Page 141 of Blood Moon

“That’s a strong vote of confidence in your talent.”

For the next fifteen minutes they chatted. Molly was avidly curious about her life in the city. No sooner would Beth answer a question than she was asked another.

During a pause, Beth changed the tenor of their conversation. “You endured a terrifying experience last night, Molly. I’m sorry it went so far before we got to you.”

“Dad told me that if it wasn’t for you figuring out thatit was that professor, he probably would never have seen me again.” Her lower lip trembled. John walked over and smoothed back one of her curls.

“Hey, stop thinking about what could have been. I do enough of that for both of us.”

Although tears still threatened, she gave him a shaky smile, then said to Beth, “Anyway, thank you.”

“I’m grateful we got there in time, although I don’t think Professor Wallace stood a chance against your dad and Mitch.”

Molly grinned at that, but it dissolved when her cell phone chirped, and she saw the text. “Ugh. Mom’s on her way, and she’s bringing the loser.”

“Do you want me to head them off and send them away?”

“And start a war? Thanks, Dad, but no. I’ll tell them my eyes are wonky and making me seasick. Something like that so they won’t stay long.”

Beth said, “I’ll say goodbye now and give you two some time alone.” She patted Molly’s arm. “It was lovely to meet you. I only wish the circumstances had been different. Take care of yourself. Good luck with the scholarship application.”

“Send good vibes,” Molly said.

“I promise to.” To John, she said, “I’ll be downstairs in the main lobby. Take your time.”

After that, he made several trips in and out of Molly’s room, fetching an extra blanket, getting her a cup of ice cream, going back for a ginger ale when the ice cream didn’t sitwell. Recognizing these errands as delay tactics, he poured the ginger ale over a cup of ice, then sat down on the edge of the bed and took Molly’s hand.

“For real, how are you doing?”

“Did the detective call you?”

“Derby? Yes. He’ll be here at nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”

“Do I have to talk to him about it?”

“Do you want to see the professor behind bars?”

Looking miserable, she said, “Of course.”

“Then, yes, you must tell Derby everything. But he’s a nice guy, and I’ll be right here with you.”

She turned her head toward the window where the blinds were only partially open. “When I start talking about it, I may lose it.”

“Doesn’t matter. They have Kleenex,” he said, pointing to the box on the nightstand. “You don’t have to be brave in front of me, Molly. I already know you’re brave. It’ll be rough, sure, but it’ll also be good for you to talk about it. Don’t keep it bottled up. I know what that does to a person. I know what it did to me. It eats you alive.”

“That’s what the hospital psychologist told me. She came by this afternoon.”

“I was told she would. I think it would be a good idea if you continued to see a therapist for a while.”

“That would probably be a good idea.”

He’d expected her to protest and was heartened by her agreeing to it so readily. “We’ll find someone you like and feel comfortable with.”

Seeming relieved that the matter had been addressedand settled, she gave him a sly look from beneath her lashes. “Beth is amazing.”

“Yeah, she’s smart. Gutsy. You should have seen her in action today. Laying it on thick with the professor. Shoving that car in gear and speeding off in reverse. Taking on the deputies who tried to keep her…” Realizing he was babbling, he stopped, looked at his watch, and overreacted when he saw the time. “I’d better get out of here before your mother and her intended arrive.”

“See?”