Cotton’s Cove - Chapter Nine

	Megan could hear voices in the distance. Everything was dark and there was
incredible pain in her head. She thought she felt something soft under her head, yet she
shivered in the cold.  She struggled to open her eyes yet even then the darkness
remained. She heard anger echoing in her ears, then shuffling, and a sudden splash of
water.  She shook in the cold, and she felt someone hold her close, a warmth creeping
slowly into her, and all was silent once again.
	The next few hours passed fitfully.  She felt cold, and shivered; then hot and
sweating. Now and then when she shivered, the strong arms that cradled her would
tighten and she would feel comforted.  When she was hot something cool and wet was
rubbed across her forehead.  She heard a voice, talking in a low calm tone, quietly
soothing her, and another voice, a soft muffled voice speaking a name.  She lay
motionless for a long time, until finally there was movement. Someone was picking her
up, carrying her.  She rested her head against the strong shoulder and dropped off once
more into the darkness.
	When she awoke again she was in a bed, resting against a soft pillow with
blankets tucked up to her chin. Her head still ached beyond belief.  She thought she
must be in her cabin, but when she opened her eyes, blinking in the dim light, the ceiling
was unfamiliar. She tried to turn her head but a sharp pain shot through it.
	“Don’t move,” she heard a small voice. “You’re not to move. Uncle Jonathan
said so.” She tried to look toward the voice, but she felt the bed move under her as the
owner of the voice climbed off. Then there were voices on the other side of the room.
	“Tell Uncle Jonathan she’s awake,” she heard the small voice saying. Another
small voice answered, then she heard a door gently closing and the bed moved again. 
Finally the little face came into her line of vision and smiled down at her.
	“Sara?” she whispered.  It hurt to talk. It hurt to think! Her throat was dry and her
head pained at the slightest movement.  She was confused. She was in a strange place,
and Sara was sitting guard over her, and she kept saying Uncle Jonathan.
	“Shhh” Sara whispered.  “Uncle Jonathan said you need to stay quiet.”
	“Uncle Jonathan?”
	“Yes. He brought you here. You were asleep. He said you hit your head. You
have a cut back there.”
	Megan winced. Now she knew why her head hurt so much anyway.  She closed
her eyes as she remembered Tom, the cave, and hitting her head. But how did she
manage to get here, and how did Jonathan come into the picture?
	“He brought me to your house Sara?”
	Sara nodded. “You’re in my bedroom,” she said simply.  “Jacob has gone to get
Uncle Jonathan. Shhh.”
	Just as she finished speaking the door opened. Megan turned her head towards
it and winced at the pain in her head. There, in the doorway, was Jonathan.  His hair was
a mess, and his clothes looked like he had slept in them, and his face was etched with
worry. Beside him Jacob stood frowning, chewing on his lower lip. Jonathan spoke softly
and the children left the room. Gently he took Sara’s place on the edge of the bed.
	“How are you feeling?” he asked softly.
	“Confused.” she said, and saw him smile.
	“Is that all?”
	“My head,” she closed her eyes and swallowed. “it’s splitting.”
	“That was a pretty nasty knock you took when Tom let go of you.”
	“Tom? What happened? How did you...?”
	He  rested his fingers gently against her lips. “Shhhh. I’ll explain later. You’re safe
now, at my sister’s house. Try to rest.”
	“Your sister?” Her head was beginning to spin and she felt faint.
	“Molly.  The children have been frantic over you. Sara wouldn’t leave your side. it
seems you really did make strong ties over here the other day.  Now that you’re awake
I’ll leave you in Molly’s care and go tell Danny how you’re doing.”
	“Danny!” The mention of his name reminded her that it must have been hours
since she had left the cabin that morning. He would be worried sick. Instinctively she
tried to sit up, but his hands pushed her gently back to the bed. The pain shooting
through her head was enough to stop her from arguing with him.
	“It’s all right. I’ve already told him you’re safe. I sent Jacob over as soon as I got
you here”
	“I don’t understand anything,” she said hopelessly.
	“That’s O.K. There’s a lot to explain. You need to be feeling better first. All that
matters right now is you are safe. I won’t be gone long.”
	He leaned over and brushed his lips over her forehead, then he was gone. She
knew no more than she had before. But before she had time to think, Sara snuggled up
beside her once more.
	“We are to keep you warm and make you rest,” the little girl announced.	
