Page 86 of Dreaming at Seaside
“She’s okay, and she’s talking up a storm. They’re just monitoring her. I’m sure she’ll be released soon.”
“Oh, thank goodness. Can I bother you to just ask Caden Grant, the officer who’s with her, if he wants me to take his son back to my place? I hate to leave him here.” She pointed to the waiting area, where Jenna and the others were hovering around Evan.
“Sure. Hold on.” He left again, and returned quicker this time. “He said to leave Evan here and he’d take care of him.”
He said to leave? Leave?Caden’s response took her by surprise. She thanked Bones, even though she was tortured inside, and drew in a few deep breaths before returning to the others.
“Well?” Jenna asked.
“They said she’s okay and she’ll be released soon.” She touched Evan’s shoulder. “Are you okay?”
He shrugged.
“Your dad should be out soon. Do you want me to stay with you until he comes out?”
“No. I’m okay.”
Bella didn’t hesitate before wrapping her arms around him. She was surprised when he returned the embrace.
“Call me if you need me, okay?”
He nodded. “Bella, I swear, I really didn’t know about any of this. I told Dad everything I knew.”
“That’s good, Evan. I’m just glad she’s okay.”
They went back to Seaside and joined Leanna, Kurt, and Tony on Leanna’s deck. Pepper pawed at Bella to be petted, and Bella crouched to love him up as she filled them in. They sat in silence afterward, digesting the terrible turn of events.
“Man, Bella. Was Evan into some deep trouble, or was he just hanging out with the wrong kids?” Tony asked. “I never would have expected this.”
“No one did. I think—I hope—he was just hanging out with the wrong kids. Last night he told Caden that he wasn’t going to hang out with them anymore, and from what he said on the boat, they got pissed because of it.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “Who does this sort of thing? They could have given Vera a heart attack.”
“What did Caden say?” Jenna tucked her hair behind her ear. “Can you imagine? He’s not just a parent, but a cop.”
“I don’t know. He said he wanted to handle it alone. I guess he’ll call when things settle down.” The way he’d looked when he’d told her he had to handle it alone made her stomach sink. Then again, this wasn’t like everyday bad behavior. This was a hundred times worse.
They turned at the sound of Jamie’s car pulling into his driveway. Amy’s eyes filled with tears. Tony put his arm around her as they descended the stairs to the deck. Jenna grabbed Bella’s hand.
“Thank goodness she’s back,” Jenna whispered as they went to greet him.
Jamie opened Vera’s car door and reached for her hand.
“Goodness gracious. What a welcoming committee.” Vera smiled and patted her hair. “I must be a mess.”
“You’re perfect, Gram.” Jamie walked with one hand on her lower back, the other firmly holding her arm.
“How do you feel, Vera?” Bella asked.
“Oh, Bella dear. I’m okay. I was just a little rattled, that’s all. I don’t think those boys expected me to be home, and I think I startled them as much as they startled me.” She shook her head as they entered her cottage. “The police thought they were after my violin, because when I came out of the bedroom, one of them had it in his hands, but he dropped it before he ran back out the door.”
“I’m so sorry—”
Vera interrupted her with a gentle touch on her arm. “Bella, I know you’re worried about Evan, and believe me, if I thought this was Evan’s doing, I would say so. As I told Caden—bless his heart, he is as devastated by this as poor Jamie is—I don’t think Evan orchestrated this. He was too remorseful. Call it a gut feeling.” She lowered herself onto the couch, and Jamie fluffed a pillow and slid it beside her. “Thank you, dear.”
Bella wanted to know how the whole awful situation had come about in the first place and how Evan was holding up, but Caden could fill her in later.
“I’m sorry, Vera. This is my fault, too. I brought Evan here and introduced him to Jamie.” She lifted her eyes to Jamie’s and ached at the disappointment in his dark eyes. “Jamie, I’m so sorry.”
“You couldn’t have known, Bella,” Jamie said flatly. “I think we’d better let Gram rest.”
