Page 12

Chapter Twelve

Once Bryce was off to school and Sharon away for her secret romantic weekend, Molly felt edgy. She could go and do whatever she wanted with ease, thanks to Miles loaning her his car, but she was afraid of going out on her own.

On a normal Valentine’s Day she would be at the shop, selling roses in every way, shape and form to ensure romance prevailed.

Nina had stopped by last night, with her baby girl and a plate of cookies, just to check in on them. The thoughtfulness was one of the best perks about the job and life here. Other neighbors stopped by regularly with something for Bryce and a reminder they could help as needed. Molly poured herself a cup of coffee and heated a slice of strudel in the microwave as she debated what to wear on her upcoming date. She’d told Bryce they were spending time with Miles tonight and instantly regretted it as he asked a thousand questions she couldn’t answer.

Surely her day would go faster if she’d been able to be at work, but Nina insisted it was too soon. She was probably right. They’d agreed on next week, though Nina compromised to let Molly come in for some training time with Hailey tomorrow afternoon and over the weekend while Boone watched Bryce. She was looking forward to the opportunity almost as much as she was looking forward to her date.

Could she call it that with a five-year-old in tow?

Ugh. She needed a distraction. Her thoughts were spinning out of control with the custody battle that might be fake, the date that might be real, and everything in between.

Last night, during Nina’s visit, she’d held Addison, gently swaying in an automatic response to having an infant in her arms. Molly had been startled by the strong jolt of longing for another baby of her own. Before she knew it, she was staring into space imagining a little boy with Miles’s warm brown eyes and a ballcap covering his hair, holding hands with Bryce.

It was enough to put an ache in her heart. She was letting her feelings run away with her way too soon. She’d seen plenty of babies since becoming a mother and not once had she felt these urges.

Lousy timing. What kind of future could she possibly have with Miles? Even assuming this custody problem blew over and she wouldn’t have to find a way to share Bryce with the Graingers, what could she bring to a relationship? He’d been places, done things. He owned a local business and was becoming an integral part of the community.

Miles was established and in control of his life, while she continued to live with her aunt and lean on her support.

“And if Sharon heard me now, she’d scold me for sure,” Molly said aloud. Because she really was doing fine. Needing Sharon didn’t make her weak. She would never say that to a friend in the same situation.

Sending Miles a text, she asked how she and Bryce should dress tonight. Then she only had more concerns when he told her they would need warm gear. Apparently, an outdoor picnic was on the agenda .

February wasn’t her idea of picnic weather, so she appreciated the warning. And when Miles knocked on the door precisely at five, she had coats at the ready for both her and her son.

Inviting Miles in, she gave Bryce a head start on the constant stream of questions while he wriggled into his coat.

“Where are we going?” he asked, his gaze shifting between the two adults.

“I have a special surprise.” Miles took a knee and zipped up Bryce’s coat. “I know you and your family were going to Parker’s the night of the accident.”

“Momma says we get to go back.” Bryce looked up at her. “When are we going?”

“When Aunt Sharon gets home.”

He sighed.

“Or we could go tonight. Unless that’s too much Parkers?”

“Never!” Bryce’s shout ended in something that sounded more like a howl.

Molly laughed. “I warned you.”

“Your mom knows you pretty well,” Miles said. Holding out his hand to Bryce, he asked, “Do you want to come on a Parker’s picnic with me and your mom?”

“What’s a Parker’s picnic?”

“Kind of like eating out on their patio, but even more special.”

Bryce hopped up and down. “Yes, yes, yes!” He reached back and grabbed Molly’s hand. “Come on!”

She grabbed their gloves and stuffed them in her pockets, locking the door as Miles scooped up Bryce and carried him to the car. When Bryce was buckled in, Miles turned and kissed her on the cheek. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

She felt the heat rise in her face. “To you too. ”

“Joey said Valentine’s isn’t for kids,” Bryce announced when they were on the way out of the neighborhood.

“You exchanged valentine’s at school.” Molly and Sharon had supervised the project as he made cards for his classmates.

“It’s not the same,” Bryce said. “When I told him you and me and Miles had a Valentine plan, he said I was wrong cuz Valentine’s is for grown-ups.”

