Hearts Heal: The Island Book 2, page 1
HEARTS HEAL
THE ISLAND BOOK 2
DECLAN RHODES
Copyright © 2023 by Declan Rhodes
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
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Declan Rhodes also previously published under the pen name Grant C. Holland.
CONTENTS
Characters
1. Martin
2. Andrew
3. Martin
4. Andrew
5. Martin
6. Andrew
7. Martin
8. Andrew
9. Martin
10. Andrew
11. Martin
12. Andrew
13. Martin
14. Andrew
15. Martin
16. Andrew
17. Martin
18. Andrew
19. Martin
20. Andrew
21. Martin
22. Andrew
23. Martin
24. Martin
25. Andrew
Epilogue - Martin
Also by Declan Rhodes
About the Author
CHARACTERS
Martin - 30-year-old Human Resources manager - lifelong Garfield Island resident
Andrew - 30-year-old firefighter - lifelong Garfield Island resident
Gretchen - Close friend of Martin’s
Blake - Recent newcomer to the island
Lucas - Photographer and recent newcomer to the island
Hank - Close friend of Andrew
ONE
MARTIN
I gasped in surprise as the flurry of white flowers suddenly flew over Marco’s shoulder. I’d only moved closer so I could snap a few quick pictures with my phone before the bouquet toss. I made a valiant effort to avoid it, but fate had other plans—suddenly, the bundle of flowers landed in my hands.
A cacophony of groans erupted from the women around me. I offered them a friendly smile and the bouquet. "Anyone?" I asked, holding out the flowers with an innocent shrug. They only glared at me and marched off in a huff.
The wedding reception for Marco and Ryder was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Every single resident of Garfield Island seemed to be there. They cheered on the newlyweds with glasses of champagne in their hands. While it didn't seem like anyone wanted to look at it that way, I knew that the event was just a momentary respite from reality. It was a welcome, but brief, distraction from the chaotic world outside.
After catching the bouquet, I found my good friend, Gretchen, at a table a few steps away. She was pulling out pins from her hair and letting her luxurious auburn mane flow freely again. She should have been the one to catch the flowers—any man would be blessed beyond measure to have her at his side.
“Can you believe I caught this? If I weren’t looking directly at his back, I would have sworn that Marco tossed it to me like a second baseman picking off a runner at first base. It’s rather absurd, honestly.”
“That’s what makes it such a fun tradition, Martin,” Gretchen said. “Maybe the flowers know something the rest of us don’t. You never know. Mr. Right might be out there on the dance floor at this very moment.”
I laughed at Gretchen’s optimism. “I highly doubt that. I’m not convinced I’ll ever have a Mr. Right, but I guess I should hold onto the bouquet just in case.”
As we watched the revelers dance to the upbeat music, I noticed a tall man standing near the edge of the dance floor. He wore a sharp black suit and had a rugged handsomeness that was impossible to miss. His dark hair swept back from his face, revealing sharp cheekbones and a strong jawline.
“Who’s that?” I asked Gretchen as I pointed at the mysterious man.
“Oh, that’s Blake,” she said with a hint of admiration in her voice. “He’s new to the island. Just moved here a few weeks ago. Ryder told me that he’s working from home—an accounting business.”
My eyes darted back to the dance floor and I saw that Blake was watching us. Our eyes met, and I noticed that look in his eyes—at least I thought I did. It didn’t happen often to me.
Maybe after all those years, the flowers were working some magic. My heart skipped a beat. There was something alluring about him. He was different from the rest. Something drew me in.
As if he could read my thoughts, Blake began to make his way over to us. He picked his way around chairs and tables. I tried to keep my cool, but my heart was beating so fast that I was sure everyone around me could hear it.
“Hi, I’m Blake,” he said with a charming smile. “I noticed you were the one who caught the bouquet.”
I held up the roses and gardenias and smiled nervously. “Yeah, I did. I’m Martin. Who would have thought?”
“I hope you find that special person sometime soon, but meanwhile, would you do me the honor of introducing me to this lovely lady next to you?”
An embarrassed blush crept up my neck as Blake turned his attention to Gretchen. She smiled up at him. Her eyes were bright with interest.
“Of course,” I said as I tried to hide the disappointment in my voice. “Gretchen, this is Blake. He’s new to the island.”
“Nice to meet you, Blake,” Gretchen said, extending her hand. She briefly turned her head and opened her eyes wide in excitement.
As Blake took her hand, I knew that I had to be happy for my friend. He was handsome as hell, and he was looking for someone special. She fit that definition.
“Have you been enjoying the island so far?” Gretchen asked as she leaned closer to him.
