Book 28 Delivery After Dark #3
Morgan has gotten to know her a little as she’s brought meals to the gym, each time asking if there’s anything she can do to help him.
While he’s appreciated her kindness, he also finds himself looking forward to her visits, as she’s not only sweet and kind but also one of the sexiest women he’s ever met.
The last time Sierra had come by the gym, she’d left a gift certificate for a massage at the time of his choosing.
She’d put a note in it to let her know when he was ready, and she’d find the time.
He isn’t sure he’d be able to handle having her hands all over him, which is a thought he absolutely should not be having as Reverend Banks leads them through prayers for Billy’s eternal soul.
After the service, Morgan greets the people who came to pay their respects. “Everyone is so nice,” he says to Jace Carson, who’d been one of Billy’s good friends at the gym.
“That’s Gansett for you.” Jace puts his arm around his fiancée, Cindy Lawry.
They’d checked on him daily since Billy went missing and have been steadfast in their support as he planned the memorial service.
“Everyone is heading over to the Beachcomber for drinks in Billy’s honor, if you feel up to joining us. ”
He doesn’t want to be alone after the emotional service, so he nods to Jace and Cindy. “Sure,” he says. “Let’s go.”
Duke locates Sierra at the Beachcomber. He’s missed his friend.
Sierra had withdrawn from their daily interactions after she showed up at his house one night upset about Billy’s passing.
She also confessed some mixed feelings about his relationship with McKenzie.
He’s put all that aside and hopes she has, too.
“I want my friend back, Sierra. I miss you.”
“I’m right here.”
“Will you start bugging me in the studio between clients again and stealing all my candy?”
“If you insist.”
“I do.”
They’re killing him with kindness, Morgan thinks as he shakes hands and receives hugs from a few people he remembers from childhood and others he recognizes but doesn’t really know. They’d known Billy, though, and have nothing but nice—and funny—things to say about him.
His brother had been making people laugh all their lives with his quick wit and sardonic take on just about everything.
Morgan talks to Oliver and Dara Watkins, her sister, Monique, and Linc Mercier. Linc led the Coast Guard search for Billy. Luke Harris, a classmate of Morgan’s, and his wife, Sydney, come over to talk to Morgan, while Duke Sullivan brings Morgan a beer.
Monique and Linc have been talking via text and FaceTime chats.
She knew how upset he was by the search and recovery of Billy and surprised him by slipping into the seat next to him at church.
Under the table, he rests his hand on her leg, which is all it takes to set off the low hum of desire that’s been building between them since the first time they hung out months ago.
He’d invited her back to his place that night, but she’d declined because she was leaving early the next day.
Fresh off an ugly divorce, she hadn’t been sure she could handle a one-night stand with him. Now, though, she’s fairly confident neither of them is interested in one and done. He’s repeatedly asked her to come back to the island for another visit and has offered to come see her on his days off.
They haven’t made any plans yet, so it’d been fun to surprise him, even if it was for a funeral.
When they get a minute alone, Linc asks how long she’s staying on Gansett. Her stay is open-ended. He was told by his commanding officer to take two weeks off after working nonstop after the hurricane. They decide to spend their unexpected time off together.
Police Chief Blaine Taylor and his pregnant wife, Tiffany, come into the bar to see Morgan. Tiffany’s ex-husband, Jim Sturgil, died along with Billy during the storm. Their young daughter, Ashleigh, has taken her father’s death hard.
Tiffany has dark circles under her eyes. Her husband stays close to her as they exchange hugs with Morgan.
“How’s your daughter?” Morgan asks.
“She’s doing okay,” Tiffany says. “Good days. Bad days. You know how it is.”
“I do, and I’m sorry she’s hurting.”
“Thank you for caring.”
“Of course. I heard she used to come to the gym with her dad. Tell her she’s got a lifetime membership for whenever she wants to use it.”
“That’s so sweet of you.”
“Tell her I’m thinking of her, and I get what she’s going through.”
“I’ll do that and thank you again.”
“Everyone here has been so very good to me. It’s the least I can do.”
“You should come for dinner some night,” Blaine says. “You can tell Ashleigh yourself about her gym membership. She’ll think it’s cool.”
“I’d love to.”
Blaine shakes Morgan’s hand. “We’ll be in touch.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
After he’s spoken with what seems like a hundred different people, Morgan takes a seat at the bar next to Sierra.
“Thanks for being there today. Meant a lot to me.”
“Oh. Sure. How’re you doing?”
“Today’s been a bit of a roller coaster. I hate the reason for this gathering, but the people on this island have restored my faith in humanity since Billy died.”
