Dottie wiped her hands on a towel before reaching across the counter to shake Patrick’s hand. “So nice to meet you, Patrick. We’re all very big fans of your daughter.”
“As am I.”
“Can I get one of those for him?”
“Of course! Another for you, sweetie?”
“Absolutely not! I’ve got a dress to fit into on Saturday, so don’t tempt me.” To Patrick, Cameron added, “Dottie is the devil when it comes to these doughnuts.”
“Why, thank you,” Dottie said with a proud smile as she handed over a piping-hot doughnut to Patrick.
Both women watched expectantly as he took a bite.
His blue eyes lit up. “Holy Moses, that’s good.”
“Right?” Cameron said, pleased by his obvious pleasure. “I limit myself to two a week, or I wouldn’t fit through the doors around here. Come on upstairs and check out the office. See you later, Dottie.”
“Bye, Cam. Nice to meet you, Patrick.”
“You, too.”
He followed her through the store, stopping to look at various items as they went.
“That’s Hannah’s jewelry,” Cameron said of the pieces that had stopped him for a closer look. “She’s Will’s older sister, twin to Hunter, who’s the company CFO.”
“She does beautiful work.”
“I know! I’m a huge fan. I have a couple of her bracelets. Helps to have friends in high places.”
“I’m glad you’re making friends here.”
They proceeded up the stairs to the offices on the second floor. “So many friends. And now Lucy’s here a lot, too, which makes it even better.”
“Back so soon?” Mary asked when they arrived in the reception area. “I didn’t think I’d see you here again for at least two weeks.”
“I wanted you to meet my dad, Patrick.”
Mary came around her desk to shake his hand. “So nice to meet Cameron’s dad. We adore her here.”
“So I’m hearing. Nice to meet you, too.”
“This is our office.” Cameron opened the door and turned on the lights so her dad could see her workspace.
“Our office?”
“Mine and Will’s.”
“You two share an office? They didn’t give you one of your own?”
“We tried,” Mary said. “Those kids are inseparable.”
Cameron blushed and shrugged. “What she said. Besides, if I’m in another office, how am I supposed to play footsie with him during the day?”
“Ugh,” Patrick said with a grunt of laughter. “TMI. I’d go crazy sharing office space with anyone, especially such a small one.”
“Not everyone can have an acre in the sky to call their own,” Cameron said disdainfully.
He tweaked her nose. “It’s not a full acre, and I do need my elbow room.”
“You’re a spoiled, pampered brat, and we all know it.”
Mary laughed at their sparring.
“Don’t listen to her, Mary,” Patrick said with a wink, which had Mary blushing to the roots of her brown hair. “We all know who the spoiled brat is here.”
“Yeah, and it’s not me.”
“I’m afraid I have to side with your daughter, Patrick. There’s nothing spoiled about her. She works harder than all of us put together.”
“Thank you, Mary. I’ll make sure Hunter hears about your fifty percent raise.”
They left Mary laughing as they went back downstairs.
“What’s her story?” Patrick asked.
“Who, Mary?”
“Yeah. She’s adorable.”
“Dad . . . Don’t. She’s a really nice person. Leave her alone. She wouldn’t stand a chance against your brand of charm.”
“Why can’t I have a little fun while I’m in town?”
Cameron stopped on the landing and turned to him. “She’s off-limits. I mean that.”
“Don’t be so touchy, Cam.” He kissed her cheek and proceeded ahead of her into the store.
She watched him go with a growing sense of unease. She’d be watching him this weekend and keeping him far, far away from Mary—and all the other single women in Butler.
You’ll Be Mine is out on October 20, 2015!
And get It’s Only Love, Green Mountain Book 5, Gavin and Ella’s story, on November 3!
It’s Only Love
Green Mountain Series, Book 5
Ella Abbott has had a secret burning love for Gavin Guthrie for almost as long as her sister Hannah loved his late brother, Caleb. A few recent encounters have only added to her infatuation, especially the kiss they shared on the day Hannah got remarried and Gavin admitted that the re-marriage of his brother’s widow was hitting him hard. It doesn’t matter to Ella that Gavin is in a bad place or that he says he has nothing to offer her. It doesn’t matter that he’s made it clear there’s no hope for a future for them. All that matters is the overwhelming love and compassion she feels for him.
Gavin Guthrie is spiraling. It’s been seven long years since he lost his only sibling and closest friend, and he thought he had things under control until Caleb’s beloved dog died and his adored wife re-married. Since then, he’s been off the rails, drinking and fighting and even getting arrested for the first time in his life. It seems the only time the spinning stops and his demons leave him alone is when lovely Ella Abbott is around. Gavin knows it wouldn’t be fair to drag Ella into his darkness, but when Ella inserts herself into his life, what choice does he have but to allow her to soothe the ache with her sweetness and light?