“It’s been great,” he said, and he glanced at me for a moment before he turned his attention back to Gretchen. “But I have to admit, I’m still getting used to the small-town feel of it all. I’m far more familiar with the hustle and bustle of the city.”
“I know what you mean,” Gretchen said, nodding. “But there’s something special about this island, you know? The community is so close-knit. It’s like everyone knows everyone.”
“And I’d love to get to know you better. Would you like to dance?”
Off they went, and they left me alone with half a glass of champagne and somebody else’s half-eaten cake slice. While I sipped my drink, I wondered whether I’d ever find my Prince Charming in such a small community.
Multiple friends suggested that I look for someone on the mainland in Door County or even Green Bay, but I didn’t want to risk my heart on a man who couldn’t live on Garfield Island. My life was there, and my family was, too. I was an only child born when my parents were already middle-aged. They needed someone close to look out for them, and they didn’t have the money required to move elsewhere.
Midway through my next sip of champagne, my old friend, Andrew, swept in. He had a way of breezing through life that was infectious.
He was a firefighter, and he was good-looking in a guy-next-door kind of way—brown eyes and black hair that he wore buzzed tight against his scalp. His body was stout, but not fat. He’d risen to one rung from the top of the local fire department after seeking special training, and he was a pure force of nature. Andrew effortlessly drew most of the attention wherever he happened to appear.
We met on the first day of kindergarten. I showed him around the classroom. After I pointed out the best Legos that I’d stashed in a corner, we became friends.
“Hey, Martin,” Andrew said as he slid into the chair next to me. “I watched you catch the flowers. What’s up with that? Is there a special guy out there that you’re hiding from us?”
I sighed and set my glass down. “I didn’t do it on purpose. Marco threw it right at me, and the damn thing got my hopes up. That new guy, Blake, looked at me—you know—that way, or so I thought, but then he only wanted to meet Gretchen. He’s taking her for a spin on the dance floor as we speak.”
Andrew chuckled. “Ah, yeah. Blake’s been causing a stir since he moved here. He’s got his sights set on something. I just don’t know what yet.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, turning to face my friend.
“I don’t know,” he said, his voice low. “It’s just a feeling. He’s always lurking around and watching people. Like he’s looking for something. Or someone.”
“What makes you say that? Lurking around?” I asked, intrigued.
Andrew leaned in closer, and his eyes darted around the room before he spoke. “Have you noticed the way he looks at you? It’s like he’s trying to figure you out.”
“Eh—I stopped paying attention when he kissed Gretchen’s hand.”
“I don’t know,” Andrew said with a shrug. “Maybe he sees something in you. Something he can use to his advantage.”
“That’s ridiculous,” I said. I shook my head. “I’m just a regular guy. There’s nothing different or unusual about me.”
“Maybe that’s what makes you special,” he said with a smile. “You’re humble. You’re kind. You’re always willing to help others. You’re a
solid human being. Those are rare qualities these days.”
A warm sensation spread throughout my body when I heard Andrew’s words. He knew how to make me feel good. He’d always been a dependable source of compliments throughout most of my life.
“Well, thank you for that. I appreciate it,” I said, feeling my cheeks heat up.
Andrew smiled. “My pleasure. That’s what friends are for, right? To pick each other up and help one another out in times of need.”
I nodded and looked around the room at all of the guests. Everyone seemed to be having a great time and enjoying themselves. The DJ played mostly 80s and 90s music. The majority of it was from my early childhood or before, but I still knew most of the songs.
Soon enough, a slow song filled the air and couples abruptly flooded onto the dance floor from their wallflower positions. Andrew gazed at me inquisitively, seemingly ready to make a proposition.
“Hey Martin—would you like to dance?” he asked.
Surprised by his question, I replied hesitantly, “To be honest, I’ve never slow-danced with a guy at a wedding before.”
He flashed a mischievous smile as he replied confidently. “Well then, this is our lucky day. Come on—let’s give it a go.”
He didn’t leave me a choice. I unwound my slim, lanky frame from the chair where I sat. Andrew joined me, and he wrapped his arms around my waist while he gazed into my eyes.
We moved slowly around the floor, and his eyes never left mine. The way he looked at me was simultaneously intense and comforting. I felt safe with him as if I could do or say almost anything. He usually understood what I’d been through. Growing up on Garfield Island like me, we shared so many similar experiences.
Andrew pulled me closer and our bodies moved in sync like they had done a thousand times before in different contexts—on playgrounds, on the bleachers at high school basketball games, even at the old movie theater, now gone, where we’d sneak in the back door to see horror movies.
As the song came to an end, I felt a pang of disappointment. But to my surprise, the DJ played another slow tune and Andrew smiled at me.
"One more?" he asked.
“Of course, I’m loving it.”
