Season for Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

one end of a big sheet of plywood while Luke anchored the other side. Big Mac drove in the nails that would secure the wood over the windows of the marina gift shop. Winterizing the marina took about three weeks after the last boat left on Columbus Day. This year, in addition to the regular routine of boarding up buildings and shutting down the gas tanks, they planned to replace a big portion of the rotting planks on the main dock.
    The work was a good distraction, Mac thought, as he waited to hear from Maddie. He’d been counting down to this day for weeks, since their adorable daughter arrived in the midst of Tropical Storm Hailey. Longer than that, actually. The weeks Maddie had spent on bed rest had also been torturous.
    It’d been so long since he’d had sex—full-on, real-deal sex—with his wife that Mac couldn’t remember the last time. Their daughter was absolutely worth the sacrifice, but he was ready, more than ready , to get back to normal. Maddie was ready, too, if the fooling around they’d engaged in recently was any indication. In fact, if they were any more ready, one of them might implode.  
    He took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to keep his mind on his work and not on his plans for later.  
    “So listen,” Luke said. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about this winter.”
    Grateful for the diversion, Mac said, “What about it?”
    “You know how the International Yacht Restoration School people came over from Newport to look at some of my work this summer?”
    “Sure do,” Big Mac said, tugging the last of the nails from between his teeth.  
    Mac kept waiting for him to swallow one of them, but he’d learned to keep his thoughts about such things to himself.  
    “They want me to teach a class in January. I’d have to spend the whole month over there, but I could come back on weekends to help out on the hotel project. If I do it, that is. Nothing’s been decided.”
    Mac tried to hide his surprise from his friend and business partner. Their construction business had a lot on its plate for the off-season, including the renovations to the Sand & Surf, a couple of kitchen upgrades and the possibility of the houses Maddie had suggested for the parcel of land left to the town by one of its most affluent residents. Losing Luke for a month would make it nearly impossible to get it all done before the spring.
    “I know we’ve got a lot lined up for the winter,” Luke said, seeming to read Mac’s mind. “So I can take a pass, if need be.”
    “Don’t be crazy,” Mac said. “It’s an amazing opportunity. You have to do it. We’ll get by without you.” Somehow.
    “I could help out,” Big Mac said.
    “If you feel up to it, Dad.”
    Big Mac’s scowl answered for him. “I’m back to normal after the accident, so you can quit your mollycoddling.”
    “Who’s mollycoddling?” Mac asked, glancing at Luke, who shrugged. “Looks to me like you’re pulling your weight just fine.”
    “Luke, for what it’s worth,” Big Mac said, “I think you should take this offer from IYRS. It’s great to see you recognized for your amazing talent. I, for one, am very proud of you.”
    “Thank you,” Luke said, seeming embarrassed by Big Mac’s effusiveness.
    Mac knew how he felt, having been on the receiving end of his father’s effusiveness often enough. Still, it pleased him to know that his father had not only raised five children of his own but had been a huge influence in the lives of Luke and Joe, both of whom had grown up without their fathers.  
    “What does Syd have to say about it?” Mac asked.
    “I haven’t told her yet. I heard from them this morning, and I wanted to talk to you guys first. I’ll tell her tonight.”
    “Do you think she’d go with you?”
    “I suppose it’ll depend on whether she’ll be able to continue to work on the hotel project with Laura. She’s really enjoying that.”
    “Whatever you decide,” Big Mac said, “we’re proud of