Page 11 of Island Protector

She had just pulled into a parking space behind the florist shop. “Yes.” Her throat was dry, clogged with emotion. “I’m at work.”

“There is no way anyone takes that little boy from you. Put it out of your mind. I mean it.” Her voice was firm. “Everything will work out.”

“Thanks, Aunt Sharon.” Molly had to get her head on straight and focus on a good outcome. “Why don’t we go to Parker’s and have a Lowcountry boil tonight? All three of us.”

“That sounds almost celebratory,” Sharon said. “I like it.”

“Well, I need to focus on being happy. And you’re right, worrying isn’t going to do a thing. So let’s celebrate that I’m trusting Jess and the Guardian Agency lawyer.” The one she hoped to hear from soon.

“Excellent!” Sharon gushed. “I’ll make sure we’re all set to go when you get home.”

“You’re the best.”

“Right back at ya.”

Molly appreciated that her aunt did so much to help her out and ensure she could give Bryce the stable life every kid deserved.

With evening plans set, she walked back into the shop braced to explain it all again to Nina.

Her boss reacted with as much support as Sharon and as much fury over the injustice of it as Miles.

Molly considered it more proof she’d made the right decision when she moved to Brookwell.

“Just so you know, I’m warning everyone who’s close to me,” Molly said later as they prepared for closing. “People might show up at any point asking questions.”

“People?” Nina’s dark eyebrows lifted.

“Child services, social workers, or possibly investigators for the Graingers.”

Nina huffed. “Let ‘em come. You’ve got nothing to hide.”

“No, I don’t. So if it happens, don’t be surprised.” She swallowed. “I don’t expect you to talk me up as an employee or as a mom.” She turned her attention to rinsing out the bucket, effectively halting the conversation.

Nina simply reached over and turned off the water. “You mean perfect? I don’t mind telling anybody the truth about your work ethic, your value as an employee, or how I consider you a shining example of motherhood.”

“That’s exactly my point.” Molly turned the water back on. “I’m okay no matter what you tell an investigator. Jess assured me that I should just be myself. You don’t need to feel obligated to brag on me or puff me up.”

“It wouldn’t be bragging to sing your praises, Molly.” Nina handed her the next bucket, pitching her voice over the running water. “This entire thing is suspicious. I don’t have to manufacture good things to say about you as an employee or a mom or a person. You’re an inspiration.”

The cleaning done, Molly cut the water and stared at her boss. “Pardon?” Why was everyone throwing compliments at her today? It was like an unexpected silver lining in what could become a serious life storm.

Nina rubbed cream into her hands. “I should’ve told you,” she said. “You were an inspiration to me when I got pregnant,” Nina said. “I wasn’t sure things would work with Boone mainly because I couldn’t get out of my own way. You made me believe I could manage as a single mom if necessary.”

“Of course you could. You’re a rockstar.”

Nina snorted.

“Take the compliment,” Molly said. “Being alone when that positive sign shows up is shocking.” She remembered it well. “Those memories are top of mind for me today.”

“I bet.”

As they finished up the end of day checklist, Molly’s thoughts drifted further from the bleak day she’d found out she was pregnant. And straight back to Miles. She found herself wishing she could talk to Nina about that. She wanted to talk to someone about the things he’d said. The way he made her feel.

She quickly jerked her thoughts out of such dangerous territory. She didn’t need a lawyer to tell her this was the wrong time for changing the relationships in her life.

She couldn’t get his comments out of her head. Why had he been so adamant about protecting her? It was a custody battle, and she’d go to war to keep Bryce, but the court case wasn’t an actual physical threat against her.

Except… How had she and Bryce been found? Why would the Graingers file a lawsuit without even trying to talk with her?

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