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“Mrs. Fisher, I'm home,” I call out. “I hope you're hungry. I brought potato-crusted haddock and cannolis."
“That sounds delicious,” she says as she steps into the living room with my little boy.
"Hi, Brady," I coo. He’s so cute I can barely wait to get my hands on him.
I set the bag of food on the coffee table and remove my coat and gloves, so I can take him. The wisps of his blond hair are getting thicker now. Big blue eyes look up at me as he babbles.
I kiss him at least half a dozen times and inhale his baby powder smell. “Did you guys have a good day?”
“Couldn't have been better,” Mrs. F says with a smile that shows off a dimple that makes her look girlish despite her gray hair. “Brady and I went to the lighthouse. While we were feeding the ducks, we ran into some tourists with a cheerful black lab. The pup was fascinated by Brady and the feeling was mutual.”
“Aw, that's so great. I love that lighthouse.” Looking at Brady, I smile. "Did you play with a doggy today?"
At ten months, he's so playful and happy and beautiful I hate to leave him alone for a second. I'm afraid I might miss something important.
“So how’s it going at the inn?” Mrs. F asks.
“Okay. Cleaning is hard work. I’m hoping to get promoted as soon as something better opens up.” I dip my fingertip in the cannoli cream and put it near the baby's lips. He sucks it off and smiles. "That's good, huh?" I kiss him again. “Mommy missed you so much.”
“There’s something I need to tell you,” Mrs. Fisher says hesitantly.
“Yes?”
“A man came by today, looking for you.”
My breath catches, and my muscles lock. For months, I’ve thought about calling Liam Callahan to tell him about Brady. But I worried about what would happen to us if I did. I’ve followed things in Boston from afar. Liam’s case was ruled self-defense, but there was speculation that the Di Luccio family was trying to retaliate anyway.
My gaze intensifies on windows that look out onto the street. “Was the man tall and blond?”And a handsome and grownup version of Brady?
“No, dark-haired. He said he was your uncle and that he lives nearby. But I thought your only relatives were in Massachusetts and Missouri?”
My heart begins to pound. Could the man have been someone the Di Luccio family sent to get their revenge for the role I played in Francesca’s demise?
“Did he look Italian?” I ask nervously, not that I’m sure that their hitmen are all Italian. They might hire anyone.
“Not especially. He had dark thinning hair. Average height.”
Could it have been someone Liam hired to find me? I’ve tried to keep Brady a complete secret, even from my own family, but men like Liam have access to information that normal people don’t.
“My dad only has one brother and he lives in Missouri with his wife and children. I don’t believe he’d show up without calling first. How would he even know where to come?” I sit down, hugging Brady to me as he starts to fuss.
“I had a strange feeling,” Mrs. F says. “He wanted to know which of the units was yours. I wondered how he’d even found out you’re living here.”
I chew on my lower lip, my heart hammering in my chest. If it’s someone Liam sent, then he already knows about us. But if it’s not, I need to pack up my things to disappear again.
“Thanks for letting me know, Mrs. Fisher. I’ll make some telephone calls.”
* * *
LIAM
Aidenand I leave a meeting at the wharf and are heading to lunch when I hit the voicemail icon to listen to and clear a spam call. Except the unknown number isn’t a bullshit telemarketer or phishing scam.
It’sher.
“Hi, Liam. It’s Olivia.”There’s a pause and then.“You probably know I left Boston a year and a half ago. I’m calling because there was someone in town asking about me. I don’t think you would’ve sent anyone after all this time, but if you did, could you let me know? I—It’s scary to have a strange man lurking around. Okay, that’s all. Other than that I really hope everything is going well for you and your family.” Another brief pause. “You don’t need to call. Just a text is all I need. If the man wasn’t working for you, I’ll talk to the police… and maybe even move again.”A bird squawks in the background, and she adds hastily,“Thanks, gotta go.”
“What’s up?”Aiden asks.
