Page 110 of The Scars I Bare
“I know,” I said, feeling defeated but resolute.
“As soon as the weather clears, Cora,” he vowed, placing a warm hand on my shoulder.
I nodded, knowing he meant it. We pulled out of the marina and headed back to the inn.
I knew sleep wouldn’t come easy to anyone that night.
Not as long as the rain held and the winds whipped around the island, holding us here like prisoners from the one we loved.
“We’re coming, Dean,” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. “I promise. We’ll be there soon.”
“Cora.”
My eyes opened slightly, blinking several times as the sunlight from the window hit me square in the face. Molly was sitting on the edge of my bed, holding a cup of tea.
What was she doing here? Didn’t she get married—
Suddenly, the events from the night before came roaring back.
The wedding.
A fight.
Blake stealing Taylor’s boat.
It’d capsized.
And Dean.
I shot up, causing Molly’s tea to spill.
“Sorry!” I said. “But how did I—the weather.” I pointed to the window. “I need to go.”
Placing the cup on the dresser, she held her hand out in front of her, like she was trying to calm a wild animal. The wild animal—me—wasn’t having it.
“I need to get dressed, Molly. I need to catch the ferry to Hatteras and—”
“I already pulled out some clothes for you right over here. Lizzie is eating breakfast as we speak, and since I knew you wouldn’t sit down and eat, I packed you something for the road. Or air, I guess.”
“Air?”
“Taylor was going to take you by boat, but the water is still pretty choppy. So, one of the pilots in town was gracious enough to offer you a ride. So, you don’t have to deal with traffic. And the ferry.”
“That is very generous.”
I looked around the room, feeling immensely guilty. “I can’t believe I slept.”
An expression much the same as mine painted her face before she said, “I might have put something in that tea I made you last night. You were death on your feet. I knew you needed some rest before today.”
“And you expect me to drink another cup of it now?”
She laughed. “Oh no, that one is perfectly normal. Promise. But I’ll give you a minute to get ready. Taylor is already at the airport. He left about five minutes ago, so when you are ready, I’ll have Jake drive you over. He’s going to head up there with you. He offered to take Dean’s mother as well, but after everything Dean went through before, she can’t set foot in that hospital again. So, I’ll stay back and wait with her.”
“Thank you, Molly,” I said. “I know this isn’t exactly the wedding you imagined. Or the first day of marriage, for that matter.”
She shrugged. “It’s not the wedding that counts. Besides, it wouldn’t be a small-town wedding without some drama,” she said with a wink. “And, as for my first day of marriage, well, I definitely wouldn’t have wished for Dean to be back in the hospital, but everything else? Jake and Molly Jameson helping friends and family when they need us? That sounds just about perfect.” She paused for a moment, her cheeks staining red. “Jake and Molly Jameson. I think that’s the first time I’ve said it out loud.”
“And how does it sound?”
