Dangerous Abduction (O'Connor Brothers Book 2) by Rhonda Brewer

floor.
    “No thanks,” Marina said and besides Nanny Betty had already told Danny he was going for a ride in James’ truck. Danny would have a fit if she said no and besides she was just too tired to argue with anyone right now. She pulled the car seat out of the back seat and James took it out of her hands.
    For two little boys who seemed to be so tired a few minutes earlier, Mason and Danny were making it difficult to buckle them into their seats. They enjoyed spending time together and got along really well.
    Once Marina was buckled in herself, James pulled out of the driveway with a honk to his brother. Stephanie and Nanny Betty waved from the doorway with huge grins on their faces. Marina rolled her eyes because she knew exactly what was going through both of their minds.
    “I’ve got to drop into the store on the way home. I hope you don’t mind.” James made a left-hand turn off Sunset Street, down Sandcastle Road and on to Beach Street. It was the only road in Hopedale that didn’t have any homes on it. Probably because Hopedale Beach ran the entire length of the street. It was one of the prettiest places she’d ever seen, and during the summer she spent a lot of time there with Danny.
    It wasn’t a sandy beach like those you see in the tropical places she read about because it was covered in beach rocks. Danny enjoyed going there to search through the rocks to find the perfect one to add to his collection. Something he started right after his first trip to the beach and now he kept them in a large box under his bed. It didn’t matter to her if he brought home one rock or a hundred because it was relaxing to sit there and listen to the roar of the ocean, but now that winter was around the corner, the beach wasn’t the best place to go. The breeze that blew in off the water was bitterly cold.
    James pulled onto Harbour Drive where all the main businesses lined the harbour front. There was one small grocery store, a fine dining restaurant that belonged to James’ cousin Isabelle, two night clubs or at least Hopedale’s version of nightclubs, an Irish pub called Jack’s place that was owned by another member of the O’Connor family. The rest of the businesses were an ice cream shop, theater, a coffee shop, drug store and a gas station. There were also a few buildings that were vacant. That was the extent of Hopedale’s business district.
    “I’ll be right back.” James stepped out of the truck. “Did you need anything while I’m inside?” Marina shook her head and James closed the door. Her gaze followed him as he dashed across the parking lot and disappeared into the grocery store. Marina leaned her head back against the seat and watched the people walk down the street, most of them with smiles and looks of contentment on their faces. As if they didn’t have a worry in the world, and it was one of the things she loved about the small community, because although each one of them could be going through some bad times, it didn’t matter, most of the population of Hopedale were friendly and stood by each other.  It was probably why the O’Connors were so close, since they were born and raised in the town.
    James walked out of the grocery store and back to the truck. As he settled into his seat, she studied his profile. His full lips seemed to get most of her attention, and she wondered what it would be like to kiss him, just once. Her attention moved to his hands as they gripped the steering wheel. They appeared strong, and she ached so badly to feel him touch her that she had to squeeze her legs together. She really needed to stop before she drove herself crazy, because being with James O’Connor was an impossible fantasy. Her past was still too fresh in her mind, and giving herself freely to anyone seemed impossible. That wouldn’t be fair to him.
    “Marina?” James waved his hand in front of her face.
    “Huh.” She glanced up to see the only traffic light in Hopedale was red.
    “I asked