Page 27 of Island Protector

Molly knew that story. She appreciated the tales Sharon recalled of her childhood. It had given her a different perspective and helped her reframe some very difficult memories. Bringing healing bit by bit to the deep-seated insecurities.

“Aw, honey. I was there as often as I could be. I’m so sorry they gave you any doubts about how wonderful you are. There are times when I look at you and marvel that you came through it as kind-hearted and lovely as you are.”

“Nature versus nurture?” Molly tried to joke.

“You, my dear, are nature all the way.”

But Molly wasn’t so sure. Sharon’s nurture had seen her through many a challenge. She’d been the voice of encouragement and comfort whenever Molly needed it. “I should’ve known something was wrong with Tommy when I didn’t want to tell you about him.”

Sharon chuckled and picked up her purse. “Probably so. But without Tommy we wouldn’t have Bryce, and that would be a tragedy.”

On that note, Sharon headed out to pick up the little guy.

Molly dutifully drank the water, took a shower, and dressed again. Feeling better she wandered out to the backyard, but the sunny afternoon drove her back inside in a hurry. How long before the light sensitivity faded, she wondered. A pointlessquestion. Dr. Sanders had told her concussions healed on their own timeframe.

Inexplicably antsy, she went to the front porch to sit in the shade, telling herself it would all work out.

Eventually.

Chapter Seven

Miles had beenrestless since leaving Molly at the clinic last night. On the one hand, he was proud of stating his mind. On the other… He felt like a pushy jerk. He’d pretty much forced her to accept his intention to date her. To have more than the tenuous connection they currently had through Bryce. Why had it taken a crisis for him to speak up and state his case?

His behavior bugged him, but not nearly as much as his concern over her situation in general. Unable to distract himself from one disastrous scenario after another, he’d spent most of the night in the clinic parking lot, listening to the police scanner app for any sign of the blue pickup. And ready to back up the lone security guard if anyone came after her.

Who was he kidding? The odds were zero to none. She was dealing with a custody battle. He was the one waiting for a Vedras enforcer to show up.

Still, he’d checked in with Jess about that truck. The driver shouldn’t have been able to get off the island without being spotted. Instead of answers, he’d been given assurances thatthe research techs were handling it. Which didn’t make his day go any better than his night.

He worked on paperwork, spent some time sweating over the E-scow. Returned calls to a couple of groups about sailing lessons as a team-building thing.

Through it all, he couldn’t shake the gut instinct that there was more going on with Molly’s situation. Was that his own borderline paranoia or something worth heeding? Exercising some self-control, he waited until noon before he checked in with Jess again.

She’d let him know Molly had been discharged and was doing fine. She’d further assured him Molly wasn’t being left alone. So why didn’t his anxiety ease up?

As the afternoon hours ticked away, he told himself Bryce would be by soon—with either Sharon or Molly—and he could get more information directly from the source.

More than once, he picked up the phone to call the police, but the odds of them giving him any helpful information were low. It was maddening to think someone could get away with a hit-and-run in a town this small.

Knowing it was silly, Miles drove to the school, watching from across the street in case Molly or Sharon needed him. He could still make it back to the marina before they did. Assuming Bryce had behaved himself. Killing time, he called Jess again, expecting her to let the call go straight to voicemail.

“Miles.” She sighed. “Nagging me doesn’t help.”

“Helps me,” he admitted. “And what if I’m not nagging you? Maybe I’m in the middle of a crisis. Under attack.”

She swore. “Forgive me for being so callous. Are you under attack, Miles?”

“Not so far.”

“Stay away from my office and your peaceful streak shouldlast,” she warned.

She cracked him up. “How did the driver get off the island while avoiding all witnesses?”

“We’re working on it.” She sounded as edgy as he felt. “Obviously he didn’t go by ferry or someone would have seen the damage.”

“How did he leave the damn scene?” With all the safety features that were now standard, the pickup’s airbag should have deployed, making it impossible to leave the scene. Of course, he was assuming the truck was modern. Neither Molly nor Sharon had seen anything but the headlights. The driver could have been using a vehicle that predated airbags.

And he was back to paranoia.

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