Cape Cod Promises (Love on Rockwell Island 2)

She handed him a first edition of the The Call of the Wild and a copy of Where the Wild Things Are. “I remember when you took me to the tree house that you and your brothers and sister built, and you said that you hoped one day to bring your kids there and read them these stories. You said you loved the outdoors and that the island was the perfect place for kids to live out their dreams of living in the wilderness and becoming king or queen of it all.”

He smiled with the memory. “My brothers and I used to spend nights in that tree house.” Their mother had found the giant tree that grew almost parallel to the ground, with branches reaching out like a giant hand, and she and their father had given them all the tools, and the guidance, they’d needed in order to build what would become the Rockwell children’s Inspiration Point.

“You said that you and Derek used to take off at night to be ‘one with nature’ and that Quinn and Ethan thought you guys were nuts for venturing out in the middle of the night.”

“That was so long ago. I’m surprised you remembered, and so glad that you did.”

“How could I forget? You were so passionate about it.”

“I was. It’s strange. In my twenties, I thought the only way to have a great life was to move off the island. I was so sure of it, when really, all I ever needed was right here.” He set the books on the mattress and pulled her in close again. “Those were such fun times. I’m really glad I’m back. Finding a cool tree in the woods in the middle of a concrete jungle would have been impossible, and I do want my kids to love the wilderness and everything nature has to offer.”

He looked at her for a long moment, desperately wanting to say, our kids, but afraid that might be too much too fast and would scare her off just when she was beginning to really let him in. As he pulled her close again, he thought about how Reese wasn’t the naive girl she’d been all those years ago. She’d grown up, matured, figured out what she wanted and what she needed in her life, and all of those changes resonated in her confidence and her success. But her love was still just as intense, and as real, as it always had been.

Just as intense, and as real, as his love was for her.

Chapter Twenty-Three

EVERY MORNING TRENT awoke with Reese in his arms felt even better than the one before. And every night when they made love, then talked late into the night, sharing their hopes and dreams, was pure magic.

And yet before they made any official plans to move in together, Reese kept saying she needed more time. Just to be sure.

He was disappointed. Actually, it was far more than just disappointment. The thought of living without her again was brutal—something he didn’t want to even contemplate. He’d missed her so much over the years that he couldn’t get enough of her now. But he knew that just because he was ready to change everything in his life for her didn’t mean he should expect her to feel exactly the same way. Especially so soon. Come Monday morning, Trent was lamenting being apart from her all day after the incredible weekend they’d just spent together exploring the other side of the island, when a story in the newspaper caught his eye.

“Maribelle Penner has a show today in Boston. Isn’t she one of your favorite artists?”

Her eyes bloomed wide. “Yes. I can’t believe you remembered. What time is her show?”

Trent scanned the article. “Nine to six.” He did a quick mental run-through of his to-do list for the resort and his legal practice and decided none of it was critical. Definitely not as important as Reese. “We should go. We can take the ferry and catch a cab to the exhibit.”

“I was hoping to finish the lighthouse on the mural today. And what about your work?”

“The lighthouse? My work? Is this the same woman who wanted more time together?”

“You’re right,” she said slowly. “This is one of the things we were missing. But are you sure? I doubt your grandfather will appreciate you taking off on a Monday to go look at art with me.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist. “First of all, spending time with you is far more important than anything else I have to take care of. And second, it turns out that Chandler is glad that we’re back together.”

“He is? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I went to see your parents right after I spoke with my grandfather. I know it’s no excuse, but after the conversation I had with them, Chandler completely slipped my mind.”