Page 14 of Renewal After Dark

“Have you heard how they’re doing today?”

“Kelsey texted earlier to say that they’re arranging for Jeff to be discharged to a rehab facility. Probably in the next week to ten days.”

“That’s good news.” He glanced at Mac. “Did you hear Sturgil’s missing?”

“What? No. Does Tiffany know?”

“Ned told me her ex-mother-in-law called to ask if Tiff had heard from him. That’s how she found out.”

Shocked to hear the news about his former brother-in-law, Mac pulled out his phone to see he’d missed two calls from Maddie. Turning the phone on its side, he saw that the ringer was off and turned it back on.

Son of a bitch.

He called her back.

“Hey, have you heard about Jim?” she asked.

“Just now. Sorry I missed your calls. The freaking ringer was off, probably thanks to Thomas playing games on my phone last night.”

“I figured something like that, or you were busy.”

He was never too busy to take a call from her, which she certainly knew by now. “How’s Tiffany?”

“She’s not sure how she’s supposed to feel. I think she’s far more upset than she would’ve expected to be.”

“I get it. He put her through hell, but she doesn’t want him dead.”

“Yes, that exactly.”

“And poor Ashleigh.”

“I know. She and Addie are with Mom and Ned for now. I offered to go to Tiff’s, but she said Blaine’s with her, and she’s doing okay.”

“That’s good.”

“Where are you?”

“Dad and I are at the barn to figure out what to do about it. I was also going to see if I can salvage some of Kelsey’s stuff.”

“Don’t endanger yourself by going in there. Do you hear me?”

“I won’t. My mom is still there with you, right?”

“She is, and she said she’ll stay until you get home.”

“Tell her thanks, and I’ll be home by three. Four at the latest.” He’d been working nonstop since the storm hit, damaging thirty homes on the island at last count. As one of four local construction firms, two of them one-person operations, Mac and his team would be straight out for months, which was not how he’d planned to spend the off-season. They’d get it all done. Somehow.

“We’re fine. Do what you need to.”

“Love you.”

“You, too. Be careful.”

“I will.”

“How’s she doing?” Big Mac asked.

“Shocked about Jim but hanging in there thanks to Mom.”

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