Chapter 29
A fter McKenzie left Martinez Lawn & Garden, she made a quick stop back at Duke’s to feed and change Jax before she drove to the Sand & Surf Hotel in town. There, she met with Laura and her manager, Piper, to go over the hotel’s bookkeeping while Laura’s husband, Owen, entertained Jax and their three kids in the main-floor living room.
“I can’t believe how many new friends Jax has made in one day.”
“We’re very kid- and dog-friendly around here,” Laura said.
“I love that. Getting a dog is on my to-do list once my cabin is rebuilt.”
“I heard you’ve got my cousin Mac lined up to rebuild.”
“I do, and he’s been amazing.”
“He’s good at what he does, even if he’s full of beans outside of work.”
McKenzie glanced at Piper and then back to Laura. “Full of beans?”
“Always up to no good with pranks and other tomfoolery.”
“I never would’ve guessed that. He’s all business with me.”
“Wait until you get to know him better,” Laura said. “He’s a lot of fun, although with five kids at home, he doesn’t have as much time for foolishness as he used to, which is good for all of us.”
“This place is so… fun.”
Piper nodded in agreement. “ So fun. There’s always something going on, and everyone is so nice and welcoming.”
“I love it,” McKenzie said.
“Does that mean you’re going to stay?” Laura asked.
“I wasn’t sure what I was going to do when I first arrived to check out my grandmother’s cabin after not having been out here in years. Then the storm hit, Jax and I were nearly killed, and the cabin was demolished by the storm. It seemed like I’d made a very bad decision. But everything—and everyone—since then has been wonderful. So yes, I’m planning to stay.”
As she said those words out loud, she realized the decision had been made over the last week as she experienced the island community and the way people came together to support one another, not to mention a promising new romance.
Laura clapped her hands in glee. “Yay!”
“She’s very excited to have someone who knows what they’re doing taking over the books,” Piper said.
“And I’m excited to make a new friend,” Laura added.
“Everyone is thrilled about my bookkeeping service. I had no idea there’d be such a need for that here.”
“You’ll be very busy,” Laura assured her. “Year-round. I’ve already told my cousin Evan about you, and he and his wife, Grace, want you for the Island Breeze Recording Studio and Ryan’s Pharmacy.”
“Wow. Word travels fast.”
“It’s lightning speed when someone shows up with a skill we all need desperately.”
“I still can’t believe Evan McCarthy is from Gansett and plays at family gatherings like he’s not a superstar.”
Laura laughed. “He’d better not act like a superstar around here, or we’ll remind him that we knew him when.”
They talked for another half hour about the routine at the hotel and went over some of McKenzie’s questions.
“My cousin Adam designed our registration system, so that’s custom,” Laura said. “We have a lot of return customers who request certain things every year. Adam made it so that’s an easy, online process.”
“I’m sure it’ll all make sense to me in no time. Are you okay with me bringing Jax with me when I have to be here?”
“Of course. That’s never a problem.”
“It’ll be easy until he starts walking. After that, I might have to look for a sitter for him once in a while.”
“I’m sure we can help you find someone,” Laura said.
A woman with short red hair and a belly rounded with pregnancy came in through the main doors. “Oh good. I didn’t miss you! I totally overslept!”
“This is Stephanie McCarthy, owner of Stephanie’s Bistro and my cousin Grant’s wife. Steph, meet McKenzie, who’s here to save us from ourselves and the IRS.”
As she shook hands with Stephanie, McKenzie asked, “How many cousins do you have, anyway?”
“A lot,” the other three women said as one.
“Eight first cousins and a brother who’s also a McCarthy,” Laura said.
“There’re McCarthys everywhere I look around here,” McKenzie said.
“Adam’s wife, Abby, owns the Attic.” Laura pointed toward the lobby gift shop. “She’s in Providence, now on full bed rest awaiting the arrival of quadruplets.”
“Damn,” McKenzie said. “Four of them.”
“Right?” Stephanie patted her belly. “Thank God I’m only having one.”
“I had twins and thought I’d die the first couple of months,” Laura said. “I can’t fathom four.”
“I can’t fathom months of in-patient bed rest,” Stephanie added. “Ugh. Poor Abby.”
“I know,” Laura said. “But I’m relieved she’s being monitored around the clock. I was worried about her being out here during such a high-risk pregnancy.”
