The Seacroft: a love story (Paines Creek Beach Book 2) Read online

  He enfolded her in his arms, kissing her deeply. They fell back onto the sand and she lay atop him, feeling content and completely happy for the first time in years. “I’m still hungry,” she said when her stomach growled.

  He laughed. “Me, too. But I’m hungrier for you. I have a little blanket in that backpack. Wanna spread it out?”

  She grabbed it and spread it on the sand, but before she could take out the sandwiches, he picked her up and laid her down on it, leaning over her.

  “I can’t wait, Viv. I need you now.”

  She felt the evidence of his need growing against her, and in that second her body responded, growing slack and moistening as if it knew all along what was coming. “Cody. You make my knees weak. I always thought that was just a saying, but—”

  He crushed his mouth against hers, stopping all conversation. Hungrily, she kissed him back, this man who was to be her husband. The thought thrilled her, but even more was the electrifying sensation that filled her when he slid the shirt over her arms and lowered her shorts and bathing suit, tossing them aside. Instantly, she was naked, and above her he shed his shorts in seconds, staring into her eyes with such deep passion that she thought she might never be this happy again.

  He reached around her waist, pulling her tight against his body and whispering in her ear. “Don’t ever leave me, Viv. You ground me. You make me wanna be a better man.”

  She slid her arms around his neck, nuzzling his salty skin. “Good,” she whispered back. “’Cause I never want to catch you with another woman again.”

  He gave a low chuckle. “I promise.” He laid her down again gently and began kissing her collarbone, tasting her skin and gently sliding his tongue in circles, going lower and lower. At her breasts, he spent long, luxurious moments teasing and kissing her nipples until they stood straight up in the russet light of sunset. In the background, she saw the sky had blazed with color, scored with lines of violet and orange. She sighed and shifted on the blanket, letting her legs fall apart.

  He moved lower, kissing her belly until it quivered, and then lower again, until his face disappeared, and all she could see was the rise and fall of his head as he ministered to her with his tongue. She reached down to run her fingers through his hair, having never felt such intense pleasure in her life. She thought she would burst apart with the sensations, and after ten minutes of the lovely, hedonistic pleasure, she called to him.

  With a raspy tone, she begged, “Cody. I want you inside me.”

  He raised his face, smiled at her. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  She laughed and lifted her body to accept him, felt his delicious plunge inside her. She wrapped her legs around him and raked her nails down his back. “Oh, what you do to me. Don’t stop. Please.”

  His voice had deepened to a near growl, and she pictured him suddenly as a wild cave man claiming his woman, or a stallion, unbridled and free, sliding in and out, fast and hard.

  It happened quickly, and together they cried out into the salty night air, echoed only by the sounds of the gulls swooping overhead. The tremors of joy infused her with cresting sensations of pleasure that echoed through her, growing in intensity until she flopped back on the blanket, perspiring and weak, her body trembling and her heart pounding.

  He collapsed on her, and she felt his heartbeat rocketing against hers. Slowly it subsided, his breathing regulated, and he raised his eyes to hers.

  “My God, woman. Were you trying to kill me?” His smile belied his words.

  She toyed with his hair, the other hand tracing his spine down to his buttocks, where she cupped him and squeezed. “I can’t kill you yet. I need you to do this to me every single day for the rest of our lives.” She stretched luxuriously and raised one hand in the waning light, admiring the ring. “Oh, how it sparkles.”

  “I’m glad you like it. Finn says it was his grandmother’s. My great-grandmother’s.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “That makes it even more special.”

  “You’re special.” He kissed her.

  Her stomach growled.

  “Oops,” she said. “Sorry about that. How romantic, huh?”

  He snorted a laugh. “Oh my God, I’m so hungry I could eat a dozen sandwiches.”

  She eased away from him and slipped into her suit. “Then let’s eat, husband-to-be.”

  Popeye nickered from the spot where they’d tethered him.

  She covered a laugh with her hand. “Oh my gosh, Cody. Popeye saw the whole thing.”

