Page 29 of The Cottage on Plum Island
“Thank you.” Harley sighed, relieved to be back on the ground. “Are you two leaving?”
“I’m heading home,” Liam told him. “I can’t stay here. This place has become rather stifling.”
“While my aunt’svisitoris here,“ Jennifer said, “I don’t want to be here either.”
“Want to join me at my house?” Liam offered.
“No, thank you, big brother.” Jennifer kissed Liam’s cheek. “I think I’m going to go to the cove and clear my head.”
“You’re going to come for dinner tonight, though?” Liam looked at her for confirmation.
“Yes, I’ll be there.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, wait, I can’t. What about Aunt Betty?”
“I can stay here and watch her until you get home,” Harley offered. “All I have to do is visit Sam later this afternoon, but I’ll be back by seven.”
“You’d do that?” Jennifer looked at him in surprise.
“Of course,” Harley said, nodding.
“Thanks, Harley, you’re a king!” Liam slapped Harley on the shoulder and glanced at his aunt’s bedroom as they heard footsteps heading their way. “That’s my cue to leave.”
Liam said his goodbyes and slipped through the front door before Andrew popped out of Betty’s bedroom.
“Jennifer,” Andrew called, reaching out a hand. “Do you think we could talk?” He glanced at Harley. “In private?”
“Now’s not a good time,” Jennifer’s voice dripped with ice, and her shoulders stiffened.
“I was hoping we could catch up.” Andrew’s eyes flashed with emotion as he gave Jennifer a tight smile. “But I understand.”
“Good!” Jennifer said, giving him a cold look. “At least now I won’t have to waste more time talking to you to explain why I have no intention ofcatching upwith you—ever!“ She looked at Harley. “Sorry to do this to you again. But would you mind keeping an eye on Betty for another…” She glanced at her watch. “Hour. I need a walk.”
“Of course,” Harley said, nodding. “Take your time.”
Jennifer’s eyes narrowed as she turned toward Andrew. “Don’t be here when I get back. And don’t try to contact us again. Liam will call you when we’ve made our decision.”
Jennifer turned and flounced out of the house, leaving Harley standing in awkward silence with Andrew Gains.
“I should go after her,” Andrew said, his voice laced with sorrow.
“No, I will.” Harley sighed.
“Thank you,” Andrew said. “I’ll stay with Betty until you’re back and leave before my daughter returns.”
As Harley made his way to where he knew Jennifer would be, he felt torn. After overhearing the situation, Harley understood Jennifer’s and Liam’s anger towards Andrew for leaving them to deal with their dying mother alone.
But on the other hand, he couldn’t ignore the desperation in Andrew’s voice as he pleaded for help for his innocent daughter, who was caught in the crossfire of their family drama.
Harley may never have met Molly, but the mention of her leukemia struck a chord. And he knew what Andrew was going through. He understood that desperation soaked in helplessness as you stood and watched your child suffer. Grasping for any tiny thread of hope to find that one lifeline. Only the threads slipped through your grasp like streams of dust in sunlight, teasing you with empty-handed hope.
Harley didn’t want to get caught in the middle of this conflict. Both sides had their pain steeped in heartbreaking loss. Andrew deeply hurt his family, forcing Jennifer and Liam to grow up too quickly. But he was also a father driven to walk into the line of heartbreaking fire to plead for help for his youngest child.
Molly was the one who was caught in the middle. A fifteen-year-old girl who deserved the chance to fulfill her dreams, suddenly Harley knew—he was meant to overhear what he had. His heart swelled, and a smile touched his lips as he knew the path he’d been on since Daniel’s death had led to this moment. This was his penance and a chance to make a difference in another teen’s life.
“I won’t let you down this time, son,” Harley said to the gentle breeze that seemed to pick up from nowhere and push him toward his destination.
As he stepped around the rock, he sucked in a breath, and his heart squeezed when he saw Jennifer sitting with her knees drawn to her chest and tears streaming down her cheeks.
I like her, Dad!The wind whispered in his ear, and as he made his way toward Jennifer, he thought he caught a shadowy glimpse of Daniel waving to him beside her.
