Page 6 of Shattered Secrets

“They raise money for local children’s hospitals, veterans homes, wounded service members... that kind of thing,” Mrs. Abbot added.

Relief settled Scarlet’s twisting stomach. “Oh, well, that’s really nice.” And the complete polar opposite of her experience with motorcycle clubs.

Mrs. Abbot nodded. “June at Comfort Food heard from Bonnie, who obviously must have heard from her husband?—”

“Themayor,” Mrs. Yoshida interjected with a playful eye roll. Because yes, Mrs. Bonnie Green often referred to her husband by his title.

“—that the group is having a monthlong retreat at the Pacific View Resort. Each week has a different theme, so there’ll be members in and out all month.”

Scarlet grinned. There was something sweet about seeing the island’s gossip train in action. “I’m not gonna lie, ladies, retirement sounds like a fun gig. Thank you for the heads-up about the retreat.” She appreciated it more than these two would ever know.

The pickup window bell dinged again, and she gave the women a nod. “That’s my cue. Enjoy your meals and let me know if there’s anything at all that I can get you, okay?”

The next few minutes were a blur of running food, refilling drinks, and taking orders. With her tray loaded with more amazing food that had her stomach grumbling, she made her way back to Cade and Matt’s table. Nerves had her heart beating double time.

Be cool, Scarlet. Donotfawn over the man. Just. Act. Normal.

“Here you guys are. Bacon double cheeseburger with cheddar, and a side salad with balsamic.” She set Cade’s plate in front of him, then grabbed Matt’s. “And the fried chicken platterwith fries and extra slaw.” She placed a few additional napkins on their table. “Can I get you guys refills on your drinks?”

Matt gave a single shake of his head.

“I’m good, Scar. Thanks,” Cade said. “Oh, hey, how’s Daisy doing? I know for a fact that Rocco is missing her like crazy.”

Scarlet’s heart warmed and all her nerves evaporated at the mention of her daughter. Her sweet four-year-old attended a home-based day care run by Cade’s sister-in-law, Rebecca de la Rosa. Rocco, Cade’s three-year-old nephew, obviously also attended and he and Daisy were BFFs. Which was probably the cutest thing ever since Daisy was so stinking shy. However, Rebecca and her family were living over in Seattle this month, visiting with their extended family.

“Well,” Scarlet began, “I can safely say the feeling is one thousand percent mutual. I mean, don’t get me wrong, Daisy likes Miss Katie and Miss Flora?—”

“They’re two teachers from the elementary school who’re filling in while Rebecca, Dante, and the kids are out of town,” Cade clarified for Matt.

“Yeah, they’re great. But...” Scarlet winced. “They’re not Rebecca. And they’redefinitelynot Rocco, so my sweet girl has been a bit blue. But she and Rocco had a video call yesterday, which was absolutely hilarious.” The way the kids’ faces had lit up upon seeing each other had been too precious for words.

Cade chuckled. “I’ll bet. It would’ve been fun to be a fly on the wall for that.”

“Oh, it was pretty comical.” She grinned, then patted the table. “I’ll let you guys eat. If there’s anything else I can get you two, just let me...” She trailed off as she noticed Martha hustling her way. Her heartbeat tripped at the worry etched on the older woman’s face.

“Scarlet, honey,” Martha said, her usually loud, boisterous voice hushed. “You need to get over to Rebecca’s. Flora just called and said that little Daisy got into an accident.”

Scarlet gasped, and her breath locked in her throat. Her chest clenched painfully tight.

“Flora said Doc Buchanan was on his way over, but they called for an ambulance as well?—”

Martha could have said more, but Scarlet didn’t stick around to find out. Her baby was hurt. That’s what screamed in her brain. She needed to see Daisy, be with her, hold her...

Heart thudding loud in her ears, she dashed to the diner’s back office and grabbed her purse from her locker. She flew out the back door and sprinted the two blocks to her apartment. They lived above Hudson Island Antiques, and her ancient white Corolla was parked in the alley behind the building.

Digging into her purse, Scarlet ran through the alley’s opening, straight to her car. Her hands trembled as she yanked out her keys. Panic threatened to consume her, and a sob stuck in her throat when the key chain dropped with a clatter to the ground. Bending to retrieve them, she yelped when a hand touched her back. She shot up and spun on wobbly legs.

“Scarlet,” Cade said, taking a step back, hands raised in the classic I’m-not-going-to-hurt-you gesture. “Everything’s gonna be okay. Let us drive you to Rebecca’s.”

Her chest heaved with ragged breaths as her gaze shot to the hulking man standing behind Cade. He’d spoken, but she hadn’t heard a word. “I’m sorry, what?”

“We’ve got you, Scarlet,” Matt said. His deep, raspy voice was calm and soothing, and it chipped away at the fear crawling up her spine. “You’re upset, and you shouldn’t be driving. We’ve got you.”

Before she could make heads or tails of what was going on, Matt steered her toward the Corolla’s passenger door andopened it for her. Taking the keys from her hand, he helped her get seated and secured her seat belt. She could only stare mutely as he gently closed her door and rounded the hood.

At the driver’s door, he adjusted the seat all the way back before climbing in. “Deep breaths,” Matt said, starting the car and pulling out of the alley. “We’ll be there before you know it.”

“Hang in there, Scar,” Cade said from behind her, squeezing her shoulder.

---