Island Holiday (Brookwell Island #4)

Chapter 2

“Mommy!” Bryce shrieked and raced down the porch steps, his arms and legs pumping.

Molly paused on the path, crouching down for the full body-slam hug. She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a big squeeze as she breathed him in. “How’s my bright boy?”

“I’m a sailor in training,” he declared.

“That’s a big upgrade from this morning.”

“Uh-huh.” He wriggled out of her embrace to study a dragonfly that perched on the top of the picket fence lining the walkway. “Hands close,” he said, pulling them to his chest.

“Good job.”

He jerked to a standing position and looked up. A frown crinkling over his brown eyes. “Can sailors pet the dragonflies?”

She shook her head. “They aren’t petable creatures.”

He sighed as if that news was a heavy burden. “Can we get a dog?” He put his hand in hers.

“Only if Aunt Sharon and her cat approves.”

“She says Cheeto doesn’t like dogs, but maybe he just needs to meet a good friend. Or a puppy,” he added slyly. “Then Cheeto can teach the dog how he likes things.”

Did she have the energy for a puppy? “Everyone needs good friends.” Although she wasn’t sure the big orange tabby cat would agree. That wasn’t a discussion she planned to have with her son tonight.

“Sailors have friends,” Bryce declared. “And they work together.”

They were at the porch now and her son plopped down on the top step. She sat beside him, their after-work tradition on sunny days. “So, you’re a sailor in training now?”

“Mm-hm.” His head bobbed enthusiastically. “I gotta swab the deck and stuff before I can turn the wheel. Mr. Miles said that’s how Popeye started. Every sailor does it.”

“Sounds like it’s important to learn how the boat works.”

“Yeah.” Bryce popped to his feet. “Sailors have to learn everything.” He threw his arms wide. “That’s what Mr. Miles said. Ya gotta know the boat.”

“Smart.”

“I’m smart.”

She pulled him into a hug. “You sure are.”

“Can I wear my costume at dinner? For practice.” Hope sparkled in his innocent eyes.

There were times when she couldn’t believe she was lucky enough to be Bryce’s mom. She fell in love with him the minute she saw him, before that really. And though there had been times when certain expressions or his features reminded her of his father, they were happening less often.

She wondered if that was due to his growth, becoming more himself than either of his parents, or her continued healing.

“Please?” He bounced up and down.

“Which costume?”

“Popeye!” He crouched low then jumped as high as he could. “Aunty showed me pictures. He wears all white and has big muscles because he eats his veggies.”

“He sounds like a smart sailor.”

“He fights bad guys,” Bryce gushed. “He’s a superhero sailor.”

“Goodness. I can’t wait to hear more.”

He obliged her, talking non-stop as she guided him inside to check in with Sharon about the dinner plan and status of costumes.