Page 93 of Three Little Wishes

Willow imagined she’d blocked her. She was tempted to try texting Noah, but she wanted to wait until morning. She didn’t want to text him if they were on the road. She had a feeling they’d left Sunshine Bay almost right away.

August glanced at Willow. “Are you okay?”

“Not great, but it can’t get worse, right?” Why had she said that? Of course it could get worse.

August looked around the table and then back at her. “I talked to my dad. I know, you know.”

Willow had talked to Flynn earlier that afternoon. Shecouldn’t believe it had been mere hours ago. It felt like a lifetime. She and Noah had just gotten out of the shower when her phone rang. Noah had laughed at her reaction. She’d felt as if she’d been caught in the act by her father. It wasn’t the easiest conversation she’d ever had, but she was looking forward to getting to know Flynn. Even though she’d only spoken to him for an hour, she could understand how he’d been a calming presence in Cami’s life.

Willow returned her attention to August. “It must’ve come as a shock to you. Are you okay with it? Sorry. I’m sure you don’t want to have this conversation in front of a bunch of strangers.”

“It’s okay. I’m good with it,” he said, and grinned. “I figure now that you’re part of the family, you’ll have to take turns with me looking after Gramps.”

Willow laughed. “I have a feeling Amos plans on hanging out at the station twenty-four-seven, so I’ll have paid my dues in full and then some.”

“I should probably get going.” He glanced at Cami. “I’m sorry for what happened to you. If I talk to Riley, I’ll tell her you’re sorry. But she probably already knows that. It’ll just take her some time to admit it to herself.”

Carmen wagged a zucchini stick at him. “You’re a smart boy, a good boy, just like your father. Come, sit and eat.”

“Sure. I just have to make a call first.” He turned and walked to the other side of the restaurant.

“I love him!” Megan said. “Does he have an older brother?” Willow threw a zucchini stick at her. “What?”

“You promised you were going to do you for a year.”

“That’s what you said last fall, and look how that…” She stuffed a zucchini stick in her mouth.

August walked back to the table and held out his phone. “My dad wants to talk to you, Cami.”

When Cami hesitated, Carmen said, “Talk to him,cara.”

Cami nodded and took the phone from August. “Thank you,” she said, and got up from her chair, walking to the back door. She opened it and stepped onto the deck.

Carmen got up from her chair and patted August’s cheek. “Come make pizza with me.”

“I want to make pizza too,” Megan cried, and that’s how they all ended up in the kitchen, making pizza and singing, “That’s Amore.”

Cami joined them twenty minutes later. She seemed better after talking to Flynn, smiling and laughing a little, which was a good thing since the next knock on the door was the police.

“I’ll get it,” Sage said, and strode to the door, sighing when she realized they’d followed her. She opened the door, ushering the officer inside. “Everyone but Cami back to the table. We’ll take a seat over here.” Sage gestured at a table for four at the front of the restaurant and the officer followed her and Cami.

Everyone else walked back to the table. No one felt like eating as they listened to the low murmur of voices at the front of the restaurant. Carmen wrung her hands, and Bruno placed one of his over hers. “It was an accident. She’ll be fine,” he quietly assured her.

“This is a good thing, Nonna. It doesn’t matter what we tell Cami. She needs someone in a position of authority to tell her she’s not responsible.”

“Willow’s right,” her mother and Bruno agreed.

They talked among themselves in an attempt to distractCarmen. Thirty minutes later, they all went quiet at the sound of chairs moving, craning their necks to get a look at Cami.

Instead, they heard Sage say, “Seriously? He just grilled you for a half an hour, and you’re inviting him to eat with us?”

“He didn’t grill me, Sage. He was very kind. Please join us, Officer.”

“I appreciate the offer, ma’am, but I’m on duty,” he said as he walked to the door, and then he turned, his gaze moving over them. “I’ll be sending a copy of my report to Mr. Elliot. The investigation is officially closed. Nothing I’ve heard impacts the initial investigation’s findings. In fact, Ms. Monroe’s account confirms what we already knew. The crash involving William Bennett was an accident. Ms. Monroe didn’t cause his death, nor did she flee the scene of an accident or fail to give aid. She called 911 from the nearest pay phone, and Mr. Bennett died on impact.” He looked at Cami. “I hope that allows you to put this to rest.”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

“Have a good evening, folks.”

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