Read Take Me Back for Free Online

cheese. It was Maddie’s suggestion. She really has a knack for detail.
    Mr. Simcoe has traversed the island on foot and by golf cart at least one hundred times, snipping and harvesting flowers and ferns, and every beautiful green plant that grows here that I’m not able to identify, but he can. He’s sorted them into the most gorgeous arrangements I’ve ever seen. Simple and elegant. We’ve placed them in every guest room, in the lounge, and on the patio tables.
    After fifty years, the happy couple will renew their vows in the bandstand gazebo tomorrow afternoon. Riley has outdone himself, hanging beautiful gossamer swags and bows along its roofline. Working as Beck’s assistant has given him the autonomy to do his best work. Joan being here stifled him, which is no surprise. Another reason I’m glad she’s gone.
    “We’re about to take off,” you say, striding across the pool courtyard toward me.
    I put the bottle of champagne in the small refrigerator under the pool bar. “Okay. I’m just about done taking inventory here. Jesse took the cooking liquor Carlos needed into the kitchen.”
    You come up behind me and rub my shoulders. “You’re tense. Your neck is in knots.”
    I let my head fall back and close my eyes, relishing your thumbs digging into my tight muscles. “I’m insanely nervous. I know it’ll work out, but I don’t think there’s a way to avoid this anxiety.”
    You kiss the top of my head. “I’d love to help you relax, but I have to get out of here. Riley’s already at the dock ready to head over to the mainland.”
    I turn in your arms and hold you tightly. “Be careful. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
    “We’ll be back before you know it.” You brush the back of your fingers across my cheek and kiss me sweetly. “After this weekend, I’ll help you figure out this Ingrid thing. I know it means a lot to you.”
    My heart swells. “You mean a lot to me.” I grab the back of your head and crush my lips to yours. “Have I told you how wonderful you are to me?”
    You laugh as I kiss you again, making our lips vibrate. “I’m wonderful to you? I hope so. I try to be when I’m not being too stubborn to listen to you.”
    I keep holding your head in my hands, kissing you, and after a minute or two, you groan and pull away. “I really do have to get going, but save those for me for tonight.”
    “They’re all yours.” I give you one more. As you walk away, I can’t stop the foreboding feeling that’s closing my throat. “Calm down,” I whisper to myself. “You’re just nervous.”
    “Don’t be nervous,” Maddie says, stepping behind the bar and smiling brightly. “We’ve got this.”
    “Is MJ coming this weekend, or is he at the plantation house?”
    “He was talking about meeting Merrick on the mainland and coming over on the boat, but he wasn’t sure he could make it in time. His last class doesn’t let out until three.”
    “If he’s too late, Beck can always go pick him up in the helicopter.”
    She nods and twists her ring. “I miss him. A lot. I can’t stand being away from him even for just the weekdays.”
    “Before you know it, you’ll be living in the Weston house and married with ten kids.” I laugh, thinking about little MJs running around. Little terrors with the temperament of their dad and grandpa.
    Grandpa. Jesus, Merrick could be a grandfather in a few years. If we get married… I grab a bottle of water and take a deep drink. I can’t even think about that.
    Maddie laughs. “I don’t see kids in our immediate future, but we definitely want them someday.” She shakes her head, smiling like she still can’t believe she’s with MJ after being apart for so long. “Can you imagine an enormous Christmas tree in the great room at the plantation? Right in front of those floor-to-ceiling windows that face the side yard with stockings hung on that enormous marble mantel and tons of presents wrapped under the tree. The smell of baking ham