Harbor Nights (26 page)

He didn't see any signs that she had been crying. “I'm sorry I yelled at you.”

Norah slid off the rock and joined him on the ground. “It's okay, but the next time, I'm yelling back.” She leaned forward and kissed him.

Ned pulled her up onto his lap and held her close. “There's not going to be a next time.” He never wanted to fight with her again. His heart couldn't take it.

Norah chuckled against his chest. “Yes, there will.”

He pulled back and looked down into her laughing green eyes. “Your mother warned me about you.”

“My mother?”

“I stopped at Karl's looking for you. She told me about the night your father hit you.” He tenderly cupped her cheek. “I can't promise I'll never raise my voice at you, but I can promise never to raise my hand.”

“I don't need your promises, Ned.” She turned her head and pressed a kiss in the center of his palm. “I know you won't. Haven't you realized why I was smiling at you when you were yelling?”

“You're certifiable?”

“No.” She chuckled. “I was smiling because I realized that I wasn't afraid any longer. There you were yelling, towering over me, and turning red in the face from screaming, and I wasn't afraid.”

How was it possible to feel even worse? He brushed her lips with his mouth. “I'm glad you weren't afraid. A wife shouldn't be afraid of her husband. Ever.”

“A wife?” Norah's lower lip started to tremble.

“You are going to marry me, aren't you?” Ned stroked her lower lip with the pad of his thumb.

“You haven't asked.”

“A technical detail.” Ned laughed and rolled her under him. The evening breeze smelled of the ocean and the freshly cut grass beneath them. Norah's body was soft and yielding beneath his. “I love you, Norah Stevens. Will you put me out of my misery and marry me?”

“Misery, huh?”

“Norah?” He could see the laughter and happiness lurking in her eyes, but he wanted an answer. He needed to hear her say it.

“I guess, since you asked so sweetly.”

Ned lowered his mouth and captured her acceptance.

Norah waited for Ned to get out of his truck. He had followed her home from the lighthouse. It was a safe, secure feeling seeing his headlights in her rearview mirror. They were getting married. She still couldn't believe it. Of course, the grass stains on the back of her blouse and skirt would convince everyone they might have to, but at least they had controlled themselves enough to come tell her mother before heading to his place.

“Hey, handsome.” She stepped into his arms as he joined her on the walkway.

“I still haven't had a shower yet. I'm not exactly clean, love.”

“This will take what, five minutes here, five minutes at your parents. If you behave that long, I'll scrub your back in the shower when we get back to your place.” She wanted to tell her mother they were getting married, but she also needed to tell her that everything was okay. She had looked deep within herself and found the strength, faith, and love to trust Ned fully.

Her mother would understand.

She kissed Ned and hugged him tightly. “I love you.”

Ned hugged her back. “Stop that, or we are never going to make it into the house.”

Norah laughed and tugged him up the walk. “Five minutes, tops.”

Ned rolled his eyes as if he didn't believe her.

 

 

An hour later, Norah couldn't believe it. Her mother had taken the announcement of their impending marriage well. Her mom and Karl had congratulated both of them and then had surprised her and Ned by announcing their own engagement. Norah had no idea how often a mother and daughter got married in the same year, but she was betting it wasn't that common.

Joanna had been so excited that she had called Peggy and John Porter over to hear the news and celebrate. An impromptu party was organized. John and Karl ran out for pizza, Ned ran to his parents' house for a quick shower, and her mother raided their refrigerator for everything edible. Peggy used the phone to call the rest of her boys and their families. Within half an hour, the house was jammed with people. Porters were wall to wall.

Norah found Matthew in the dining room scarfing down some of her mother's brownies. “Hi, Matt.”

Matt smiled. “Hello, future sister. I knew you and Ned were going to make a great couple.” Matt seemed mighty proud of himself.

“You did?” Ned had told her why Matthew had asked her out at the barbeque weeks ago.

“Sure did.” Matt took another bite of the brownie.

“You read the paper this morning?” Matthew didn't seem upset by her column. Maybe he hadn't read it yet.

“Sure did.” Matt raised one eyebrow and took another bite.

“You aren't mad?”

“Oh, for about an hour I was.” Matt stood up, came around the table, and gave her a hug. “Then I reread your column. I was determined to prove you wrong and to point out every mistake.” Matt hugged her tighter. “Strange thing was, I couldn't find any. You wrote the truth, Norah, and I can't be mad about that.”

“It's only one side of the truth, Matthew.” She dug into the pocket of her skirt and pulled out a folded piece of paper. “I'm sure you're wondering what happened to all those answers you gave me last week when I interviewed you.”