Her son sounded angry. It wasn’t the first time Bryce had complained about Joey, though the boys were generally on good terms.

Before she could redirect him, Miles asked, “What did you tell him?”

“Nothing. I remembered what you said.”

Molly started to ask, but caught herself as Bryce continued.

“He can be wrong in his own head and I can be right in mine. I know you wouldn’t lie to me, even when you called it a surprise.”

“Think Joey’s jealous?” Miles asked.

“Huh-uh. He thinks Valentine’s is dumb and says it’s all about kissing. He doesn’t want to kiss anybody like his big sister wants to kiss her boyfriend.”

Molly knew Joey’s big sister was all of thirteen going on thirty. Based on the expression on Miles’s face, he had the same information.

“Are you gonna kiss Momma tonight on this picnic?”

She could see Miles and Bryce having an exchange in the rearview mirror. “Would that be a problem for you?” he asked.

Not wanting to be left out of this, she twisted around in her seat.

“I guess not,” Bryce replied. “It means you like her, right?”

Miles reached over and caught Molly’s hand. “That’s right.”

“And you like Miles, right Momma? ”

“Yes.” Though she fought against a laugh, she turned her hand over and laced her fingers with his. Maybe there was hope for something real after all.

She couldn’t dwell on it as they reached Parker’s. Her curiosity equaled her son’s as Miles walked them down the boardwalk, away from the restaurant. She hoped he would turn toward the green space where they set up the cornhole games for folks waiting to be seated.

He didn’t. It was like walking into her worst nightmare when he turned toward the area where guests could arrive by boat through the marsh creeks. Her nerves reached a new high when she spotted a familiar vessel tethered to the dock.

“That’s the boat you’ve been working on.” She couldn’t keep the accusation out of her voice.

“It is. All cleaned up,” he confirmed. “She passed her first water test.”

“We’re going sailing? Is that the surprise?” Bryce’s head swiveled back and forth between them. “Come on, Mom!”

Molly locked down every urge to run away. She could not reveal her fear to Bryce. She didn’t want to spoil his love of the water, or ruin his excitement for the picnic. No matter how much it terrified her.

She looked at Miles, well aware that her sense of betrayal was obvious. Why had he chosen tonight to push her? Her fantasy that some grand romance might come of this disappeared in a blink.

“Kind of,” Miles said to Bryce. “Slow down and listen to me.”

To her shock, Bryce went utterly still, his attention fixed on Miles. “Sir?”

“We’re putting on life jackets because?—”

“We’re near the water,” Bryce finished. “Safety first.”

“Yes, exactly.” He caught Molly’s gaze. “I’m only letting the line out a little bit. We won’t actually be sailing. ”

“Why not?” Bryce asked while Molly silently rejoiced.

“Because I haven’t taken her for a real test yet,” Miles explained. “But I thought it would be fun to have our picnic out here in the marsh. We can watch the stars come out and eat all the hush puppies your tummy can handle.”

Bryce patted his stomach. “My tummy can handle a lot.”

Molly wasn’t sure her tummy could handle a single hushpuppy right now. Her loyalties were divided between making her son deliriously happy and making herself utterly miserable.

Of course, Bryce’s joy won out.

With life jackets on, Miles stepped down into the boat first. Molly held her breath as he helped Bryce. Once the boy was seated, he turned back and reached up to Molly.

“Trust me,” he whispered.

She did, damn him. Gripping his hand, she let him steady her as she stepped on board. The boat was remarkably stable under her feet as she settled next to Bryce. Miles slowly let out the line and they glided seamlessly away from the dock.

“Still tethered,” he said.

She only nodded, afraid her voice would reveal her stress to her son. Instead she focused on the sounds drifting around them, the soft changing sky as the sun set. She could hear more of the marsh at dusk—birds, insects, and frogs—than the busy hum of the busy restaurant a few hundred yards away.

Miles flipped a switch and suddenly the rail and rigging sparkled. It was like sitting inside a constellation. The beauty of it made it easier to breathe.

“That’s cool!” Bryce pumped his fist in the air. “How did you do that?”

