Waiting for Love Read Free

while blinking rapidly. “It’s been over between Grant and me for a while now, but to hear he could’ve died…” The hand she rested over her heart said it all. 
    “Believe me, I’ve had some rough moments of my own since I got that news from my parents. It was a very close call. All three of my brothers.” He shuddered just thinking about what could’ve happened. 
    The next thing he knew, she was hugging him, tightly, and it felt really good to have the arms of an old friend around him. And then he felt her breasts pressed against his chest, and his mind went blank. She was no longer an old friend—or his brother’s ex-girlfriend—offering comfort. Rather, she was a sexy, curvy woman who fit perfectly in his arms and had awfully nice breasts, too. Had he ever noticed that before? Not that he could recall. She’d always been Grant’s girl, so he hadn’t looked too closely.
    Adam released her and stepped back, noticing how shiny her dark hair was. He wondered if it was as soft and silky as it looked.
    Surprised by his abrupt retreat, Abby stumbled, forcing him to reach out and steady her. With his hands on her shoulders and her gaze once again focused on him, Adam had to remind himself that this was Abby . She’d nearly been his brother’s wife . He withdrew his hands from her shoulders and was thankful when the ferry passed through the breakwater into South Harbor.
    They stood side by side at the rail as the ferry backed up to the pier and the cars began to drive onto the island.
    “You won’t tell anyone, will you?” she asked in a small voice after a long period of awkward silence.
    “Of course not. You won’t either, right?”
    She shook her head. “If you need to talk to someone who knows what’s going on, I’ll be at the Beachcomber.”
    “Not at your folks’ place?”
    “No way. My mother told me I was a fool to give up a successful business to chase after yet another man. The last thing I need right now is her reminding me every day that I can’t trust my own judgment when it comes to men.”
    “Well, I’ll be at my parents’ place for a day or two while I figure out what’s next if you need someone to talk to.”
    “That’s nice of you. Thanks, Adam. Thanks for everything. You’ve been really…nice.”
    “I know everything seems awful right now—for both of us—but this has got to be the worst of it, right?”
    “If you say so,” she said with a weary sigh as they took the stairs single file to the lower deck. 
    Since he had only a backpack, he helped her with two of her three suitcases, dragging them up the hill from the ferry landing and across the street to the Beachcomber Hotel. A bellman came down the stairs to assist with her luggage.
    “You’ll be okay?” Adam asked.
    “Sure. I’m a survivor. It’s how I roll.”
    If only she didn’t look so devastated, he might’ve bought that line. He cuffed her chin playfully. “Hang in there.”
    “You, too.”
    Adam walked away, heading in the direction of his parents’ North Harbor home. At the corner, he glanced back to find Abby exactly where he’d left her, looking up the steep staircase to the Beachcomber, as if seeking the fortitude to move forward.

Chapter 2
    On the way through town, Adam noted the Sand & Surf Hotel was back open for business with flags flying and the deck full of guests enjoying rocking chairs that overlooked South Harbor. The sight of the iconic hotel open again made him smile. He couldn’t wait to see his cousin Laura and hear all about the renovations his brother Mac had overseen with his business partner, Luke Harris. 
    A second sign announced Stephanie’s Bistro, which was also now open inside the hotel. Adam had heard rave reviews about the grand opening of Grant’s fiancée’s restaurant and looked forward to eating there while he was home. 
    He took a small detour to his sister Janey’s house to see if she was around. He knocked on the door, waited a long time and was about to