Chapter 31
The sun streaming through her windows woke Katie.
She blinked several times as she came awake with the scent of Shane’s cologne clinging to the sheets.
He’d come to her during the storm, she remembered with a flutter of butterflies in her belly.
Over and over she heard the words he’d said to her the night before on Luke and Sydney’s deck…
Judging by the way I felt earlier when I had no idea where to look for you, it’s quite possible that I actually love you, and I know for damned sure I want to be with you.
“I want to be with you, too,” she whispered to the humid morning sea air that floated through her open windows.
As she lay in bed and tried to puzzle her way through the emotions running around inside her, she heard a rustling sound in the hallway before an envelope appeared under her door.
Katie jumped out of bed, wincing when her sore foot connected with the floor. She bent to pick up the envelope and tore it open to find Sand & Surf stationery and distinctly masculine handwriting.
Good morning, sweet Katie,
I’ve never been more thankful for thunder and lightning, because it gave me an excuse to hold you while you slept. I wish it didn’t scare you so much, but know that I’ll always hold you when the thunder comes.
You said you need time to think, so please think about this: You’re the only one I want. There’s no one else but you.
Love,
Shane
With his letter in hand, Katie went to the door and threw it open, looking for him in the hallway, but no one was there. She went back for her robe, pulled it on with trembling hands and went down the hall to knock on his door.
No answer.
When she turned back toward her room, Owen was coming out of his apartment. “Morning.”
“Morning.”
“Everything okay?”
“I was just looking for Shane. Have you seen him this morning?”
“He stopped by to play with Holden, but he’s gone to meet Mac at the house they’re building. Did you hear about the woman who was supposed to get the house?”
“I did. It’s so sad.”
“It sure is. They’ve got to figure out next steps with the house and how they can help her and her kids.”
Katie wasn’t surprised to learn that Shane wanted to help.
“What’s that?” Owen asked of the letter.
“Oh, um, just a note from Shane.”
“I thought you were taking some time apart.”
“We are.”
“So why is he sending you notes?”
“Because he had something he needed to tell me.” She folded the letter and put it in the pocket of her robe. “You said Holden is up. Is he available for playing with aunts or does he only prefer uncles?”
“He doesn’t have much experience with aunts.”
“Well, we need to remedy that.”
While Owen took care of some errands away from the hotel, Katie went to visit with Holden and Laura, who made coffee and breakfast for Katie, despite her objections. “You’re pregnant with twins,” Katie said. “I should be waiting on you.”
“Nonsense. I finally feel human again after months of morning sickness.” She put a plate of French toast on the table. “And besides, I need to eat, too.”
“Smells great.”
“It’s one of your grandmother’s recipes.”
Katie picked up Holden and put him in his high chair and laughed at the way he grabbed fistfuls of the Cheerios Laura put on his tray.
During the hour she spent with Laura and Holden, she reached repeatedly into her pocket to make sure Shane’s letter was still there.
“I suppose I ought to get downstairs to relieve Adele before she quits as my chief volunteer,” Laura said after they’d eaten the French toast, cleaned the kitchen and gotten Holden dressed.
“I’m sure she’s loving it. She told me how much she’s missed it.”
“Owen and I are still stunned by their amazing wedding gift.”
“The hotel is in good hands with the two of you. We all think so.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. We love it here. We’d been thinking about moving to a bigger place, but I think we might knock down a wall to make room for the babies and stay put.”
“You’ve certainly got the best view in town.”
“That we do.”
Katie rinsed out her coffee mug and put it on the drainer to dry. “Thanks so much for breakfast and the playtime with Holden.”
“It was our pleasure. He’s here any time you need a playmate.”
Katie went back to her own room and found another letter on the floor inside her door. Once again, she tore open the envelope and devoured the note.
Dear sweet Katie,
More food for thought… I saw Courtney this morning.
She waylaid me after my run on the beach and again tried to convince me to give her another chance.
I told her I’ve met someone else, and I’m happy with her.
(HER = YOU, of course.) She tried to convince me that five years beats five days every time.
But not this time. She’s gone back to Providence to pick up the pieces of her life.
I’m staying here. With you. If you’ll have me.
Love,
Shane
Katie covered her mouth with her hand and reread the note over and over. He’d sent Courtney away—again. He hadn’t changed his mind or decided to go back to his ex-wife. The relief she felt at that news took her breath away as she headed for the shower.
