Page 38 of The Harborer
Charlie directed his next comment to Shane. “Think you can handle bagging those up, big guy?”
Shane cursed under his breath as he snapped open a white paper pastry bag and tonged two fat croissants.
Amy got to work on Charlie’s latte and threw a look over her shoulder at Reece. “And for you, Chief?” She’d taken to callinghim that since he’d become the head of Search and Rescue. It suited him, and he didn’t seem to mind.
“That foamy milk stuff Neve likes, and a tall black coffee for me. What time are you closing, Amy?”
Surprised, she turned toward him. “The usual time? Two o’clock.” She tipped her wrist. “Ten minutes from now.”
“What would you say about us moving stuff from your storage loft into your new place after you close so we don’t disrupt business?”
Amy’s jaw dropped. “How did you know?”
Reece’s eyes darted toward Shane and back to Amy’s. “A big birdie told us. Charlie and I are here to move whatever you want moved from upstairs, as soon as you’re ready.”
Amy was trying to wrap her head around what these guys were planning to do for her. “I don’t know if that’s going to work. I need to do final clean-up and prep for tomorrow.”
Reece shook his head. “Already taken care of. Luanne’s on her way over.”
Amy’s mouth swung open as her gaze bounced between the three of them.
Shane placed his hand beside his mouth and whisper-shouted, “Is there an EMT in the house? I think our proprietor is going into shock.” Handing Charlie his pastries with one hand, Shane then placed his free index finger under Amy’s chin and closed her mouth.
“Who’s going to give Neve her milk?” she sputtered stupidly.
“You are.” Reece jabbed a finger over his shoulder at the same Neve poked her head in, as if they’d choreographed the moment.
“Hi, Amy,” Neve called cheerfully. She came fully inside, closing the door and making the little bell above it tinkle. She pulled off her beanie, letting her blond curls bounce free. “Hailey’s busy with the bookstore today, but I’m available to help you get your new place set up.”
“But you’re sick!”
Neve beamed her a smile. “Not today.”
A knot formed in Amy’s throat, and she muscled it down so she could speak. She gawped at Shane. “Youdid all this?”
“No. I just made a call. Everything else fell into place from there.”
Neve made her way to Reece’s side. He draped an arm casually around her shoulders and dropped a kiss on her crown. “I ordered your milk, sweetheart.”
She thanked him and snaked her arm around his waist. “Don’t look so surprised, Amy. You’re family, and we take care of our own. You know that.”
“B-but Micky’s a local, and I wasn’t born here!” she protested.
“Doesn’t matter,” Charlie chirped. “We adopted you and disowned him. He’s officially been kicked out of the family.”
Reece shrugged. “He was never reallyinthe family.”
“He was more like that weird third cousin no one invites to family get-togethers,” Charlie agreed.
“We permanently barred him, whichever way you slice it,” Reece added.
“Oh!” Remorse filled her. This was all wrong.
Neve seemed to read her every thought. “Don’t you dare make excuses for him, Amy. This has been a long time coming, and we’re just glad to see you getting away from a toxic situation. We’re here to help any way we can.”
Reece nodded. “After we get your stuff moved from upstairs, we’ll head over to Micky’s and grab what’s left there.”
Amy pressed her hand to her chest. “I’m so, so grateful.” She swallowed. “Also totally … overwhelmed by all of this.” Once again, the people who mattered most to her were circling the wagons. She could barely withstand the rush of emotions welling inside her. “I don’t know what to say.”
