Page 57 of Island Whispers

She couldn’t have told anyone about the positive test or Nash would’ve shown up and punched him out by now. Jess was strong, but she wouldn’t have been able to hold back Nina’s brother.

Boone understood that. He was a brother too.

“I have to get out of here,” Boone grumbled. Back at his room, he let the friendly-patient facade drop. He was going stir crazy in here without any contact with Nina.

“Do you want me to go talk to her?” Becky asked.

Boone shuddered at the thought. “I can handle my personal life.”

She hummed, clearly unconvinced.

“If you want to help, tell the nurse I’m leaving.”

“You’re not ready,” she protested.

“The hell I’m not.” He reached for the neck of the hospital gown and ripped it off, grateful he’d been allowed to wear shorts underneath. They’d taken him off the IV yesterday to make his PT easier. And Becky had brought him his suitcase from Nina’s place, packed with clean clothes, anticipating his release.

He was done waiting. There was nothing more the hospital could do for him. Wounds took time to heal and he’d enjoy his convalescence a whole lot more if he wasn’t here.

Two hours later, his sister was still fussing at him as she drove over the bridge to Brookwell Island. Boone had long-since tuned her out in favor of rehearsing his speech for Nina.

“Park right here.” He pointed to a parking space in front of Nina’s shop. The door was propped open by the bucket of free flowers she put out every day. Next door, the bakery was closed for the afternoon. “That’s where the croissants came from,” he said. “You’ll want to be there bright and early tomorrow.”

At his insistence, she’d changed her current hotel reservation from Charleston to the Inn here on the island. He’d been ready to crash Jess and Nash’s place if necessary, though it would’ve been a last resort.

He smothered a groan as he climbed out of the car. No one would make him admit the medical team was right. He was pushing himself, but it was for the best possible reason.

Just walking into the shop made him feel better. The whole place smelled like Nina and the immediate sense of peace washed over him. Yes, this was where he needed to be.

Molly walked out of the work room, her normally bright customer greeting faltering. “Boone? Should you be here?” She glanced past him to Becky. “Should he be here?”

“No,” Becky replied.

“Yes,” Boone countered. “I need to see Nina.”

“She’s not here.”

“When will she be back?”

“I, um, do you need a chair?”

“No,” he snapped before Becky could insist on coddling him. “Is she upstairs?”

“No.” Molly shook her head. “She told me I had free rein while she was away.”

Boone set his teeth, riding out a small dizzy spell. “When will she be back?”

“I don’t know. I’m sorry,” Molly said. “Her friend, Haley Whitman, arrives tomorrow. She comes in when we need design help.”

Boone turned on his heel and carefully walked out. Behind him, he heard his sister thank Molly. He started down the block, determined to check for Nina’s car behind the building, and stopped himself. Molly wouldn’t lie to him. He needed to conserve his energy if he was going to be worth anything when he did find Nina.

“Back to the hospital?”

He shook his head. Where would Nina go? He knew where she went when she wanted company. He considered the shop her oasis, and yet, here or in her upstairs apartment, she’d be too available.

Becky patted his shoulder. “Why don’t you call her?”

“Because if I do, she doesn’t have to answer.” He wouldn’t let her ignore him. Them. Their future. “Can you help me check one more place this evening? Please?”

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