Page 142 of Doyle

The server laughed. “Coming right up, Penny.”

Penny walked them over to a couple empty leather chairs by the window. “You can have a salad for dinner.”

Tia sat down. “What’s a Twilight Temptation?”

“Dark chocolate, espresso, black cocoa, raspberry ganache. I promise you, you’ll be awake for your presentation. You ready?”

“I think so. Beacon of Compassion International is known for its big donations?—”

“How big?”

“If I can get Dad to match it, maybe ten million?”

“Is that enough to build your medical clinic?”

“I think so. The one we currently have, attached to Hope House, isn’t big enough, so we need to expand the one in Esperanza. I originally wanted three million, but after the landslide, we realized we needed to upgrade the trauma center and add a pediatric wing to the hospital... it’s all in the proposal.”

“And what comes next—you heading back to Mariposa?”

Marcie arrived with the cookies, warm and gooey, along with silverware. “Coffee?”

Penny nodded while Tia looked at the mound of chocolate. “I’ll be awake for a week.”

“Splitsies.” Penny cut her peanut butter cookie in half.

They traded plates.

“Oh, no, this is... this is too good,” Tia said.

“Right? Conrad likes to come here after games. When they win.” Penny took a bite of the peanut butter. “Okay, and when they lose.”

Tia laughed.

“So—are you heading back?”

Marcie delivered their coffee, and Tia picked up her cup. Sipped. “The coffee on the island is so strong that Rosa has to put sweetened condensed milk in it. It’s amazing.”

“I’m going to say that’s a yes.”

Tia shrugged. “I keep thinking about Gabriella, this amazing teenager who just needs someone to believe in her. And the Parnell twins, who I hope will be adopted?—”

“And Doyle?”

She sighed. “I think Doyle...”

“Misses you too.”

She met Penny’s gaze. “I don’t?—”

“He’s going back.”

“What?”

“I was at Conrad’s game a few days ago and heard that Doyle’s talked to Declan about doing his residency in Mariposa.”

Tia had nothing.

Especially when Penny stood up. “Don’t kill me.”

---