other junk.”
“I’m always careful.”
“How about I give you a ride there when you’re ready?”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“What if it would make me feel less anxious all day?”
She tipped her head, calling him out on the manipulative phrasing. “I can’t have you wound up in knots all day, so I’ll allow you to get away with being pushy just this once.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Smiling, he came over to kiss her before he left. “Text me when you’re ready.”
“Love you, even when you’re overbearing and manipulative.”
“Love you all the time, every second of every minute of every day.”
“Nice recovery, Chief.”
“See you soon.”
“I’ll be here.”
Mason drove away in his department SUV, smiling the way he did most of the time since Jordan had come into his life in the most dramatic way possible. She’d turned his life completely upside down, which was fine with him. He’d never been happier than he was with her, and he knew she felt the same way about him.
They needed to get serious about planning their wedding as soon as they got past Nikki’s big day in November.
On the way into town, he drove around massive puddles and crews working to remove the debris that continued to come ashore since the storm.
As soon as things calmed down a bit with storm cleanup and the search for the missing men, they would start making plans for their own big day.