	Megan sighed. She closed her eyes and took the little girl’s hand in hers. There
was no use trying to find out all the answers. She would have to wait until Jonathan saw
fit to tell her.  She fell into a deep sleep this time and when she awoke it was a new day.  
	Except for her headache, she felt well rested.  In the dim light from the window
she could see around the room.  Sara lay beside her, curled in a ball with her head on
Megan’s stomach.  The girl had obviously preferred to stay with her than sleep anywhere
else.  She smiled and brushed the hair from the little face. At that moment the door
opened and Molly peeked in with a smile.
	“Good morning.” Megan said softly.
	Molly smiled down at her daughter.  “It was a fight. Finally Jon said she could
stay with you.  She would have it no other way.  I can have someone carry her out now if
you like?”
	“No,” Megan said at on once. “Leave her. She would be heartbroken to wake up
somewhere else.  She’s fine here.”
	Molly nodded. “You love children?”
	Megan looked thoughtfully at the little girl and nodded. Yes, she loved children,
but Sara struck a special chord in her heart.  It seemed Sara felt the same way.
	“You will want to marry soon so you can have your own,” Molly said as if it were
the most natural thing to do.
	“When I find the right man.” Megan didn’t notice the questioning glance the other
woman gave her.  She sighed and looked up. “You know, my head still hurts, but I’m
starved. It must be ages since I ate.”
	In fact, she hadn’t eaten before setting out to meet Tom. She had expected to be
back for lunch, and she had no idea how long she had been in the cave, nor how long
she had been here at Molly’s.
	“I’ll get you something. Soup or solid food?”
	Megan laughed. “I feel like a feast!”			
	It was indeed a feast that Molly brought back. Fried ham, eggs, pancakes, and
even toast.  “More in the kitchen if you want it,” Molly said cheerily.
	Megan shifted Sara carefully so she could sit up. Her head began to throb as she
raised it but she tried to ignore it in favour of feeding her hunger.
	“It’s not true what they say about us sea folk, that we have fish for breakfast too,”
Molly said, and they both laughed. They chatted for a few minutes, then Molly left to feed
the men and Jacob.  It wasn’t long before Sara stirred, rubbed her eyes, and blinked up
at Megan.
        “You’re sitting up!”
	“Your mother has been in.  I feel much better after a good night sleep. How about
you?”
	“Oh, I wasn’t sick,”  Sara said, as if Megan was being silly.
	“No, but I hear you were worried about me.”
	The little girl thought, then smiled. “Yes, I feel much better that you feel better.”
	“Good. Then maybe you are as hungry as I was? Your Mom has breakfast on in
the kitchen. Maybe you should go out and get some before Jacob eats it all?”
	Sara laughed and slipped off the bed. “How did you know the Boy eats like that?”
	Megan gave her a knowing look and poked the end of her nose.  “Boys are
always like that. Especially brothers. “
	Sara eyed her in surprise. “Do you have a brother?”
	“Sort of,” she answered.  When Sara hesitated questioningly Megan shoed her
off to the kitchen, reminding her that Jacob would probably have eaten everything by
then. The little girl giggled and raced out of the room.  Megan enjoyed her breakfast,
surprised at her hunger. She was about to set the tray aside when the door opened
once more. Thinking it would be Molly she looked up with a smile, but it was Jonathan’s
smile that met her gaze.
	“How’s our patient today?”
	“Full of questions,” she told him, and he frowned slightly at her. Then he sat on
the edge of the bed beside her, his eyes on her face. She suddenly felt very vulnerable
with him there. She realized she wore only a thin, oversized nightie that must be Molly’s.
	“You don’t have to worry about me,” he said, as if reading her thoughts. “We
were alone together in the cave for several hours, and you still have your virtue. That is if
you still had it when I got there.”
	“How dare you insinuate...”
	He raised his hand and smiled at her. “Now there’s your spirit. It’s O.K. Meg, I
think I know you a little better now. I’ve no doubt Tom would have had a run for his
money with you.  I merely meant that I hoped I had got to you in time.”
	She blushed slightly as she realized he had been teasing her. He had once said
her eyes gleamed when she was riled after all. Nodding slowly she nodded.  “O.K. Tell
me what happened.” When he looked hesitant she frowned at him.  “Everything.”
	“Well, I have to admit, when I left you on the bluffs I figured you were meeting
Tom for one thing and one thing only.  I wouldn’t have gone looking for you for anything.”
