Chapter Twelve
Abby drummed her fingers on the steering wheel of her vintage Orange-Crush-colored Jeep Wrangler. After texting and calling Connor multiple times throughout the afternoon with no response, she’d packed a picnic dinner and taken a chance he’d be at his apartment.
No luck there, either. The inside of Maguire Brothers Renovations was also dark, so Jenna and Jason must have left for the day. It was almost seven. Maybe Connor had gone to Emma’s for dinner.
She sent her friend a text and received a response that Connor wasn’t there.
That morning, Connor had said something about breaking ground today on the property for the museum. Could he still be there?
Only one way to find out.
Abby put the Jeep into drive and headed toward the lighthouse. The parking lot was blockaded off, probably because of the construction. A dumpster, port-a-john, and several large construction vehicles stood parked in an area gated off with plastic fencing.
She was about to drive away when she caught sight of a dark gray truck parked by the dunes past the lighthouse entrance.
Connor’s truck.
After pulling up her car behind his, she grabbed the picnic basket and went in search of him. She found him on the water, paddling out on his board way past where the waves broke.
He straddled the board with his back to her and watched the horizon. His wide shoulders exuded strength and skill. With a sudden turn, he rolled onto his stomach and paddled toward shore, popping up with an effortless grace she’d never attain, even with all the lessons he’d given her when they were kids. As he rode the wave in, she studied his tall frame, the confident stance and perfect balance on the board. His shaggy hair framed his face in a wild tangle.
God, she loved him.
She’d spent the past decade going to school, working, doing whatever she could to forget about her past on Pelican Bay, and her love for the boy who left her.
Moving back had been a decision she’d made for herself. Not because of obligation, but because she wasn’t happy in Texas or working for the large cosmetics firm. She’d wanted a different life…on her terms. And she’d missed her family.
Her decision to make the move permanently happened the moment she opened her car door and smelled the salt air. She knew she’d come home and was there to stay.
Now she was preparing to launch a new career…her own business. If only she could figure out how to keep the guy this time.
Having walked close to the water, she spread out the blanket she’d brought near a backpack she recognized as Connor’s. After kicking off her sandals, she continued to watch Connor surf, knowing she’d never tire of the view.
Of the beach.
Of the man.
Finally, Connor walked out of the ocean, the board under his arm. He stopped a few feet from her and set the board down in the sand.
She eyed him warily. “Good waves?”
He grabbed a beach towel out of his bag and dried off his hair and face. “Not bad.”
“I texted and called you a few times today.”
“My cell wasn’t fully charged and died halfway through the morning.”
Was he really going to pull that with her?
“Portable chargers come in handy, especially when you’re working on a construction site.”
He didn’t respond, and after removing his wetsuit, he set it on the board to dry. Underneath, he wore navy board shorts, and he slipped a dark gray T-shirt over his head.
She handed him a bottle of water. “Have you eaten? I brought dinner.”
“Thanks. No, I haven’t.” He chugged half the contents.
“Can we talk first?”
He dropped onto the blanket next to her. “I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to fight.”
“Then let’s not fight. Let’s talk.” She scooted closer to him. “If we’re going to be in a relationship, there will be times we’ll tick each other off. We may even raise our voices at each other.”
“I know, it’s just…” He angled his head toward the sea. “I went to an NA support meeting this afternoon.”
“Oh. I wondered if you went to meetings regularly.”
“I go weekly. It keeps me in check, and I can offer help to others who are in the early stages of dealing with their drug addiction,” he said. “I was feeling anxious and stressed and needed to talk with others who understand.”
“You were stressed about our fight.”
“About the fight, about the vandalism, about my dad wanting to remarry my mom, about starting a serious relationship with you.”
“That’s a lot to be stressed about,” she said.
He snorted. “Tell me about it.”
“Did it help?”
“It did.” He turned to face her. “I’m sorry for how I reacted to finding the paint cans. I jumped to conclusions and assumed the worst.”
“You had valid points. I was a real bitch about the pier extension and could have handled it better. I can see how finding the paint cans in my closet could raise suspicion.”
He nodded and turned to the ocean. “After the meeting, I came here to surf. Helps clear my mind.”
“I can see why.”
He met her eyes again. “Going to meetings will always be a part of my life. I need to know you can accept me, flaws and all.”
She reached for his hand. “I know who you are, flaws and all. It’s not like I’m perfect. You know I have my own issues. I’m impatient. I get angry quickly.”
