Page 18 of Island Protector

“Not from where I’m standing. I don’t like the timing.”

Sharon sighed with relief. “Me either. I know it’s a lot to ask, but you’ll keep the theory between us. Please? I know that seat was installed properly. How do I prove it?”

“I won’t say anything,” Miles promised. “Frasier knows Molly. I’m sure he’ll look into it.”

“He said he would,” Sharon confirmed. Her lips parted and closed and after a moment, she smiled. “You’re a friend, Miles. Molly needs those right now. We both do. I don’t want to see this hit-and-run turn into a major crisis for her. I can’t imagine how the driver got away.”

Miles intended to look into that himself. “You said Bryce asked about me?”

Sharon’s lovely smile widened. “He did. He wanted out of that car seat so badly. Who could blame him? When he reached for the buckle we reminded him it was like a life preserver on a boat. Thank you for teaching him that. You’re such a good influence. You have no idea how grateful I am that you’re a part of his life.”

Miles swallowed, uncomfortable with the praise. “Community is everything,” he said, echoing what might as well be the town slogan.

“Mm-hm.” Sharon patted his arm. “I have eyes. Bryce loves his mother and me and this place he calls home. He is fascinated by the marina and all things boats, ocean, and waterways. You nurture his interests. You’re a big part of his confidence and I appreciate how careful you are with him. How focused you are on keeping him safe.”

He snorted. “Molly would have my head on a spike if I did things any other way.”

“Well, that’s true enough.” Sharon looked over his shoulder. “There’s Diedre.” The nurse waved them over. “Let’s go see Bryce. He’ll be excited to tell you the whole story.”

“I’ll be sure to commend him for doing the right thing,” Miles said.

“He’ll soak that up.”

“He’s not scared to be back there alone?”

“Not a bit. When I stepped out, he was chattering with the paramedics,” she said. “He’s been to the clinic plenty of times and Dr. Nyland knows him well.”

“The kid barely knows a stranger.”

“I used to think that was a good thing,” Sharon admitted under her breath as they followed Diedre to the exam room.

Miles heard Bryce chattering, though he couldn’t make out the specifics of the story he was telling.

Sharon eased the door open. “Hey there!”

“Aunt Sharon!” Bryce moved to scramble out of the bed, but Diedre stopped him.

“You can’t run off quite yet,” the nurse said. The paramedics wished him well and said goodbye and as they walked out, Bryce spotted Miles.

“Mr. Miles!” He scrambled to sit on his knees and Diedre gave up on a laugh.

“Hey, bud. Take it easy.” He moved to the bed, getting Bryce settled once more. “I heard you had an ordeal.”

Bryce frowned. “Momma called it a small emergency,” Bryce replied. “I did super good. Kept my car life jacket on and everything.” He leaned toward Miles. “I wanted to unbuckle really bad.”

“I bet.” Miles reached back and fluffed the pillow behind the boy’s shoulders. Relief poured through him to see Bryce unharmed. “That’s great that you did the right thing.”

“The police said they would find my fire truck,” Bryce said. “It got lost in the crash.”

“I’m sure you’ll have it backsoon.”

Bryce’s chin bobbed. “And I rode in the ambulance.”

“Sounds like you were super brave and a good patient.”

“I was,” he confirmed. “Miss Diedre says I get ice cream.”

“After dinner,” Sharon interjected.

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