Page 16
Chapter Sixteen
Molly was surprised to see Sharon’s car in the driveway when she got home. Bryce charged through the front door shouting her name, while Molly followed, toting her purse and his bookbag.
She caught up to them in the kitchen, where Bryce regaled Sharon with everything about Miles’s home at top volume. “He had Oreos and I got a whole stack.”
“That’s awesome,” Sharon gushed. “I guess you don’t have room for any of these oatmeal raisin cookies I just baked.”
“He really doesn’t,” Molly said. “Not until after dinner,” she added, cutting off his immediate protest.
“When’s dinner?”
“A little bit yet,” she said. “Do you want to play outside on the porch or watch a show?”
“Not the water table?” he asked, testing the limits.
“I’m not setting up the water table,” Molly said. “The weather isn’t quite warm enough.”
“Soon?”
“Soon,” she agreed. With his fascination for boats, she and Sharon had purchased the water table for him last summer. It was an outdoor toy for obvious reasons, but also a warm weather toy. As nice as their weather usually was, February was not ideal water table time.
Appeased, he opted for the family room to watch a show instead.
“Everything go okay with your date?” Molly asked.
“It was eventful and lovely.”
“Are you blushing?”
Sharon pressed her hands to her cheeks. “Probably.” She sank down on one of the counter stools. “He was so romantic. And only a little pushy.”
“Pushy does not sound romantic,” Molly said gently.
“Says the niece who has a strapping new boyfriend.” She grinned. “Roxy called to let me know Miles was injured and you went to spring him from the clinic. So you’re officially a couple.”
It was Molly’s turn to blush. “Thanks to Knox. He told me about Miles and I went over. No biggie. Miles loaned me his car. Giving him a lift home was the least I could do.”
“What happened?” Sharon reached across the counter to hold her hand.
“Oh, please. Like I don’t recognize a diversion when I see one.”
“Tell me the story anyway,” Sharon ordered.
“One condition.”
Sharon flicked that away. “Yes, I’ll tell you about my romantically pushy man. Now spill the details about your date.”
Molly laughed. She didn’t spill all the details. Just the most important ones. It felt so good to share with the woman who was her dearest mentor and friend. And her biggest cheerleader. “He thought of everything, Aunt Sharon. Bryce had a great time. It was lovely. ”
“A picnic on a docked boat. What a clever man,” Sharon murmured.
“He knows his audience,” Molly allowed.
“What about the plan for him to stay over? How did he end up walking home last night?”
Molly went to the fridge and pulled out one of the meals Lila had delivered. “That’s on me. I felt so happy and safe.” She glanced around for Bryce. “And way too tempted.”
“You should give in to that temptation,” Sharon chided.
“One day.” Setting the pan in the oven to heat through, she asked, “Did you know that Miles lives on the marsh?”
“One of the old fish camp cabins, isn’t it?”
“It doesn’t look all that old or fishy now. How did I not know this?”
“Honestly? Because you’ve put your head in the sand and kept it there. Especially when it comes to Miles. I think it was ten years ago—maybe more—when the Parkers chose to renovate rather than tear down that last cabin. Rumor has it Miles bought it rather than rent.”
Molly digested that. The house and land had to be among the most expensive on the island. “He has one of your paintings in his kitchen.”
The smug look dropped from Sharon’s face. “No kidding?” A smile bloomed. “That makes me so happy.”
“I told him you’d say that.”
“I assume the house is nice?”
“More like gorgeous,” Molly reported. “Furnishings are a little sparse.”
“He’s a single man.” Sharon shrugged as if that explained it all. “One with good taste as evidenced by the painting. Now tell me how he wound up in the clinic?”
She checked for Bryce once more. “Someone jumped him while he was walking home after our date.” She dropped her head. “I should’ve let him stay. ”
“Yes, but because that was the plan, not because of the trouble. You can’t blame yourself.”
“Can’t I?” She lowered her voice even more. “What if it’s all part of this custody thing?”
Sharon frowned. “Is that possible?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’m just worried.” About Bryce, Sharon, and Miles too.
“I’d be lying if I said you shouldn’t be. Between the pictures and the rest.” She drummed her fingers on the countertop. “Maybe you and Bryce should get away for a bit.”
“Where would we go? Back to Tampa?” She couldn’t stomach the idea. “Mr. Devaney says the custody case isn’t even on the judge’s calendar.”
“My, um, friend in North Carolina has some property. You could take a break. Recover. You and Miles and Bryce.”
“And give the Graingers something to latch onto. No way.” She covered Sharon’s hand with her own. “But thank you.”
She glanced down when her phone chimed with an incoming text. She tapped the icon and then smiled. Turning the phone, she shared the picture with Sharon. “Miles is calling this ‘proof of obedience’.” He was stretched out on the couch, an ice bag on his shoulder.
“Oh, goodness. He looks rough around the edges.”
“I imagine he’s pretty sore,” Molly agreed.
“Hopefully the police will find the person responsible soon,” Sharon said.
Molly had the same hopes.
“You’re sure you won’t go?”
She shook her head. “We have support here. All three of us. And running feels wrong.” She wouldn’t do anything to upset the advantage Mr. Devaney claimed she had.
“Well, okay. I’ll never tell you to ignore your intuition.”