On the way to North Harbor Monday morning with Maddie behind him on the bike, Mac relived the best weekend of his life. After church on Sunday, he’d unearthed an infant lifejacket from his father’s garage and took Thomas and Maddie on ride around the Salt Pond in his father’s vintage Chris Craft. Thomas had loved being on the water.

They’d met his parents for a drink at the Tiki Bar afterward, during which his mother seemed to make an attempt to be friendly to Maddie but gave Mac the cold shoulder. He figured she’d come around in time and decided not to waste any time worrying about it. Linda even took a turn holding Thomas, who reduced Big Mac to mush with his sweet disposition. For the most part, it had been a successful visit, and Mac was more hopeful about taking a harmonious step into matrimony.

Married.

God, a couple of weeks ago the word would’ve given him hives. Now here he was with the woman he loved on the back of his bike and a baby he wanted to do everything for. Amazing what a difference the right woman made. Pulling up to the hotel, Mac parked and cut the engine. He helped her off the bike and removed the helmet.

“I want you to take it easy today. That elbow still looks bad. Don’t bang it on anything.”

“I won’t, don’t worry.”

“I’ll be right down the hill.” He pointed to the marina. “You can look out the window and see me on the roof.”

She reached up to caress his face. “Be careful up there. I’ve become quite fond of this body, and I want it all in one piece.” Her hand moved from his face to his chest and began to slide south.

He stopped her at his belly. “Don’t start anything,” he growled. “I already hate that I have to let you go for six whole hours.”

“You’re pouting again.”

“Come see me at lunchtime?”

“If I can get away.”

Mac gave her a lingering kiss. “Try hard.”

She clung to him. “Gotta go,” she whispered.

“Okay.”

Except neither of them let go.

He kissed her forehead and then her lips. “Go. I’ll pick you up at quarter to three.”

“You won’t be done working by then. I can get a ride home.”

“I’ll be here, and don’t you dare let me see you on the back of anyone else’s motorcycle.”

Maddie giggled. “No worries.” She slung her tote bag over her shoulder and gave him a sultry look. “Yours is the only motor I want between my legs.”

Mac groaned at the suggestive comment and rested against the bike to watch her fine rear end stretch against tight denim shorts as she walked up the hill. He whistled softly.

“Cut it out,” she said over her shoulder, but he saw her smile.

“Madeline.”