“I’m glad you’re feeling the love. It’s a special place.”
From behind them, Niall Fitzgerald rests a hand on Morgan’s shoulder. “Just wanted to say hello and tell you I thought your eulogy was beautiful.”
“Thanks, man.” Morgan turns to shake Niall’s hand. “Nice of you to be there and to sing for Billy. I appreciate it, and Billy would have, too.”
“He was a friend. Looked forward to seeing him every day at the gym.”
“So many people have said that.”
“He was a bright light around here. He’ll be missed.”
Blaine notices Tiffany flinching, and when he asks what’s wrong, she says she has a pain in her side.
He insists they go to the clinic to check it out.
When she stands, her water breaks. Blaine scoops her up in his arms and runs for the door.
He transports her to the clinic quickly, with the lights on his SUV flashing.
Katie McCarthy meets them and gets Tiffany settled in a room. Kara Torrington is also in labor.
Nurse Practitioner/Midwife Victoria O’Grady comes into the room.
“It’s too early,” Tiffany says.
“Babies have minds of their own.” Vic smiles as she examines Tiffany. “And your baby is coming right now. Let’s get ready to deliver.”
“Is it safe to have him this early?” Blaine asks.
“We’ll do everything we can to make sure mom and baby are just fine,” Victoria says. “I’ll be right back.” To Katie, she adds, “Call David. Tell him I need him.”
David walks into the room as Tiffany pushes her premature baby into the world at just thirty-four weeks.
“You have a son,” Victoria announces as she quickly cuts the cord and hands the baby off to David.
“A son,” Blaine says through tears. “We have a son.”
Tiffany weeps as her husband holds her close.
“What’s his name?” Victoria asks as she works on Tiffany while David tends to their son. The baby had emerged with a bluish tint to his skin that initially concerns David, but the little guy stabilizes quickly. David suspects he might’ve been closer to thirty-six weeks.
“Adrian Robert Taylor,” Tiffany says.
“I love that. It’s a beautiful name for a handsome boy.”
“Why is he so quiet?” Blaine asks.
“He’s awake and alert,” David says. “Which is what we want to see. Five pounds six ounces and nineteen inches long.”
“Does this mean we finally have a quiet child?” Tiffany asks.
“Might be.”
“If there’s anything this family needed, it’s a quiet boy,” Blaine says.
David wraps the baby in a receiving blanket and brings him to his parents. “Adrian, meet your wonderful mommy and daddy. You’re a very lucky boy.”
“Hi, buddy,” Tiffany whispers as tears continue to spill down her cheeks. “You’re so handsome, just like your daddy.”
Blaine runs a finger over the infant’s cheek, seeming in awe of the miracle he and his wife have created. “Thank God you’re here to save me, Adrian. Your mother and sisters are a lot, but I’m sure you’ll love them as much as I do.”
Adam and Liam return to Abby’s room from a trip to the park. Liam falls asleep snuggled up to Abby. Adam climbs into bed with her, and they decide on names for the quads: Murphy, Rory, Kane and Beckett.
Abby shifts in the bed to find a more comfortable position, which is becoming harder all the time. Every position is uncomfortable lately, and the grinding pain in her back that started yesterday is beginning to become unbearable.
“What’s the matter?”
“My back is killing me.”
“Let me take Liam.”
“I don’t want to let him go. I miss him so much.”
“I know, hon, but you don’t want to get your back acting up worse than it already is.”
“True.” Abby kisses the top of her son’s head and surrenders the sleeping child to his dad, who settles him at the foot of Abby’s bed.
“Want me to rub your back?”
“Oh, would you?”
“Of course. Whatever my baby mama needs, I’m here for it.”
He helps her to turn onto her side, which is easier said than done, and gets behind her to rub her lower back.
“That feels so good.” Her entire midsection feels tight with a rolling tension that seems to be worsening by the minute, along with a pervasive pressure that can no longer be ignored. “Adam…”
“Yeah, hon?”
“Um, I think I might be in labor.”
As things begin to wind down at the Beachcomber and the crowd thins to the usual suspects, Sierra is thinking about going home but doesn’t feel right about leaving Morgan there by himself.
Duke and McKenzie left to get Jax home to bed, and Jace is visiting with customers at the other end of the bar.
“So, um, what are you doing tomorrow?”
“Opening the gym and going through the stuff in Billy’s office. I swear, he lived there more than he did in his place upstairs. I feel him more at the gym than I do there. The gym was his real home.”
“Definitely. He was in his element.”
“I enjoyed watching him do his thing there. He was like the mayor of Gansett, greeting everyone with an inside joke or a comment that made them laugh.”