Page 20

Six months later, August

Seated in the Tea Room at the Inn, Molly and Sharon were alone at a table set for four. Any minute now Bryce’s grandparents, Thomas and Anne Grainger would arrive.

Molly fidgeted in her seat, feeling like a little kid instead of the mother she was. Wife and mother, in case anyone was keeping score.

Five months married, with a father for her son. A father Bryce absolutely adored. They lived in a beautiful home on the marsh and she was happier than she had ever dreamed she could be.

So why did she feel inadequate in the extreme, right now?

Sharon eyed her from across the table. “You’re worrying for no reason.”

“No reason?” Molly echoed, incredulous. She had plenty of reasons. “They paid a private investigator to steal my son.”

“No,” Sharon corrected, her voice firm. “You’ve seen the file the Guardian Agency research team compiled. Be fair.”

“You’re right.” As usual. Still, they’d come after her little boy.

Jess had shared every detail with Molly and Sharon. Everything except the Graingers private banking information.

Molly had read the full report several times. The Graingers had been raked over the coals by Clinton. They’d paid him thousands and thousands of dollars only to be strung along, tortured emotionally, with nothing to show for it but more misplaced guilt.

“They paid a scam artist to rescue their only grandson from a terrible situation.” Sharon reminded her quietly. “They’re hurting.”

“Right.” Molly hadn’t quite reached the same point of empathy. She tried and tried to see it from their perspective over the past several months. Once in a while, with Miles holding her hand or when Bryce was sound asleep, she could almost forgive them for the upheaval they caused.

Would it really have been so difficult to come to Brookwell themselves, to assess the situation with their own eyes, before writing a check to a stranger who claimed she was an awful mother?

As if Sharon could read her mind, she reached over and patted Molly’s hand. “You’re a wonderful mother. That’s why we’re sitting here, ready to grill them before we consider introducing Bryce.”

“You were mad too.” Molly sniffed.

“Of course. I’m still mad at that useless Clinton. “But there’s so much to be happy about and if this opens new relationships for Bryce, isn’t that a good thing?”

It wasn’t as if her own parents would ever come around to welcome her back in the fold. The Graingers might be his only chance to have a normal grandparent-grandchild relationship. Assuming they proved themselves worthy enough to her .

“Keep an open mind darling,” Sharon said under her breath. “Here they are.”

Molly followed her gaze, surprised to see Trina Bollani, the Inn manager, leading the older couple to the table. Molly figured that kind of treatment was normal for a wealthy couple like Thomas and Anne.

Of course, technically, she was one half of a wealthy couple herself now, thanks to Miles and his brilliant development in college. And the investments he’d made since. The realization overwhelmed her and gave her pause.

“Enjoy your tea,” Trina said, moving away.

The Graingers looked from Sharon to Molly. Anne made no effort to hide her disappointment. “Where is Bryce?”

Thomas tsked at her. “Where are your manners?” he asked in a stage whisper.

Immediately her demeanor softened. “He’s right. My apologies.” She introduced herself.

Molly didn’t remind her that they’d met once before. She was overcome by a familiarity she should’ve expected. Her son’s features were a soft echo of Thomas’s chin and Anne’s eyes. Having him all to herself his whole life, she tended to see only the parts of him that matched her. Of course he was a blend of both sides of his family tree.

“When we finally heard the whole story all I could think was that our grandson isn’t even real. I’ve been desperate to see him.”

Sharon snorted. “He’s real. Please sit down.” Thomas helped seat his wife and then the four of them were settled.

“Molly, thank you for giving permission to the Guardian Agency to share information about Bryce,” Thomas said. “We’ve loved all the photos.”

“And we feel dreadful for everything we missed out on,” Anne interjected. “I’m so sorry I chased you away. I was hurting and in denial about what my son was up to.”

“We had more in common than we realized that day,” Molly said.

Thomas addressed Sharon as the tea tray arrived. “Thank you for opening your home to Molly and Bryce. I’m not sure it’s something we could have managed. Even if we had known all the details at the time.”

“Sharon is a unique and wonderful person,” Molly said. “She’s been a light through my entire life.”

Anne frowned. “Your parents wrote you off?”

“That’s a polite way to put it,” Molly allowed.

“Please, understand. I’m not throwing stones,” Anne clarified quickly. “We’d pretty much given up on Tommy ourselves.”

“He let you down.” Molly stared at the tea in her cup. “I was estranged from my parents long before they kicked me out for getting pregnant.”

Molly didn’t want to like Anne. A hard knot in her heart wanted to hold tight to the bitterness. But she’d only known them through Tommy’s skewed perspective and that one dreadful day. As the four of them talked, she kept forgetting she wanted to keep them far from her life.

No, Anne and Thomas hadn’t done anything right that day she’d gone to their house. But like her, they’d been hurting, in shock, and desperate for answers.

Molly had faced plenty of challenges already as a parent, and she knew more challenges would come as Bryce grew. Teenagers were notoriously unpredictable. Both she and Tommy were evidence of that.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t a better influence on Tommy,” she blurted, interrupting the flow of the conversation Sharon was carrying. “You didn’t have any reason not to believe Clinton.”