“Grant said the same thing last night,” Stephanie said. To McKenzie, she said, “When you’re done with Laura and Piper, come into the Bistro. Have I got a job for you!”
McKenzie laughed. “Everyone says that.”
“Some of us really mean it,” Stephanie said.
“We’re all set for now,” Laura said, “so Ms. McKenzie is all yours, Steph.”
“Right this way, my new best friend.”
Duke finished up early at the shop and headed home, hoping to spend more time with McKenzie and Jax. Normally, he’d go to the gym and then stop by the Beachcomber for dinner with his friends. But nothing was normal since they’d come into his life, and that was fine with him.
He was unreasonably disappointed that the truck wasn’t in the driveway when he arrived. The letdown had him laughing at himself and how ridiculous he’d become over her and her little guy.
He’d found it hard to concentrate on anything with the vivid memories from last night running through his mind like the best movie he’d ever seen.
After he stashed the bike in the garage, he heard voices next door, so he took a walk over to check on the progress at the cabin.
Mac was there with a clipboard and iPad as he pointed to something on the screen while talking to his cousin Riley.
Since Duke had last been there, they’d cleared the debris from the site and had bagged up the items they’d found inside. When McKenzie got home, they’d bring the truck over to transport the bags to his garage.
“Hey, Duke,” Mac said. “How’s it going?”
“It’s a good day to be alive.”
“Ain’t that the truth? I love this time of year.”
“Me, too. Cool and sunny and quiet after the summer madness.”
“Yep, that’s it exactly.”
“I’m heading into town to pick up supplies from the ferry landing,” Riley said.
“Sounds good,” Mac said. “See you after a bit.”
“Later, Duke.”
“Take care, Riley.”
“Must be fun to have your cousins working with you,” Duke said after Riley had left.
“It is. He and his brother, Finn, are a great asset to the company, and so’s my other cousin Shane. Wouldn’t be any fun without them.”
“Nice to keep it in the family.”
“For sure. We’ve got everything ordered to hit it hard here as soon as it arrives. That’s always the complicated part—waiting for stuff from the mainland.”
“McKenzie appreciates everything you’re doing for her.”
“I heard she’s opening a bookkeeping business. I’m very interested in that for the marina and the construction company.”
“I’ll let her know. Everyone wants her.”
“Not surprised.”
“Do you have another second?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
“I just… ah… I wanted to ask you…”
“What’s on your mind?”
“What you said the other day about meeting Maddie when Thomas was nine months old.”
“Best day of my life.”
“I’m starting to understand how you felt.”
“Oh… It’s like that, is it?”
“Yeah, it is. And I’m thinking about the little guy and how to, you know, do that part right.”
Mac’s entire demeanor softened as he smiled. “The little guy I got out of my relationship with Maddie is one of the greatest blessings in my life. He’s taught me so much more than I’ll ever teach him.”
“That’s really cool.”
“He’s an incredible kid, and I’m lucky to have him as my son.”
“How did you, like, bond with him at first?”
“I spent as much time with him one-on-one as his mother would allow. When I look back on it, it wasn’t intentional at the time, but I formed my own rapport with him separate of what was happening with her. And then at other times, it was the three of us together. Not sure if that makes sense.”
“No, it does. You treated them individually and as a unit.”
“Right.”
“That’s very helpful. Thank you.”
“It’s always fun to think about those early days with Maddie and Thomas. Seems like such a long time ago now. It goes by crazy fast. They’re little for the briefest time before they’re bossing you around like they pay the bills.”
Duke laughed. “Sounds like you’ve got your hands full.”
“I sure do, and I love everything about it.”
“I remember when you first came home. Everyone said you’d be out of here as soon as you could.”
“That was the plan. Funny how plans change when the right one comes along.”
“Yeah, for sure. Appreciate you sharing your insight.”
“Any time. I hope things work out for you and McKenzie. She seems like a really nice person.”
“She’s great.”
“I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks. You won’t, you know… say anything about it, will you? Early days yet.”
“Of course not. I’m all too aware of how things spread like wildfire around here.”
Duke chuckled. “I remember the buzz about you guys when you all but moved in with her after the bike accident.”
“It was a five-alarm Gansett Island scandal, as my dad says.”
