Page 37 of 4 Weddings and a Feud

“Not exactly. I’m taking a short trip. If it’s okay with you and Rafe.”

He stopped and looked up. “A trip? You never go away. Not even to your college reunion. Or that retreat with your women business owners’ group.”

“I know. But I could use a little rest. It’s been a lot lately, you know?” Her voice wavered, and she cleared her throat.

“I’m glad you’re having a little you time. We’ll be fine. Rafe and I have got it.”

“And Evie. Don’t forget Evie.”

He scuffed his steel-toed boot on the floor and grumbled, “Can’t forget Evie.”

She looked back to check the door was shut and stepped closer. “What’s your deal with her, anyway?”

“Deal? There’s no deal. If having her here means you’ll take time off, I’m all for it.”

“Okay, then, if you’re sure you’ll be okay.”

“Positive.” He folded his rag to buff the fender.

“I’ll be back by Saturday.”

He didn’t bother to respond, which meant he was done with the conversation. She circled the car and bent to kiss his scruffy cheek. “Bye. Be good.”

He grunted, and although she knew they’d all be fine without her, guilt dragged behind her like the train on Princess Diana’s wedding gown.

ChapterFifteen

Alex smiled when Mary walked straight through the living room to gape at the picture window that overlooked the beach. The beach house was rented, just like the private jet that brought them here, but a little money went a long way toward impressing Mary.

“It’s so…big. Like the desert, but water,” she said.

Gently taking her bag from her shoulder, he murmured, “You can go out there, you know.”

“I will. After I unpack. And see about groceries. Unless you want to eat out?” She glanced around the living room. “That might be better. I don’t want to make a mess that we’ll need to clean up before we leave.”

“Mary.” Grasping her shoulders, he turned her to face him. “Don’t worry about making a mess. Someone will come to clean the place after we leave. I’ve taken the liberty of hiring a private chef for tonight’s dinner, but if you prefer to go to a restaurant, that’s fine, too. This week is all about relaxing.” He kneaded the stiff muscles where her neck joined her shoulders.

Her eyes closed, she rocked her head from side to side. “Relaxing.”

“Try it. You might like it.”

Her eyes flicked open. “I suspect you don’t have a lot of experience with the concept, either.”

He laughed. “Maybe not, but I’m committed to trying it for you.”

She stared into his eyes for a moment as if waiting to see if he’d take it back. The smile died on his lips. She’d been so young when she lost her mother. Life hadn’t been easy for the family before then, but ever since they’d met, that day she stood up for him in fifth grade, she’d been a surrogate mother to her brothers, even her older brother Michael. And she’d kept caring for them for all these years. He guessed she didn’t know how to turn it off.

He glanced at his watch, then with mock seriousness handed back her bag. “No unpacking. Just put on your swimsuit. If you’re not back out here in five minutes, I’m coming after you.”

A smile teased at her lips. “And what will you do when you come after me?”

“I guess you’ll find out,” he said with his most menacing glare.

“Ooh. Might be worth it to see.” With a saucy swing of her hips, she turned away and walked to the hallway with the bedrooms.

“Fuck.” He adjusted himself in his pants. He absolutely couldn’t go after her, or he’d have to take a cold shower before they went to the beach.

Fortunately, she didn’t test him, and he got his erection situation under control by thinking about how cold the water was going to be. Five minutes later, she met him by the French doors onto the deck. She wore a gauzy black cover-up over a black one-piece with a broad sun hat on her head. Alex had put on a white rash guard shirt over his gray trunks.

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