Elaine held on with all her might, so worried she might lose him at any time.
Connor had barely begun to move with her against the wall before she unraveled. Shards of light shot before her eyes, stinging and branding her from head to toe. With every thrust, Connor put his name on her, his scent on her, and he put his heart in her hands.
Her fragile hands.
She wanted to be strong for him. She wanted to be everything he needed.
She just wanted this.
“God, Elaine.” His breath landed on her ear. “I need you.”
I need you too.
As the torrent whipped through her, she knew they would need each other all night long.
* * * *
As Connor, Elaine, and the kids boarded a boat to the mainland the next morning, Josh was disembarking.
“Hey, Doc,” called Connor. “Did we miss an appointment?”
“No, I’m here for someone else today.”
“Is everyone okay?” asked Elaine.
Josh tied up his boat and jumped on the dock. “Yeah, I’m just looking in on our expectant mom.”
“Lia hasn’t been feeling well.” Elaine gnawed her thumbnail. “The last time I saw her she had a lot of pregnancy-related questions.”
“I’m sure it’s just a case of first-time nerves,” said Josh, his voice betraying nothing as usual. “You guys have a good day.”
Connor could see the lines of worry already running amok on Elaine’s forehead. She and Lia were tight. She wouldn’t feel right about leaving the island, as much as she wanted to talk to police about Royal Hill. “Hey, Josh, if there’s anything Lia needs, will you text us? We’ll come back right away if she wants her friends around.”
Josh nodded and headed down the path leading to the resort.
Connor started up the motorboat.
Andy settled in next to his mom. “Auntie Lia’s tummy sure is big.” His brown eyes widened in awe. “Were you that big when I was in your tummy, Mommy?”
“Yes.” Elaine smiled. “I suppose I was.”
Andy poked her stomach and whispered, “Where did it go?”
Elaine answered her son’s question, stifling a giggle. Connor steered the boat away from the dock and toward the mainland. He was glad they’d brought the kids along. They would be a much-needed distraction from everything else going on.
When they got to the police station on the mainland, Drew Maitland met them outside. Tall and broad across the shoulders, with thick eyebrows that were always knit together, Drew was the epitome of a bear shifter.
He tipped his hat to Elaine. “I have news,” he said with no prelude. Turning to the kids, he crouched down to their level and grinned. “I have to take your mom and Connor for a short drive. Is that okay?”
“Can we come too?” asked Layla.
“Well,” said Drew, “I would invite you along, but I have a little problem. Do you remember Sergeant Dixon?”
“I remember,” cried Andy. “He’s ten feet tall!”
A blushing Sergeant Dixon appeared at the door and waved.
“I’ll tell you a secret,” Drew continued. “The sergeant is feeling a little lonely today. He was hoping a couple of kids might show up so he could tour them around the police station. I don’t suppose you guys know any.”
