Free Time for Love , The McCarthys of Gansett Island, Book 9 by Marie Force Page A

what was on her mind, she’d confessed to being tormented over the thought of trying to balance school and motherhood. All she wanted, she told her husband, was to spend this time with him and their child, surrounded by their family and friends on the island.
    As always, Joe had been amazing about the entire thing and had suggested they take a year off from Ohio State. He’d gone to extraordinary lengths to make it possible for her to attend vet school, even going so far as to hire Seamus to run the Gansett Island Ferry Company in his absence. Janey hadn’t wanted his efforts to be wasted, but she also didn’t want to spend long days away from her baby and even longer nights studying.
    Joe came out to the sun porch, looking hot in a light blue polo shirt and plaid shorts that she’d had to talk him into wearing after she bought them for him. He looked so sexy that Janey licked her lips as she took a good long look at him.
    “What? Do I have something on my face or something?”
    She shook her head. “I like to look at you. Since when is that a crime?”
    “Since you can’t deliver on those heated looks as often as you used to.”
    Janey feigned offense. “I’ve been delivering just fine despite the ungainliness.” She’d never been so hot for sex as she had since she’d been pregnant. Fortunately, her adorable husband was always happy to comply.  
    “Don’t get me going when your parents are due any minute.”
    “All I did was look at you.”
    “Hello, that’s all it takes.” He sat next to her on the chaise and reached for her hand. “You okay about this?”
    “I’ll feel better once we talk to them about it. I’ve felt like such a baby for avoiding them on this subject, even though I’m sure they’ve heard the news from one of my big-mouthed brothers or their significant others.”
    “Maybe not,” Joe said. “The boys know that vet school is a sensitive subject between you and your parents. They might’ve kept their mouths shut for once.”
    “Wouldn’t that be a miracle?”
    “Truly.” With his free hand, he caressed her face and then kissed her. “This is our life, honey. We’re in charge. I know you love your parents. Hell, I love them, too. But don’t feel bad about your decision, no matter what they might have to say about it.”
    “I’ll try not to. Thank you again for understanding.”
    “I love you. I want you to be happy. No matter what it takes. And your folks will be thrilled that you and the baby will be here this year.”
    At times like this, Janey was secretly grateful to David for cheating on her. If she’d married him, their marriage wouldn’t be anything like the one she had with Joe. She had no doubt whatsoever that Joe was the man she was meant to be with. “And you, too.”
    He rested a hand on her swollen belly. “I’m a distant third to you two.”
    “You’re first with me,” she said, curling her hand around his neck and bringing him in for another kiss.
    “For two more months anyway.”
    “Forever.”
    “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, honey. I fully expect you to fall madly in love with this little person when he or she arrives.”
    “I will, but I’ll still be madly in love with my baby’s daddy, too.”
    He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against hers. “I never get tired of hearing you say that. I’m so glad you called me the night everything happened with David. I’m grateful every day of my life for that phone call.”
    The doorbell rang, and he let out a deep, ragged sigh before he released her to get up.
    “Joe?”
    “What, hon?”
    “I’m grateful every single day that you answered the phone that night.”
    Giving her a warm smile, he went to answer the door with the dogs hot on his heels.  
    “Where’s my baby girl?”  
    Her dad’s booming voice made Janey smile. “Back here, Dad.”
    Big Mac came strolling onto the sun porch, wearing a faded McCarthy’s Gansett Island Marina T-shirt with shorts, deck shoes