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I knew those instincts. Knew them well.
My gaze skipped to the water, where two young men were trying to surf in weak swells. Joe Rains and Noah.
I wanted nothing more than to call them out of the water, to see Noah’s feet on the beach, away from the dangers of the sea, but instead I took a deep breath, let it out slowly. I fought hard to hear the sound of his laughter—because I could tell by my son’s body language that he was having a blast—but the sound was lost to the southerly winds.
I was glad to see him having fun. He’d arrived yesterday for a surprise visit and had been caught up in the whirlwind of what had happened with Ava.
“It’s obvious Molly adores you,” Dad was saying to her.
That was true. Molly was currently curled up on Ava’s lap. I’d never seen her so docile in my whole life and thought perhaps that Ava was some sort of magical cat whisperer.
“As much as I love her,” Dad added, “Carmella is highly allergic. I’m going to need someone to care for Molly.”
Ava ran her hand over Molly’s back.
“You can live here with her until we find you a smaller place. I have a home in mind. A sweet cottage near the church.”
“I can’t afford—”
“It’s a rental of mine. Tenants are planning to move out before Christmas. Rent is reasonable. Landlord is a peach.”
She cracked a smile. “Hard to pass up a peach of a landlord.”
“This is what I’m trying to say.”
“And Molly will come with me?” she asked, her tone hopeful. “If I move to the rental?”
He swallowed hard, and I realized how difficult this was for him, having to choose between two loves. “It would set my mind—and heart—at ease knowing she’s with someone who loves her as much as I do.”
Ava said, “I’m not sure why it feels like you’re doing me the favor rather than the other way around.”
“Pshaw.”He waved a hand. “It was all simply meant to be.”
Puffy white clouds filled the sky, blocking out the sun, keeping temperatures reasonable, in the low eighties. The waterwas a deep blue green today that reminded me of Donovan’s eyes.
He’d come by earlier with sweets from the bakery. Many people had come by, in fact. Bettina and Sienna. Jolly. Gracie and Juniper. Rose and Titus. Each had given Ava a big hug and offers of support, and they brought baby gifts—clothes, toys, a cradle.
Noticeably absent was Sam. It was impossible not to see the hope in Ava’s eyes every time the doorbell rang, then the disappointment.
“Now, tell me what you need,” Dad said. “A drink? A snack?”
“Actually, all I’d like for now is to talk to Maggie.”
“Oh. Well, that’s easy enough.” He stood up and looked my way, clearly knowing I’d been listening the whole time. “I’m going to leave you two ladies alone and go out and play with the boys. It’s been a long time since I hauled these old bones onto a surfboard, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Automatically, I said, “Be careful.”
His eyes crinkled as he smiled. “Always, Magpie. Always.”
As he headed for his bedroom to change, I stepped onto the porch and took his seat. “How’s your head?”
“Not terrible,” she said. “How’s yours?”
“Actually, it’s been good ever since the day on the pier. My blood pressure is the lowest it’s been in years. I’d been holding a lot in, I guess. I never did thank you—”
“Please don’t. I shouldn’t have butted in.”
“But Ava, if you hadn’t, my head might have exploded, and did you really want that on your conscience?”
