Soldier, Handyman, Family Man Read online

  Surprisingly, she followed him up the stairs to suite number three’s bathroom, and though she didn’t talk, she hovered around him while he got set up and went to work. He had to admit her nervous energy was amusing as she flitted about pretending to be busy in the adjacent guest room. She picked this up, moved that, smoothed out the duvet, all while keeping close watch over him. He had excellent peripheral vision. Was she searching for the best way to say what was really on her mind? She was the one who’d come to him. There had to be a reason.

  At some point, when he was concentrating on the job at hand, Laurel left, and later, he was just cleaning up around the faucet on the pedestal sink when she reappeared with lemonade and a plate of chocolate cookies. Always a good sign. He couldn’t hide his smile, or the direct question that just popped into his head. “Where’re the kids?”

  With a sly smile, like the Pied Piper, she led him out of the bathroom and into the hall to the window seat. She set the drink and cookies on the small antique table there, then sat. Slowly, she lifted her shapely brows, a cue for Mark to take a seat, too. Which he did, right next to her. Now he could smell that fresh-out-of-the-shower, flowery lotion she used. Yeah, he’d missed that, too. Big-time.

  “Peter offered to take the girls to see the new animated movie,” she said, after he’d taken his place on the cushion she’d patted. Then she shrugged. “Will wonders never cease?”

  “My grandda always says small miracles are all around. I guess we can count that as one.” Then he wondered if there might be any more miracles scheduled for his day where Laurel was concerned. Instead of taking a cookie, he took her hand, thinking the time had come to take the risk. “Did you miss me?” He dipped his head, looking out under his brows and sporting half a smile—his way of acting direct but shy. He hoped she liked it.

  Her gaze locked on to his. Do you want the truth? those eyes seemed to challenge.

  Yes. He. Did. He wanted the truth, and nothing but. He was tired of beating around the bush about their feelings.

  “For two whole weeks.”

  “You did?” You mean he wasn’t the only one? A warm, simmering sensation in his chest helped relax his shoulders and boost his outlook. A small miracle?

  She slowly nodded, never taking her eyes off him. “I fought with myself, too, because I still wanted to wring your neck for being so reckless. Then I realized my anger was based on lo—caring for you.”

  They held hands and stared at each other, and Mark wanted to think she’d corrected herself from saying love. But caring about someone enough to get that furious had to border on love, didn’t it? Whether she said it or not. Because that’s how he felt about her. He loved her. There was no other way to explain his feelings.

  There was something else he needed to know, too. “Have you forgiven me?” He waited a beat, and since she didn’t jump right in, he prodded. “Since you came all the way over to the hotel with this list? Or do you really just want my fix-it expertise?” he teased, hoping she’d be honest in return.

  “I haven’t forgiven you, because I’m still working on forgiving myself for melting down in front of you and my kids and God only knows who else.”

  “My mother, grandfather…”

  She covered her face in shame. “Oh, don’t remind me.”

  His hand flew to her shoulder to comfort her. “It was my fault.”

  She peeked between her fingers. “You scared the crap out of me.”

  The leftover fear he saw in her expression made the protective part of him go nuts. All he wanted to do was take her in his arms and promise anything she wanted him to. But this was their chance to lay it all out there, to tell each other how they felt about each other, and decide what to do about it. He couldn’t let anything get in the way of that.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “You know I am.”

  “Can you forgive me?”

  “For caring about me? Hell, no. That was the first time I realized you might have some feelings for me. Until then I thought we just had a lopsided thing going on where I was falling hard, and you were living in the moment.”

  His comment seemed to startle her. She narrowed her eyes in disbelief. “I thought you were the one living in the moment and I was the one falling.”

  Sweet music to his ears. “Now we’re getting somewhere, babe. What else haven’t you been telling me?” He tugged her to his side, and she rested her head on his shoulder. It felt so great and right to be near her again.