  Cody put on his shorts and sat on the rock, tilting his head in her direction. “And he loved every minute of it,” he said. “Remember, the poor guy is gelded.”

  She slid into her bathing suit, blushing. With a giggle, she swatted his arm. “Stop it.”

  He unwrapped a sandwich and held it out to her. “Turkey and cheese? Or cheese and turkey?”

  “Give me that,” she said, sitting next to him and taking a big bite. “Delicious.”

  He uncorked a small bottle of champagne and poured it into two plastic glasses.

  “No wonder that pack was so heavy,” she laughed, “Were Libby and Finn in on this?”

  He nodded. “Yup. The champagne was Libby’s idea.”

  “I love your family.”

  “They’re your family now, baby.”

  She smiled and twined her arm through his for a toast. “To us,” she said.

  “Together forever,” he whispered. He clicked her glass again. “And to the many little ones I hope we have to help us work on our farm.”

  “Our farm. I love the sound of that.” She grinned, kissed his champagne-tasting lips. “And I do want a passel of kids.”

  He raised one eyebrow. “What the hell’s a passel?”

  She laughed and leaned into him. “Oh, my dear. I have a lot to teach you, don’t I?”

  “Apparently so,” he chuckled. “Good thing I’m ready to learn.”

  They finished their sandwiches and champagne, then walked arm in arm to the edge of the water. Together they faced the scarlet sky now tinged with deep purple.

  Water lapped at their ankles and they stepped deeper into the cool ocean. Vivian scrunched her toes in the sand below and leaned her head on his chest.

  A frisson of pleasure traced her spine and she sighed contentedly. “Is this really happening, Cody?”

  “Yeah, it’s real all right, he said. “Now, how about that swim?”

  Together, they rushed forward, diving side by side into the welcoming green sea.

  Epilogue

  Three years later

  Vivian rolled the stroller up the handicapped ramp onto the porch of Shady Pines II, noting the beautiful sea green shutters and trim enhancing the new white clapboard building. Eileen had been a key member of the design team and her touches were evident everywhere, from the expansive windows in the sun-drenched rooms to the classical piano music playing in the background. The pastel colors, comfortable furniture, and soft ambiance filling the facility made it feel homey and pleasant, and Vivian was thrilled when her mother was admitted a few months ago with only a modest increase in monthly charges.

  She was relieved to have her mother back in Brewster in her room by the sea. The temporary facility in neighboring East Dennis had been satisfactory. It was clean. The food was nutritious, if boring. But it hadn’t been as close to Blueberry Hill, and her mother’s room had only one window facing another building.

  In light of the damage done by Hurricane Delilah, weathermen said it had been the worst storm in the past hundred years, and the likelihood of another of its monstrous proportions was very low. So, in spite of the risk that it could happen again, the owners had rebuilt Shady Pines in the same valley, and the place quickly filled up with clients.

  Carefully maneuvering up to the door so she wouldn’t wake the child, she pressed the blue square with the wheelchair emblem on it that automatically opened the doors. The doors whooshed open and she pushed the stroller inside.

  Eileen
flagged her down in the hallway, walking briskly along with an iPad in her hands and a smile on her face. She’d been head nurse before the flood. Now she ran the place.

  “Vivian!” She hurried to her side. “It’s good to see you.”

  They embraced and stepped back. “Your mother’s all ready for you. She’s in her chair by the window. I just left her. She’s having a good day today.”

  “Thank you, Eileen. It’s so good to have her here. Especially with you in charge.”

  The nurse bent down to peek into the stroller. “Oh, the sweet little fella’s asleep. I hope I didn’t wake him.”

  “Don’t worry if you did. He’s been sleeping for three hours. It’s time for him to wake up.”

  “He’s beautiful, Vivian.” Eileen straightened. “Well, have a nice visit with your mom. And come back soon.”

  “We will.”

  Down the hall and to the right, Vivian found Room 212 and tapped on the door. She didn’t hear a response, but gently pushed the stroller inside anyway.

  “Good morning,” she said. “We’ve come for another visit.”

