Chapter Nine
Rather than grabbing a couple hours of sleep like she wanted to, Abby had risen after she kissed Connor goodbye. Now, freshly showered and dressed, she stood in front of the coffee maker as the first drops fell into her mug. Once it reached about three-quarters of the way full, she swapped out the mug with the pot, grateful for the sneak-a-cup feature. She added creamer and sugar and took a greedy sip. It was going to be the first of many cups she’d need today.
The view of the bed caught her eye, with its sheets rumpled from an early-morning round of sex.
Marvelous sex with Connor.
She could barely believe it had happened. After taking another mouthful of caffeine, she picked up her damp dress from the chair where she’d dumped it when she and Connor returned last night. She’d barely had time to remove it before he was dragging her into the shower, all hard and ready to go again.
There were notable differences in Connor. The obvious, of course, was that he wasn’t using. He’d also only drunk one beer, changing over to soda or water even when everyone around him was drinking shots and second and third rounds of beers.
Then there were the physical changes. Younger Connor was thin…too thin. She knew it bothered him, which was why he’d worn baggy shirts. Whenever she could, she’d bring him leftovers from her house, because it was rare for him to eat three full meals a day.
Now he was all lean muscle, backed with bulk he hadn’t had in his younger years. And while he still had a flat stomach, it wasn’t from lack of eating. His ripped six-pack was rock hard and sexy as hell. Even his thighs had filled out, powerful as he held her when they made love in the ocean…and in the shower.
Just thinking about it got her hot for him again, and she busied herself changing the sheets on the bed.
But it was more than the sex. While he’d always been quick to laugh and make jokes, he now had focus…purpose. He took his job seriously and worked hard. She’d seen him when he was working on the Erickson Pier renovation. At first, she thought it was all fluff because he and Jason co-hosted Beach House Flippers. She’d assumed they read off the cue cards and, when the cameras were turned off, let the teams do the work.
She’d been wrong.
They banged, nailed, sawed, and did whatever was needed to get the job done. Both on and off camera. They directed the team, advised, and chipped in. And when that work was done, they did more.
Now, they’d set up shop on Pelican Bay and bought several properties on the island to renovate. Smart move on their part. There was plenty more to snatch up, too. For Sale signs could be seen everywhere. Truth be told, the town needed businesses like theirs, that could front the cost of the renovation and sell at a reasonable price, to draw people to the island.
Connor had gotten his shit together.
Unlike her.
Which was why Soap Sisters needed to be a success.
She finished making the bed and straightening up the room before heading downstairs, coffee carafe in hand. She’d made a full pot, enough for Natalie, and assuming Emma, Maddy, and Jenna were coming over like they’d planned yesterday.
They’d all had a good amount to drink last night between the margaritas and shots. Abby had stopped drinking earlier than all of them, and her midnight swim plus multiple orgasms at the hands of Connor left her tired but not hungover.
The door opened, and Natalie came in carrying a huge purse and a bag of bagels, with Emma and Maddy lagging behind her.
Emma walked slowly, without her usual pep, and although Maddy wore sunglasses, it did nothing to hide her pale complexion.
Maddy dragged herself onto a stool at the worktable and lowered her head onto her arms.
“Rough morning, ladies?” Abby said.
Emma grunted and held her head. Maddy moaned from beneath her arms.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Abby said. “Coffee or something cold?”
“Coffee,” Emma said.
Maddy kept her head down but put a thumb up.
“I’ll get the aspirin,” Natalie said.
Abby placed mugs in front of them and set another out for Natalie. “You didn’t have to come over.”
“We promised. We’ll be okay,” Emma said.
“Easy for you to say,” Maddy said before reaching for the cream and sugar and drinking the coffee like a lifeline.
“How come you’re not hungover?” Abby asked Natalie, who handed out aspirin and water.
“I drank water and left before the others,” Natalie said.
“You both left early,” Emma accused. “Abby slipped out with Connor and Nat with Ethan.”
Abby raised her eyebrow. “You and Ethan?”
“It’s casual…nothing serious,” Natalie said. “And what’s up with you and Connor? He’s been spending a lot of time here the past couple of days.”
“You know he’s been helping get the store ready,” Abby said.
“I think he’s helping in other areas, too.” Natalie walked over to the staircase and held up the black lace bra Abby had been wearing last night. She remembered Connor had removed it with his teeth while pinning her to the wall last night.
“Oh my God, you’re blushing,” Emma said.
