Free Gansett After Dark by Marie Force

too young for an old dude like me.” He was fourteen years older than her forty-eight years, but the age difference had never been an issue between them.  
    “You’re not old. You’re young and vital and…”
    “And what?” he asked, delighted by the flush that occupied her cheeks. Since they were sitting in the shade, it couldn’t be attributed to the warm sunshine.
    “You’re very handsome, which you already knew.”
    “No one has told me that in a very long time.”
    “Then all the women in Providence must be blind and dumb.”
    Her indignant reply made Frank laugh out loud, which drew the attention of his kids across the yard, both of whom seemed intrigued to see him holding Betsy’s hand. Not that they should be surprised. She’d spent a lot of time with him and his family during the summer, and they’d all become fond of her.
    “It’s been a long time since I was anyone’s girlfriend. I may not be very good at it anymore.”
    “Oh I think you’ll be great at it.” He rolled their joined hands back and forth in a cajoling manner. “What do you say?”
    “Your kids are looking at us.”
    “My kids are not kids anymore, and they like you almost as much as I do, so don’t worry about them.”
    “Are you sure they don’t mind me taking up so much of your time?”
    “I’m sure.”
    “Did you actually ask them?”
    “I don’t have to ask them. I know them well enough to state without hesitation if they had issues with me seeing you, they would’ve said so by now. All they’ve ever said, without reservation, is how much they enjoy your company. If they didn’t, we probably wouldn’t be sitting here having this conversation because, as you know by now, they’re my world. That doesn’t mean, however, there isn’t room in my world for other people, too.”
    “People plural?”
    She amused him. She challenged him. And at times like this, she delighted him. He’d been falling for her almost since the day they met, shortly after the tragedy that had claimed her son, and this conversation had been coming for a while now.
    “One person. Only you, sweetheart.”
    “Why, yes, Frank. I think I’d very much like to be your girlfriend.”
    His heart did a weird little happy dance that made him feel breathless over a woman for the first time since he lost his wife half a lifetime ago. “Does this mean you might be sticking around to see what autumn is like on our fair island?”
    “This means I might be very tempted to consider it.”
    “I’ll have to see what I can do to convince you.”

Chapter 7
    Joe waited until everyone had eaten before he stood and let out a sharp whistle to get their attention. His mother and Seamus sat to his right. Janey, holding their son, was to his left. Sharing the day with them were all the other people they loved.
    “I was asked to be Seamus’s best man about five minutes before the wedding, so I didn’t have much time to prepare anything eloquent.”
    “Time wouldn’t have helped,” Mac said, which made Joe laugh.
    “True. I just wanted to say to my mom and Seamus that this was a really great surprise. And… Well, if I’m being honest, at first I didn’t know what to make of you guys together, but over time, I’ve come to see that the two of you make perfect sense. My mom and I were by ourselves for a long time. Now we’re part of a family of five, and it’s a pleasure to welcome Seamus today. You’ve been a great friend and colleague since I had the good sense to hire you to run our business. Of course I never pictured you married to my mother, but I’m glad it all worked out the way it did.” He raised his beer bottle in tribute to his mother and her new husband. “To Seamus and Carolina. May you have many, many happy years together, and if he does drive you to commit murder, Mom, I’ve got you covered with bail money and a shovel.”
    Everyone laughed and clapped as Carolina wiped away tears and kissed her husband.  
    Janey reached out to