“That’s just not true,” Thomas declared. “We didn’t know you. We didn’t approve of what our son was doing. Didn’t even like him much,” Thomas confessed. “We were already biased and skeptical of anyone associating with him.”

“That’s fair,” Sharon said. “And not an easy thing to admit.”

“Thomas and I agreed to be brutally honest here today, even if it made us look bad,” Anne explained. She grimaced. “As if getting scammed, didn’t make us look terrible already.”

“We were all burned by Clinton. Or nearly so,” Sharon sympathized.

Molly agreed.

Though the connections between the four of them were new and fragile, she could see what she hoped was genuine potential. And yet, they were here for a reason. It was on her to get to the delicate point of this discussion.

“I hate to ask, but I need to hear the words.” Molly lifted her chin and held Anne’s gaze. “Are you seeking custody of Bryce?”

“No.” Anne said immediately. She caught Thomas’s hand. “It’s clear—from the real pictures—just how happy and healthy he is here with you. You’ve done a remarkable job on your own.”

“I’ve had plenty of support,” Molly clarified. “Not just Sharon, but the town. Especially my new husband, Miles.”

“Your wedding pictures were beautiful,” Anne said, her eyes bright with emotion.

Thomas squeezed his wife’s hand. “We don’t want custody. We just want to be part of his life. If you’ll allow it.”

“Part of the family.” Anne sniffled. “If we can get to that point.”

Sharon cast a look at Molly. It was easy to read the thoughts in her eyes. This was Molly’s decision alone.

“We’ve set up a college fund already,” Anne said. “It’s presumptuous I know, but college won’t get any cheaper. Of course, you can use it as you see fit. The money is for Bryce regardless of your decision about today or the future.”

She’d been bowled over when Miles had finally explained his financial status. At this rate they would have college funds for three or four kids. Which could come in handy if and when their family grew.

“That’s, um, very generous. Thank you.”

“Our attorneys drew it up in your name and your husband’s name,” Thomas added.

“Are you happy?” Anne queried. A smile bloomed across her face. “You must be. You look happy. And from the sound of things, Bryce is delighted with his father.”

“We are happy. All three of us.”

Anne blotted tears with her napkin. “I’m such a watering pot. But it’s incredible.” Another sniff. “The very idea of Tommy’s son being here. Being real. Having a good life.” She blinked rapidly and fanned her face.

“Whatever you decide?—”

Molly held up a hand, cutting off whatever Thomas had been about to say. “Sharon was my only family outside of the community. Miles was a foster kid. He and I found each other through Bryce. And we became a family.” She glanced to Sharon, saw that she and her aunt were on the same page. “A family of four.”

“And we’d love to be a family of six,” Sharon said. “I know Molly will want to be cautious at first.”

“And rightly so,” Thomas said. Anne was nodding along enthusiastically. “We do understand. Especially after what happened.”

“We will definitely let Bryce set the pace for getting to know him,” Anne vowed.

“That’s very thoughtful,” Molly said. “I have a few more questions before we introduce you to Bryce.”

“Anything.” Anne smiled. “Ask away. ”

“How do you feel about sailing?”

“Oh! We both love to sail,” Anne replied.

Sharon smothered a laugh behind her napkin. “Bryce will be delighted.”

“Mm-hm.” Maybe she should be relieved her son came by sailing genetically. “Possibly more important than sailing, because boats are everything to Bryce these days, how good are you at fielding questions?”

Thomas lifted a single eyebrow. “I’d say we’re handling this interview pretty well.”

Molly grinned at him. He had no idea what he was in for as soon as they met Bryce. “Lucky for you, I’m not five years old. Bryce is in his constant-question era. Sharon and I aren’t sure he will ever grow out of it. There are times when I have to tell him to hold a question for an hour or even till the next day.”

“I think that’s lovely,” Anne gushed. “He clearly wants to learn.”

“About everything and everyone,” Sharon said. “Which brings me to an important detail. How are we going to introduce you?”

“What did you tell Bryce about Tommy,” Anne queried.

“Nothing yet,” Molly admitted. “I’ve kept the answers simple when he has asked about his dad. I told him his dad loved him but he couldn’t be with us. He knows Miles is a stepfather, as much as he can understand that concept, right now. Miles is the only man Bryce has ever called Daddy.

“Will that be upsetting for you?”

“Of course not,” Thomas replied. “Sounds like you’ve taken a sensible approach.”

“Thinking optimistically,” Anne ventured. “I would love it if he called us his grandparents. That’s who we are. That’s the role we want to fill in his life. Would it be so awful if he thought of us as an extension of the father he never knew? I would never paint Tommy as a saint. But I don’t want to paint him out of Bryce’s life entirely either.

Her answer resonated deep in Molly’s heart. “I understand that,” she said. “And I respect it. We’ll just have to agree to find our way step by step.”

“Yes please. We’ll let Bryce’s curiosity lead the way.” Anne sipped her tea.

Sharon leaned over. “Molly, why don’t you let them know we’re coming?”

“Do you mean it?” Anne’s tea cup clattered against the saucer.