The air between us suddenly felt different—charged with electricity like lightning before a thunderstorm. I tried to deny it, to push it away, but the connection lingered there in the air like a ghost that could only be felt but not seen.
I knew Andrew sensed it too because his grip became just a bit tighter as we moved across the floor.
I let my mind race with possibilities of what could have happened if things were different—if circumstances weren’t so complicated, or if timing wasn’t such an issue. Or if—then reality crashed back down on me like a wave on the sand, and I shook myself out of the moment and remembered why such thoughts were impossible. It wouldn't be fair to either of us to risk our friendship by sharing everything and braving true intimacy.
But even as I tried to shake myself out of the moment, I couldn't ignore the fact that Andrew's grip had become just a bit tighter—when he looked at me, his eyes searching for signs of reciprocation in mine. We moved across the dance floor like two magnets drawn together by an irresistible force.
The desire to bridge the gap hung thickly in the air. And yet, we both held back, knowing that giving into the temptation could lead us down a bad path and dash years of goodwill on the rocks.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn’t noticed Gretchen and Blake dancing near us. Andrew looked at them, too. They slowly rotated as a couple until Blake had a direct shot to look at me. When he did, my stomach flipped. I didn’t know why he’d want to watch me.
“Do you still think there’s something up with Blake?” I asked Andrew.
“I don’t know, but he’s different. Just now, he was looking at you again.”
“Yes, I caught that,” I said. “It’s not like he wants me. It’s more like there’s something about me that he wants to know or keep an eye on.”
“I suggest that you not spend too much time thinking about it,” Andrew said. “Maybe he’s just a quirky guy. He’s not from the island, but maybe he’s curious about those of us who are.”
As the song ended, Andrew and I found our way back to our seats. I drank the last sip of champagne from my glass and scanned the room once more. Blake was nowhere to be seen. Gretchen was talking with Marco. They both waved their hands around animatedly. I wondered where Blake disappeared to, but the thought quickly passed as I got lost in conversation with Andrew once more.
The rest of the night was a blur of laughter, dancing, and good food. As the reception began to wind down, Andrew and I said our goodbyes to the bride and groom and made our way outside. The cool night air was a welcome relief after the stuffy reception hall.
“Hey, do you want to grab a drink at Rabbit Run down the street?” Andrew asked. He pointed at an old-fashioned neon sign about a hundred yards away.
I was already out later than usual, but I’d planned ahead and decided to take the day after the wedding off. “Sure, sounds good,” I said, and I fell into step beside my old friend.
We walked in comfortable silence and enjoyed the quiet of the night. When we arrived at the bar, we took seats at the counter and ordered a round of drinks. The low lighting and the soft murmur of conversation around us relaxed me. We were already past the peak hours of the evening.
Just minutes after we arrived, Blake appeared and took a seat a few stools down from us.
“Hey, fancy seeing you guys here,” he said with a smirk on his lips.
“Blake,” Andrew said. He nodded his head in greeting.
“Martin,” Blake said as he turned to me. “Did you enjoy the wedding?”
“It was great.” I took a sip of my drink. “How about you?”
“It was alright,” he said as he shrugged his shoulders. “I guess it’s not really my scene. I’d make a piss poor wedding crasher.”
I chuckled at his comment and felt a little buzz from my beer piled on top of the champagne from the reception. “Well, you didn’t seem like you were crashing the wedding. You blended in pretty well—like you’ve been on the island for years.”
Blake raised an eyebrow. “Oh, did I now? Maybe I just have a talent for blending in.”
Andrew cleared his throat. He sensed the rising tension. “So Blake, what brings you to Rabbit Run tonight?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Just looking for a good drink and some company.”
I was more than a little suspicious of his sudden appearance. It was almost as if he were following us. Then again, Rabbit Run was a popular spot on the island—the only official bar. Maybe it was just a coincidence.
We continued chatting for a while. We sipped our drinks and exchanged stories. But I couldn’t completely shake the feeling that something was off about Blake. There was a darkness in his eyes that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.
Just as I was about to ask him what he was really doing there, a familiar voice interrupted us.
“Blake, here you are.”
Gretchen was pleased to find him. From behind, she gave Andrew and me hugs in turn.
“Well, good to have our little conversation,” Blake said. “I think I’m being called to leave this cheerful gathering.”
He stood and hugged Gretchen tightly, sweeping his fingers through her long red hair. “I’m glad you had a great time at the wedding. Now, we’re off for our nightcap,” she said.
I picked at the label on my beer bottle as they walked away. “I guess it’s all good—you know, Gretchen and Blake,” Andrew said as he looked at me.
“I hope so.”
We chatted for a few more minutes before Andrew decided to call it a night. “I’m leading a training session in the morning, and I need at least five hours of sleep,” he said with a chuckle.
