Treading Water: Coming Home Part 52

"My son Thomas is nine months old."

He lowered her to the tattered sofa she'd bought at a yard sale. "Where is he?"

"My sister watches him during the day. Oh G.o.d. The kids."

"Excuse me?"

"I take over for my sister at the daycare at three so she can teach her dance cla.s.ses. She watches Thomas for me, and that's how I pay her back."

"I'll do it."

"What?"

"I'll watch the kids for you. How hard can it be?"

"Have you ever even changed a diaper?"

"I'm sure I have. Some time."

"Right. Look, I know you're probably some sort of Boy Scout-"

"Actually, I'm an Eagle Scout," he said with a proud smile.

"Of course you are, but you've really got to go now. Your family is expecting you-"

"They didn't know I was coming today."

Maddie wanted to shriek in frustration. Why couldn't he get the message and leave me alone? And then it hit her in a wave of sickening despair. "It's not going to happen," she spat at him.

"What are you talking about now?"

"Get out of my cabinets! What're you doing?"

"Looking for some painkillers and a gla.s.s." He produced a bottle of medicine and a gla.s.s of water and brought both to her.

"Thank you," she muttered after she swallowed the pills. "Now, please, just go, will you?"

But of course he sat on the coffee table, and Maddie prayed the flimsy table would hold his two-hundred-pounds-of-pure-muscle frame. "So what's not going to happen?"

"I know what you're after." She wanted to smack the amused expression off his face.

"And what's that?"

"You think if you're nice to me that you'll get something in return."

Amus.e.m.e.nt faded to bafflement. "Like what?"

"Don't be obtuse. I know you got a good look out there on the street, so you're hanging around hoping to get your hands-among other things-on Maddie Chester's famous b.r.e.a.s.t.s."

He stared at her for a long, breathless moment. "That is so not true."

"And how are you different from every other man alive?"

"When I look at you, the first thing I see are gorgeous eyes that remind me of the way melted caramel looks over vanilla ice cream. They're a rather interesting combination of brown and gold. Your mouth, when it's not twisted with cynicism and bitterness, is so lush and pretty that my personal fantasies-if I had them about you, that is-would definitely be focused there, not on what's under your T-s.h.i.+rt. As spectacular as they may be, I'm more of an a.s.s-and-leg man myself."

Maddie had never been more shocked in her life-or more seduced by words alone.

"Now that we've got that subject covered, let's talk money."

That brought her right back to reality. "What about it?"

"I want to pay for your lost wages."

"Absolutely not." She might be short on cash, but she still had her pride, and no one-especially someone named McCarthy-was going to take that from her.

"You have to let me help you, Maddie. I know you can't afford to miss work."

"That's the least of it! If I miss more than one s.h.i.+ft, they'll replace me. They need the job done. They don't care who does it."

"I believe we've established that I have some sway with the owners of the hotel and can prevent that from happening."

"Good for you. That still doesn't get my job done, and it won't help me when they decide who they're keeping for the winter and who gets laid off."

"Then I'll do the job for you until you're back on your feet."

Maddie cracked up. "Sure you will."

"You don't think I can do it?"

She realized he was serious. "You have no idea what it even entails. How can you be so sure you can do it?"

"I'm capable of building a thirty-story structure. I think I can handle cleaning a few hotel rooms."

Maddie studied his supremely handsome face. "All right." What else could she do? She couldn't afford to lose her job, so she had no choice but to let him help her. "Since you seem determined to make it up to me, I accept."

He flashed a victorious smile. "Excellent. Now what about the kids? Could I be your arms and legs there, too?"

"Have you ever changed a diaper? Seriously?"

"No," he confessed, quickly adding, "but I'm a fast learner. If you tell me what to do, I'll do it."

He'd be saving her life if he stepped in for her, but wait until he saw what the summer people were capable of doing to a hotel room. Just the idea of a mighty McCarthy stooping to the level of manual laborer at the hotel his family owned brought a smile to her face. She offered her uninjured hand. "Deal."

He shocked her again when he took her hand and brushed a soft kiss over the back of it. "Excellent. Now, let me go find your purse and see about getting you some lunch."

Maid for Love available now!.

Other Contemporary Romances Available from Marie Force:.

The Treading Water Series.

Book 1: Treading Water.

Book 2: Marking Time Book 3: Starting Over.

Book 4: Coming Home.

The McCarthys of Gansett Island Series.

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 Single t.i.tles.

Georgia on My Mind True North The Fall.

Everyone Loves a Hero Love at First Flight Line of Scrimmage.

Romantic Suspense Novels Available from Marie Force: The Fatal Series.

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 Single t.i.tle.

The Wreck.

About the Author.

Marie Force is the USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of more than 20 contemporary romances, including The McCarthys of Gansett Island Series, the Fatal Series, the Treading Water Series and numerous stand-alone books. Her new series, The Green Mountain Country Store, is coming in late 2013. 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. Subscribe to updates from Marie about new books and other news. Follow her on Twitter @marieforce and on Facebook. Join one of her many reader groups! Contact Marie at

What others are saying about Marie Force's books:.

"I always look forward to a Marie Force release. She manages to create lovable characters who can get a reader to fall in love with them in as little as five words (Hi, my name is...). There is something special about the group that lives on Gansett Island. It's always enjoyable to be able to reconnect with our friends from previous stories, drop in on their lives or meet new friends. They're a fun, friendly, loving group of people who make you want to go back to Gansett Island again and again."

-Night Owl Reviews of SEASON FOR LOVE.

"Bravo, Ms. Force for your brave and emotional storytelling. Marie Force's Season For Love is another McCarthys of Gansett Island keeper!!" -Joyfully Reviewed SEASON FOR LOVE.

Marie Force weaves a magical story with Hoping for Love! I'm totally enamored with Grace and Evan! When I got to the last page I said, "noooooooo I don't want it to be over!" I just love everything about Ms. Force's McCarthys of Gansett Island series! These people have become like family. They make me laugh and cry and dream of love. Grace and Evan's beautiful relations.h.i.+p blooms stunningly in Hoping for Love. Both characters have a lot of questions about their feelings and I love how Ms. Force leads these two down the path of love. -Joyfully Reviewed This is the first Gansett Island book I've read, but it's clear that Force makes a habit of creating irresistible characters and dramatic situations. Hang out with Evan and Grace and you'll want to stay on Gansett Island, too!" -USA Today's Happy Ever After on HOPING FOR LOVE.

"Ms. Force has the ability to make you fall in love with her Island and all of the quirky and sweet characters that reside there. I can't wait to read the next story in this fantastic series! Falling For Love is another keeper in the McCarthy's of Gansett Island series!" --Joyfully Reviewed.

"Maid for Love was a charming beach read that had you believing in the HEA." --Joyfully Reviewed.

"Fool for Love was a treat to read with engaging characters and their deep love for one another. Marie Force writes wonderfully, romantic heroes that you just want to curl up next to!" -Joyfully Reviewed.

"Ready for Love is a beautiful and inspiring love story. I was riveted to the pages of Ready for Love not only for this magical romance but for the outstanding secondary plot lines as well. This may be my first McCarthys of Gansett Island book but it will not be my last! I am in love with these people and the tiny island they live on." --Joyfully Reviewed.

The Treading Water Series.

Book 1: Treading Water.

Book 2: Marking Time.

Book 3: Starting Over.

Book 4: Coming Home.