  She’d learned not to use her own name at first, or call her mother “Mom” right off the bat. She’d just wait to see what frame of mind she was in each time, and play it by ear.

  Her mother had aged well. Still pretty at sixty, her dark hair laced with gray framed her face and her Irish blue eyes twinkled with a bright light. Vivian hadn’t inherited blue eyes from her mother, but dark brown eyes from her father.

  The new medication that she’d started a year and a half ago had begun to help in some ways. Her mother was calmer now, more accepting of the fact that she didn’t remember people. She didn’t get as frantic or upset when someone “new” came into the room, and it had been actually pleasant to visit her over the past year.

  Mirella didn’t turn to greet Vivian, but instead gestured toward the ocean beyond her wide window with one delicate hand. “The waves are beautiful today. Look at all the whitecaps.”

  Vivian parked the stroller near the window and stood beside her mother’s wheelchair. “You’re right. It’s lovely today.”

  Mirella turned to her, a quizzical look in her eyes. “I know you, don’t I?”

  “Yes,” Vivian said. “You do.” She took out a white paper bag of rock candy she’d tucked into her pocket. “And I brought your favorite today.”

  “Rock candy,” Mirella whispered, as if it were the prize jewels. She held a string up in the air and watched the sunlight sparkle from the sugary crystals. “Almost too pretty to eat, isn’t it?”

  Vivian laughed. “You’re right. Do you remember you always gave Martin and me this when we were little?”

  A confused smile crossed Mirella’s face. “Did I?”

  “Yes. And your mother gave it to you when you and Katrina were little.” Vivian touched her mother’s arm. She didn’t pull away.

  “I miss Katrina,” she said suddenly, her eyes filling with tears.

  Vivian patted her mother’s shoulder. “Me, too.”

  The child stirred and opened his eyes. Vivian knelt down to lift him from the stroller, cuddling him to her. “Shh. It’s okay, honey.”

  Mirella’s eyes widened. “Oh! A little one. I love children, did you know that?”

  “Yes, I know,” Viv said. “And this little guy is your grandson.”

  Her mother’s mouth trembled. “I have a grandson?”

  “Yes. I’m your daughter, Vivian. And this is your grandson.” She sighed inwardly. They’d had this conversation several times a week since she’d given birth.

  With a small frown, Mirella sat forward, reaching a hand toward the baby. “I think I had a baby boy once. A long time ago.” She reached over to touch the boy’s arm and stroke his skin with shaking fingertips. “And a little girl, too. I remember pink dresses.”

  Vivian brought the baby closer to her mother. “Yes. You did. Your boy was Martin. Do you remember that? I named my son after him. This is my little Martin. Martin Jax McGraw. We call him Marty.”

  Her mother leaned over to kiss his curls. The baby chortled and grinned up at her.

  “Look. He has the same blue eyes as my boy.”

  “Yes, he does. And Mom? They’re your eyes, too. You and he have the same eyes.” She opened her purse and took out an old fashioned compact. She never used it except for the mirror. She flipped open the circular mirror and handed it to her mother. “See?”

  “Really?” Mirella’s face bloomed with happiness. She glanced back and forth between her reflection in the mirror and the child. “Oh, my. How special.”

  Vivian wondered if the next child—the one she carried now—would have her dark brown eyes that she’d inherited from her father. Or would she get Cody’s hazel eyes? If the baby was a girl, she planned to name her Mirella.

  With a sweet smile, her mother took her hand and locked eyes with her, something that she hadn’t done since she’d become ill. “I want you to know, even though I’m so muddled all the time, you have to know—”

  “What, Mom?”

  She took a deep breath. “I’m sure I would have been very proud of you.”

  Vivian’s heart broke. Here was her mother, trying to make her feel good even though she couldn’t remember one person from the next, one hour from the next. “Thank you. That means the world to me.” She held back her tears. “Would you like to hold him?”

  “Oh, may I?”

  Vivian placed the little boy on her mother’s lap, standing close and holding one arm to be sure he didn’t wiggle off.

