Page 76 of Island Protector

“You can say that again.”

So she did. Peppering kisses all over his face as she repeated the name that would be hers as soon as they could get the wedding on the calendar and exchange vows.

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Turn the page for a specialbonus epiloguefrom Brookwell!

Bonus Epilogue- Meeting the Graingers

Six months later, August

Seated in the Tea Room at the Inn, Molly and Sharon were alone at a table set for four. Any minute now Bryce’s grandparents, Thomas and Anne Grainger would arrive.

Molly fidgeted in her seat, feeling like a little kid instead of the mother she was. Wife and mother, in case anyone was keeping score.

Five months married, with a father for her son. A father Bryce absolutely adored. They lived in a beautiful home on the marsh and she was happier than she had ever dreamed she could be.

So why did she feel inadequate in the extreme, right now?

Sharon eyed her from across the table. “You’re worrying for no reason.”

“No reason?” Molly echoed, incredulous. She had plenty of reasons. “They paid a private investigator to steal my son.”

“No,” Sharon corrected, her voice firm. “You’ve seen the file the GuardianAgency research team compiled. Be fair.”

“You’re right.” As usual. Still, they’d come after her little boy.

Jess had shared every detail with Molly and Sharon. Everything except the Graingers private banking information.

Molly had read the full report several times. The Graingers had been raked over the coals by Clinton. They’d paid him thousands and thousands of dollars only to be strung along, tortured emotionally, with nothing to show for it but more misplaced guilt.

“They paid a scam artist to rescue their only grandson from a terrible situation.” Sharon reminded her quietly. “They’re hurting.”

“Right.” Molly hadn’t quite reached the same point of empathy. She tried and tried to see it from their perspective over the past several months. Once in a while, with Miles holding her hand or when Bryce was sound asleep, she could almost forgive them for the upheaval they caused.

Would it really have been so difficult to come to Brookwell themselves, to assess the situation with their own eyes, before writing a check to a stranger who claimed she was an awful mother?

As if Sharon could read her mind, she reached over and patted Molly’s hand. “You’re a wonderful mother. That’s why we’re sitting here, ready to grill them before we consider introducing Bryce.”

“You were mad too.” Molly sniffed.

“Of course. I’m still mad at that useless Clinton. “But there’s so much to be happy about and if this opens new relationships for Bryce, isn’t that a good thing?”

It wasn’t as if her own parents would ever come around to welcome her back in the fold. The Graingers might be his only chance to have a normal grandparent-grandchild relationship. Assuming they proved themselves worthy enough to her.

“Keep an open mind darling,” Sharon said under her breath. “Here they are.”

Molly followed her gaze, surprised to see Trina Bollani, the Inn manager, leading the older couple to the table. Molly figured that kind of treatment was normal for a wealthy couple like Thomas and Anne.

Of course, technically, she was one half of a wealthy couple herself now, thanks to Miles and his brilliant development in college. And the investments he’d made since. The realization overwhelmed her and gave her pause.

“Enjoy your tea,” Trina said, moving away.

The Graingers looked from Sharon to Molly. Anne made no effort to hide her disappointment. “Where is Bryce?”

Thomas tsked at her. “Where are your manners?” he asked in a stage whisper.

Immediately her demeanor softened. “He’s right. My apologies.” She introduced herself.

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