	She looked puzzled. “But you did. Why?”
	He sighed. “A number of things. First, I ran into Danny.  He mentioned that you
had been excited about going on an excursion with Tom. He said something about how
you and Anna had always lived for adventures, like the lobster fishing.  I wondered if
maybe I had been wrong after all and that you were just going sightseeing.”
	“So you came looking for us?”
	He shook his head. “No. I figured if you wanted to go out with Tom that was your
business.  You’d find out sooner or later what he was after. Then you’d either give it to
him, or take off. I know you’re good at that.”  His last remark stung, reminding her of the
times she had run away from him. She lowered her eyes, unable to look at him.
	“So, then what did make you come after us?”
	“Jacob.”
	Her eyes widened. Of course! Jacob!  “I saw their boat when I was on the beach.
I waved at them.”
	Jonathan nodded.  “Jacob saw Tom take you into the cave.  He knew the tide
was already beginning to flood. He watched, but never saw you come out again. He was
frantic, so his father brought the boat as close to the Cove as he could and Jacob swam
in to shore.  It was all I could do to calm him down enough so I could understand what
he was saying.  He was so out of breath. I finally managed to figure out you and Tom
were stuck in the cave at high tide.  I didn’t need to hear more to know what Tom had in
mind, he knows the tides like the back of his hand. Jacob said he had told you that the
cave wasn’t safe during the flood tide.”
	She nodded.  “He said there was no way anyone could swim out under water.” A
thought struck her and she looked up at Jonathan. “But how did you swim in?”
	He laughed at her. “If you hadn’t been busy getting knocked on the head when
Tom let go of you, you’d have seen I had an air tank.”
	Things were beginning to fall into place. Of course Tom had tried to stop her from
waving at Jacob. He didn’t want anyone to know where he had taken her. By the time
anyone had missed her the cave would have been flooded and no one would have
thought to look there. The thought made her shudder.
	“I’m glad Jacob told me about the cave. Otherwise I may have tried to swim out
and drowned.”
	“Don’t think about that now. You’re here and you’re fine.”
	Still she had questions. She looked up at him, a little tired but needing to know
more. “What about Tom? You said we were alone in the cave. What happened to Tom?”
	“I figured you were safer with me than you were with him.” He looked at her,
sharing an unspoken message, a silent memory of the night they had met. “Lord knows I
had no intention of trying anything.” She winced. Another reference to her constant
refusals of his attentions she thought. But he went on, not seeming to notice  her
reaction. “I also figured we were both a heck of a lot better off without him around. I gave
him the air tank and sent him out.  I might add, I also sent him packing. I told him that by
the time I got you out of the cave he’d better be gone from Cotton’s Cove or he’d regret
it.”
	“You fired him? I thought he was on a committee or something.”
	He laughed. “Is that what he told you? He likes women to think he’s in a position
of power around here. He was nothing more than summer help. Mother took pity on him
and offered him a job each year. I knew he didn’t do much more than doddle around
with the women around the place. That’s one reason why I came out here myself when I
knew you were vacationing here. I wanted to keep my eye on Tom.”
	“You thought he’d try something?”
	“I knew he would. And it didn’t take him long either did it? I’m sorry I thought you
had something to do with it in the beginning.”
	Megan shrugged. That wasn’t important anymore. There were still pressing
questions she needed answers to. “But why bring me here to Molly’s?”
	He smiled. “A number of reasons. One, it was easier to carry you here because
the land isn’t as steep this direction. I also thought you’d be safer here in case Tom
stuck around. And...” He grinned from ear to ear. “Jacob and Sara would have killed me
if I hadn’t.”
	She laughed then, and the action made her head ache. She winced and slid
slowly under the covers until her head rested on the pillow once again. “Dear Sara.
Jacob too.”  Her eyes were closed so she did not see the peaceful look on his face at
her remark, but when he spoke his words were soft.
	“I do believe that Sara would follow you to the end of the earth.”  He said, and
she smiled. There was a long pause, then she felt him rise from the bed. “Rest now.” He
said, but her eyes flew open.
	“But I’m not finished. I want to know a few more things.”
	He shook his head at her, as one might to a child who wouldn’t give up. But he
sat back on the bed and she could see the laughter in his eyes.  “What else?”