“You’re stubborn.”
“A flaw we both have in common.”
He laughed. “We do. Can we make this work, Abby?”
The yearning behind his question touched her heart.
“I think we owe it to ourselves to try.” She cupped his whisker-covered jaw. “I love you, Connor, and will do everything I can to make this work.”
“I love you, Abby, and I want to build a life with you.”
“Then let’s promise to make each other a priority. And talk through what we’re feeling, even when we’re angry with each other.”
“I can do that.”
“I can come to your meetings with you. Not sure it’s allowed, but I want to understand and support you however I can.”
His eyes filled, and he leaned his head against hers. “Darlin’, you’re supporting me by offering. Sometimes we can bring a relative, spouse, or girlfriend to a meeting. I’ll let you know when.”
“Sounds good. Con, can you kiss me now?”
He framed her face and pressed a soft kiss against her lips. She opened and let him in, their tongues caressing and seeking love and forgiveness.
She threw her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. “I hate fighting, too, but we’re going to have some pretty fantastic make-up sex.”
“That’s a fact, although it will take something pretty spectacular to top last night.” He glanced up at the lighthouse. “Let’s eat. I have an idea on how.”
They ate a dinner of cold roasted chicken and chickpea salad. Connor listened while Abby updated him on her conversation with Natalie.
“Has Natalie talked to Liam about the paint cans and necklace?” he asked.
“She’s been trying to find him. He stayed overnight at a friend’s house and was supposed to work at Harrison’s this afternoon, but didn’t show up. And he’s not answering her texts or calls.”
Connor remembered the creative ways he’d found to avoid going home some nights, including staying at a friend’s house, telling his mom he was working late, or even sometimes sleeping on the beach. Anything to allow him to party into oblivion.
“What did Ethan say?”
“He listened to what happened and collected the cans and newspaper. It was uncomfortable, since he and Nat have been seeing each other, or at least sleeping together.”
“Ouch. Yeah, this makes things a little weird.”
“I don’t understand why Liam would act out this way.”
“Didn’t you say he was hanging out with a new group of friends?”
“Yeah, they’re the ones Jason caught smoking pot a few nights ago. I still can’t wrap my head around that.”
Connor could appreciate it being difficult for an adult to believe the worst about someone they’d known since birth.
Still, it didn’t negate the truth and the cold, hard facts.
“I tried my first joint at twelve and was dealing by fourteen,” Connor said. “It happens. I wish my mom would have found out and stopped me. But with working three jobs, we barely saw her.”
“This is Nat’s last week working at the five and dime, and she’s only working a few shifts on the weekend at Tonino’s, with the shop opening.”
Giving Liam lots of time on his own…at a vulnerable age.
“Starting a business is going to be hard on both of you. Stores here stay open late during tourist season. The more she’s away, the more trouble Liam can get into.”
Abby frowned. “You’re right. Nat’s been focused on saving money, hoping she can get her own place instead of living with our mom. Plus, she’s trying to put away money for Liam to go to college.”
“There’s community college and other lower-cost options in Jersey to consider. And if Liam keeps getting into trouble, it will make getting into college harder,” Connor said.
“She and I have had similar conversations. Honestly, I’m not sure what she’s thinking.” Abby closed up the containers and stored them in the cooler. “Right now, we need to get through the store opening, but Nat may be forced to deal with whatever trouble Liam has gotten into sooner than later.”
Something had been on his mind, and he hoped Abby wouldn’t get angry if he poked his nose into her business more than he already had.
“Have you considered hiring a couple part-time workers? You’ll have to continue to make inventory, and with only you and Natalie, it will make it hard to cover all the hours.”
“It’s funny you ask. I took out an ad yesterday. I got a couple of calls today and scheduled two interviews tomorrow,” she said.
“Good to hear, darlin’.” He pushed her hair aside and kissed her neck, inhaling the scent of daisies and sunshine. “I hear you have a demanding boyfriend who will be lonely if you’re not home every night until late.”
She laughed. “I’ll work out a schedule so I can give plenty of attention to my demanding boyfriend.”
“He would be appreciative, but I suppose he’ll understand and can use the time for non-work projects.”
“He sounds like a nice guy.” She turned and snuggled into his neck.
“Hey, no sleeping.”
She yawned. “Sorry, someone kept me up most of the night last night.”
“Speaking of up…I have an idea.”
“What?”
