Page 34 of The Cottage on Plum Island
“It’s the truth,” Jennifer admitted. “He came here looking for our help, but what he got was forty years of pent-up pain and anger from myself and Liam.”
“Looking for help?” Caroline’s face screwed up in confusion. “What? Does he need a kidney or a piece of your liver?”
“Close,” Jennifer said with a nod. “Andrew wants mine and Liam’s DNA.”
“I was right then. Andrew does want an organ from you then?” Caroline pursed her lips.
“It’s not for him,” Harley told Caroline and looked at Jennifer to elaborate.
“No, it’s for my half-sister, Molly, who has leukemia and is the same age as my niece,” Jennifer stated, watching Caroline’s jaw drop in disbelief.
CHAPTER 8
Harley sat on the comfortable, worn couch in the cozy living room of Beach Plum Cottage. The dim hallway lights and the glare from the television lit the house. Harley was keeping an eye on Betty while Jennifer went to Liam’s home to discuss what they were going to do about Molly.
Harley stared unseeingly at the classic black-and-white Betty Davis movie playing on the screen. He couldn’t get the day’s events from his mind as he waited on edge for Jennifer to return. Harley rubbed a hand over his eyes before standing and quietly making his way down the hall to check on Betty.
The bedroom door groaned as he pushed it a little wider to see Betty was sleeping soundly. Like Harley, Betty worried about her niece andnephew’s decision about Molly. She retold the story Jennifer had told him that afternoon about Andrew’s desertion.
“I wish I could make them understand what happened back then,”Betty had told Harley.“But I made my sister promise that I’d look after Jennifer and Liam, and one day when Andrew could, he’d talk to them.”
Harley had asked her what she meant, and Betty had changed the subject, asking Harley if he’d make a cup of tea. When he’d gotten back with the tea, Betty was asleep. He sighed as he started to make his way back to the living room. The memory of Jennifer and his almost kiss flashed through his mind. His hand ran over his shirt, which he hadn’t changed since that afternoon. It still had her scent and tear stains on it.
Harley was so deep in thought as he rounded the corner to step into the living room, he nearly had a heart attack when he bumped into Jennifer.
“Jennifer!” Harley breathed, reaching out to steady her and dropping her hands as he felt their warmth zing through him like an electric current. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you come in.”
“I was trying to be quiet,” Jennifer told him. “I didn’t know if you’d be asleep in the guest bedroom, and I didn’t want to wake you or Aunt Betty.”
He glanced into the living room and saw the television was off.
“Sorry, were you still watching that?” Jennifer turned toward it.
“No,” Harley denied. “I was just flicking through the channels while waiting for you to come home.”
They stood staring awkwardly at each other for a few moments before Betty’s voice floated down the hallway.
“Jennifer?” Betty called. “Is that you?”
“Yes, Aunt Betty,” Jennifer called back, giving Harley a tight smile. “Thank you for watching her for me tonight.”
“You’re welcome,” Harley told her, stepping around Jennifer, careful not to make contact. “I think I’m going to go.”
“You’re not going to stay in the guest room?” Jennifer asked with a hint of disappointment, making Harley’s already hammering heartbeat pick up speed.
“I have to collect Uncle Sam in the morning,” Harley explained. “It’s best if I’m home to put some clothes together for him.”
“Oh!” Jennifer’s brows shot up in surprise. “I’m glad Sam’s being released from the hospital.”
“He is too.” Harley gave a soft laugh. “He’s convinced they will give him more metal appendages if he stays longer.”
“Is that because of his hip replacement?” Jennifer smiled. “What does he call it…”
“His bionic hip.” Harley shook his head and rolled his eyes.
“Jennifer!” Aunt Betty called a little louder this time.
“That’s my cue to leave,” Harley said. “Say goodnight to Betty for me.”