  “We had a family meeting about you.”

  He lifted his chin from the top of her head. “You did? This is really getting good.” All that time he’d been moping around they’d held family meetings with him as the topic?

  “The kids and I decided we needed you back in our lives.”

  “The kids and you.”

  “Uh-huh. Peter said since I’d sent you away, you were being a gentleman, and it was up to me to go to you.”

  “That Peter is a smart kid.”

  “Claire and Gracie said I should bring you cookies.”

  He laughed. “Also smart kids. So I guess I should take one, then.” He reached for the freshly baked chocolate cookies and ate one in two bites. Delicious as always, but maybe more so now, with Laurel at his side, and their world opening back up.

  She laughed lightly. “The girls also said something in regards to us, and likening it to how Daisy loves Anna and licks her face a lot. I wonder how many times they caught us kissing.”

  “We did give them a lot of opportunities.” He grinned then screwed up his face as it occurred to him. “They thought I was licking you?”

  “They’re still four, honey.”

  He especially liked her calling him honey.

  She went tense again, he felt it in her shoulders. “I’m still not sure I can handle being in a relationship,” she continued. “Family meeting or not.”

  “Who can? But sitting around and waiting for something bad to happen is a waste of time, don’t you think?”

  “If you put it like that, yes. But I have history, remember?”

  “No doubt.” He kissed her temple and smoothed her hair. He felt her relax a little. “Look, I can’t promise to never get hurt again, or not ever get sick, life is too unpredictable for that. I can promise not to take unnecessary risks. But I could be the most cautious guy in the world and step into the street and get hit by a car. The thing is, we can’t control life any more than who we fall in love with.” He held her tighter. She’d hinted enough about how she felt about him. Maybe he should tell it straight up, about his feelings. “And speaking of that, I can promise one more thing.” He sat straight, held her by the shoulders so he could look her in the eyes again. “Because I’ve given this two full weeks of thought and made changes to my life to prove it. I can promise to love you. Already do. That won’t change, whether you love me back or not. It’s out of my hands. Too late, babe, I love you. So there.”

  “I need to catch my breath.” Doe-eyed and murmuring, she reached for his face, running her fingers down his cheeks. “I came to ask you back into my life today, because I missed you so, so much. We all did. You’re such a good man. Every day I panicked thinking I’d lost you, yet not having the guts to name what I felt.” She kissed him softly. “That’s another thing I love about you, you don’t beat around the bush.” Her brows shot up. “You love me? Really?”

  “Want me to prove it?”

  Her face flushed, her eyes fully dilated. “Yes,” she whispered.

  He reached for her, then led her back to guest room number three, where he’d just fixed the leaky faucet. They may have tested out the bathtub that day, but they’d never made it to the bed.

  “How long is that movie supposed to last?”

  *

  Mark hovered above Laurel, ready to enter her. As always, when they made love, he’d worked her into a frenzy by giving every part of her body his utmost attention. He’d already proved beyond a doubt that he loved her. Hell, he’d said the words. Deep in
the moment, she wanted him more than anything, but another urgent need made her stop him short of entry. Her hands cupped his face, forcing his wildly sex-charged eyes to delve into hers. His obvious desire jolted through her center, making it hard to speak. But she had to. She hadn’t told him yet, and he deserved to know how she felt.

  “I love you,” she whispered, her body covering with goose bumps as she did.

  His smoldering bedroom stare softened with love. They studied each other, isolating the special moment for a time. There was no doubt the feeling was mutual. “You know I love you, too,” he said, then with a thrust, they came together. She swore as he moved inside her, it felt different, everything was different, and better than ever. Soon overcome with sensations and reactions thanks to the man she loved, she didn’t have any thoughts at all.

  Chapter Ten

  After Mark and Laurel had finished a lovemaking session hot enough to grill steaks, and topped it off with a long and satisfying shower, Laurel’s kids came home. It was a little after four, and she and Mark had started a real barbecue. It occurred to her that they were a couple, whether she was ready for it or not. How could she deny the best thing that’d walked into her life since Alan?