  The door opened, and Cody appeared in the doorway with tousled hair and a tentative smile. “Is it okay to come in?”

  Mirella turned her head toward him, smiling down at the boy on her lap. “Come on in, young man. Meet my grandson.”

  “I had to park all the way down at the end,” he explained, entering the room slowly.

  Working the farm had been good for him, and becoming a father had propelled him into the man Viv always knew he would be. He was kind, patient, and fiercely protective of his son. Her heart melted at the sight of his rugged face and kind eyes.

  She gave him an encouraging smile, urging him to join them. “We’re having a good day, honey. Mom’s holding Martin.”

  Mirella stroked the little boy’s hair and cooed to him. He collapsed against her, comfortable in her lap. They’d done this many times in the past year, and the baby seemed to have a calming influence on her.

  Cody stood beside them, smiling down at his son. “He likes you, Mirella.”

  She smiled up at him. “Yes, he does. And he loves the sea.”

  They were quiet for a long time, each watching the waves darting across the sea in white foamy swirls.

  After a while Martin started to wiggle and reached for his mother. “Mama.”

  Mirella nodded to Vivian. “It’s okay. You can take him now.”

  Vivian lifted the boy and handed him to his father. “Here you go. Daddy’s got you now.”

  Cody held the child comfortably in his arms, turning him toward the ocean. “See the boats?”

  The little boy’s ocean blue eyes flickered toward the horizon. He smiled up at his Cody. “Dada,” he said. “Boat.”

  Cody lifted him higher, kissing his belly. The child giggled and squirmed.

  “That’s right, buddy. It’s a boat. Good job.”

  Mirella took Vivian’s hand, pulling her closer. She pointed to father and son. “The boy looks like him,” she whispered conspiratorially.

  Viv gave her a gentle hug. “He should. Cody is his father.”

  “I see,” Mirella said, but her eyes glazed over with confusion.

  Vivian squeezed her mother’s hand. If this were as good as it would get, she’d take it, be grateful for it. At least Mirella didn’t panic now when she saw her daughter, and she never pulled away screaming any more. Things were better now. Her mother might not recognize her, but she accepted that little Martin was her grandson today, in th
is precious moment. That, in itself, was a gift, even though she’d have to tell her all over again next time.

  “Excuse me, Miss.” Mirella turned to Vivian. “I’ve forgotten your name.”

  “I’m Vivian.”

  “Yes, of course. Vivian, when you come again, would you bring me some of your blueberries? I loved them last time.”

  Viv’s smile spread to her eyes. She rubbed the back of her hand on her mother’s cheek. “Oh, Mom. You remembered. That’s wonderful! Of course I’ll bring you more. It’s picking season and we have so many berries.”

  “Thank you, dear. I love your berries. And rock candy.”

  “I’ll bring you both. I promise.” Vivian gestured to Cody. “Mom loves our berries, honey. She wants us to bring some next time.”

  “They’re the best in the county, Mirella. Speaking of berries, we’ve got work to do, honey. People will be queuing up at the gates for picking in another half hour. We’d better head back.”

  “Of course.” She took the baby from Cody and settled him in his stroller. “We’ll stop by again in a few days, okay?”

  “With my berries?”

  “Yes. With your berries.”

  “And the boy?”

  “And the boy,” Vivian said. “Martin.”

  “Yes. Bring Martin back to me. I will miss him until then.”

  “I’ll miss you, too, Mom.” She brushed a tear from her cheek and turned to go. “See you soon.”

  “Goodbye, Princess Vivian.”

  Mirella turned back to her window, watching the morning sun dance on the deep green sea.

  - The End -

  What’s Next?

  If you enjoyed this story, you might like The Seacrest, set in the same locale with many of the same characters. And if you enjoy the style of these books, check out the Bittersweet Hollow romantic suspense series or the author’s family-centered mysteries at http://www.lazarbooks.com.

  Please consider hopping over to Amazon to leave a short review if you enjoyed the book! If you hated it, never mind. (chuckle)