Page 52 of Steamy Ever After

"I know you don't but hear me out; there's a lot going on in your head. I might catch things that you might miss. I won't interfere with your treatment plan or your decision to forego it. All I'm asking is for the privilege of being there for my mother when she needs me most."

"I'm the same, Mom." Declan's voice drops with a grave tone. "You've always been there for us. Let us be there for you."

"I'll think about it this week. What I would really like is for the four of us to have fun. To enjoy the remainder of this vacation and make each day the best that we can. There are so many unknowns to face when I get back to Baltimore, but this week is familiar to me. Being at the beach with my boys is the highlight of my year. No matter what I face, I want to savor these memories.”

"Rose, I know I'm not family but whatever you need, whatever I can do ..."

"I know, Lacey, and I appreciate it." Mom pats her hand. "It’s nice to have a woman to talk to, and I'm a little too modest to talk to my boys about some things. Some personal things. I know these hulking men aren't boys, but the thought of talking about intimate, feminine things to my sons is unsettling."

Lacey's love for my mother shines through her eyes. Now, I understand better what happened tonight on the beach and I'm reminded just how special a woman she is but am also reminded that I could have been a better man.

CHAPTER 14

Lacey

Ithought I would sleep fitfully after such a stressful evening, but I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. I don't remember Carter coming in, but the dent in his pillow would indicate otherwise.

Cherishing the solitude, I decide on a plan to make this vacation one all of them will remember. I tiptoe to the door and lock it before grabbing my phone to work out the details.

With my tasks now complete, I throw on my shorts and a T-shirt and go down into the kitchen where there's coffee. No one is inside as I pour a large cup, then I follow the voices outside to the place where my three housemates appear.

I quietly slip into a chair beside Carter and sip the dark brew silently, fighting a smile as they carry on about football. I wait patiently while they each announce their plans for the day.

"I'm going to take Marisol to the airport,” Declan says. I'd rather not have to deal with her the rest of the week."

"Thank you, son. I'm not sure she'd have a good time, anyway. I can't picture her playing mini-golf." Rose takes a deep breath and lets it out as she stands. "I'm going to wash this cup, then take a nap. Someone wake me up in an hour or so, okay? I'm tired but I don't want to sleep away the days."

"Go rest," Carter says, his tone much softer than it's been in days.

When everyone's done, and disappeared from the porch, I capture Carter's attention.

"Take a walk with me?"

"Sure." He nods.

We walk together hand in hand across the beach until we reach the water, silently enjoying the pleasure of each other's company as we stroll. Then something beautiful catches my eye.

"Look!" I gasp and run ahead of him as a wave throws a piece of sea glass onto the beach. Another wave makes an attempt to reclaim it, but I chase after it and pluck it from the sand. I rinse the beautiful blue piece and run back to Carter to show him my treasure.

Directing his attention to my unfolding fingers, I show him the gem in my hand. "I like it. It's perfect."

"At least something is," Carter mutters and my suspicions are confirmed that his thoughts are elsewhere.

I purse my lips. "Don't brood."

"Right." He glances at me with sadness in his eyes. "It's not that easy."

As I walk with him I dig into the wet sand with my foot and then fling it back into the water. It puts me a few steps behind him so I run to catch up, then loop my arm through his. "Are you okay? Last night was heavy."

“No, Lace, I'm not." Emotion cracks his voice as he gives air to my thoughts. "Aside from wanting my mom perfectly well, I also want you to marry me. I get why you turned me down, but I'm not okay with it."

He looks past me, then turns, pointing himself in another direction. I follow.

"I'm going to need you to stop walking."

He ignores me, his stride covering more distance than my short little legs can muster, and I break into a race-walk just to keep up.

He keeps moving ahead, as if putting some distance between us will somehow soothe his pain.

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