  “Burgers coming up,” Mark said, as the twins rushed him and hugged his legs.

  “We missed you.” Gracie was the first to say it, while gazing up at him adoringly. Laurel felt so full of love she didn’t know what to do. So she stood and let the goodness run over her, head to toe, and basked in the sweet feeling.

  Even Peter’s eyes lit up when he saw Mark at the grill, tossing burgers and drinking a canned soda. “Good going, Mom. I guess our plan worked.”

  She put an arm around her son. “Your plan. You’re the man, Peter.” They playfully high-fived, and Mark noticed, a smile slanting across his gorgeous face.

  “Have you learned how to grill a burger yet, Peter?”

  Peter flashed Laurel a help-me glance, but she suspected it was obligatory for being a teenager. She also hoped he not only didn’t mind, but looked forward to learning all he could from Mark. If she played it right, maybe he’d get a lifetime of that fatherly attention. Peter leaped down the back porch steps to join his mentor by the fancy grill. “Is this gonna impress girls?”

  “Ever met a teenage girl who didn’t like hamburgers?”

  “Awesome.” Her son grinned, and it melted her heart. Though she did worry a little about his wanting to impress girls.

  Laurel went back to the kitchen to whip up a salad and check on the sweet potato fries baking in the oven. The golden moment of having her kids like the man she’d fallen in love with, after all they’d been through losing their dad, put a grin on her face that started deep inside. After all the years of pain, fear and sadness, they all needed this normal kind of life. For however long it lasted with Mark, she’d decided to give their relationship 100 percent of her effort and attention, because Mark deserved so much. Her mind drifted to earlier that afternoon.

  *

  Two weeks later, record waves once again hit the shores all along the central coast. Sandpiper Beach was making history, this time, due to a hurricane down south. Mark, Laurel and the kids couldn’t resist taking their beach chairs and setting up for another crazy show. Sweaters on, they watched along with the other lookie-loos on the crowded beach, while the usual suspects—wild and fearless surfers—took on the record-breaking waves.

  After his brush with death last month, he wasn’t the least bit tempted to try one out, nor was he envious of those crazy surfers getting tossed around and battered by the sea. Still, he and Peter watched with awe as the surfers seemed brave in battle with the monster waves.

  If anyone should be envied it was him. He was a guy who a few short months ago was as lost as a soul could be, no plans, no future, no idea how to change his life. Now he sat with the prettiest gal on the beach and a ready-made family. A little piece of heaven right there in Sandpiper Beach.

  He’d changed into a guy with potential. Putting the past behind—though he’d never forget his tours in the Middle East, or his friends and fellow soldiers who’d fought so valiantly alongside him, and those who’d been taken out by IEDs—no, he’d never forget, but he was finally ready to move on, to quit letting old nightmares keep him down or hold him back. Today, those memories seemed from a lifetime ago, and he preferred the here and now. Especially with Laurel in his life. She, like his parents and brothers, had seen his potential long before he had. Some days he wondered where he’d be if he hadn’t met and fallen in love with her. Good thing she’d gotten the crazy idea to buy that old house and open a B&B.

  Surprisingly, he’d enjoyed learning the ins and outs of the hotel business, and was thankful to his parents for being patient with him. For the first time in over a year, he was confident in his knowledge and business sensibilities. Some days he felt ready to take on the world. With Laurel by his side, why not, he could do anything.

  He and Laurel had many conversations about how to grow their businesses, and had come up with some great plans. He’d built the perfect place for weddings, as his mother had the foresight about the gazebo on the large side yard, and Laurel had the ideal honeymoon suite. All the couple had to do was walk across the street. Putting their efforts together, they’d come up with a wedding package approved by his mother, and they’d already booked the first ceremony.

