Page 49 of The Cottage on Plum Island
“Don’t give her a big head, Molly,” Liam’s voice came from the door. He walked into the room, hugging Jennifer. “Hey, sis, glad you gothere safely.”
“Does everyone think I’m a bad driver?” Jennifer glared warningly at Harley as she said that.
“It’s not you, Jennifer,” Georgia told her. “It’s the other drivers on the road.”
Jennifer’s eyes frosted again as her gaze returned to Georgia and Andrew. But before she could say anything, Liam jumped in.
“Can we go over what happens next?” Liam asked, pointing to the hallway and grinning at Molly. “You get some rest, and I’ll see you soon, okay?”
“I’ll look forward to that,” Molly told him with a tired smile. “And meeting Lila.”
Harley saw Jennifer’s eyes widen in surprise as she turned to look questioningly at her brother. Liam leaned past Molly and kissed her cheek.
“Remember, be brave, and I’ll be back next week with Lila.” Liam led the adults from the room.
“Harley, would you stay with me until my mom returns?” Molly asked Harley, stopping him in his tracks. For a minute, he saw Daniel lying where Molly was.
“Of course,” Harley looked at Andrew and Georgia. “That’s if your mom and father don’t mind.”
“Thank you,” Georgia squeezed Harley’s arm as she walked past him and whispered. “She tries to hide it but she’s scared and doesn’t like being left alone.”
“I understand,” Harley assured Georgia.
Harley sat beside Molly’s bed and grabbed one of the books. “You like Shakespeare?”
“I just read that to make my parents happy.” Molly laughed. “My grandmother brings me the books I really like.” She pulled open the drawer of her side table. “I love young adult fantasy.”
“I see that.” Harley laughed, looking at the four books hidden beneath her washcloths.
“Are you named after the motorbike?” Molly asked him curiously.
“You know, I’m not sure,” Harley told her truthfully. “I never thought to ask.”
“Really?” Molly looked at him in disbelief. “Harley is not that common of a name, so you must’ve wondered why your parents gave you that name. My father named me Molly after someone he said changed his life.”
“Ah!” Harley nodded before looking at her curiously. “Molly, do you know who Jennifer and Liam are?”
“Yes.” Molly nodded. “They are my half-brother and sister from my father’s firstmarriage.”
“You don’t think it’s strange that you’ve never met them until today?” Harley asked her.
“My father never really spoke about his first family,” Molly told Harley. “I’ve always known I have a brother and sister. My father always told me they were far away, but one day we’d meet.”
“I’m sorry that you had to meet them like this.” Harley smiled at her.
“Are you and Jennifer a couple?” Molly asked him. “You make a beautiful couple.”
“Thank you,” Harley said. “But Jennifer and I are just friends.”
“Oh!” Molly looked disappointed, her young brow frowning as she glanced at him. “Is that why you’re sad because you want to be more than friends?”
Harley was amazed at her perception. “No.” He shook his head. “I’m not sad.”
“Okay!” Molly didn’t look convinced and asked him an unrelated question. “Do you know why my father never saw my brother and sister for so long?”
Harley’s brows shot up as he looked at her, not expecting that question. “No, I’m sorry, I don’t.”
“Neither do I.” Molly pursed her lips and shook her head before yawing and sliding down on the pillow. “But I think it had something to do with my father’s father.”
