Gansett Island Episode 2: Kevin & Chelsea by Marie Force

Author:Marie Force [Force, Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HTJB, Inc.

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Chelsea lay in bed next to Kevin, her mind racing with thoughts and worries that couldn’t be quieted no matter how hard she tried. She could tell he was wrestling with the challenge she had brought into their harmonious relationship. Part of her wanted to say never mind, let’s forget about it. But the other part of her knew that wouldn’t be wise.

For years, her mother had yielded to her father’s wishes to the detriment of her own dreams and had been rewarded for her loyalty by a husband who’d left her for another woman. Her mom had never recovered from that blow. To Chelsea’s knowledge, her mother hadn’t been on a single date or so much as entertained the idea of being with anyone else in the twenty years since her marriage ended in dramatic fashion.

As much as she loved Kevin, Chelsea didn’t want to end up like her mother by sacrificing her own goals for someone else. Not that Kevin would ever ask that of her. He wasn’t that kind of guy. In fact, one of the things she loved best about him was the way he supported and indulged her many hobbies, including gardening, cooking and photography.

For her birthday, he’d bought her gifts tailored to each of those things and had obviously put considerable thought and preplanning into each of them. Living on the island required careful planning for occasions when shipping was involved. His thoughtful gifts had touched her because he’d put so much care into choosing things he knew she’d love, such as the shiny new garden tools and the cookbooks. Not to mention the diamond bracelet she had loved.

No one had ever treated her the way he did, as if she were the most precious thing in his life even if his sons were at the top of his list, as they should be. But he made her feel damned important to him.

She turned over, put an arm across his abdomen, and without waking, he pulled her in closer to him.

Chelsea sighed with contentment. She felt happy and safe when he was with her, no matter what they were doing. Even when he sat at her bar and shot the shit with other patrons during her shifts. Being in the same room with him comforted her.

“You’re restless, sweetheart,” he said in a sleepy-sounding voice. “What’s wrong?”

“I can’t turn off my brain.”

“Come here.” He settled her head on his chest and ran his fingers through her hair. “Better?”

“Mmm.”

“What’re you thinking about?”

“My mother, of all things.” Kevin had yet to meet any of her family, which would change when her brother’s family came for a visit Labor Day weekend.

“What about her?”

“She never got over my dad leaving her for someone else. In twenty years, she’s never so much as thought about being with another man.”

“That’s too bad. What’s got you thinking about that?”

“I never want to be like her, you know? I’ve gone out of my way to avoid situations that could turn me into a younger version of her.

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