Page 50 of The Cottage on Plum Island
“Your grandfather?” Harley’s brow creased.
“I never called him that. He was a mean, stern man who frightened me.” Molly yawned again, and Harley saw she’d overextended her energy. He helped her pull the blankets over her shoulders. “Mommy never went to grandmother’s house if she knew he’d be there.” She looked at Harley. “Will you come to see me again?”
“Of course,” Harley promised, ensuring she was tucked in. “Why don’t you get some sleep? I’ll sit here until your parents come back.”
“Thank you.” Molly smiled sleepily and reached through the blanket to take his hand. “Dad always holds my hand when I’m scared.”
Harley smiled. She reminded him so much of Jennifer. He took her hand in his as Molly drifted off to sleep.
A few minutes later, the door opened, admitting Georgia, Andrew, and Jennifer. Harley put a finger to his lips and indicated that Molly had just fallen asleep. He saw Jennifer’s eyes soften as they looked at Molly with her small hand in Harley’s. He gently extracted his hand from hers and stood.
“Is everything okay?” Harley asked Jennifer, who nodded.
“Yes, Liam’s on his way back to Plum Island, and we should get to the hotel,” Jennifer told Harley. “I’m starving.”
“Okay.” Harley smiled, then looked at Andrew and Georgia. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, and thank you for watching Molly,” Georgia said as she and Andrew walked them to the door.
“Of course.” Harley smiled at the woman, recognizing the shadows of fear and doubt warring with hope while trying to stay positive in Georgia’s eyes. He gave her an encouraging smile. “Stay strong.”
“I’m trying.” Georgia’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears.
“Let’s go, Harley.” Jennifer gave Georgia a tight smile. “Say goodbye to Molly for me.”
“I will.” Georgia nodded.
“You were cold to Georgia and Andrew,” Harley noted as they walked toward Jennifer’s car.
“Do you want to drive?” Jennifer changed the subject. “I’m getting a headache.”
“Sure.” Harley took the keyfob she handed him. “Do you want to stop to get something for your headache?”
“No, I’ve got something, thanks,” Jennifer told him, sliding into the passenger seat. “Do you want to eat at the hotel, order room service on your own, or go to a restaurant?”
Harley pulled away from the hospital and headed toward the Langham Hotel.
“Let’s eat at the hotel tonight,” Harley suggested. “We can go to a restaurant tomorrow night.”
“We should’ve come here early with Liam,” Jennifer sighed. “Then we could’ve been going home right now too.”
“Then you wouldn’t get to know Molly,” Harley pointed out.
“I’ve met her now.” Jennifer looked at him with narrowed eyes. “What did the two of you speak about while we were out of the room?”
“Mainly about you and Liam,” Harley told her. “She asked me if you and I were a couple.”
“Oh?” Jennifer turned to him, and something flashed in her eyes.
“I told her we were friends, and she said we’d make an awesome couple because we were beautiful.” Harley laughed at the look on Jennifer’s face.
“I wouldn’t call you beautiful,” Jennifer stated. “I’d say ruggedly handsome.”
“Thank you,” Harley said, trying to steady his pounding heart and stop himself from screaming, she thinks I’m ruggedly handsomein his head.
“She seems like a sweet kid.” That was all Jennifer had to say on the subject as they neared the hotel. “What do you say we check in, get our luggage to our rooms, and meet in the dining room in forty minutes?”
“That sounds like a plan,” Harley agreed. “It gives me a chance to shower.”
