Page 62 of Sea Glass and Second Chances (Carolina Cove 3)

“And you know this after an hour or two with her?” Dara asked.

Connor smiled and moved toward a pantry. Inside he stared at the wall until selecting a key, holding it out to Logan.

“I’ve seen a lot of crazy over the years, hon. Your mama ain’t it.”

Logan took the key but then snapped his fingers and pointed at the man.

“Connor Sennett… I knew I recognized the name. You’re the writer Oz meets up with every now and again to talk publishing.”

“You’re an author?” Devon asked, glancing between the two men.

Connor looked surprised by their connection to Oz but nodded.

“Attorney, author, and beach bum,” the man said.

“He writes legal thrillers,” Logan added. “Oz is my brother’s best friend,” he said to Connor, filling in the missing piece.

“Now that is a small world connection,” Connor murmured, nodding. “But not too uncommon in this area. Islands are only so big.”

“That’s why you said you’ve seen crazy? You meant in court?” Dara asked.

Connor nodded. “Girls, your mama is reeling and exhausted but calm and clear. Whatever happened to her before… she’s pulled herself through to the other side. Doesn’t mean she won’t have dark days ahead, but I think she’s found her strength.”

“Really?” Devon asked, struggling to believe the statement.

Connor smiled yet again, and she found herself warming up to the man. Even if it was because he gave her some hope.

“Really. Now, which would you like on your salad, young lady? I haven’t seen Oscar in a couple of months. Should we call him up and tell him to hop a ferry on over here?”

Rayna Jo heard a noise and bolted upright on the bed. The bedroom door opened but the chair under the knob didn’t allow it to open far.

A familiar low mutter sounded, and she shoved herself up and off the comfortable mattress, peeking through the inch or so crack in the door until she spotted her nephew on the other side.

“I didn’t mean to wake you,” he said apologetically. “Can I, uh, come in?”

Rayna bent and pulled the chair away and the door swung open. She’d barely had time to straighten before Logan pulled her against his chest for a hug.

“You scared us, Ray-Ray.”

She felt bad for that and hugged her nephew with all the love she’d felt from the moment he and his brother were born. “I’m sorry. I just couldn’t breathe after what happened at the cemetery. I had to get away.”

He let go of her and gently nudged her back toward the bed, his hand sliding down her arm to take her pulse.

“I’m fine, Logan. Better than I’ve been since all of this began. It’s amazing what a nighttime adventure will do to force someone to find their courage.”

“How did you get here?” he asked.

“I stole a kayak.” She laughed when she saw his expression turn to shock. “I know. So unlike me. I hope I don’t get in too much trouble for it, but I don’t regret it. And of course I’ll return it and pay for its use.”

“Rayna J—”

“Don’t give me that tone,” she ordered.

“If he can’t, I will,” Adaline said from the doorway.

Her twin rushed inside and across the bedroom, hugging Rayna with such force she nearly toppled them both.

“Don’t you ever do something like that again. You scared the dickens out of me.”

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