Chapter 27
Jace drove out to meet Mac, thinking about lunch with Cindy and how she’d confessed to falling hard for him.
Thank goodness for that, because he was falling just as hard and just as fast for her.
Although, when he thought about it, he’d been falling for her for weeks.
Every time she came into the bar, his night shifted from ordinary to extraordinary.
He’d find himself watching for her around the time she normally came in, and on the rare night that she didn’t show up, he’d been crushed.
At the time, he’d told himself he was silly for feeling that way, but he couldn’t seem to help it. He loved being with her, and now he got to be with her all the time and couldn’t be happier about that.
Despite the many good things in his life, he was still wary of the bottom falling out, because it always did.
He shook off that unpleasant thought and parked next to Mac’s truck.
He’d had to ask around in town for directions to the alpaca farm, which was located at the end of a long dirt road he would’ve missed if he hadn’t been told what to look for.
He was surprised to find an old farm in serious disrepair with rusty implements surrounded by overgrown grass, sagging roofs and a lingering stench that might’ve been urine.
“It’s alpaca piss.” Mac smiled as he walked over to shake hands with Jace. “How’d you end up with a ferry truck?”
“I’m watching the boys while Seamus and Carolina are on the mainland.”
“Heard about her accident. That’s horrible.”
“I know, but she’s on the mend after surgery. How’re you doing?”
“Better, but anyone who tells you a vasectomy is no big deal doesn’t have a penis.”
Jace winced. “Ouch.”
“Yeah, you said it. Let me show you around.”
Mac walked him through the property, outlining the plans for a “shabby chic” wedding venue with a rustic vibe.
“Our research has shown that brides and grooms love places like this where they can have a more casual sort of reception, but still have all the bells and whistles. They like to have photos taken with the rusty tractors and stuff.” Mac shrugged.
“I don’t get it, but I hear there’s money to be made in that sector, so that’s our goal.
Gansett is a huge wedding destination. We’re sold out for the next two years at the Wayfarer, and the Chesterfield is booked for summer weekends three years out. ”
“Damn.”
“I know, right? The island is ripe for another venue, and we’re here for it.”
“The location is spectacular.” The property ended at the coast with a dazzling view of the ocean.
“It’s ideal for what we want to do. Talk to me about your experience.”
“I did three years of work release with a master plumber. He taught me everything he knew and even offered me a job when I got out.”
“How come you didn’t take it?”
“I wanted to live near my sons.”
Mac eyed him warily. “You’re not going to cause trouble for Seamus and Carolina, are you?”
“No, I’m not. The boys are happily settled with them. I’m thankful to play a peripheral role.”
“I respect that you’re willing to take a back seat because it’s what’s best for them.”
“Their mother knew what she was doing when she asked Seamus and Carolina to be their guardians.”
“Yes, she did. So, I need a plumber. Badly. Are you interested?”
Jace laughed. “Very much so, but I have an issue.”
“What’s that?”
“I don’t have tools. I know what I need, but I can’t afford the outlay. Not right now, anyway.”
Mac rubbed his chin as he thought about that. “If I set you up with what you need, would you be willing to come on full-time?”
Jace’s mouth fell open in shock. “Seriously?”
“Dead serious. Do you have any idea what it costs me to bring plumbers out from the mainland every time I need one?”
“Ah, no, but I have a feeling it’s not cheap, knowing the usual hourly rate.”
“Not cheap at all. It’ll be cheaper to have you on the payroll than to bring people out when needed. My company is booming. We’re booked two years out as well. Having my own plumber will be a lifesaver. If you’re interested, that is.”
“God, yes, I’m interested, but, um, you know I’m on parole, right?”
“I do.”
“And that doesn’t matter?”
“Not unless you plan to break the law. Then it would matter very much.”
“I’ll never go back to the life I was leading before I was locked up. You have my word on that.”
Mac extended his hand to Jace. “That’s all I need. Welcome to McCarthy Construction. You can stop by the office in town, and Julia will help with the paperwork.”
Jace had a massive lump in his throat when he shook Mac’s hand. “You’ll never know what this means to me.”
“I’m looking forward to working with you. I’d also be happy to support your efforts to get licensed. Just tell me what you need, and we’ll make it happen.”
