Page 34 of Island Protector

Knowing her aunt would give Bryce the final vote on food, she wondered what the two of them would bring home for dinner. After last night’s accident, she and Sharon were both being indulgent with Bryce. It wouldn’t last, but it wouldn’t hurt him either. Nothing like a close call to stir up a wave of gratitude for what she had.

She checked her phone, surprised it was so late. The afterschool trips to the marina were running progressively longer, especially when Miles had free time for Bryce. Another thing to be grateful for. Miles seemed to have infinite patiencefor her curious, boat-obsessed son. Seeing messages from Miles that she’d missed, she started to respond when she heard Bryce.

He was on the path, talking a mile a minute, and she went to open the door. She was eager to eat, of course. And the sooner they got Bryce to bed, the sooner she could talk with Sharon about her call with the attorney, Wilt Devaney. He’d put her at ease immediately and for the first time since those papers had shown up, she had real hope.

He’d given her warnings too about people who might be poking around, so when she saw two more cars pull up behind Sharon’s, fear iced the back of her neck.

Molly wasn’t in the market for more surprises or trouble. She wanted to go back to last week when everything was pleasant and her biggest worry was how she’d react when Miles told her it was time to take out the boat. Tired, her mind reeling, it took a beat to recognize Miles walking up the drive. She didn’t know the man behind him at all.

Bryce scampered through the door first. “Hi, Momma!” He jumped for a hug, counting on her to catch him. She managed it, despite her sore arm and achy body. “Miles came for dinner,” he shouted, dashing off toward the kitchen. “His friend too. We got barbecue from Benny’s. It’s too heavy for me to carry so I have to get forks and stuff.”

“And napkins,” Sharon called after him.

“Napkins,” he echoed.

“Benny’s?” She raised an eyebrow as Sharon passed. It was one of Bryce’s favorite places. Mainly because she rarely scolded him for covering himself in sauce.

“It’s been that kind of afternoon,” her aunt murmured.

Molly wanted the whole story, and knew she wouldn’t get it right away as she was suddenly being introduced to Miles’s friend.

“Molly, this is Knox Moore.” Miles relieved Knox of the food as he passed.

“Hey.” Knox stuck out his hand. “Friend of Miles and dinner party crasher.”

“Come on in.” She was helpless against the taller man’s smile. “Sounds like you had an invitation.”

Sharon sent her an apologetic look as they all gathered in the dining room. “It’s an impromptu party.”

“If we’re intruding, we’ll go,” Miles stated.

“Stay, please. It’s no problem,” Molly said. What else would she be doing except worrying? It seemed the entire town was conspiring to watch over her and keep her distracted. “Good company is always welcome.”

“We’ll certainly do our best.”

When Miles smiled, her knees went watery. She wished she’d taken more time with her hair, or been brave enough to apply mascara. At this point, all she could do was roll with it and ignore that she didn’t look her best. “What brings you to town?” she asked as she and Bryce finished setting the table.

Knox stepped out of the way, tucking his hands into his pockets. “I’m in Charleston on business. It was a good time to swing by and catch up.”

“That’s great. Have a seat.”

Miles boosted Bryce into a chair and Molly tucked a napkin into the collar of her son’s shirt, setting extras beside his plate. “You’re in the splash zone,” she warned as the man settled on the boy’s other side.

Sharon brought a stack of plates and as food and drinks were passed around, Molly sensed low-level tension between the men. Had something happened or were they just preoccupied? She had to stop seeing trouble everywhere.

“What is it you do, Knox?” she asked once everyone had a full plate of barbecue, slaw, tots, corn fritters, fried pickles, and bread.

“Security mostly,” he replied. “With the Guardian Agency. I go where Jess tells me,” he added with another grin.

“She really enjoys her work,” Molly said.

“That is the truth.” Knox smiled again. “We’re glad to have her on board. The change has been helpful for everyone.”

Jess had certainly been a big help for Molly. Without Jess, she wasn’t sure she’d have an attorney on board. Definitely not one with Devaney’s reputation.

She let Sharon take over hostess duties, grateful when she deftly steered the conversation to child-friendly topics. Molly let the voices flow around her, indulging in the delicious, hearty food and laughing as she periodically wiped a layer of sauce off her son’s face. She hadn’t been in a bad mood before everyone arrived, but she didn’t have her usual ability to juggle several things at once.

She felt like a weenie admitting it, so she kept it to herself, eating what she could and chiming in as needed.

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