Sharon and Molly exchanged another speaking look. “Of course we do.”

“I didn’t realize how much Bryce resembles you,” Sharon said, as Molly texted Miles. “I’m sure the two of you saw it in the photos.”

“All I saw was Tommy,” Anne admitted. “I brought a few photos for you. Childhood pictures of Tommy. Just in case Bryce wants them someday.” She pulled an envelope from her purse. “Tommy got hooked into the wrong crowd, but as a little boy he really was bright and fun and happy.”

“Our stiff expectations didn’t help much,” Thomas added, regret weighing his words. “And we’re not here to try and make up anything or get a second chance at parenting. That’s your job. If we overstep, speak up.”

Molly chuckled and murmured assurances. Miles would definitely be designated to handle any conflicts. That had to be somewhere in the wedding vows.

The four of them left the Inn to meet Bryce and Miles down at the marina. It was Bryce’s happy place and with plenty of distractions and conversation starters, the pressure wouldn’t overwhelm anyone.

As she watched the introductions, Miles holding Bryce and her son going shy as the relationship was explained, Molly had a moment’s worry.

But that quickly passed when Thomas asked about one of the sunfish at the dock and Bryce suddenly shared everything he knew. He had Thomas by the hand, with Anne and Miles trailing behind them as he hurried closer to the dock.

Molly watched, frustration brewing in her heart.

“I thought you’d be happier,” Sharon murmured.

“I’m thrilled for them,” she said. “It’s just…” She had to stop and clear her throat. “There’s no way Mom or Dad could do this,” she snapped. “I don’t even want them to try. Not really.”

“There’s no shame in wishing.” Sharon slid her arm around Molly’s waist.

“I guess not.” She rested her head on Sharon’s shoulder. “Look at them. They’re delighted, all of them. There’s no way my parents could manage it.”

“Not a chance,” Sharon confirmed. “You aren’t considering reaching out?”

“Not a chance,” Molly echoed. She summoned a smile as Miles walked over.

“What are you two conspiring about now?” He brushed a kiss over her cheek.

“Nothing in particular.” Molly leaned into him. “They really are lovely. It went well?”

Miles nodded. “They’re going to be good for him.”

“You’re not unhappy?”

His brow flexed. “Are you kidding? They passed your inspection so I’m confident they’ll be wonderful additions to our family.”

She loved him all the more for including Sharon. Molly stifled a groan. “I can already hear Bryce talking about being a family of six.”

Sharon laughed and wandered down to join the fun.

“Six, huh?” Miles wiggled his eyebrows. “Do you think we’ll be increasing that number anytime soon?”

“I wouldn’t rule it out.”

His amusement fled. “Are you serious?”

“You could add three right off the bat.”

His face paled. “Three?” he breathed.

“Sure.” She sputtered, unable to keep the giggles under control. “Nina, Boone, and Addison.”

“You’re mean,” Miles accused. “Are you pregnant?” Miles pressed as they watched their son play with his grandparents and aunt.

“We’re certainly not doing anything to prevent it.” There were loads of tests out there that could give them an answer right away, but she wasn’t ready to take that step. Right now it was simply wonderful to watch her eccentric family bond. “They’re in love with him already.”

“I know how they feel.” Miles pulled her close, her back resting against his chest.

“We’ll face some tricky questions in the days ahead,” she said, thinking aloud.

“We knew that going in.” Miles brushed a kiss to her temple. “Staring now,” he murmured as Bryce came racing up from the dock. “Mom! Mom! Dad!”

“What is it?” Miles bent to scoop up his son.

“Mimi and Pop,” Bryce shouted. “We all three decided on it.” He put his hands on Miles’s face, holding tight as he looked into his dad’s eyes. “Pop is the tall one.”

“Got it.”

“Good to know,” Molly said, smiling as Thomas, Anne and Sharon returned.

Bryce released Miles. “Yeah. Mimi and Pop.” He pointed. “They’re gonna move here.”

“Really?” Miles turned his attention to the Graingers. “That’s cool. ”

Bryce scrambled down to the ground. “Uh-huh. Pop says he’s going to bring his boat and get a house and everything. And Mimi’s coming too. We’re going to sail every day.” He gave a big cheer.

“Except school days,” Molly reminded him.

Bryce frowned up at her. “Every summer day and break day,” he pressed.

All of the adults laughed.

“To clarify,” Thomas said, “we’re looking at property. Something like a second home for us. We don’t intend to get underfoot.”

Molly believed him. And she thought having them closer would be a lovely idea. The better to create those close family bonds she’d craved for so long.

“We’d love to have you on Brookwell anytime,” Sharon said. “That’s just the kind of place we are.”

“And the kind of family we want to become,” Miles added.

Happy tears tickled the back of her throat as Bryce let loose another wild cheer.

Even knowing they’d turn her into a sailor one day, Molly’s joy bloomed brighter than ever before.

Extend your stay on Brookwell Island with AN ISLAND DAY : Harper Ellington and her brother haven’t been to Brookwell Island since they were kids. Their day-trip plan for a friendly visit to scope out the competition goes awry when they bump into familiar faces in unexpected places, putting their hospitality expertise to the test.