Page 141 of Renewal After Dark

Kendall smiled. “And vice versa. He’s always been great with them, giving them his full attention any time he’s with them, no matter what else he had going on.”

“That sounds like him. He’s smitten with our Violet. I swear he’s barely thought about work since she arrived.”

“He worked enough in his past life to take it a little easier now.”

“That’s what he says, too.”

Kendall’s phone buzzed with a text from McKenzie, who reported that Eric had received the letter and was none too pleased about it.

Let’s talk this afternoon about what he had to say and our next steps. Text me when you’re free to talk.

Sounds good.

“Everything okay?” Lizzie asked.

“That’s my first island client updating me. I’m helping her with a situation involving her ex. He’s a real piece of work.”

“I’m glad she’s got you to help her.”

“She’s given me something to think about besides my own problems.”

“Our resident lawyer, Dan Torrington, will be in Maine for a while with his wife’s family. I bet he’d appreciate you filling in for him when he’s gone, if you’re up for that.”

“There’re no other lawyers here?”

“One of the two men who was killed in the storm was an attorney, but his career was kind of over around here due to some poor decisions.”

“That sounds like a story.”

“And a half. He was awful to his ex-wife, who’s very well loved, and blamed Dan for ruining his practice, which he did all on his own. He showed up drunk at Dan and Kara’s engagement party and ended up stabbing Dan.”

“Jeez… And here I thought this was a sleepy little place where nothing ever happened.”

Lizzie’s bark of laughter startled her daughter. “There’s never a dull moment around here. Look at how we came to have our sweet Violet.”

Lizzie had come to the aid of a single mom who’d later left the baby with her and Jared.

“I could tell you stories about what goes on here for days and days.”

“I’ll look forward to hearing all the gossip.”

“Can I ask you…”

“Anything, Lizzie. I’m an open book.”

“How’s Phil?”

Kendall’s deep sigh said it all. “He’s in rehab—for the fourth time. He swears this’ll be the time it takes. I hope for his sake—and the boys’—that’s true, but I’ve learned not to get my hopes up.”

“I have a friend from the city who’s been through a similar ordeal with her brother. Their family has done everything they could think of and then some.”

“None of it will matter until he makes the decision to help himself.”

“Yes, for sure.” She used a wet paper towel to wipe Violet’s tray. “Do you want me to ask Dan about whether he has some work you could help with?”

“Sure, that’d be good. I’ve found it helps to stay busy and engaged in other people’s problems. I turned over my New Jersey clients to my partners when things got crazy with Phil, so I’m ready to get back to feeling productive.”

“I’ll text Dan today. He’s been great helping us with Violet’s adoption.”

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