Abby snatched the bra from Natalie and stuffed it in a drawer. “Okay, fine. He spent the night.”
“I figured, the way you two were steaming up the dance floor last night,” Emma said.
“Everyone in this room had sex last night except me. I hate you all.” Maddy opened the bag and grabbed an onion bagel.
“Sorry?” Natalie said.
“I only dream of sex, which means I’m living vicariously through all of you.” Maddy added a generous helping of cream cheese to the bagel. “Remind me how good it is again.”
Abby laughed. “If you need to be reminded, then it’s been too long.”
“Try over four years too long.” Maddy bit into her bagel.
“Four years?” Natalie and Abby said at the same time.
“Over four years,“ Maddy repeated. “The last guy I slept with was Dylan’s dad. I did have a fantastic dream last night, though. I was outside on your patio, Em. Sitting in the chaise lounge by the firepit and kissing someone.”
“Who?” Emma asked.
Maddy shrugged. “It was too dark to tell, but boy could he kiss. And his hands were pretty fine, too.”
“Too bad it was a dream,” Abby said.
“Tell me about it. But it means I have no reservations about eating all the carbs I want,” Maddy said with a laugh, pausing midway to wince and put a hand to her head. “Remind me never to mix shots and margaritas.”
“Same goes,” Emma said. Setting down her cup, she cut a cinnamon raisin bagel in half. “I need to work to forget about my head. Tell us how we can help you.”
“I think we should put together the shelves so we can unbox our stock and supplies,” Natalie said.
Abby gestured at the stacks of boxes. “Somewhere in this mess are small bags. If we can find them, we can wrap the sample soaps I made yesterday.”
“What if you printed coupons giving people ten percent off a purchase of twenty-five dollars or more and placed them in the bag with the samples?” Maddy said.
“Good idea. Can we print them ourselves?” Abby asked.
“You have a printer?” Maddy said.
Abby pointed to the desk in the corner. “It’s still in the box.”
Maddy refilled her coffee and grabbed her laptop. “Okay, I’m on tech.”
Despite hangovers, the four of them worked all morning, assembling five freestanding shelves and loading them with supplies and products. They placed one in an area designated to pack orders for pickup or delivery. Abby made a list of shipping materials to purchase, plus other items such as gift baskets and tissue paper.
A little after noon there was a knock at the back door, and Jenna poked her head through. “Lunch delivery.”
Connor trailed behind Jenna, who carried a large takeout bag. “Afternoon, ladies. Looks like I arrived at the right time.”
“Connor has a knack for arriving on time when a free meal is involved,” Emma said. “It’s gotten to where I automatically set an extra place for him at dinner.”
“Guilty as charged, and good to know,” Connor said. “What Em here neglects to mention is that the food is payment for hours of late-night reno, like steaming off wallpaper.”
“Sounds like bribery to me,” Natalie said.
“I can live with that,” he said.
Abby’s pulse increased at seeing him, and she wasn’t sure how to act, especially with her friends there. She’d been sitting on a stool at the worktable assembling a gift basket of products they were going to raffle off when people signed up for their online newsletter—which she technically didn’t even have yet.
Connor helped take the decision out of her hands when he came over to her. “Hey, darlin’. You’ve all been busy.”
“We’ve unpacked all my boxes and are wrapping soap samples to hand out,” Abby said.
“Speaking of samples, here.” Jenna opened her large tote bag and pulled out an assortment of printer labels.
“I’ll take them,” Maddy called.
She’d set up the printer on a box on the floor next to Abby’s desk and was operating two laptops.
“This afternoon, we’re going to set up a table outside the front of the store,” Abby explained. “Maddy printed coupons to include with the samples.”
“Smart idea,” Connor said. “I’ll work on finishing the front room. Anything you need me to do first?”
“As a matter of fact, yes. Follow me,” Abby said, and led him into the shop area, where a large box that had been delivered late yesterday was lying.
“What is it?”
“The awning for the front of the store. Would you be able to hang it?”
“Sure, I’ll do it now so it will be up before you hand out samples,” he said. “But first…”
He slid his hands along her waist and pulled her close. “Hi.” He kissed her, a slow, drawn-out kiss, like he had been waiting his entire life to kiss her despite having had his mouth all over her body only hours ago.
“Hi.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed against him, wishing they were alone and she could drag Connor onto the worktable.
He broke the kiss, but continued to hold her close. “Sorry I got here later than expected. Had to handle an issue at the lighthouse.”
