Never Too Late: A Sweet Romance (The Magic of Love Isle Book 4) Read online

  “She’s beautiful.” Gina studied the picture of the young woman, who looked quite a bit like her father. She noticed the softness of her smile and the shape of her eyes. Those had to belong to her mother. “I’m happy for you, Frank.”

  “There have been good times.” He tucked his phone back in his pocket as his face tensed. “And really sad times also. I guess such is life.” He shrugged, then looked at her again. “And you? I’m sure you’ve had some adventures. You always had so much planned.”

  “I did, didn’t I?” She offered a faint a smile as she recalled the plans that she’d had all those years ago. She’d wanted to travel. She wanted to help as many people as she could. And eventually, she’d wanted to settle back at Love Isle and have a family of her own to raise there.

  But none of those things had happened.

  “I’ve been right here, Frank.” She took a deep breath and forced her smile to be brighter. “Right where I’ve always been. I’ve never married, I don’t have any children.” She glanced around the diner, then laughed to cover the tension in her voice. “I guess the diner has been enough adventure for me.”

  Embarrassment made her cheeks grow hot again. The truth was, she’d had her share of disappointment in her life, and as happy as she was for him that he’d married and had a family, she was also a little hurt.

  Those were the things that a young and hopeful version of herself had hoped to share with him.

  Chapter 4

  Startled by the revelation that Gina had never left Love Isle, Frank stared into her eyes. He sought an answer there, an explanation for the question that he’d been asking ever since the day he’d left. But he knew it was far too soon to ask. Perhaps because he wasn’t ready to hear the answer.

  “I’m surprised you didn’t go off exploring.” He frowned as she looked away from his penetrating gaze. “I’m sure you’ve led a wonderful life here, though. Love Isle is lucky to have had you.”

  “I suppose.” She smiled. “No one has complained so far.” She tipped her head toward his milkshake. “It’s melting. And I’d better check on my tables.”

  As she stood up, he watched her.

  He noticed that her hips were more rounded, her stomach softer around the middle. It only added to her figure, making her even more enticing in his eyes. Did she know that? From the loose clothing she wore, he doubted it. Then again, she never did have any idea how gorgeous she was, no matter how many times he’d told her.

  “What time are you finished today?” He moved to the edge of his chair as he fought the urge to plead with her to sit down again.

  “Oh, I’ll be here until we close.”

  “Great, then we should have plenty of time to catch up.” He settled back in his chair.

  “I’m sure you have places you’d rather be than here.” She laughed as she walked toward another table.

  “No,” he murmured, uncertain whether she’d heard him or not. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

  His heart ached as he sensed her detachment from him. Of course he couldn’t blame her. It had been so long, he was surprised that she even remembered him.

  No, that wasn’t true. He knew, deep down, that the time they’d shared together had been too powerful for either of them to ever forget. At least he thought that was the case. But the way she barely looked at him and seemed to be avoiding speaking more than a few words to him—it made him wonder if it really had been one-sided.

  He smiled and waved at a few people he recognized, but his attention always turned back to Gina.

  So she hadn’t married. But that didn’t mean that she wasn’t with someone. It didn’t mean that she was the least bit interested in him. He pushed down his desire, though it threatened to run rampant each time he heard her voice or caught sight of her boundless smile.

  As several customers left, he was one of only a handful of people remaining in the diner. His heart pounded as she finally began to walk back toward him.

  She sat awkwardly across from him and again avoided his eyes.

  “Do you remember that time we went for a run through the woods and we found that old shack—where no one had been inside for years?” He reached across the table so that his fingertips almost grazed the curve of her hand but didn’t dare to actually touch her.

  “Yes, I remember.” A smile broke out across her lips. “You were terrified.”

  “I was a little scared.” He shrugged. “It was a spooky place.” He laughed.

  “A little scared?” She laughed and shook her head. “I recall you begging me not to go inside—something about killer clowns and werewolves.”

  “In my defense, we had just seen that movie about the serial killer in the cabin in the woods—”

  “Sure.” She grinned and her eyes sparkled in a way that made his heart threaten to burst. “I held your hand the whole time.” Her fingers twitched as if she might reach for his hand, but she balled her hand into a fist instead. “Once we were inside, things changed a bit, didn’t they?”

  “Yes.” His mind drifted into the memory—one of his best. “I remember that too.” He extended his fingers just a little further and gently trailed the tips of them across the curve of the back of her hand. “Gina.”

  “So, tell me about your wife.” She drew her hands off the table and settled them in her lap.

  “Tell me about your boyfriend.” He raised an eyebrow and smiled.

  “Boyfriend?” She laughed, then flicked her hair back over her shoulder. “Have you looked at me, Frank? I’m not exactly in high demand.”

  “That’s ridiculous, you’re as gorgeous as ever.” His eyes never left her face.

  “You’re so sweet.” She rolled her eyes and smiled. “Anyway, no. There’s no boyfriend.”

  His heart skipped a beat. She was single? The fantasy he’d been playing through his mind ever since he’d decided to return to Love Isle suddenly became possible.

