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Elsa’s smile was blissful and contented. She was always happier when people needed her, and who needed anyone more than a toddler with a deep and undying love for breakfast?
But when Elsa turned her eyes toward Mallory, who hovered like a ghost in the doorway, her smile fell.
“Mallory? What happened?” Elsa’s voice was sharp.
Mallory made her way forward and dropped into the chair next to her son. She couldn’t look at her mother. Elsa poured Mallory a mug of coffee and massaged her back gently, waiting.
“Whatever it is, we can work through it,” Elsa breathed.
Mallory took a long sip of coffee. Beside her, Zachery chewed overly long on scraps of waffles, gabbing to himself. This was Neal Remington’s great-grandson, the furthest in his line. The ring in her pocket should have been his. Not Brodie’s. Never Brodie’s.
Slowly, Mallory leafed into her pocket and drew out the ring. She placed it with a clack on the kitchen table and dropped her gaze. Elsa gasped with recognition.
“Where did you get that?”
Mallory’s eyes filled with tears.I’m stupid, Mom. I’m so stupid. I thought someone actually liked me for me. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Mallory’s arms and legs quivered so powerfully that she had to put the mug of coffee back down. Elsa lifted the ring and inspected it as though it was about to explode.
“I met this guy on the ferry,” Mallory whispered. “He was so handsome. So kind. He barely paid any attention to Alexie and just focused on me for once. It was intoxicating.”
Elsa furrowed her brow, the ring still raised.
“I went on a date with him the other night, and it went so well, Mom. We shared things with each other that I never imagined two people could share. I trusted him already.”
Elsa’s dark blue eyes hardened to steel. “You don’t know anyone after one date, Mallory.”
“I know that, Mom.” Mallory felt her anger spike yet tried to shove it down. It wasn’t time for that.
“And the ring? You found it at his house?” Elsa asked softly, locking eyes with her.
Mallory nodded. She couldn’t tell her mother just how “magical” the night had been, nor that he was from the poverty line, nor that his father had just left his family behind. The ring said everything that needed to be said, and Elsa Remington Steel had no interest in anything else.
“I have to call the police,” Elsa announced, her nostrils flared.
“I know.”
Mallory’s heart thudded. After a long pause, Elsa rose and wrapped her arms around Mallory, tightening her against her chest. Her hand swept across her back.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Elsa whispered, her voice breaking. “He could have been violent.”
Mallory shook her head, wanting to scream just how “not violent” he seemed. But her mother was right: the ring spoke for itself. And she had to dismiss the innermost passions of her heart and stand up for her family. That was all that mattered now.
