“I love it. I love that store. I need to see if she’s in need of some investors. We’ve got to keep her in business.”

Linda laughed, feeling more carefree and lighthearted than she had since the moment the island’s police chief, Blaine Taylor, found her at the hair salon with the news that her sons were missing. Tugging at the faded T-shirt her husband had worn to work, Linda helped him take it off, giggling as she did every summer at the “farmer’s tan” that encompassed his face, neck and lower arms, leaving the rest of his torso white.

He scowled playfully. “Don’t make fun of my tan.”

“Why break tradition?”

Waggling his brows, he said, “How about you show me your tan lines.”

Linda made a big production out of removing the dress pants she’d worn to work at the hotel, revealing an equally sheer pair of panties that matched the bra.

He let out a low whistle as he reached for her.

“Not so fast, sailor.” She tugged at the button to his shorts and made quick work of them and the boxers he wore underneath.

They fell on the bed in a tangle of arms and legs. His kisses were ravenous, desperate and so, so hot. The older he got, the sexier he became to her. Her fingers sifted through the thick gray hair that had once been as dark as their sons’. The gray only added to his incredible appeal.

Tonight he seemed inclined to take rather than give, which was fine with her. He was always a generous lover, and she was happy to return the favor. She’d give him whatever he needed, whenever he needed it.

He broke the kiss, gasping as he cupped her breasts through the bra. “Lin…”

“What, honey?”

“I love you so much.”

“I know.” She wrapped her arms around him, holding his head against her chest. He was so much bigger than her that she often felt delicate and fragile next to him. Now, however, he was fragile, and she was determined to support him. “I love you, too. I love how much you love all of us.”

“I love you all too much.”

She released her tight hold so she could see him. “No such thing.”

His smile softened his expression as he framed her face with his big hands. “Prettiest girl I ever met,” he said. When he kissed her, he kept his eyes open.

Moved by his words as much as the gentle slide of his lips, Linda looped her arms around his neck and let him take them both away from it all. So much for her plans to care for him. He took over, removing the bra and panties with practiced skill.

As he kissed his way down the front of her, he said, “You know what I think about all the time?”

“What?” Linda said, gasping from the tug of his lips on her nipple.