“I’ll show you sometime,” Miles said. “How about you come over here and help me unpack our picnic?”

Bryce scampered over to the insulated bags and coolers, leaving Molly to watch in awe. The slight rocking of the boat didn’t bother him in the least. Her nerves settled down knowing the line was secure and she was in the company of apparently two competent sailors. Soon, she was almost as relaxed as they were and able to enjoy the hushpuppies and the rest of the meal.

“This is awesome,” she admitted as they ate, finally echoing her son’s earlier enthusiasm.

“Glad you approve.”

She smiled, sheepish. “I’m sorry I didn’t at first.”

“No problem,” he murmured. “Thanks for giving me a chance.”

She started to reply, thinking again about limits and bad timing, but Bryce interrupted. “What’s for dessert?”

“Key lime squares. Check the cooler,” Miles urged.

Bryce passed out the treats for all three of them and when they finished, Miles pulled out a tablet, so Bryce could search the sky for constellations as the stars came out.

“Wow.” Molly was impressed. “You know how to entertain and distract my son.”

Miles sat back on the bench and pulled her closer to his side. “Thought maybe I could get in a kiss or two while he wasn’t looking.”

“That’s a very grown up Valentine’s Day idea.”

“I thought so.” His lips brushed lightly over hers and his smile was nothing short of triumphant. “You still like me enough to kiss me back.”

“Mm-hm.” She curled a little closer. Her thigh pressing along the length and strength of his. “You thought I’d be mad.”

He grinned. “You weren’t happy. Thanks for trusting me anyway.”

It was scary how much she trusted him. She was out here on a boat with her son. Having dinner and more intimacy than she expected to have before Bryce went to college. Even thinking it, she recognized the small box she’d put herself in. Miles made her want to stretch her wings. The last time she’d been this exhilarated about anything was landing the job at Island Bloomers.

“Were you just taking advantage of the fact that I wouldn’t give into the fear in front of Bryce?”

“No. It wasn’t that.” His fingers drifted over her shoulder. “I wanted you to see his confidence.”

Definitely a gift only Miles could’ve given her. “It’s impressive, thanks to you.”

“Ninety percent of his confidence here is because of you,” Miles corrected her. “It has nothing to do with boats or questions or safety talks and everything to do with how he’s been raised.”

“Thank you,” she murmured, feeling shy. His words warmed her more than the hot meal and snuggling close.

Bryce scooted closer, asking Miles about the image on the tablet and comparing it to the sky overhead. “Do I have to go to school tomorrow?”

“Yes,” Molly said without hesitation. “But you get to have all the fun you want here until it’s time to go home.”

“When is that?”

“Do you want to go now?” she asked. She heard the weariness in his voice. Fresh air wore him out faster than indoor activities.

“No.”

“Then keep on enjoying yourself. I’ll watch the clock for bedtime.”

“Okay.”

The three of them continued to talk about stars and Miles surprised her when he shared a few entertaining legends about certain constellations.

“He’s asleep,” Molly whispered. “You’ve got a knack for stories.” Glancing at the tablet, she saw it was still a good hour before the normal bedtime routine began. “This was a perfect evening, Miles.”

“You’re not seasick?”

Lovesick might be more accurate, but she wasn’t about to admit that. “No. I’m not making any promises for when we actually go sailing though.”

“Noted.” He feathered a kiss over her cheek. “We’ll take it easy on you, I promise.”

She’d believe that when she saw it. The man was amazing, but he couldn’t control the ocean. “I think Bryce would be content if it was just you two and Sharon,” she ventured.

“Sure, we’ll do that too.” He tilted her chin to look into her eyes. “But I don’t think I would be. I own a sailing school, Molly. It’s a bad look if my girlfriend won’t sail with me.”

“Hmm. This escalated quickly.” She tried to laugh it off, but his gaze was deep and serious. “You mean it? You want to put a label on this and make it official?” Butterflies soared through her stomach, but it had nothing to do with the boat or the water. It was all happiness about the possibility with Miles.

He nuzzled her neck. “Are you opposed to being known—officially—as my girlfriend?”