	“Well, I didn’t know Molly was your sister. Why didn’t you tell me? I told you about
all of them, and you never once mentioned that you even knew them.” She frowned as
she recalled Tom’s reaction. “Tom seemed upset that I had met them.”
	He nodded.  “Tom would. He doesn’t like them. It reminds him of where he came
from. He was brought up here you know.”
	Megan was shocked. “He said he was from the city.”
	“He would prefer it that way.  If you remember, you were talking about these
people in a dream. I didn’t want to burst your bubble. I thought if you knew Molly was my
sister you might not like them as much. But if the doctor hadn’t interrupted us on Anna’s
patio, I think I may have found a way to tell you.”
	Megan nodded. “But I still don’t understand. I didn’t even know you had a sister,
and then she turns up here, on the coast.”
	“You might remember, I said my father came from a poor family. This is where
both Dad and Mother were born.” He looked out the window as if he were recalling
memories. “This is where I was born, and Molly.  We lived here until I was about five,
then Dad bought the house in the city.  Molly is a lot older than I am. She was fifteen at
the time. When she finished school she came back here and married Kirt. It was about
that time that the Cove property came up for sale. Molly mentioned it to Dad, and he
bought it and made it what it is today.”
	“Where did the name come from?”
	“Cotton’s Cove? Mother’s maiden name.”
	“And where does Tom fit into all this? Why is he so against the village, and Molly
and the kids?”
	Jonathan sighed. “Tom’s had bad luck all his life. He was born and raised in this
village. His mother was my mother’s sister. She was always ill, and the birth took a lot
out of her too. She died when Tom was fourteen.  She caught pneumonia and was too
weak to fight it.  Then his father drowned in a fierce storm out at sea.  Molly took him in
and gave him a place to live but as soon as he could he headed out for the city. He
came to Mother first and she gave him a room, but not for long. He was always a
recluse, but Mother always kept a soft spot for him. He’s made nothing of his life.”
	“He said he was in University.” Megan looked puzzled.
	“Did he? He works as a janitor in one. In the summer they don’t need him so he’d
come here. Now he’ll have to find somewhere else to go.”
	Megan sighed. “So he’s bitter about the place because of what happened to his
dad?”
	He nodded. “He blames the sea, of course, and the remoteness, for his mother’s
death too. He insists that if they had lived in the city they wouldn’t have died. And Molly,
well, she was responsible for keeping him here after the accident.”
	“In a way I feel sorry for him. But I guess that doesn’t excuse his actions
yesterday.”
	“No, it doesn’t.” Jonathan agreed, his jaw tensing. Megan closed her eyes and
sighed. She was tired, and satisfied for a while. Most of her questions were answered,
and she understood what had happened to her a little better. She remembered the
angry voices she had heard. It must have been the argument between Jonathan and
Tom. The splash would have been Tom leaving.
	“Did he go?” She asked, opening her eyes slightly. Jonathan didn’t say a word,
but nodded.
	“Now rest.” He pleaded.  She smiled. Yes, she would rest.  She felt groggy, and
snuggled under the blankets. She felt him pull them up to her chin and brush her hair
back from her face, but she was almost asleep. She didn’t feel the bed rise as he stood
up, looking down at her as she slept peacefully. She didn’t notice him lean over her and
kiss her forehead before he left her either.
	It was lunch time when she woke again. Sara was standing by the window, which
now had it’s curtains fully drawn, bright sunlight filling the room. 
	“Good, you’re awake. Mother sent me to see if you wanted lunch.”
	Megan smiled. “It’s lunch time already? Yes, I think I could eat some more. This
sea air makes me hungry.”
	Sara laughed at her and hopped on the bed, hugging her. “Maybe you will stay
here then?” She asked hopefully.
	“I don’t think so Sara. I have a job to go back to. But I promise I will come back
here to visit you every chance I get.”
	Sara looked sad for a moment, then a little smile came to her face. “I guess that’s
better than nothing... if you really promise?”
	“I promise.” Megan assured her, kissing her lightly. “I wouldn’t miss it for the
world.”
	“Goodie!” Sara jumped down from the bed and ran to the door. “I’ll tell Mommy
you’ll have lunch.”
	Jacob brought her food shortly after, and smiled proudly as she devoured it. After
she ate she sat looking out the window. From Sara’s window she could see a bit of water
and she wished she could get up and go outside. When Molly came in she turned a
pleading gaze towards her.
	“Do you think I could get up? I feel fine, really.”
