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“We close in two weeks. I cannot wait to begin renovation.”
“Don’t be too eager. I’m having trouble finding a contractor now that Sean is gone. I’m not sure Dad’s cottage will ever be done. I may be living at Martha’s B and B the rest of my life.”
Anu walked them to the door. “Martha would not mind. She is enamored with your father.”
“I think it’s mutual.” Jon brushed his lips across her soft cheek. “Thanks again.”
“You are a sweet boy.” She shut and locked the door behind them.
The lights went out moments later. Jon carried the puppy to his car. Mason had taken him to pick it up at Anu’s so he had a vehicle.
It was probably nothing, but his worry escalated as he looked back at the shop.
Sixteen
Taylor had stayed in this tiny house until she wanted to scream. But going into Rock Harbor made her feel like a slug that had just crawled out from under a log. She was sure people were staring at her with contempt, even though Bree told her it was her imagination. Bree claimed no one knew about the way she’d tried to frame Jon, but Taylor didn’t buy it. She knew how rumors traveled in a small town.
She went to the window and peered out onto the grassy lawn bordered by the blue of Lake Superior in the distance. She often walked on the beach, but she was tired of that too. Still, it was better than sitting here staring at four walls.
She put on a headband to keep her hair out of her eyes in the wind, then went to the door. The fresh scent of the lake hit her, and she inhaled. Maybe there would be a friendly soul walking the sand. She was lonely.
Bree was nice enough, but Taylor could tell she was on Annie’s side. Everyone in town was on Annie’s side. And why not? Taylor was new here. Of course they’d believe Annie. No one stopped to think about all Taylor had gone through. If only she had a friend. Someone who knew and understood her.
She’d thought Jon might bethe one, but he’d been just asfaithless as all men. Her mom was right. Taylor should have known better than to trust any man.
The grass was springy under her flip-flops as she made her way to the steps down to the beach. She heard voices and saw Kylie and Jon walking along the water’s edge.
She retreated a step and started to go back to her cottage, but no. She had done nothing wrong. The beach was open to everyone. Jon Dunstan didn’t own it. And even though she’d been warned to stay away from Kylie, the little girl loved her. It was cruel to keep them apart. They had no right to dictate that she couldn’t see Kylie.
Head high, Taylor went down the steps. The iron railing held her steady when her knees trembled with the stress of the coming confrontation. Would Jon order her away, or would he try to be pleasant for Kylie’s sake? She was about to find out.
She reached the sand and kicked off her flip-flops, then tipped up her chin and marched toward Kylie. Kylie saw her before Taylor called out to her, and she jumped to her feet.
“Taylor!” The little girl pelted across the sand to throw herself into Taylor’s arms.
A rush of pleasure and triumph swamped Taylor as she clutched the little girl to her chest. “I’ve missed you, Bug.”
If Annie could call Kylie Bug, so could she. It felt all kinds of great to be loved like this. A child’s love was the purest, most wonderful kind. And even though she didn’t know it, Kylie was her niece. They were part of one another.
Jon’s gruff voice broke into Taylor’s enjoyment. “What are you doing here, Taylor?”
She let go of Kylie and turned to face him. “Just taking a walk.”
Jon held out his hand. “We need to go, Kylie.”
The little girl grabbed Taylor’s hand and hung on. “I don’t want to. I’ve been looking all over for Taylor.”
“Your mom texted, and she’s on her way. Let’s meet her at the road and go to dinner. We can go to the fish house.”
“I’m tired of always having to eat something without gluten. I want to go to the Suomi and have pulla.”
Taylor recognized the whine in Kylie’s voice as a ruse to get her way. Jon probably didn’t know the little girl well enough to see she was playing him.
“You know we can’t do that, Kylie. I can’t either. I get just as tired of not being able to eat what I want as you do. It gets better.” He took a step toward them. “Come on, we need to go.”
“I’m not going, and you can’t make me. Mommy wouldn’t make me. She knows I love Taylor and wanted to see her. I’m staying here until Mommy comes. You’re not the boss of me.”
Color swept up Jon’s face, and he pressed his lips together. His eyes narrowed, but he inhaled and stepped back. “Your mom will have plenty to say about your disobedience. You think she’d be glad you talked to a grown-up like that?”
