Page 5 of Island Protector

The people were the best part about life on this small barrier island. Was everyone perfect? Hell no. But perfection would have been boring. Would’ve made her feel like an outsider.

Her parents believed perfection was the only standard. Anything less than a perfect A was a failing grade. By middle school, if she pursued a new interest or went out for a sport and didn’t make varsity, she had to quit and take lessons or private coaching until the next season.

To call her childhood a pressure cooker was an understatement. And it wasn’t at all how she raised Bryce. Maybe time did heal all wounds. Years removed from the turmoil of her unexpected pregnancy, she was grateful they’d kicked her out. Grateful her son wouldn’t struggle to meet the impossible standards her parents required.

Time in therapy helped, but she recognized plenty of work remained. As her therapist often said, the path was easier with good support.

There were times when she worried Bryce was being shortchanged without a relationship with his grandparents. But bad grandparents were worse than none at all. And with everything the community offered, she didn’t think he was missing anything.

“But you do have a problem?” Nina queried.

Once more, Molly jerked her attention back to the work and her boss. “Yes. Probably. Yes, I do,” she said, relieved that the words tumbled right out of her. “But it has nothing to do with Miles, I swear.”

Nina walked away from the arrangement she was working on. “Spill.”

“No, thanks.” She shook her head. “First I need to find out if it’s a real problem. Then, yes, we’ll talk.”

“You do realize how cryptic you sound?”

Molly chuckled, resigned. “Hopefully, I’m just worried about nothing.”

“What will help you make that determination? You know I’ll help if I can.”

That was the best thing about Nina. About her whole family. When they offered to help, they meant it. No empty platitudes would suffice for the Billings clan. They were the kind of people who jumped in and got things done. Much like her aunt.

It was past time for Molly to start doing the same. The paperwork wasn’t going away simply because she ignored it. She couldn’t sit back and wait for this problem to resolve itself. She needed to find a way forward. She needed to act. And she needed help to figure out the real risks.

“You wouldn’t happen to be a family lawyer on the side, would you?”

Nina reared back. “What’s wrong?”

Molly glanced at her purse. “I got a letter from Bryce’s paternal grandparents a few days ago.” Just saying it aloud dropped a weight across her shoulders. “Actually, I got served notice that they’re pursuing custody of Bryce.”

Nina’s mouth dropped into a horrified expression, while temper burned white-hot inside Molly. She was suddenly enraged with the audacity that they would pull this stunt now. “Can you imagine? They’ve never met him and they just want custody!” She was shouting and couldn’t stop. “They don’t know him. Or me. They shouldn’t even knowabouthim. I haven’t seen them since—” She choked on a sob lodgedbehind her heart. “Since—” But she just couldn’t get the words out.

Nina wrapped her in a hug. “Breathe. In and out,” she crooned. “It’s going to work out.”

Molly breathed deeply, and eventually eased away, swiping at the angry tears on her face. “I’m sorry. That was awful.”

“And better out than in,” Nina said. “Can you think again?”

Molly nodded.

“Good. You need to go see Jess. Right now,” Nina directed. “Take off your apron and get yourself over there. I’ll handle the shop. Unless you’re too shaky to drive.”

Molly held out her hands, pleased when they held steady. “I’m good.” She untied her apron, looping it on the peg near her work station. “Since when is Jess an attorney?”

“Well, she’s not. But she was a cop and with her new job she has plenty of resources and access to attorneys. Go talk to her.”

“Okay.” She reached for her cell phone. “I’ll call and set an appointment.”

She liked Nash’s wife. And not just because she hadn’t turned into a bridezilla ahead of their wedding. Jess was friendly and practical and Nina was probably right that in her new role as a Guardian Agency coordinator, she could advise Molly about who to contact. Based on what little she’d heard about the security firm, it was managed by two lawyers. Jess probably knew exactly who Molly should call to resolve this.

“I should’ve thought of her myself.”

“You would’ve gotten there,” Nina soothed. “Now, get going.”

“What if?—”

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