Gansett After Dark Read Online Free PDF Page B

the sight of his mother. “Mmmam.”
    “Oh, that’s so close to mama,” Shane said. “Come on, buddy. You can do it. Mama.”
    “Mmm.”
    “He’ll probably say dada first,” Laura said. “They always do.”
    “That’s really not fair.”
    “Right?” She bent to retrieve Holden from the floor, gasping when her back protested.
    “Careful!” Shane jumped up to relieve her of the baby, who got heavier by the day.
    Laura rubbed her lower back. “That was weird.”
    “He’s too heavy for you to lift him off the floor that way.”
    “Yes, Dr. McCarthy.”
    “I’m serious, Laura. He’s not a lightweight anymore, and you’ve got my other niece and nephew to think about.”
    “What makes you think I’m having one of each?”
    “Just a guess.”
    “That would be nice, since we’re all done having babies after these guys. I’ve puked enough to last me two lifetimes.”
    “Can’t say I blame you.” He kissed Holden’s chubby face and handed him over to her. “Thanks for a great time tonight.”
    “It was fun.”
    “Owen was kind of quiet.”
    “I know.”
    “Are you guys going to Seamus and Carolina’s clambake tomorrow?”
    “I think we are. I guess it’ll depend on whether Owen’s in the mood for a party.”
    Shane kissed her cheek. “Hang in there. It’ll be over soon, and you guys can focus on the future rather than the past.” At the doorway, he turned back to her. “I’m here if you need me for anything at all.”
    “You’re already doing me a huge favor covering for me here while we’re gone. I appreciate it.”
    “Least I can do,” he said with a smile and a wave as he closed the door behind him.
    The two of them had been through a lot together, first with the loss of their mother as young children and then two painful divorces, all of which had made them the best of friends in addition to being siblings. She loved having Shane close by and back in her daily life—as well as her son’s daily life.
    As she sat in the rocker in Holden’s room to nurse him, her thoughts turned once again to Owen and the difficult question that weighed heavily on her mind. Should she cede to his wishes and stay home from the trip, or should she insist on going with him? She was no closer to an answer half an hour later when she tucked her sleeping baby into bed and drew the light blanket up and over him.  
    As she looked down at Holden, so perfect in every way, her heart broke for another perfect little boy who’d had the misfortune to be born to a violent, unpredictable man who would never know what a strong, capable, loving man that boy had grown up to be. Tears filled her eyes when she thought of the deep pain Owen carried with him, despite his carefree exterior. She’d do anything to relieve him of even a fraction of that pain, if only she knew how.
    Laura took a shower and changed into a nightgown before sliding into bed. She was beginning to worry about Owen when she finally heard him come into the apartment and head right to the shower. Though her eyes were heavy with the ever-present exhaustion, she forced herself to stay awake until he came to bed.
    She let him know she was still awake by putting her hand on his chest.
    He covered her hand with his own and then turned to her.
    In complete and unusual silence, he snuggled up to her, clinging to her in a way he seldom did. For once, he was taking rather than giving, and she was more than happy to give him whatever he needed.
    Laura ran her hand up and down his back and raised her face to try to see him in the faint glow of the streetlights. As he looked down at her, she kissed him.
    He turned his face away. “I can’t.”
    Confounded by his unprecedented rejection, she said, “What can’t you do?”
    “I can’t make love to you tonight. I’m wound up, and I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”
    “Owen, you could never hurt me.”
    “I can’t take that chance.”
    “Then allow me.”
    “Wait. Allow you to do what?”
    Her exhaustion