Page 31 of Honey Bee Library
“So what do you need from me?” One of the defining traits of our relationship was a mutual respect for privacy. If Liam didn’t want to tell me why Katie left, then I wasn’t going to push him. I knew he’d tell me when he was ready.
Liam sighed as he leaned back against the couch. “I just need a place to cool down for a few days. Figured this place would work.” He met my gaze. “Are you cool with that?”
I nodded. “Of course.” I grabbed a pen and a piece of paper from Willow’s desk. I jotted down the address of the house I was renting and handed it over to Liam. “Here’s where I’m staying. There’s a gate, but if you text me before you get there, I’ll let Nick know that you’re coming.”
Liam took the piece of paper from me. “Awesome.”
I returned to leaning against the desk. “I’m going to be working here most days, so you know where to find me if you need me.”
He folded the piece of paper before he pulled out his wallet and tucked it inside. “Cool.”
I paused, wanting to ask more about his situation with Frankie, but then decided against it. “Are you just going to hang around town?”
He glanced up at me as he returned his wallet to his pocket before settling back once more. “Yeah. I’m going to try to get some R&R in. Maybe write some music.” He paused. “There’s a cute little library here that seems perfect for inspiration.”
“Harmony Island is a good town for R&R.” If I wasn’t here to find my mother and deal with all the emotional ramifications of that, I would vacation in Harmony. It was a quintessential little beach town.
I spent the next few minutes asking Liam how things were going in Miami. We kept our conversation light, and I could visibly see him relax. When I glanced at my watch, I realized that the diner was about to open, so I stood and nodded toward the dining room.
“I gotta get out there,” I said as I crossed the room and opened the door.
Liam stood. “I should head out, too. I’m going to do some sightseeing.”
“Sounds good.”
He followed after me as I led him through the kitchen and out the back door. I told him that he was welcome to eat at the diner if he got hungry, and he nodded as he headed down the back steps.
When I got back to the dining room, I found Willow at the hostess stand, shuffling the menus I’d left out when Liam got here.
“Sorry,” I said as I approached her. “I was planning on taking care of those.”
She glanced over at me before she shook her head. “That’s okay. I’ve got it.”
Not sure what to do, I just stood there, watching her take care of my mess. When she was finished, she glanced over at me.
“Was that a friend?” she asked, flicking her gaze toward the kitchen before returning it to me.
“Liam. And, yes, he’s a friend from Miami.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Is he visiting?”
I nodded.
She dusted off her hands as she sidestepped me and made her way to the front doors. “Let’s open up.”
10
SABRINA
I felt much moreconfident walking into the library today then I’d felt yesterday. One day under my belt, and things were already easier. My life was looking up and I was so excited. Samuel could feel my energy this morning and was giggling while I fed and dressed him.
It broke my heart when I dropped him off at daycare, but Mindy, the daycare provider, was all smiles for my son as she scooped him up. It was easier leaving him when I knew the person caring for him adored him as much as I did.
“Morning,” I said to Isabelle, who was sitting at her desk in her office.
She glanced up from her computer and smiled. “Morning,” she replied as she turned her attention back to her screen and continued typing. “Just a second. Let me finish this thought.”
I nodded, leaning against the doorframe. I didn’t want to assume what she wanted me to do, so I was more than happy to wait for her instructions. The clicking sound of her typing filled the silence.