“I’m told there’s an amazing view of the sun setting over the bay from the top of the lighthouse. You up for climbing stairs?”
“My ankle is almost better, so sure.”
Connor stowed his board and Abby’s cooler in his truck, grabbed a flashlight, and met her at the door to the lighthouse.
He extracted a key from his pocket and inserted it into the old lock.
“Where did you get the key from?” she asked.
“Jason gave it to me. Emma’s family still had the key from when Jace used to take care of the grounds here as a teen. He used to come here with Emma when they wanted to get away from everything.”
“Translation: they used to have sex here.”
He laughed. “Probably, although I don’t want to think about what they did here now…or ever.”
He wiggled the key and pressed a shoulder against the old door, pleased when it gave way and opened with a creak.
“Is it safe?” Abby asked, a little worry in her tone.
“I went up there the other day and checked it out. Swept away dirt and bugs.”
Abby pressed against him. “Bugs?”
He was going to enjoy this.
“Hurry or we’ll miss the sunset.”
He turned on the flashlight and shined the bright light on the stairs. Taking her hand in his, he headed up the steep climb.
Two hundred and eleven steps later, they made it to the top landing.
“Well, I got in my exercise for the week,” Abby said, slightly winded.
“It will be worth it. I promise.”
Connor led her over to the side where the windows faced the bay. The sun had started dipping. A colorful kaleidoscope of yellow, red, and purple reflected off the water.
Abby sucked in her breath. “It’s beautiful.”
Connor bent and flicked on the battery-operated string lights he’d bought earlier, along with a couple of flameless candles, and shut off the flashlight.
With Abby in front of him, his arms curled around her waist, they watched the colors change as the sun dropped lower and lower below the horizon.
Connor could stay like this forever. A town and job he loved, surrounded by friends and family, and now with his girl. Abby was his soul mate, and holding her in his arms was the perfect end to a stressful day.
“Thanks for sharing this with me,” she said.
“Next time, we’ll go out to the dock. But there we can’t do this.” He spun her and kissed her, a slow, seductive kiss that quickly grew hot until he pulled away to catch his breath.
Picking up the blanket Abby brought with her, he spread it out on the floor.
“You’re not kidding? We’re going to do this here?”
He pulled her close, sliding his hands down her breasts, along her ribs and stomach, stopping a moment before they slipped under her dress. Her breath caught as he trailed a finger against the silk of her panties, feeling the dampness and heat.
“Most definitely,” he said, his voice husky.
She shuddered and pressed closer to him. He lifted the dress over her head until she stood bathed in candlelight in her bra and thong.
Beautiful.
Mine.
Fingering the straps of her bra, he slid them down, bending over to capture an exposed nipple. With a flick of his fingers, the clasp opened, and it fell to the floor. He kissed his way down her body, taking time with her breasts, sucking her nipple into his mouth until her breathing was raspy.
Dropping to his knees, he ran his fingers under the waistband of her panties and slid them down her legs. He could smell her arousal, and the heady scent made him even harder. He kissed her mound, feeling her part her legs for him to explore.
She held on to his shoulders for support, her head thrown back as she fought for control. Only Connor wanted her to lose control. He inserted a finger and curled it up while sucking her clit. Her legs started shaking, and when he added a second digit inside, he held her up while she cried out and came.
Sweating, he yanked his shirt off and fumbled with the tie to his shorts. When he was naked, he helped her to the ground.
He had bought a few outdoor pillows and arranged them under her head.
When she took his cock in hand, he sucked in a breath. Hovering over her, he let her guide him into her, taking it slow even though he could tell by her insistent hands that she wanted to go fast.
He kissed the curve of her neck, moving to her mouth. “Love you so much, Abby.”
She arched her hips up and pushed on his ass. “Love you, Connor. But you’re killing me now.”
“Am I?” He pulled all the way out, cupping her breasts and tugging at her nipples.
She moaned. “You’re evil.”
“In the best possible way, darlin’.”
He slammed into her and quickened the pace until they were both bathed in sweat and calling out their release together.
Despite the heat and lack of air circulation, they lay curled together.
Connor had started to doze when Abby nudged him in the side. “Did you hear that? I hear a noise outside.”
From below came the sound of scraping along with the indistinct murmur of voices.
Male voices.
Jumping awake, he sat up, reaching for his clothes and straining to make out the words.
Abby turned off the candles after dressing and crouched by the window. She scurried away and whispered in his ear, “I think it’s Liam and a couple of other boys.”
