Page 24 of Island Protector

“Right.” She’d try. Her mom heart was achy that she’d missed seeing her son to school this morning. She blamed the sting of tears on the concussion too.

Thankfully the number of cars in the Billings driveway provided an effective distraction before she had a meltdown. “How many people did Roxy invite?”

“All of them probably.” Nina exited the car and came around to help Molly. “Let’s go see.”

The stone path from the driveway to the backyard was lined with baskets of smiling pansies hanging on shepherd’s hooks with frothy swags of tulle sweeping along in between.

It was easy to see where Nina’s design skills stemmed from.

At the sunroom, Roxy welcomed them in, hugging Nina tightly and Molly more gently. The lovely table was laden with food and pitchers of tea, water, and lemonade and set for seven. Jess and Sharon were there, along with Lila Copeland and her grandmother Connie from the Bread Basket bakery.

Molly glanced at the table once more. Sure enough, Connie’s famous strudel was there. “You guys are too much.”

“You love us,” Jess teased.

After a full circuit of hugs, they all sat down to eat and visit. Molly was famished and thankful for it. Roxy had provided an incredible spread. She and her husband were known all through town as excellent cooks. In fact, Jess, as the new daughter-in-law, claimed she was surprised they let her stay in the family with such rudimentary kitchen and gardening skills. Molly knew Roxy and Nico were thrilled to have Jess officially in the family. Molly didn’t think it would be too much longer before word got out that Jess and Nash were expecting.

Happy for them and grateful for such wonderful friends, Molly relaxed as they all indulged and talked—thankfully not about last night—enjoying the garden outside the wall of windows.

Gorgeous camellias and roses had been planted with care around a weaving gravel path. Several camellias were in bloom, all the more stunning against the deep green backdrop of the dormant rose bushes. Naturally, Roxy and Nico would design beds that delivered vivid color and visual interest year-round. She admired their skill and season by season learned as much as she could, putting to use as much as possible in and around the cottage.

“Roxy, this is incredible,” she said during a lull in the conversation. She had to pause as tears threatened. “Thank you so much.”

Sharon reached over and refilled Molly’s water glass. “Keep hydrating.”

“I’ll need it since I seem to be crying every two minutes,” Molly said.

“The quiche often brings guests to tears,” Roxy teased. “You’re in good company.”

Before she knew it, Lila, Connie, and Roxy were scheduling food drop offs for Molly and Sharon. Her aunt protested, to no avail.

“Everything will be ready to eat or freeze,” Lila said. “It’s always good to have options. What you don’t use now, use later.”

“We’ll appreciate it,” Sharon said, giving Molly’s good hand a squeeze.

“Before we go our separate ways, let’s set a date to do this again.” Roxy picked up her phone. “We don’t do this kind of thing often enough.”

Nina rolled her eyes. “Feeding the whole town once a week wouldn’t be enough for you, Mom.”

Roxy laughed. “I might resemble that remark.”

When they had a date for March, Roxy and Jess started packing up the leftovers for Molly and Sharon.

She’d wanted to ask if Jess knew anything and yet she didn’t want to burst the happy bubble Roxy had so expertly created. Someone would’ve told her immediately if the other driver had been found.

“Your mind’s drifting,” Nina said. “Is there anything I can do?”

“No, not at all. It’s just my fuzzy brain,” she replied in a hurry. “It was so thoughtful of you to pull this together,” she said when Roxy walked back in.

“My pleasure.” She carried a two-tiered serving tray with scalloped edges. Lemon squares filled the top andjam bars were piled on the bottom. Connie followed with a carafe of fresh coffee. “Help yourself.”

Molly took a jam bar, delighted when it was raspberry. Nina must’ve told Roxy that was her favorite.

She glanced over and caught Nina’s gaze sliding to Sharon and back.

“I gave Connie and Lila a few more details,” Sharon said. “The more people keeping an eye out for you and Bryce the better.” She rubbed Molly’s good shoulder. “No one wants a crisis for either of you. None of this is your fault.” Her voice snapped like a whip. “None of it came around because of any mistakes you’ve made.”

Sharon was clearly furious and worried too. How had Molly overlooked her aunt’s feelings? The custody issues would affect all three of them. They were a family. If her aunt wanted more support, more folks in their corner, Molly couldn’t deny her. “It takes a village.”

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