She emerged wrapped in towels to another note under her door. Since she knew he’d left for work, he must’ve gotten someone to deliver them for him.
Like the others, the envelope was shredded in her haste to read what he’d written.
Dear sweet Katie,
While you do your thinking, here’s what I’m thinking about… I dream about your soft skin and the pleasure I’ve found in your arms. I dream about how it felt to lose myself in you. I was reborn with you. I can’t wait to hold you and make love to you again.
Love,
Shane
Katie was on fire for him. She wanted him right now, but it was only ten o’clock.
He wouldn’t be home for hours. The thought of that made her moan.
She was still standing there thinking about him when another letter arrived.
She ran for the door and threw it open, scaring the hell out of her grandfather.
“Poppy! What’re you doing?”
“Um, I… ah, your grandmother asked me to bring up this note that was left for you downstairs.”
“Are there more?”
“A couple more.”
“I’m coming down.”
“In a towel?”
That’s when Katie remembered she wasn’t dressed, which only added to her grandfather’s discomfort. “Be right there.” She closed the door and tore open the envelope.
Dear sweet Katie,
Another thing I’m thinking about… I’m so glad we didn’t drown that day at the beach. I would’ve been so sad if I’d missed the chance to know you. You make me hopeful again. I had given up on so many things, and you led me back into the light. Don’t give up on me.
Love,
Shane
She was going to spontaneously combust long before five o’clock. After she threw on shorts and a tank top and added the new letter to the growing pile on her desk, she went downstairs, moving as fast as she could on her injured foot.
“Give it up, Gram,” Katie said to Adele when she found her grandmother still working the reception desk.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Too late. I caught your messenger outside my door. You’re busted. I want the rest of them.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible. I’m under strict instructions, so you’ll have to wait in your room for any future deliveries.”
“That’s not fair!”
“What’s not fair?” Sarah asked as she came in the main door.
“Gram has letters for me from Shane, and she won’t give them to me.”
“Mother, are you tormenting your granddaughter?”
“Not at all. I’m assisting a lovely young man who asked me to do him a favor. He was very precise in his directions.”
“Sounds like you have to wait, honey,” Sarah said.
“Ugh!” Katie went back upstairs to await the next note, which arrived a very long hour later, once again delivered by her grandfather. “How many more are there?”
“I don’t know. Don’t shoot the messenger.”
“Love you, Poppy.”
“Love you, too, pumpkin. For what it’s worth, he seems like a nice guy.”
“He is.”
“Don’t let me keep you. Go see what he has to say. You know you’re dying to.”
“I am!” With a smile for her grandfather, Katie stepped into her room, closed the door and tore open the envelope.
Dear sweet Katie,
More food for thought… Since we’re both sticking around on Gansett this winter, how about we get a place together? One with a fireplace. I love fires in the winter. Do you? Are you convinced yet that I’m serious about you? Do you believe me when I tell you you’re the only one I want?
Love,
Shane
“Oh God, Shane. You’re killing me.” Hoping to catch her grandfather making another delivery, she threw open the door and gasped when she found Shane standing there.
There was nothing left to think about when she jumped into his arms or when he lifted her into his kiss. Holding her tightly, he carried her inside and kicked the door closed behind him.
“What’re you doing home? I thought I had to wait hours to see you.”
“We’re at a standstill with the house, so I asked Mac if I could take another day off.” He kissed her again and then set her down on her feet. “I take it you got my notes?”
“Yes, oh my God, Shane. I can’t believe all the things you said.”
“Believe it. I mean every word.”
“You really want to get a place together? We just met last week!”
“Does that matter? We’re not kids anymore, Katie. If we want to be together, why can’t we just go for it?” He put his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. “What if there’s a thunderstorm, and I’m not there?”
Her laughter became a moan when he rolled her earlobe between his teeth, setting every nerve ending in her body on fire for him. The thought of being with him every day filled her with the kind of euphoria she’d never felt before.
“Katie… I want you so badly. I want you in every way that I can have you. When I thought I might’ve lost you… Tell me I haven’t lost you. Put me out of my misery.”
“You haven’t lost me. I want you just as badly. What you wrote, the things you said…”
“I’ve fallen completely in love with you.” He peppered her face with kisses. “Please tell me you feel the same way.”
“I do.”
“Why do you sound hesitant? Are you still thinking about it?”