  From his seat on the beach, Mark’s world, like those wild and crazy waves, was filled with possibilities. His eyes flew open as far in the distance the wave of the century swelled. Everyone saw it and waited, even the kids. So moved by the greatness of Mother Nature, one particular thought came to mind: now was the time. Why not? He looked at Laurel. Like the sandwich that day at her house, her secret sauce still drove him nuts. Always would.

  “I have a crazy idea,” he said, grinning.

  Disbelief widened her eyes, lifted her brows and turned her beautiful smile upside down. “Oh, no, you are not!”

  “Oh, yes, I am.” He beamed and stood, getting her full attention, though not necessarily in a good way, then dropped to a knee in front of her. “Laurel.” He took her hand. “Give me the rest of your life, and I’ll prove how much I love you, every single day. Will you marry me?”

  That humongous wave must have crashed onto the shore because he could swear the earth moved, and people screamed in awe and clapped behind them. It wasn’t because he’d just asked the woman he loved to marry him, that much he knew. All Mark saw was Laurel, with the most amazing expression on her face. A mixture of surprise and love so deep his heart nearly melted.

  When the journalists wrote about the record-breaking phenomenon from the sea today, Mark would remember only one thing, which turned out to be far, far greater. His special moment didn’t crash onto the shore, or make so much noise everything else got blotted out. His little miracle was a small sound that couldn’t even be heard. Fortunately, he could read her lips.

  Laurel said yes.

  *

  Sunday dinner at the Delaney Pub was crowded and noisy as usual and overflowing with great food, but most importantly, filled with love. Mark had never felt greater in his life. Laurel had said yes to his proposal earlier that afternoon, and now it was time to share their special news with his family.

  He waited until everyone was halfway through dinner, when mouths were full and conversations had ebbed. Then he tapped his water glass with his butter knife. Ting, ting, ting.

  “I have an announcement to make.”

  Curious eyes rose from around the table, none more so than Grandda’s. The room went quiet as forks and cutlery went still. Eyes settled on Mark, and not surprisingly, passing over Laurel first, for a hint. Laurel looking beautiful as always, her hair shining under the pub lights, her eyes bright and dancing with their secret. She smiled demurely and looked to Mark, who sat beside her.

  “I’ve asked Laurel to marry me, and she said yes.”

  Grandda’s palm slammed into the table, in a good way. “I k
new it!” He jumped to his feet and danced a little jig. Maureen’s hands flew to her cheeks, and Sean grinned until his eyes nearly closed, shaking his head in a will-wonders-ever-cease kind of way. Mark had stepped up to taking over the hotel, hadn’t he? Why should his father be surprised about this next step?

  Daniel, being recently married himself, was the first to come around the table and slap his brother on the back. “So happy for you.” Mark stood so they could hug.

  Immediately, they all broke out of their seats, having a total hug fest, everyone hugging everyone else. Congratulations flying left and right.

  It had taken a near miracle to keep the proposal private, but thanks to the distraction of a monumental wave, he and Laurel had pulled it off. He’d proposed, she’d said yes, they kissed and the kids thought they were just doing what they always did. Oblivious to the love-you-forever looks walking back to her house, her children didn’t have a clue that their world had just changed forever.

  Once they were all home, he and Laurel sat the kids in the front parlor and told them their plans. The twins acted like they’d just seen Santa. Peter chewed his lips and sat quietly for a few seconds, then, seeming more like an old man than a teenager said, “I hope you’ll be very happy.”

  Laurel dropped to her knees and hugged her boy until they both cried. “I am happy,” she’d said.

  “I know, Mom, I can tell.”

  Then everyone cried and clapped, and the twins jumped up and down until Peter told them to stop it.

  In the celebratory chaos, someone tugged on Mark’s hand. He looked down. Little Gracie. “Does this mean you’ll be my daddy or my pretember daddy?” Evidently, it had taken this long for the question to occur to her.