“I figured they weren't important, or you would have used them.”

She had called Matthew late one night and chatted his ear off. Once she had gotten Matthew to talk about his dream, there had been no shutting him up. She handed Matthew the folded page. “Here's an unedited version of next week's column. I used your answers in it. Millicent wanted the town to hear and understand both sides of the issue before she decides what to do.”

Matthew unfolded the paper and started to read. “Does Ned know about this?”

“I haven't told him yet.”

“Told me what?” asked Ned as he came up behind Norah and wrapped his arms around her waist. His chin nuzzled the top of her head.

“I wrote a second article about the lighthouse property. It's going to be printed in next week's edition.”

Matthew kept reading. He gave a low whistle. “Does Millicent know about this?”

“Tom Belanger gave her final approval on both columns. She has a copy of all my facts and where I obtained them from. I can tell you she was mighty interested in them.” She had a feeling Millicent was going to sell Matthew the property, but it was only a hunch. She couldn't relieve Matthew's mind yet.

Ned tried to read over Matthew's shoulder. “Hold it still; I can't read it.”

Matthew moved away and grinned. “You get to read it when everyone else does next week.”

Ned glanced at her. “Is he serious?”

She laughed and moved further into his arms. “Don't worry, Ned.” She reached up and kissed him. “You're sleeping with the reporter; I'm sure there must be some way to get the information out of her.”

Matt groaned. “Will you two get a room?”

Ned wiggled his eyebrows and planted a loud kiss on her mouth.

“Yuck,” cried Tyler, who had just joined them. “Gross.”

Ned leaned down and ruffled his nephew's hair. “You'll change your tune once you grow up.”

“Ned, stop corrupting my son,” Kay said as she handed Tyler a plate with a slice of pizza on it. “Here you go, Ty.”

Jill, who was cradling a sleeping Amanda, stepped into the dining room. “Norah, do you think your mother would mind if I laid Amanda on her bed? I would ask her, but Karl seems to be monopolizing all her attention.” Jill's smile was contagious.

“No problem.” She kissed Ned again just to hear Tyler complain. “Come on; I'll help you get her settled.” She headed for her mother's bedroom.

Jill laid the baby in the center of the bed. Kay, who had followed them into the room, took the sham-covered pillows and blocked one side of the baby so she couldn't roll off the bed. Jill grabbed the other two pillows and barricaded the other side.

“I thought she didn't roll over yet?” Amanda was nearly lost in the middle.

“She doesn't, but we've learned never to trust them. Babies always do the unexpected. Remember that.”

“I don't think I need that information quite yet.” She and Ned hadn't even discussed children.

Kay laughed. “Well, John and I had our first discussion on the subject while I was in labor with Tyler. He chose that particular moment to inform me he wants at least three kids.”

“What did you say to that?” She tried not to laugh at the look on Kay's face.

“I told him that I'd give him a son and a daughter, but the rest were up to him.” Kay grinned. “He hasn't gotten pregnant yet.”

“Cruel, Kay, cruel. ” Jill gently covered the sleeping baby with a blanket. “Paul and I both want four.”

Kay snorted. “If Tyler and Morgan give me another day like today, I just might give them to you. You won't even have to go through labor.”

Norah laughed along with them. “I'm glad you both are going to be my sisters-in-law.”

Kay and Jill both hugged her. “We are the ones who are thrilled that you're joining the family. Think of all the shopping trips we can take together,” Jill said.

Norah shook her head at the thought. “I've created two monsters, but I did notice that Paul and John still haven't stopped smiling since our last trip.”

Jill and Kay both blushed, which caused her to stifle a laugh so that she wouldn't disturb the sleeping baby. “I don't know how you two were doing it.”

“Doing what?” Jill asked in confusion.

“Hiking, camping, or whatever you want to call it.” Norah grinned and headed for the door. Jill and Kay could probably hike across the country and never break a sweat. She should be the last person on earth to give them any advice on the subject, but she couldn't help herself. “I happen to find hiking very conducive to romance.”

Kay and Jill were still laughing when she joined Ned in the living room.

“What are they laughing about?” Ned asked.

“I haven't the faintest idea.” She moved into his arms. “I was just giving them some pointers.”

“Pointers on what?”

She smiled and simply said, “Hiking.”

Marcia Evanick lives with her family in Pennsylvania. She is currently working on her next contemporary romance set in Misty Harbor. Marcia loves to hear from readers, and you may write to her c/o Zebra Books. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you wish a response.

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ISBN: 978-0-8217-7708-4