	Molly frowned. “Jon said you weren’t to get out of bed for a while yet. That was a
nasty knock on the head you got. He was very worried, and had the old Doc over here
to look at you while you were unconscious.”
	Megan put her hand to the spot where she had hit her head. She could feel the
tender bump, and a cut with dried blood. “Well, could I at least wash my hair, or have a
bath? I’d feel so much fresher. And it looks so beautiful outside today.”
	Molly smiled at her. “I know you’re trying to get around me. Sara does it all the
time.” When Megan pouted as she could imagine Sara doing, Molly burst out laughing.
“O.K. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll help you up, and bathe, and I’ll wash that hair of yours. You
have to be careful with that wound. But no moving about.” She pointed a stern finger at
her. “Jonathan would have my hide.”
	“Oh phooey on Jonathan anyway.” Megan grumbled, and threw back the covers.
“He’s not my keeper, and I’ve told him that before. Come on Molly, let’s get to that bath.”
	Molly frowned but helped her to the bathroom and ran a warm bath for her. She
carefully washed Megan’s hair and ran a comb through it. Her bathing suit and shorts,
the only clothes she had with her, were brought to her. They had been freshly washed
and dried and she felt more herself finally.
	“Now, let’s go for a walk,” she said, determinedly, but Molly shook her head.
	“No you don’t. And if you give me trouble I’ll put you back in bed. Nightie and all!”
	Megan wrinkled her nose and frowned. Molly laughed at her and helped her to
the door. “I do have an idea though,” she whispered. “If you promise not to move at all,
I’ll help you to the dock and you can sit with Grampa for a while.”
	Megan was delighted, and eager to be outside, but Molly wouldn’t let her go until
she had fetched a straw hat for her and placed it gingerly over the wound.  Molly
escorted her to the docks arm in arm, and supervised her as she settled cross legged,
leaning against a post.  She had to admit she felt a little shaky and was glad of Molly’s
support, but she wasn’t going to tell anyone.  The old man was delighted to have her
company and Molly made him promise to make sure his charge didn’t move.  When
Molly had gone he looked at her and winked.
	“Don’t worry about me,” she said. “I think I will just sit here. I may not be as
steady as I thought I was, but I needed to get out of the house so bad I wasn’t going to
tell Molly that. She’d have whisked me back inside before I had finished talking.”
	“Nasty blow,” he said, nodding. “Ya looked like death when that young chap
brung you here.” Now he shook his head and clicked his tongue. She pictured how she
must have looked laying limp in Jonathan’s arms as he carried her out of the cave.  But
the old man had no intention of making her feel sorry for herself. He set about his
business and drafted her as his helper. He was mending a net this time, for one of the
villagers. He tossed her one side and she helped him spread it out on the dock.  She
was recruited to spot the holes, and it didn’t take long till she had found an old pail to sit
on by his side so he could show her how to mend the nets herself.  When Jonathan
appeared over the bluffs he saw them there, each with head bent, diligently mending
their respective parts of the net.	
	“What’s going on?” he demanded.
	The old man smiled up at him. “Fast learner this one o’ yours,” was all he said,
and Megan grinned at the old man like a child who had just been praised.  Jonathan
knelt down to inspect her work, and she noticed a smile on his face too, although he was
trying not to let her see it.
	“Not bad,” he said, then looked at her sternly. “But what are you doing out here?”
	She pouted. “I’d have died stashed away in the house. Besides, Molly helped me
down here, and I haven’t moved an inch since I got here,”  she fibbed.
	He lifted the hat from her head and inspected the cut.  “You’ve washed your
hair,” he said as his fingers ran softly along the cut.
	“And what’s wrong with that?” she demanded.  “I feel much better since it was
washed. Anyway Molly did that too.”
	He laughed at her finally. “Danny was right.”
	She turned to face him accusingly. “What’s Danny been saying?”
	He shrugged. “Only that it would be a struggle to make you rest as long as you
should.  You’re a high spirited filly.”
	“And what do any of you know about horses?” she grunted.
	He touched a finger to her nose, but said nothing. Then he stood up and shaded
his eyes to look out over the ocean.  “I saw Kirt’s boat out. How’s the catch been lately?” 
He sat beside the old man and they talked in depth about everything from  the lobsters
to the boat to the sea itself.  They got along well, and Megan could see that he
respected the old man’s knowledge. In turn, the old man held Jonathan in high esteem. 
