Page 107 of The Cottage on Plum Island
Her hair, elegantly swept into a soft bun with tendrils framing her neck and caressing her cheeks, added a touch of allure. Opting for a light touch of makeup, Jennifer applied an extra layer of mascara, eyeliner, and a pink-tinged gloss to enhance her natural radiance. Her phone buzzed, and she looked to see their car had arrived. Jennifer gave herself a last look over her eye, landing on the pink scar where Harriet had shot her before dashing out of her room.
“Aunt Betty,” Jennifer hollered. “The car is here. Are you ready?”
When there was no answer, Jennifer went to Betty’s room, but she wasn’t there. Frowning, Jennifer went to the front of the house and nearly died of fright when she saw Harley standing in the kitchen with a single red rose.
“Harley?” Jennifer breathed, her heart beating from fright and excitement at seeing him.
“Hello, Jennifer.” Harley’s eyes held hers, and his voice was low. “Betty said I was to tell you she’ll meet you at the ball and instructed me to escort you there.”
“Oh!” Jennifer felt the excitement shatter when she realized her aunt had forced Harley to be her escort. Her pride made her lift her chin as anger washed over her. “I don’t need an escort to the ball. In case you haven’t noticed, this is the twenty-first century, and women go to places all on their own now.”
“But what if I need an escort because I don’t like attending functions alone?” Harley asked.
“I’m sure Angela will go with you,” Jennifer said because she couldn’t stop herself.
“I don’t want to go with Angela,” Harley told her, moving closer to her and handing her the rose. “I want to go with you.”
“Why?”What the heck, Jennifer?Where is my freakingmute button?
“Because since the day I met you, there hasn’t been a day when you haven’t occupied my thoughts.” Harley stepped closer, still holding the rose out to her. “We started off at each other’s throats, banded together to help our loved ones, and went on a big dangerous adventure together.” He lifted his hand and gently touched the scar on her arm. “The past three weeks while I’ve been away, I found myself counting the minutes until I could get back here to you.”
Jennifer’s heart felt like it was trying to ram through her ribs to get to him. It was thumping so hard. Her stomach fluttered uncontrollably, and her breath caught in her throat at the emotion shining in his eyes.
“But what about Angela?”Stop talking!Jennifer swallowed. “I heard you telling her you loved her, and then you left, leaving us here with a dangerous criminal.”
“I do love Angela.” Harley’s reply made her heart squeeze. “But like a sister. I’m not in love with Angela.”
“Oh!” Jennifer’s brows rose, and the tightness around her heart eased.
“Uncle Sam told me how you and Harriet took Shannon down,” Harley said, and Jennifer thought she saw pride flicker in his eyes. “That was incredibly reckless and dangerous of you but also incredibly brave.”
“It was Harriet who shot her,” Jennifer told him.
“And you, I believe.” Harley looked at her scar once again.
“She told you that, didn’t she?” Jennifer shook her head.
“Yup!” Harley’s smile took her breath away. “She wanted to tell me before you did so she could explain it wasn’t her fault.”
Jennifer gave a snort. “Harriet was really brave.” Her brows rose as she said. “I believe you helped Andrew round up the BAD MAN club members.”
“Nearly all of them,” Harley nodded. “And I believe you donated bone marrow for Molly a week ago.” His eyes flashed with worry. “Are you sure you’re up for a ball?”
“I’m fine,” Jennifer assured him. “And so’s Molly. Georgia and Molly have told me that her blood count is up, and so far, she’s had no signs of rejection.”
“That’s good news,” Harley said. “It’s nice to know that you and Liam are rebuilding your relationship with Andrew and your new family.”
“We still have a long road ahead. But we like Georgia and Molly’s great. She and Lila are already best friends.” Jennifer smiled. “Lila thinks it’s great that she has an aunt the same age as her.”
“Andrew is now Angela’s guardian and is looking after her affairs,” Harley caught Jennifer up on his news. “Angela is doing great and isin a mental health facility in Boston. She and Wallis are getting close again. Annie is working with Andrew’s mother, Wallis’s mother, and Margaret Wesley to open a cancer hospital for children.”
“That’s great,” Jennifer said, swallowing as Harley took the final step, bringing them toe to toe.
“I’ve missed you,” Harley’s voice dropped and became hoarse as he put the rose in her hand. “I’m really hoping you missed me too, or it’s going to make what I have to say rather awkward for me.”
“I did miss you,” Jennifer was done trying to keep her thoughts from dodging her common sense barriers and slipping through her lips. Her voice dipped as her breath caught in her throat. “What did you want to say?”
“That I’ve fallen head over heels in love with you,” Harley told her. “That I did the day you knocked me flying with your car door and stepped out with your blazing violet eyes.”