“What happened?”
“Someone decided it would be fun to mess with the area where the museum will be built.”
“Oh no. How terrible. What’d they do?”
“Nothing major. Trash everywhere, ripped out the stakes we had used to mark the location, spray-painted signs.”
“Seems to be a recurring theme around here.”
“We’re going to set up a couple of security cameras at all our properties and hope it helps Ethan and the police catch whoever is responsible.”
“Makes sense,” she said.
The sound of laughter came from the back room.
“I guess I should get started,” he said, kissing her again.
“What are you doing tonight?”
“I have plans with Jace and my dad for dinner, but I can come over after if you’re free.”
“How about I pick up dessert?”
“Darlin’, you are the dessert.”
Abby laughed as he gave her another hot kiss before getting to work.
Dinner had taken longer than Connor hoped. His dad barbecued ribs and served them with ears of fresh corn and a medley of roasted vegetables. Neither Connor nor Jace cooked that often. Sure, they could manage, but their schedule kept them busy. Now, the brothers helped with the dishes.
Every week his dad cooked something different—a positive sign he was adapting to post-prison life. Besides his job at a garage in Sunset Bay—a town next to Pelican Bay—he attended daily AA meetings.
Although Connor had never had an issue with alcohol, he’d attended a few sessions with his dad to offer support. While there were similarities, Connor attended weekly Narcotics Anonymous meetings instead. He remembered the struggle and never took his long-term recovery for granted.
During the Erickson Pier renovation, his dad had been a lifesaver, volunteering many hours after his shift ended to lead the effort to restore the vintage carousel. Allen Maguire had a knack for anything mechanical and a little electrical. Growing up, when he lost his job as a mechanic, rather than find a new one, he turned to placing bets at the racetrack and drinking, which resulted in him losing all their money. And when his mom tried to compensate by working three jobs, rather than being grateful, his dad would come home in a drunken rage and pick fights with his wife—and his sons, too.
Connor had tried to help pay the bills by selling drugs because his father pressured him to. What made it even worse was that the money Connor earned wasn’t used to pay for food and rent. Unfortunately, his dad would take Connor’s earnings to the track, where he lost more than he won.
After Mrs. Erickson, Emma’s late grandmother and former Pelican Bay mayor, had snagged him and Jason shoplifting from Harrison’s Market, she helped them find jobs—a newspaper route for Connor and a groundskeeping position at the lighthouse for Jason. Once Connor turned sixteen, he’d been able to get the delivery job at Tonino’s with a recommendation from Mrs. Erickson.
With her help, the boys had gotten on a right path—of sorts. Jace was fine, but Connor had walked the fine line with trouble. It all came tumbling down in Tampa, and he had thanked God that his uncle didn’t give up on him, and forced him to get help.
Now, Connor had a new appreciation of life and spent every day being grateful to have gotten his shit together.
While his dad seemed to have put his past behind him, Connor couldn’t help but wonder if his father would revert to his drinking ways. Jason shared the same concern, especially since their mom flew up from Florida every couple of weeks and was attending marriage counseling with their dad.
Initially, Jace and Connor had agreed to the weekly dinners to make sure their dad was staying true to his word. Things had changed over the course of the past couple months, and while Connor didn’t look forward to their dinners, he didn’t dread them as much as he had in the beginning.
Except tonight, when he was eager to see Abby.
“Great dinner, Dad,” Jason said. “What’d you use to season the ribs?”
“It’s a special rub I made. I’ll write down the list of ingredients, if you’d like.”
“I would. Thanks,” Jason said.
Their dad fixed a pot of coffee and turned to them. “I’d like to talk with you both about something.”
Connor glanced at Jason, who shrugged.
“What’s up?” Connor asked, setting cream and sugar on the table.
“It’s about your mom.” He rubbed his hands on his legs a few times in a nervous habit. “I love her, and by some miracle, she still loves me. I want to marry her.”
“Unless I’ve missed something, you’re already married,” Jason said.
“Legally, but your mom and I haven’t been husband and wife in a long time.”
“You don’t need to be married for that, Pop,” Connor said.
His dad flushed. “I don’t mean like that. I mean living together, sharing a life together.”
“What are you saying, Dad?” Jason asked.
“I want to ask your mom to remarry me, renew our vows, or whatever you want to call it. I want your blessing first.”
“Our blessing? Why?” Connor said.
