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“Okay! There’s no need to sound so defensive. I was curious. That’s all. I liked him when I met him. Have you asked Ava about doing the tree lighting thing with me yet?”
“Not yet. And I really have to go, Jacob. The last thing I want is to be late and leave her there worrying that I’m not coming.”
“Of course. Go. Are you bringing her back here?”
“Yes.”
“Want to bring her up to the house?”
“I’ll see if she wants to come.”
“I should probably meet her if she’s going to do the lighting ceremony.”
Hannah frowned. “I’ll call you later. If you want me to send you those photos, I need to do it quick and then get over to the school.”
“Forget the photos. You can send them later. Being on time for Ava’s more important. I’ll see you later.”
Hannah gave her phone a puzzled look as she ended the call. She wouldn’t have expected her brother to be so eager to meet Ava, or to be so supportive about the whole thing. Either he really was becoming more mellow, or he was being snoopy. She hoped it wasn’t the latter. If he was going to start interfering in her life, she wouldn’t want to stay here.
She grabbed her keys and her purse and smiled through pursed lips at Scooter, who was wagging around her legs eagerly. “You can come if you’re going to be good.” He gave a little yip as if he understood and headed for the door.
~ ~ ~
Grady pulled his phone out of his pocket and then shoved it back in again. They’d be fine. Hannah knew what time she had to be at the school and where exactly Ava would meet her. Ava not only knew but was excited that Hannah was picking her up and taking her back to the cottage again. It was all good. He looked around the restaurant. It was the mid-afternoon lull. He could give them a quick call.
He startled when Molly poked him in the ribs; he hadn’t even noticed her come up beside him. “What are you looking so worried about?”
“I’m not worried. I’m fine.”
Molly smirked. “Yeah? I know Ava’s getting out of school right about now. Tell me that you weren’t thinking about her and Hannah.”
He made a face at her. “Of course I was. It’s only natural.”
“I know. Don’t get pissy with me. I’m teasing.”
“Sorry, Molly Moo.”
“No, I am. I’m teasing you about Hannah. But … is Ava okay with it all? We could have figured something out, you know. We still can. It’s not forever, is it? I can shuffle people to cover. Or she can come in here and hang out.”
“Nah. It’s okay. It’s all good. She and Hannah have taken a shine to each other.”
“But?”
He let out a short laugh. “There are no buts. I think that’s what bothers me. It all seems a little too good to be true. And it’s all happening so fast. It … it just feels right, Molly.” He rolled his eyes at her. “I know I probably sound stupid, but what if this is it. Hannah and me? What if …”
Molly grinned at him. “What if what?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Forget it.”
She put her hand on his arm. “What if your soul has found its twin and Hannah is it?”
“Yeah. It was one thing when I said that about you and Marcos. It’s something else when it’s me.”
“You told me back then that the kind of women you went out with were all about the looks. That they only wanted you for your body.” She chuckled. “Which I have to tell you I thought was arrogant of you. But I’ll admit that from what I’ve seen, it was true. You never got close with anyone. But Hannah’s not like that.”
He shook his head. “She isn’t. There’s a whole lot more to her than that. But still, Moll, we barely know each other.”
Molly shrugged. “I think that when you know, you know. Time doesn’t make any difference whatsoever. Marcos and I were apart for twelve years. I wanted to hate him, I wanted to forget him. But I couldn’t. And even though he tried, even though he marriedher, he couldn’t forget me either. Time has no meaning when it comes to the person you’re meant to be with. You told me that you wanted a woman with a soul. You knew my soul had found its twin. I’m guessing that yours has, too. It might not be obvious on the surface. Her background might lead you to make certain assumptions about her. But I’m telling you, Hannah is perhaps the kindest soul I’ve ever met. The only other person who might give her a run for that title is you. So, maybe she is your twin. Maybe you’ve found her.”
