Chapter 1

Margaret took a sip of her wine, watching Keelin dance her first dance as a married woman. How had she grown up so fast?

And somehow, Keelin had ended up back in Grace's Cove. The one place that Margaret had sworn she'd never go back to. Margaret bit back the old feeling of bitterness that swelled in her throat.

“Long time no see,” Sean drawled from behind her and Margaret's back stiffened. Taking a deep breath, she turned to meet Sean's eyes.

Damn, the man was as handsome as ever. The well-cut tux showcased his broad shoulders. Though a few grays peppered his hair, his presence still radiated strength and virility. She'd done her best to steer clear of him since she'd arrived in Grace's Cove the night before, but it looked like their confrontation had arrived. Bracing her shoulders, and lifting her chin, Margaret eyed him.

“Sean,” Margaret said coolly.

“Come on, Maggie, that's the best you can do?” Sean asked, raising his eyebrow at her.

“It might be,” she said, sticking her nose in the air at her nickname.

“I don't like that answer,” Sean said, stepping closer and forcing her to look up at him. Margaret hadn't expected the punch of him. Heat licked low in her stomach.

“Well, you can't always get what you want,” Margaret said flippantly.

“Yeah, so I've learned,” Sean said bitterly. “But this time, I plan to.”

Margaret's heart leapt into her throat as he pulled the wine glass from her hand and stepped closer, forcing her to step backwards into the darkness.

“What are you doing?”

“What I've been meaning to do for a long time,” Sean said.

“Excuse me?” Margaret asked, steel lacing her voice.

And found the air knocked out of her as Sean reached down and hoisted her so that her body hung over his shoulder, her face staring at a very attractive bottom clad in tuxedo pants.

“You're crazy,” Margaret hissed, turning and smacking Sean lightly on the head. “Put me down this instant. This is unbecoming.”

“I'll show you unbecoming,” Sean muttered, continuing to stalk into the darkness. Margaret had a sinking suspicion of just where Sean was headed.

The site of their last show-down.

Of course Keelin had to go and have her wedding on the cliffs overlooking the beach that held the most pivotal moment in her life, Margaret grumbled to herself and prayed that none of the guests dancing in the tent had seen Sean carry her off.

“Hello, Shane,” Sean called and Margaret whipped her head around to see the dim outline of Shane, a local realtor she had met the night before, stalking away from the cove.

“Sean!” Margaret gasped, feeling heat creep up her cheeks. She'd never found herself in such a comprising position before.

Oh wait, just that one time. With this same man.

And wasn't this just why she had stayed away from Grace's Cove?