Page 9 of Tangled Up In You

"I'm fine," he muttered.

Adam looked more than a little uncomfortable with their praise. Clearly, he'd downplayed his stumble.

"Take care of yourself," the man said as he ushered his wife to the sidewalk.

"Stumble, huh?" She gave him a challenging look.

"I was just doing my job."

"Sounds like you went above the call of duty."

"There is no above the call. When you're on duty, you do what needs to be done."

"Like save someone's life? How did you break your foot?"

"I got between a speeding car and a little girl. Unfortunately, the driver of that car got away, which still pisses me off."

"But you saved the girl's life."

"I was in the right place at the right time."

He was not a man comfortable with praise.

"I'll look into the details of the break-in," he added. "I'll get back to you."

"Thanks."

She watched him walk down the path, feeling more intrigued than she had in a long time. She'd just met a man who didn't like to talk or brag about himself, even though he had plenty to boast about. That was a rarity.

As she turned toward the restaurant, the café door opened again. She grabbed it, holding it open for another woman, who was chatting on her cell phone. Then she moved inside.

She recognized Chloe immediately. It might have been a long time since high school, but Chloe, with her brown hair and hazel-colored eyes, looked just like the girl she'd gone to school with.

As she approached the counter, Chloe's eyes widened with surprise and the same recognition. "Molly? Is it really you?"

"It's me."

Chloe came around the counter and gave her a hug, followed by a warm, friendly smile. "This is wonderful. I heard a rumor that Phoebe might have left you her shop, but I wasn't sure."

"Yes. I am the new owner of A Better You."

"That's amazing. It's sad about Phoebe, but your coming back to Whisper Lake is definitely the silver lining." Chloe stepped back. "And you're looking as beautiful as ever."

"I was going to say the same for you. I don't think you've aged a bit."

"Oh, please, I've definitely aged. I have a baby now. Actually, Leo is three, so he's a toddler, not a baby."

"That's wonderful. And Kevin?"

"We're not together."

She frowned as shadows filled Chloe's gaze. "I'm sorry to hear that. Phoebe used to write me and fill me in, but it has been a few years since I got one of those newsy letters."

"It's all good now. Kevin is in the military, still deployed more often than he's not, but it's his life, and he loves it. My son, Leo, Whisper Lake, and this restaurant are what I love."

Despite her words, Molly got the feeling there was more pain behind their separation than Chloe was letting on. Chloe and Kevin had been together since high school.

"Do you want something to eat?" Chloe asked as she moved behind the counter.

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