Page 7 of Isla by Any Other Name

“Jax, this is Molly. Molly, these are some friends of mine,” Mitch said. Isla was still getting used to being called Molly. Being introduced as Molly was even more bizarre.

“We’ve got the stuff you wanted,” Jax said, smiling in Isla’s direction. “Stella added a few more things to your list she thought you’d like.”

Isla took the bag from his massive hands. “Please thank her for me. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this.” Though Jax was as big as a grizzly bear, the smile he flashed told Isla he was a teddy bear.

Another man stepped forward. “I’m Kip Norton,” he said, extending a hand. “Let’s go inside. We figured you could update us on things, so we’ll be prepared if you need us. We don’t want to have to come in blind if we don’t have to. We’d also like to meet the rest of your team, so we don’t get ourselves killed if we’re called into action.”

“Come on in. I’m sure my team knows you’re here,” Mitch said. “If they don’t, there’ll be hell to pay.”

“Calm down, boss. We knew they were coming. We let them in the gate.” Lara breezed down the stairs. Her green eyes sparkled as she gave a flirty smile to Kip. “Hi, big boy,” she said as she sauntered up to Kip. “Where have you been hiding?”

“Cut it out, Lara!” Kip laughed as he pulled her into a hug. “How the hell you been? It’s been two years since we last crossed paths. What have you been doing with yourself?”

“I’ve been traipsing around the country with this guy,” she said, pushing Mitch playfully. “We haven’t had a chance to breathe in the last two years. He never stops!”

Kip grinned. “Well, when you’re the best, that’s going to happen. You’re in demand. Let’s catch up while you’re here.”

“Okay you two, let’s get inside,” Mitch said. “Molly offered to make lunch for everyone. Can you guys stay?”

“Sure can, we never pass up a home-cooked meal,” said Kip, still looking at Lara.

Isla smiled. “Well then, I’d better get a move on it.”

Isla pulled out what she needed to make chili for lunch. She defrosted beef in the microwave and chopped any vegetables she could find. Then she found the spice rack and got to work. While the chili simmered on the stove, she pulled a couple boxes of cornbread mix from another cupboard. Isla hadn’t used her culinary skills in a long time. It was only her, and the kitchen in her studio apartment left much to be desired. She lived off cafeteria food from the hospital. She hadn’t had anyone to cook for in years.

Within the hour, she had everyone sitting out on the deck with bowls of chili in hand and warm cornbread to enjoy. The day couldn’t have been finer. The sun shone through the trees. The breeze scattered colorful leaves along the ground as more leaves swirled in the sky. The air had just the touch of crispness she loved.

“Molly, this is delicious!” said Nick, one of Mitch’s friends. “The best I’ve ever had! Will you marry me?”

That made Isla laugh. “Well, they do say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, Nick. I’ll tell you what—when this is all over, come find me and we’ll talk.”

“That’s a deal! You heard her guys, I have a chance,” Nick chuckled.

“Give her ten minutes with you, Nick, and she’ll be kicking your ass to the curb,” teased Sledge, another of Curt’s men.

“Hey! I resent that. Don’t listen to them Molly, I’m a good catch.”

“Molly, we’ll talk!” Kip chuckled.

Isla sat with the agents and their friends, joking and laughing all afternoon. For a moment, she could forget why she was there—and what was at stake.

Later, Isla headed out to the deck with her new sketchbook in hand. She’d have to send Stella a thank you for her kindness. She pulled a chair to the edge of the deck and looked across the wide valley. The autumn colors were brilliant, and they nearly took her breath away. In two weeks or so the landscape would change once again and the starkness of a winter scape would replace this one.

Isla’s pencil flew over the paper. It’d been so long since she’d done any artwork—before nursing school. But her muscle memory took over as she captured the scene in front of her. She felt warm breath on her neck and turned to find Mitch looking over her shoulder. She dropped her pencil, startled.

Mitch said, “Sorry to interrupt you, Molly. You’re good! You should sell your paintings if they’re all as good as this one. I’d buy this one and you haven’t even painted it yet.”

Isla felt her face grow warm. “Thanks, I haven’t had the time to just sit and paint for a long time. If anything, I’m a master doodler—that’s the extent of my talent lately. If you saw my folks’ house, you’d see a gallery of my earlier works.” She chuckled.

“Well, I’m impressed. This is beautiful! I can’t wait to see it completed.”

“I’ll tell you what—when I finish it, it’s all yours. Consider it a thank you.”

“Thank you,” said Mitch with a genuine smile. “I’ll put it right on my wall at home.”

Isla felt bold. She asked, “Won’t your wife have something to say about that?”

“Nope, I don’t have a wife, so it’s my wall—all mine.”