Preorder It’s Only Love here!
Who’s Who on Gansett Island
Updated through Kisses After Dark, Book 12. May contain spoilers for those who haven’t read all the books.
The McCarthy Family
“Big Mac” and Linda McCarthy, owners of McCarthy’s Gansett Island Marina and McCarthy’s Gansett Island Inn, are parents to:
Mac McCarthy Jr., who is married to Maddie Chester McCarthy and father to Thomas and Hailey McCarthy
Grant McCarthy, screenwriter, engaged to Stephanie Logan, owner of Stephanie’s Bistro
Evan McCarthy, owner of Island Breeze Records, engaged to Grace Ryan, owner of Ryan’s Pharmacy
Janey McCarthy Cantrell, married to Joe Cantrell, owner of the Gansett Island Ferry Company; mother of P.J. Cantrell
Mallory Vaughn, daughter of Big Mac McCarthy and Diana Vaughn
Judge Frank McCarthy, brother to “Big Mac” McCarthy, father to:
Laura McCarthy Lawry, cousin to Mac, Grant, Adam, Evan and Janey; married to Owen Lawry, mother of Holden Newsome
Shane McCarthy, cousin to Mac, Grant, Adam, Evan and Janey; brother to Laura Lawry; engaged to Katie Lawry
Dr. Kevin McCarthy, brother to Big Mac and Frank McCarthy; psychiatrist:
Deb McCarthy, estranged wife of Kevin McCarthy; mother of Riley and Finn McCarthy
Riley McCarthy, son of Kevin and Deb McCarthy
Finn McCarthy, son of Kevin and Deb McCarthy
McCarthy Friends & Family
Owen Lawry, musician and best friend of Evan McCarthy; married to Laura McCarthy Lawry
Luke Harris, co-owner of McCarthys Gansett Island Marina and married to Sydney Donovan
Sydney Donovan, interior decorator, married to Luke Harris
Ned Saunders, best friend to Big Mac McCarthy; married to Francine Chester Saunders, mother of Maddie McCarthy and Tiffany Taylor
Francine Chester Saunders, mother of Maddie McCarthy and Tiffany Taylor; married to Ned Saunders
Tiffany Taylor, sister to Maddie McCarthy, daughter of Francine Saunders, mother to Ashleigh Sturgil; married to Police Chief Blaine Taylor
Blaine Taylor, Gansett Island police chief, married to Tiffany Taylor
Bobby Chester, estranged father of Maddie McCarthy and Tiffany Taylor, ex-husband of Francine Saunders
Jim Sturgil, ex-husband of Tiffany Taylor,
father to Ashleigh Sturgil
Seamus O’Grady, manager of the Gansett Island Ferry Company; married to Carolina Cantrell
Carolina Cantrell O'Grady, mother of Joe Cantrell, married to Seamus O’Grady
Lisa Chandler, neighbor to Seamus and Carolina Cantrell
Kyle Chandler, son of Lisa
Jackson Chandler, son of Lisa
Dan Torrington, celebrity lawyer and friend to Grant McCarthy, engaged to Kara Ballard
Kara Ballard, operator of Ballard’s Launch Service, engaged to Dan Torrington
Abby Callahan, owner of Abby’s Attic, former girlfriend of Grant McCarthy, engaged to Adam McCarthy
Dr. Cal Maitland, former island doctor and ex-fiancé of Abby Callahan
Charlie Grandchamp, stepfather of Stephanie Logan, engaged to Sarah Lawry
Sarah Lawry, mother of Owen Lawry, engaged to Charlie Grandchamp
Mark Lawry, father of Owen Lawry; estranged husband of Sarah Lawry
Katie Lawry, sister of Owen Lawry; daughter of Sarah Lawry; twin to Julia; engaged to Shane McCarthy
Julia Lawry, sister of Owen Lawry; daughter of Sarah Lawry; twin to Katie
Slim Jackson, Gansett Island pilot
Dr. David Lawrence, Gansett Island doctor, former fiancé of Janey McCarthy Cantrell; dating Daisy Babson
Daisy Babson, friend of Maddie McCarthy’s, housekeeping manager at McCarthy’s Gansett Island Inn; dating Dr. David Lawrence
Jenny Wilks, lighthouse keeper; engaged to Alex Martinez
Alex Martinez, co-owner of Martinez Lawn & Garden; fiancé of Jenny Wilks
Paul Martinez, co-owner of Martinez Lawn & Garden; member of Gansett Town Council
Marion Martinez, mother of Paul and Alex Martinez
Hope Russell, nurse to Marion Martinez, mother of Ethan Russell
Ethan Russell, son of Hope Russell
Jared James, resident billionaire, co-owner of The Chesterfield; married to Lizzie James
Elisabeth “Lizzie” James, co-owner of The Chesterfield; married to Jared James
Erin Barton, lighthouse keeper
Mason Johns, island fire chief
Truck Henry, Daisy Babson’s abusive ex-boyfriend