“Because you were there for her when I wasn’t. You helped her through the worst time of her life. I won’t move forward trying to rebuild a life with her if you both don’t want me to.”
“You’re not the only one who’s changed. Mom’s stronger than she was,” Connor said.
“If she wants to be part of your life, we can’t stop her,” Jason added.
“I know, but I’ll walk away from her, and you, if it’s what you both want.”
Connor knew what their dad wanted. Forgiveness.
Could he and Jace give it to him?
“Where would you live?” Jason said.
“Tammy wants to move back here to Jersey. To be near me and both of you. She’s going to rent an apartment for six months. Hopefully by then, my parole will be done, and we can remarry and move in together.”
“How do you plan on rebuilding a life with her?” Connor asked. “Mom is used to a certain quality of life now.”
“A life the three of us worked hard to make together,” Jason added.
Their dad nodded, as if he’d been prepared for that question. “Besides working at the garage, I’ve started a side business making furniture. Outdoor furniture like Adirondack chairs, custom picnic tables. Also, indoor furniture like bookcases, desks, tables, and the like.”
“When do you do that?” Jason asked.
“I have a lot of free time on my hands now that the pier renovation is done,” He continued. “One of the guys who helped with the carousel renovation is working with me. We’re renting out a shed on the garage property. It’s a piece-of-shit space, but the owner is renting it to us for dirt cheap. We’ve made a few things and through word of mouth have gotten some custom orders.”
“You have any pictures?” Connor said.
Picking up his cell phone, his dad scrolled through his photo app. “Here’s what we’ve made so far.”
Connor and Jason studied the images. The quality of what they’d built was clear. Clean lines, sturdy wood.
“These look terrific,” Connor said. “I’d think these would sell big around here.”
“We’re always scouting out this type of stuff during our renovations,” Jason said. “Hell, Emma was just saying she wants to get new furniture for the patio and sunroom once we renovate them.”
“I’m not asking for your help to sell them. I have a plan to support your mom and am not expecting her to support me.”
“We’re glad to hear it, Pop,” Connor said.
“Does Mom know about this business?” Jason said.
“She encouraged me to do it.” He paused and studied his lap. “She raised you fine boys, working three jobs she hated when I couldn’t hold down one. And now, with her real estate license, she’s really found something she loves. I’m proud of her and you. You were better off without me in your life.”
Connor exchanged a glance with Jason, who nodded. “I had my share of screw-ups. My life could have gone a completely different way if Mom and Uncle Tom hadn’t forced me into rehab. And I still fucked it up the first time. But family sticks together to support each other. Through good times and bad. Isn’t that what they say during wedding vows?”
“The important thing is you’ve gotten help and are working on your relationship with Mom,” Jace added.
“And us,” Connor said.
Their dad nodded and wiped at his eyes. “She never gave up on me, and I don’t know why not. I gave her more than enough reasons to.”
“She never stopped loving you,” Jason said. “Love is powerful. I didn’t understand it before, but after finding Emma again, I get it. Relationships are a partnership.”
“You’re right. I promise both of you I will never be the man I was before. I want to be a father you’re proud of.” He didn’t even try to wipe away the tears as they slid down his cheeks.
Connor placed a hand over his dad’s, so much like his own. “We’re proud you got help and are staying clean. I know how hard that is. We support you in continuing to stay clean.”
Jason added his hand. “Including giving you our blessing to remarry Mom, if that’s what she wants.”
Their dad failed to stifle a sob. “Thanks. Means more than I can say. I love you both.”
Neither Connor nor Jace could return the words, but they each put an arm around their dad in an awkward man-hug.
“I’ll pour the coffee. Then maybe you can show us the workspace. I know a couple of guys who can patch things up, if you need it,” Connor said.
Despite their past and his dad’s flaws, he was trying to make amends.
Connor considered his history with Abby. He’d thrown away something good. When she’d gotten pregnant and needed him the most, rather than work hard and return to Pelican Bay like he’d promised her, he got tossed in jail and rehab. Not very different from his dad. By then, it was too late.
He regretted how he behaved and could think of many ways he could have handled things better. But the past couldn’t be undone…The present and what lay ahead were what mattered now. Those were the things he could change, and he’d work hard to make the right decisions.
Strength and resilience gave you the tools to be a better person. Possibilities gave you hope for a better day…and a chance at a wonderful tomorrow.
He loved Abby. Always had.
It was time to put his heart on the line and tell her how he felt. Now was a chance for a new start.