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“Thanks!” Mike’s frown deepened.
“And…” Hannah rolled her hand to get him to continue.
“I accept your help,” Mike repeated her words, and she rolled her hands again. “And I’ll do what you say, not follow my big, soft, stupid heart.”
“I didn’t say your heart was stupid,” Hannah corrected him. “I implied that it made you stupid and not think straight.”
“I’m glad we straightened that out.” Mike shook his head and rolled his eyes.
Speaking to Hannah made him feel better and a little hopeful that he could salvage his and Nicky’s budding relationship.
“Great.” Hannah’s grin broadened, making him worry about what he’d gotten himself into. “I hope you’re not doing anything tonight?”
“I had plans,” Mike told her and gave another grunt. “But it looks like those aren’t happening.”
“If they were with Nicky, let’s see if we can salvage them,” Hannah said.
“I’m listening.” Mike looked at her curiously.
“Good, because there’s a lot for you to do,” Hannah said. “And you might want to start by apologizing to your best friend, and maybe Harry and Sam will help you set it up.”
“What about you?” Mike’s curiosity grew.
“I’m going to organize Nicky,” Hannah told him and looked at her wristwatch. “Let’s aim for seven-thirty.”
“That doesn’t give us much time,” Mike told her.
“Well then, you’d better get groveling!” Hannah gave him a smug smile.
“Nicky?” Hannah’s soft voice broke into Nicky’s quiet reflection.
Nicky had spent all the tears she had for the night and was now just sitting in the sand, letting the ocean’s soft swish comfort her.
“Hannah?” Nicky quickly wiped the stray tears away and sniffed. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to visit my new niece,” Hannah told her, dropping down next to Nicky. “How are things?”
“Oh, you know!” Nicky sniffed and forced a smile. “Fading into darkness.” She laughed and indicated the day slipping away.
“Is that why you’ve been crying?” Hannah asked her with a worried frown. “You don’t want the day to end?”
“I haven’t been—” Nicky drew in a shaky breath and sniffed, knowing Hannah was the one person she couldn’t fool. She sighed. “I did a dumb thing.”
“You’re not regretting adopting Riley, are you?” Hannah asked her.
“What?” Nicky looked at her sister dumbfounded. “No, of course not.” She sniffed again. “Riley’s the only bright thing in my life right now. Goodness, I could never regret that little girl coming into my life. She’s my miracle.”
“Then what’s got you looking like your world is about to end?” Hannah’s eyes widened. “The doctors haven’t found any more tumors, have they?”
“No!” Nicky’s frown deepened. “If you must know, I foolishly allowed myself to get close to a man.” Her jaw clenched, and a burning pain ripped through her heart. “But, as usual, I chose a lying, cheating—”
“Okay, I get the picture!” Hannah held up her hands, then put her arm around Nicky’s shoulders and squeezed her.
Nicky lay her head on Hannah’s shoulder. She may have been the second youngest Scott sister, but Hannah was the wisest and always knew what to say to make a person feel better.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Hannah asked and planted a kiss on Nicky’s head. “I’ve been told I’m an excellent listener.”
“I should hope so.” Nicky laughed, sitting up. “It’s your job.”