Victoria Stevens, Gansett Island midwife; dating Shannon O’Grady
Shannon O’Grady, cousin of Seamus O’Grady; dating Victoria Stevens
Rebecca, owner of the South Harbor Diner
Chelsea Rose, bartender at the Beachcomber
Doc Potter, island veterinarian
Chloe Dennis, owner of the Curl Up and Dye Salon
The Children of Gansett Island
Thomas McCarthy, son of Maddie McCarthy; adopted son of Mac McCarthy
Hailey McCarthy, daughter of Maddie and Mac McCarthy
Ashleigh Sturgil, daughter of Tiffany Taylor and Jim Sturgil
Holden Newsome, son of Laura McCarthy and her ex-husband, Justin Newsome
P.J. Cantrell, son of Joe and Janey Cantrell
Other Books By Marie Force
Download A Sample of Books by Marie Force which includes chapter one of all her works!
Contemporary Romances Available from Marie Force
The Gansett Island Series
Get the entire Gansett Island Series
McCarthys of Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 1-3
McCarthys of Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 4-6
Book 1: Maid for Love
Book 2: Fool for Love
Book 3: Ready for Love
Book 4: Falling for Love
Book 5: Hoping for Love
Book 6: Season for Love
Book 7: Longing for Love
Book 8: Waiting for Love
Book 9: Time for Love
Book 10: Meant for Love
Book 10.5: Chance for Love A Gansett Island Novella
Book 11: Gansett After Dark
Book 12: Kisses After Dark
Book 13: Love After Dark
Book 14: Celebration After Dark, A Gansett Island Holiday Novella
The Treading Water Series
Get the entire Treading Water Series
10th Anniversary Treading Water Boxed Set
Book 1: Treading Water
Book 2: Marking Time
Book 3: Starting Over
Book 4: Coming Home
The Green Mountain Series
Book 1: All You Need Is Love
Book 2: I Want to Hold Your Hand
Book 3: I Saw Her Standing There
Book 4: And I Love Her
Novella: You'll Be Mine
Book 5: It's Only Love (November 3, 2015)
Single Titles
The Single Titles Boxed Set
Georgia on My Mind
True North
The Fall
Everyone Loves a Hero
Love at First Flight
Line of Scrimmage
Books from M. S. Force
The Erotic Quantum Trilogy
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Book 1: Virtuous
Book 2: Valorous
Book 3: Victorious
Romantic Suspense Novels Available from Marie Force
The Fatal Series
One Night With You, A Fatal Series Prequel Novella
Book 1: Fatal Affair
Book 2: Fatal Justice
Book 3: Fatal Consequences
Book 3.5: Fatal Destiny the Wedding Novella
Book 4: Fatal Flaw
Book 5: Fatal Deception
Book 6: Fatal Mistake
Book 7: Fatal Jeopardy
Book 8: Fatal Scandal
Book 9: Fatal Frenzy (September 15, 2015)
Single Title
The Wreck
About the Author
With more than 4 million books sold, Marie Force is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling, award-winning author of more than 40 contemporary romances. Her New York Times bestselling self-published Gansett Island Series has sold 2 million e-books since Maid for Love was released in 2011. She is also the author of the New York Times bestselling Fatal Series from Harlequin’s Carina Press, as well as the New York Times bestselling Green Mountain Series from Berkley, among other books and series. Marie’s new erotic Quantum Trilogy was released under the name of M.S. Force in April 2015, and all three books were New York Times and USA Today bestsellers. The trilogy is now set to become a series.
While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and she is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two teenagers and two feisty dogs, Brandy and Louie.
Join Marie's mailing list for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Twitter @marieforce, Facebook and Instagram. Join one of Marie's many reader groups. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com. Subscribe to my new blog to hear the latest and greatest news, including giveaways and other great prizes. Go to the blog website and enter your email address on the upper right-hand side.
Table of Contents
Copyright
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Celebration After Dark
You’ll Be Mine
It’s Only Love
Who’s Who on Ganset
t Island
Other Books by the Author
About the Author