  “Maybe we could take a walk by the lake? After you close up? Is that shack still there in the woods?”

  “No, the shack was taken down a long time ago. Some kids got in there and started a small fire by accident. It was considered too dangerous after that and they knocked it down.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “I watched them tear it down.”

  “I wish I had been there to watch that with you.” His voice softened.

  “No, you don’t.” She opened her eyes again and frowned slightly. “It was hard to watch.”

  “I could have held your hand.”

  “Frank.” Her chin trembled and she looked away from him.

  He realized then that she wasn’t being so cold and distant to hurt him, but to protect herself. His chest tightened as he wondered if it was wrong for him to be there.

  “Gina.” He extended his hand across the table. “I’m here now. Please, can’t we just talk about—”

  “Talk about what?” She stood up from the table, her voice loud enough to draw the attention of the few remaining diners. She blushed, then spoke in a softer tone. “There’s nothing to talk about. I’m sorry, Frank, I have work to do.”

  “Then I’ll help you.” He stood up as well. “I’m not going anywhere, Gina.”

  “You always were so stubborn.” She sighed, then shook her head.

  “So we can take that walk?” He reached for her hand.

  Briefly, she let him hold it before she pulled it away.

  “We’ll see.” She headed for the kitchen.

  Chapter 5

  Her mind flooded with memories of the times that she and Frank had shared together.

  It was more than just the shack in the woods. It was every passionate moment that Gina had ever truly had. It was the tears they’d shared as they confessed their fears, their traumas, their hopes for the future.

  There had been a time in her life when Frank had been everything to her. He had been the air she breathed and the pounding of her heart. There was a time in her life when she couldn’t imagine living a moment with
out him and then she had gone thirty years without seeing him or hearing his voice.

  His presence was overwhelming, but she still didn’t want him to go.

  He has a wife, she reminded herself sternly. He has a child. He has a life that he is going to go back home to and all you will be left with is more memories.

  She tried to convince herself of that, but when he took her hand, it was as if time didn’t exist and he was the same boy that had first asked her out in their junior year of high school. He’d been so nervous that he couldn’t get the words out. She had to guess, and once she did, he’d blushed for a grueling amount of time.

  Of course she’d said yes. She’d been head over heels for him since middle school.

  There wasn’t much of her life that wasn’t touched by Frank—the memory of him or the longing for him.

  As she tried to distract herself with kitchen duties, she wondered if she should agree to the walk.

  Yes, of course he would go home, but did that mean she should miss out on that time with him? The truth was, she had no right to be angry with him. She had no right to resent the beautiful life that he’d led.

  But why did he have to come back?

  As she walked the last customer to the door, she realized that she would have to make a decision soon. Frank was still there, with his milkshake already finished and his gaze still seeking her.

  He could have left hours ago, but he didn’t. He’d stayed, just as he said he would.

  “I’m just about to lock up.” She paused beside the table.

  “Great.” He stood up and smiled. “Plenty of time for a walk then?”

  She glanced at the large clock on the wall. “It’s getting late. Are you sure you’re up for it?”

  “Absolutely.” He looked into her eyes. “Please, GiGi? I just want the chance to talk with you.”

  “GiGi.” She laughed and looked up at the ceiling. “No one has called me that in so long. Just give me a few minutes to handle the register.”

  It was hard for her to concentrate as she counted the till and deposited the money into the safe. She found herself making silly mistakes and having to start over. This was never a problem for her. But knowing that she would be alone with Frank in a matter of minutes made her head spin.

  “Good night, Gina.” Harold paused beside the front door. “Are you alright here?” He glanced at Frank.

  “Yes, I’m fine.” She smiled at him. “Good night, Harold.”

  Once she finished with the closing routine, she walked over to Frank. He’d been putting the chairs on top of the tables and making sure that everything was straightened up.

  “You used to do that for me every night.” She stared at him in the dim light. She’d already turned off most of the lights. Only the one by the front door remained on.

  “And then we would dance.” He caught her hand with his. “Remember?” He pulled her toward him.

  “Yes.” She laughed a little, but as her body collided with his, she had to wonder what he thought of the extra weight on her hips and her midsection. She’d been so slender when he’d known her—when he’d last held her close. How could he still be attracted to her?

  Whether he was or not, the connection sent sparks through her body. She pulled away and blushed. “I remember. We should go; I have to set the alarm.”

  Frank pushed the front door and held it open for her. She punched in the alarm code, then fumbled with the keys, all the while quite aware that he stood right beside her—so very close to her.

  “Is there still a trail behind the diner that leads to the water?”

  His voice drifted not far from her ear and she realized that if she just turned her head, they would be close enough to kiss.

  Suddenly her muscles tensed.

  “Frank, I don’t think this is a good idea.” She took a step back from him, then turned to face him.

  “Gina, don’t do this.” He reached for her hand.

  “Frank, I’m sorry. I know you just want to catch up, that this is just a walk down memory lane for you. But it just doesn’t feel right.” She lowered her eyes and pulled her hand away before he could grasp it. “You’re married.” She eyed the ring on his finger. “What would your wife think about you walking along the lake in the moonlight with an old girlfriend?”