“Back for round two?”
“They have shovels and flashlights. I think they’re searching for something.”
“Liam’s necklace.”
Abby nodded. “What do we do?”
Connor already had his cell phone out and was typing. “I’m texting Ethan.”
“Should I text Natalie?”
“Not yet. Let Ethan do his thing.” He moved to the window, staying to the side, where he was in the shadows. “I’m going to take a little video.”
Less than five minutes later, a loud, piercing siren broke the silence, followed by the bright headlights of Ethan’s vehicle as it screeched to a halt in the parking lot. Connor heard cursing as the boys abandoned the shovels and tried to scurry away. But Ethan and his partner were quick and had them surrounded.
“Let’s go,” Connor said, turning on his flashlight before starting down the stairs.
Abby followed behind him.
Outside, they made their way to the construction site to see Ethan leading the boys to the back of his SUV. They walked single file. The first with his head down, the second wiping his eyes, and the third yelling that his father would have their badge.
Ethan jogged over. “Thanks for the call. Didn’t catch them with any spray cans, though.”
“What the hell were they doing? We saw them digging,” Connor said.
“Seems they were looking for the necklace Liam lost,” Ethan said.
“Busted at the scene of the crime,” Connor said. “Good for us, bad for them.”
“Can I talk to Liam?” Abby asked.
“Make it quick. I’m going to call Natalie and let her know we’re taking them to the station,” Ethan said.
“You’re going to put them in jail?” Abby cried.
Connor put an arm around her shoulder. “It’ll be all right, Abs. Let Ethan do his job.”
“I won’t put them in a cell, but I need to ask them questions about the vandalism,” Ethan said.
Connor and Ethan hung back while she ran over to Liam.
“Kind of ironic that you, a delinquent when we were kids, busted the minor of the woman you’re sleeping with,” Connor said.
Ethan rubbed the back of his neck. “Irony sucks. Nat’s going to hate me for taking him to the station.”
“You have to do your job, man.”
“You know it’s not going to matter to her.” Ethan watched as his deputy helped the boys into the squad car. “I’ve tried to get to know the kid, but Nat hasn’t wanted to tell him about us.”
Connor snorted. “She’s using you for sex. Again, there’s that irony.”
“Yeah,” Ethan said with a sad shake of his head.
“You thinking community service?”
“Hard to say. We didn’t catch them vandalizing, and I’m not sure the spray paint you found will prove they were responsible for any of the incidents.”
“If you need them to do a little community work, I could use a few kids who know how to use a shovel to help with the nature trail,” Connor said.
Ethan clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll keep it in mind.” He took out his phone. “Let me make this call to Nat.”
“Good luck.”
Abby returned, her face streaked with tears.
“Come here, darlin’.” Connor pulled her close and let her cry.
“He’s so frustrating…angry at the world. I don’t know how to help him,” she said.
Sometimes people have to make their own mistakes and learn life lessons the hard way.
Just like Connor had.
“Has anything changed in his life?”
Abby sniffed. “His dad is expecting a baby with another woman. They’re getting married this fall.”
Bingo.
“If Liam thinks his dad doesn’t have time for him, he could act out for attention or to make a point.”
“What kind of point? That Nat can’t handle him?”
Connor shrugged. “Possibly. Think about it. If Nat can’t control Liam, and he keeps getting into trouble, she may send him to live with his dad.”
“Nat mentioned the possibility of alternative living arrangements for Liam after the summer ends. It was an offhand comment, though. Not sure she’d really send him away.”
“See, his plan—assuming that’s his goal—may already be working.”
They watched as Ethan got in the car and they took off.
“I guess you have a valid point.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “For the most part we grew up without a dad. But he died. It’s not like he was an hour away. It’s been a struggle for Nat trying to juggle everything.”
“Understandable. I’m sure she’ll figure it out. We’ll support her with whatever she needs.”
“You don’t need to take this on. It’s my family.”
“And we’re dating, which means it’s important to me, too.” He kissed her. “And in case I’m not being clear enough, I’m talking forever, Abby. I want marriage and kids…with you.”
“Is that a marriage proposal?”
“I wasn’t sure you wanted to go there this soon. You wanted to take things slow.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “When have we ever done anything slow?”
She had him there.
He reached for her left hand and kissed it. “Abby O’Connell, what do you say we act like grownups and get hitched?”
“I say it’s about damned time, Connor Maguire.”