As she watched them she realized that Jonathan did not look at all out of place here on
the old dock by the sea. He had even taken up a bit of net, and was mending alongside
them as he talked.  He looked comfortable, and absolutely at home. It amazed her that
he could look this way here, yet fit into the city life perfectly as well.
	Once, he looked up and caught her watching him. He smiled at her gently and
held her gaze momentarily.  She lowered her eyes to the net and concentrated on it, not
looking at him again, but still listening to the happy way the two men talked with each
other.
	Before long the boat came in and Jacob ran down the dock and hugged his
uncle. Then he came to Megan’s side and squatted beside her.
	“Grampa will make a fisherman out of you yet,” he said proudly, after inspecting
her mending.
	That night Jonathan stayed for dinner, and Megan ate at the table with the family. 
After the meal she pleaded a tired spell, not wanting to be in the same room as
Jonathan any longer. She was finding it hard to keep her eyes off him. Molly helped her
to Sara’s room and helped her change, then left her alone to rest. For a while she
listened to the laughter in the other room, then drifted off to sleep.
	The next day she was determined to go for a walk. She had hoped to return to
the resort, but Jonathan insisted she stay under Molly’s care a while longer.  Happy to
be with the family, she didn’t object much.  But when she arrived in the kitchen fully
dressed for the day Molly frowned at her and scolded her for exerting herself.
	“I’m much better, really,” she insisted. “And I intend to take that walk today.” 
Molly started to object, but Megan insisted. “If you like you can send Jacob or Sara with
me. They can make sure I don’t fall on my face somewhere.”
	Realizing that Megan would not be stopped, Molly sighed and called the children. 
After breakfast they both headed off at her side towards the far side of the village. 
Jacob pointed out spots of interest as they strolled between the rows of houses and on
towards the other side. It was the first time Megan had seen this side of the village. She
wandered over the rolling ground with her two small escorts thoroughly enjoying herself.
As they turned back for the homeward journey she spotted Jonathan far on the
hills. Jacob waved to him and he waved back, but he didn’t move towards them. He
watched as they walked, Megan occasionally stopping to pick up things and show them
to one or the other of the children.  By the time they reached the spot where he had
been, he was gone. She did not see him the rest of the day and wondered what had
become of him.  She was always tense when he was around, but when he wasn’t, she
felt an emptiness.
	The next morning she appeared without her shorts and announced to Molly that
she was going for a swim. Molly objected, of course, but Megan was persistent and went
down to the shore where Grampa sat on the dock.
	“Make Molly happy will you, and keep an eye on me,” she joked. If I sink, raise
the alarm.”
	He laughed with her and nodded, waving to Molly where she stood in the
doorway.  Megan stepped into the water, wondering how she had gone so long this near
the water and not taken a swim. If felt so refreshing, and soothing.  She lay back and
floated, close to shore, and relaxed totally.
	It wasn’t long before Sara came running from the house, in her own swim suit,
and joined her. Sara played porpoise, diving under Megan as she floated, appearing on
the other side to her grandfather's claps and cheers.  The morning went by quickly, and
when finally Megan stepped out of the water, it was to come face to face with Jonathan
frowning at her from shore.
	“You’re determined to disobey orders, aren’t you,” he said sternly.
	“Who’s orders?”
	“Mine.”
	“Well, excuse me, but I did have a guard, and a playmate, and I’m perfectly all
right, as you can see. I feel much better. The water was very relaxing.”
	“But you aren’t well yet. Not perfectly well.”
	“I feel almost perfect,” she insisted. “There’s no way I could stay in the house
and look at this water one more day without a swim.  It was like torture.”
	“So you think you’re a mermaid, and no harm comes to you?” he snapped at
her.
	“You’re being ridiculous. I merely wanted a refreshing swim.  It was therapeutic.”
	“You could have passed out and drowned,” he pointed out.  “I told Molly to keep
you out of the water.”
	“If it’s any consolation, Molly tried. But as Danny told you, I’m stubborn.”
	“Indeed,” he said, coldly, and turned and walked away. Megan shot a pitiful
glance at the old man, but he was smiling.
	“Worries too much,” he said. “Why, the day he brought you here he was a
complete wreck, worried you might not wake up.”
	“I can’t believe that,” she sniffed. “Why would he worry about me so much.”
	She walked towards the house, not seeing the knowing grin on the old man’s
face as he shook his head at her.