“That would be…” Jace couldn’t speak for a second. “Getting licensed would be incredible, and I want you to know you can ask me to do anything you need, not just plumbing. I’ll do whatever.”
“I appreciate that attitude. You’ll fit right in with my close-knit group of cousins and longtime friends. We do what it takes to get the job done.”
“That sounds great. When do you want me to start?”
“Would Monday be too soon?”
“Ah, no, but I need to give some notice to the Beachcomber. They’ve been good to me.”
“You tell me when you’re free and clear, and we’ll make it work.”
“Thank you again, Mac. You’re changing my life with this opportunity.”
“And you’re saving mine. I’ve been needing a plumber for years.”
They walked back to the trucks and parted company with another handshake.
Jace drove home feeling stunned by the turn of events.
He’d landed a full-time job that would pay the kind of money he needed to really get his life together.
He couldn’t wait to text Darrell, his probation officer, with an update about the latest developments.
Soon, he’d pick up his sons from school and spend the evening with them and Cindy and her family.
If life had ever been better than this, he couldn’t recall a time.
As he approached the island cemetery, he glanced at the clock, saw he had an hour until pickup and hung a left into the entrance, following the path to Lisa’s grave he’d taken with Seamus.
He put the truck in Park and shut off the engine, sitting for a minute before he got out to visit her resting place.
Since there was no one else in the cemetery, he felt comfortable taking a seat on the grass.
He wrapped his arms around his knees. “Hey, Lisa, it’s me Jace.
I bet you’re surprised to see me here on Gansett.
I’ve got to admit… You didn’t make it easy to find you or the boys when I got out, but I suppose that was intentional.
You didn’t want me to find you, and I don’t blame you for that.
I hate what I put you through… I never intended to leave you alone to raise the boys. ”
He brushed a hand across his face, stunned by the sudden flow of tears that talking to her unleashed.
“I made such a mess of everything. When I got the divorce and custody papers in prison, I signed them without even reading them. I didn’t blame you for wanting to be free of me and my never-ending drama.
You tried to tell me so many times that Jess and I were heading for big trouble, but I didn’t listen.
I wish I’d listened to you. Jess would still be here, and none of this would’ve happened.
You deserved so much better than what you got from me.
When I heard about you getting sick and passing away…
I was heartbroken for you and the boys. I’m so, so sorry you went through that alone.
I should’ve been there for you, and I’m devastated that I wasn’t. ”
Jace dropped his chin onto his folded arms, using his shirt sleeve to wipe away more tears.
“The boys are doing great with Seamus and Carolina. They’re wonderful kids.
You did the best job with them. And don’t worry, I’m not going to mess up the arrangement you made for them.
We had to tell them who I am, and that went better than I expected.
They had a lot of questions, but I was truthful with them about where I was and why I wasn’t around.
I wish I hadn’t had to tell them those things, but I’ve learned to own my mistakes and to learn from them.
I’m putting my life back together, Lisa, and I’m going to be there for our boys.
Seamus and Carolina are their parents now, but I want to be a friend to them, and so far, that’s going well. ”
He brushed some dirt off her stone and pulled a few weeds around the edges.
“I’d give everything to be able to look you in the eyes and apologize for what I did.
But since I can’t do that, I really hope that wherever you are, you can hear me, and you know how truly sorry I am.
I never stopped loving you or the boys, Lisa.
I’ll come by to see you once in a while and tell you how the boys are doing. ”
As he stood to leave, he looked down at her stone for a long time before he walked back to the truck, feeling strangely cleansed by the one-sided conversation. It’d felt good to share his remorse with her, even if it had tempered some of the elation that came from landing a new job.
Back in the truck, he put through a call to Dan Torrington, who answered on the second ring. “Hi, this is Jace Carson. I was, um, married to Lisa Chandler.”
“Ah, okay. What can I do for you, Jace?”
“Seamus and Carolina O’Grady asked me to get in touch with you about Lisa’s things. They’ve put aside what they think the boys would like to have, but they aren’t sure what to do with the rest. They thought you might be in touch with her family.”
“I’ve reached out to them,” Dan said, “but haven’t gotten anywhere. I was told they were estranged and preferred to stay that way.”
“That’s because of me,” Jace said. “They told her not to marry me.”