  “Oh, Gina.” He covered the ring on his hand with his other hand and grimaced. “I’m sorry. I should have told you.”

  “Told me what?” She noticed the sadness in his voice as he spoke.

  “It’s still hard for me to talk about.” He cleared his throat. “It’s just a difficult thing to say. It never feels like the right moment.”

  “What is it?” She couldn’t resist touching his shoulder as his voice grew thick with emotion. “Frank, are you okay?”

  “My wife—she passed away. Well, it’s been two years now.” He clenched his jaw, then sighed. “It’s just seemed wrong—to take the ring off. My daughter still lived at home and I thought it might upset her if I did and then—well, it just never seemed like the right time. I’m sorry.” He looked at her intently. “I should have told you.”

  Chapter 6

  A wave of guilt washed over him. What would his wife think?

  He could recall an argument they’d had—over Gina.

  It had been a few years into their marriage. He’d been stressed at work, focused on just getting through the days and not finding much comfort at home. Michelle, his wife, had noticed. She had an infant to take care of and he hadn’t been there for her the way that he should have been.

  One night she demanded to know if he truly loved her. Of course, he’d told her yes. But she’d called out his hesitation and demanded to know the truth. He’d told her about Gina before, when they’d been dating—when she’d asked about his previous relationships. There had only been one. He’d confided in her how much he had loved Gina then.

  That night, a few years later, when she’d demanded the truth, she told him that she couldn’t continue their marriage while he was still in love with someone else. He either had to let Gina go or let their marriage go.

  Of course he’d chosen his wife and he’d done his best to honor that choice. But as he stood in the moonlight, with Gina’s hand gently rubbing his shoulder, he knew the truth. He’d never really gotten over his first love.

  “Frank, I’m so sorry.” Gina hesitated a moment, then slipped her hand from his shoulder to wrap her arm around his neck. As she pulled him close, she spoke softly to him. “It must have been so hard to lose her.”

  “It was.” He whispered, as his arms encircled her and he held her close. “She battled cancer for over a year. I did my best to take care of her.” He blinked back tears that filled his eyes as he remembered the intense grief he’d experienced throughout the care-giving process, as well as after she’d passed. “I thought about calling you so many times.”

  “I wish you had.” She pulled back enough to look into his eyes. “I would have listened.”

  “I know.” He swallowed hard. “But I couldn’t.” He took a deep breath, then released her. “Gina, I understand if you don’t want to spend time with me. I do. Maybe it was unfair of me to come back here, to bring things up again. If you want me to go, all you have to do is tell me.”

  His voice wavered somewhat as his eyes locked onto hers. His mind traveled through time, to a moment when he’d said the very same words.

  “Stay.” She caught his hand and held it tight. “I don’t want you to go, Frank. Let’s go for that walk.”

  “Wonderful.” He smiled as some of the stirred-up emotions within him began to settle. She had that effect on him. She’d always been able to make him feel calm.

  “The trail is still there.” She began to lead him toward it.

  As they walked in silence for some time, the warmth of her hand against his consumed his thoughts. He’d held Michelle’s hand so often during their marriage, but it always felt different.

  When he held Gina’s hand, it was
as if their heat blended. It became one steady gush of warmth that tickled the nerves in his skin.

  “It’s still beautiful.” He took a sharp breath as the sight of the lake stretched out before them. The moonlight that splashed across the water created a magical glow that made him wonder if the moment was even real. He looked over at her—to be sure she was really there.

  “Yes, it is.” She tightened her grasp on his hand. “I still come out here pretty often.” She paused, then spoke again in a softer tone. “It’s not the same without you.”

  “We had something so special.” He took her free hand so that she was forced to turn and face him.

  As the question he’d longed to ask for decades rolled across the tip of his tongue, he wondered if he should dare to ask it. Would it ruin everything? Would she get angry and walk away? Would her response break his heart all over again?

  “Yes, we did.” She whispered and hesitantly met his eyes. “So long ago.”

  “It doesn’t feel so long ago right now.” He studied the emotion in her expression.

  Was she frightened? Of him? Of what he might say? He couldn’t quite tell.

  “It feels like no time has passed,” he said, watching for her reaction.

  She nodded and her chin trembled again as she took a deep breath. “But it has, Frank. Thirty years. A lifetime.”

  “Gina.” He cleared his throat and shifted a little closer to her. His chest tightened again as his heart pounded. “I didn’t just come back here to visit—to walk down memory lane.”

  “You didn’t?” She met his eyes, then quickly looked out over the water.

  “Gina.” He waited for her to look back at him, then clenched her hands, savoring the warmth that they shared. “I need to ask you something.”

  “Don’t.” She spat the word out sharply.

  “I have a right to.” A hint of anger edged his voice. “After thirty years of wondering, I think I have a right to. Don’t you?”

  “Please.” She pulled her hands free of his. “Can’t we just walk for a little while? Can’t we just spend a little time together?”