Anticipation shivered over her skin. “Not if you’re ready to bear the brunt of being my boyfriend. The role could prove risky.” Especially right now. She’d have to talk with Mr. Devaney, but she didn’t want to hide anything either. And there was nothing wrong or improper about the time she spent with Miles.

“Molly, I’ve been ready to be your boyfriend for some time. There’s no risk that isn’t worth the reward.”

She eased away from his embrace, studying his features in the soft glow of the lights. “You really mean that.”

His shoulders tensed. “I’m not the kind of guy who blows smoke. ”

“No, of course not.” She hadn’t meant to offend him. “I haven’t thought of myself as anything other than a mom and florist for a long time.” Those butterflies started another round of aerial maneuvers, but she owed him the truth. “I like you. A lot. And I’ve wished we were more than friends through Bryce.”

“Good—”

She pressed a hand to his chest. “But I’m scared too. I honestly have no idea if I’m any good at romance. Sharon and Bryce are the best relationships in my life.”

“What about Nina?” he reminded her. “You must have other friends too. You’ve gone on the girl-weekends.”

“I’ve never stayed overnight.”

He looked at her, perplexed. “Sharon must’ve offered to watch Bryce.”

“She did.” Why was she pointing out all her weaknesses and failings? Was this just her inexperience with the whole dating thing?

“You’re not a burden to anyone, Molly,” Miles continued. Although his voice was soft in deference to her dozing son, his sincerity came through loud and clear. His thumb stroked her palm and a gentle heat pulsed through her system. “Why don’t we sort out the romantic part together? Isn’t that what dating is all about?”

“You’re asking a woman with zero dating experience. My first serious romance was with a loser wannabe con man. Though, I got the best little boy out of the deal.” She shifted to him. “What does romance mean to you?”

He scrubbed at his jaw. “Admittedly, I don’t have a great track record or a ton of dating experience.”

“Oh, come on.” She wouldn’t let him defer. “I see the way women look at you in town.”

“But do you ever hear about me dating anyone?”

“Well no. I just assumed…” She shook her head. “I as sumed you were like Nina, keeping your romances out of town and away from the island grapevine.”

“A pretty smart move on her part,” he said. He held both of her hands and that simple touch warmed her all over. “You should know I was raised in this area. All over the Lowcountry.”

She waited, holding back her questions.

He closed his eyes briefly. “I was a foster kid. I couldn’t wait to age-out, get to college, see some other part of the country. So I went away to college and never planned to return. But then… Some things didn’t go my way. Professionally,” he emphasized. “At that point, Brookwell was a safe, easy place to hit the restart button.”

“And you didn’t date anyone in college or while you were doing professional things elsewhere?” she challenged.

“I did. But I wasn’t much good at it.” A shadow of pain moved through his gaze and she shivered in sympathy. “I didn’t have great examples growing up. I wasn’t good at trusting anyone. Took me ages to trust myself.”

“Sometimes where we come from really gets in our heads,” she murmured. “My parents were impossible perfectionists.” It was the safest example she could offer. “I’ve tried hard to do better for Bryce.”

He chuckled. “You are doing better for Bryce.”

Accepting his praise wasn’t easy. “You always sound so confident when you say things like that.”

“Molly.” He squeezed her hands. “You’re sitting on a boat for your son. I’m not sure a more supportive mother exists.”

Restless, not entirely comfortable, she suggested they get Bryce home to bed.

Miles agreed. “We can do that.” He looked up at the stars. “One question first. Will you let me romance you?”

“I’m not sure what that entails, but I’ll do my best.” She silently vowed to romance him right back .

“First and foremost, tell me if I’m doing something that makes you uncomfortable.”

“Like making me get on a sailboat for dinner?”

“Yes. But you’ve had fun.”

“I have. Thank you.” She cupped his jaw, ridiculously excited that she got to feel the rough stubble of his whiskers against her palms. It felt so intimate. So close. She never expected to have such privileged access to Miles, of all people. “This family dinner date was wildly romantic in my book.” She brought his mouth to hers for one more lingering kiss. When her pulse was pounding, her control ready to snap, she pulled back. “Next time, we can do something on land.”

“Absolutely.”