“Sure was. Not looking for anything like that myself. We’ll be over to grab the bags with the truck. Thanks for packing it up for her.”
“No worries.”
Duke returned home on the well-worn path between his home and Rosemary’s. He missed her more than ever now that he was dating—or whatever you wanted to call it—her precious MK. More than anything, he hoped Rosemary knew that he’d take good care of McKenzie and Jax and that she’d approve of his growing feelings for them.
He was about to start some yard work when the truck came into the driveway, and all thoughts of anything that wasn’t her and them faded to the background as he walked over to greet them.
McKenzie put her finger over her lips as he approached the open driver-side window.
Duke leaned in and saw that Jax was sacked out in his seat. “Want me to carry him in for you?”
“Yes, please.”
While he walked around to the passenger side, she released the seat belt and handed it to him so it wouldn’t make noise retracting after he opened the door to retrieve the seat.
She followed him up the stairs to the apartment. “He can go right into the crib, seat and all.”
As Duke carried the sleeping baby into the bedroom, he gazed down at his sweet face, noting how his lips were puckered as if he were having deep thoughts. A fierce feeling of protectiveness came over him as he placed the carrier in the crib. The realization that he’d do anything to keep the child safe was as profound as it was unexpected.
“All set?” McKenzie asked when he met her in the kitchen.
“Yeah, I was just watching him sleep. He’s so damned cute.”
“Aw, that’s sweet.”
He scowled at her.
“Easy, tiger. I already knew you were sweet.”
Duke stepped closer to her, putting his hands on her hips as he leaned in to kiss her. “Missed you today.”
“You did? Really?”
“I really did.”
“I hate to tell you, but that, too, is sweet.”
His low growl made her laugh, which he stifled with a kiss. “I have some news for you, but if you’re going to keep up with that sweet nonsense, I might not tell you.”
Who was this playful guy, and where had he come from? He’d never been this way with a woman before and had to admit it was kind of fun.
“Tell me.”
“Are you going to behave?”
“Absolutely not.”
His huff of laughter took him by surprise. He also did a lot of that when she was around. “I saw Mac over at your place, and he said he’d like to talk to you about bookkeeping for the marina and the construction business.”
“Wow.”
“I think you have yourself a business, sweetheart.”
“You called me sweetheart.”
“So I did. Is that a problem?”
“Not for me. Is it for you? It contains the word ‘sweet,’ which you don’t care for.”
Smiling, he said, “You think you’re very clever, don’t you?”
“I am very clever. I’ve landed like ten new clients in two days, and I’ve got this sweet guy who likes to kiss me.”
“No one deserves it more than you do.”
“Plenty of people deserve it more, but I’m thrilled to be finding a way to make a life for myself and Jax here. That was my biggest concern—that I’d be able to make a living in the off-season.”
Duke couldn’t resist planting a kiss on the tempting length of her neck. He loved the way she shivered when he kissed her there. “They packed up your stuff in bags next door. We can go get it with the truck when Jax wakes up.”
“Sounds good.”
“How long will he nap?”
“A couple of hours probably.”
“That long?”
“Uh-huh.”
“There’s a lot we can get done in a couple of hours,” he said as he continued to kiss her neck.
“I was thinking about opening QuickBooks and getting some work done.”
“That word is the ultimate cockblocker. Everything shrivels up and dies at the sound of it.”
McKenzie rubbed up against his still-formidable erection. “Doesn’t seem to have happened yet.”
“Any second now.”
She continued to rub against him. “Are you sure about that?”
“I might’ve found the QB antidote.”
He loved the way her smile lit up her entire face, and more than anything, he loved being the one to make her smile like that. “Do you need to work now, or can you hang out with me?”
“I’d love to hang out with you, but I really do need to get some things done while Jax is sleeping.”
“How about I figure out dinner, and you guys come over when you’re ready?”
“You made dinner last night.”
“I’m not keeping score.”
“I’ll make it up to you.”
“I’ll look forward to that.” He kissed her once more and forced himself to let her go—for now, anyway.
As he left the apartment to return to his home, he realized he was looking forward to everything. Every. Single. Thing. And it was all thanks to McKenzie and her little boy.
Life was looking rather sweet lately, and it was getting sweeter all the time.