Page 73 of One of Six

"I agree with Essex," Ridge says as he enters the kitchen. "All this shouting is too much for the morning." He sighs. "Mom, you always knew who Bea's father was. She's one of us. Can we calm down and think rationally?"

"Ridge...I'm scared."

Ridge hugs his mother. "Nothing will happen to us. Ed's got it covered."

Pushing Ridge away, Maggie takes a tentative step toward me. "I'm sorry, Bea. I know how bad your dad is. I'm afraid for my sons." She takes a deep breath. “We should all stick together. I'm sure Essex would want you to move in here. I would too."

We all burst out laughing and Ridge says, "I'm surprised Bea doesn't have whiplash—one minute you're kicking her out, the next you're inviting her to move in."

"Grow up!" Maggie snaps, offering me a hug. "I'm really sorry, Bea," she whispers.

I squeeze her back. "Thank you."

"Wait a minute," Ridge narrows his eyes, "if you're moving into Essex's room..."

"No!" Maggie.

"You have no idea what I was about to say."

She raises a brow.

Ridge grins between Essex and me. "You two can't have loud sex. I hate to take care of my boner myself."

I stare not knowing how to respond to that.

Essex punches his laughing brother in the shoulder. "Dickhead."

"This is what I have to put up with while my six grown sons live at home."

"We’re never leaving,” Ridge says.

I let them have their fun and look at Maggie. "I have a few things to do before I leave, but I really hope your offer isn't time sensitive."

"Whenever you're ready, honey." She looks at Ridge. "You need to watch your mouth."

"Yes, Mama." He grins. To me, "Where's Jailbait?"

"None of your business," I say, but offer a wry smile to take the sting out of my words. "Ed, can we talk to you?"

He pauses for a moment, then nods. "Let's take a walk."

I nod and join Essex outside where we move onto the boat. Ed stretches with a flinch as he looks at me. "What do you want to know, Bea?"

We sit looking out over the ocean. Ed on side of me and Essex on the other. Between us, Essex and I fill Ed in on the research we've done on the list of names I found on Mom's phone. "I haven't gotten to her email yet, nor have I watched the videos. I couldn't bring myself to do the latter."

"Do you still have the phone?" Ed asks.

Essex squeezes my hand as I tell Ed, "I do. It's safe for now. I have a copy of everything on my phone."

"Let me see the notes you copied."

I open my phone and show Ed the list of names along with the brief research we've done. He frowns. "Gibbs, Tate, Wilcox and Dale I know. Frederick, Foyle, Boyle, and your father, Essex, must have been added to the list after my last contact with Elise. Can I send this list to my phone and see what I can find out about these people?"

"Yeah, sure." I quickly forward it and say, "Mom had a shopping list in her notes too. Weird stuff too."

Ed laughs. “We have a clue to the email password."

"What?" I look at Essex and then at Ed. "Your shopping list is the password?"

---