Becky’s eyes connected with Sean’s. “Would it be your sweet tooth that’s inspiring your plans?”
“My sweet tooth and you and Mary,” he replied. “Jacob’s taking Molly to an art gallery to look at a new exhibition.”
Becky smiled at Molly’s soft exclamation of delight.
“Are you meaning the exhibition that will bore you beyond belief?” Molly asked her husband.
“I might have been a little hasty.”
Molly kissed Jacob on the lips. “That’s to thank you for your haste. But, after we leave the hospital, I’d like a word with you about another matter.”
“Is Jacob in trouble?” Mary asked.
Molly walked across the room and kissed Mary’s cheek. “I wouldn’t say trouble, but he does have some explaining to do.” She glanced at Sean before giving Becky a hug. “Take care of Mary. I’ll see you after we’ve spent a good two hours at the gallery.”
Jacob groaned.
“It will not be the end of you,” Molly said joyfully. “Natalie Armstrong has exhibited at galleries around the world. ‘Tis a treat to see her work so close to home.”
“I’ll take Jake’s truck back to him,” Jacob said to Sean. “Are you okay catching a ride with Becky?”
“Of course, he is,” Molly said as she handed Becky the keys to her truck. Then, with her arm linked around her husband’s, she blew Mary a kiss and left the room.
As soon as they were gone, Becky opened her arms and hugged Mary close. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. When can we leave?”
“The doctor told me whenever you like.”
“Yeah! Can Grandma come to the ice cream store, too?”
Becky looked at Sean. Even if she was okay with Mary seeing her, which she wasn’t, Edith was on a separate ward and not allowed visitors. The police hadn’t charged her with anything yet. But, when they did, she wouldn’t see her granddaughter for a long time.
“Your grandma has a sore head,” Sean said softly. “She needs to stay in the hospital for a while longer.”
Mary frowned. “Will she be okay?”
“I think so.”
Becky picked up the backpack she’d left on the floor. “I brought some clean clothes and Mr. Cuddles with me. Do you want to get changed before we leave?”
Reaching for the backpack, Mary took out the honey-colored bear who’d traveled with her from Ireland. “Mr. Cuddles is all I need,” she said as she hugged him close.
Becky kissed the top of her head. “In that case, how about we find Sean’s favorite ice cream store?”
With a dimpled grin, Mary jumped to her feet. “The police lady said my car seat stopped me from getting a sore head. Grandma bought it for me from the store.”
“Before you went for a drive with her?” Becky asked.
Mary nodded. “We went to lots of stores until we found the one that was just right. Can I have the same flavor ice cream Sean likes?”
“Chocolate fudge ripple is a great choice,” he said to her.
With Mary nodding enthusiastically, they spoke to one of the nurses and left the hospital.
Becky wasn’t sure what the future held, but at least they were safe and together.
Two days later,Sean paced back and forth, worried about the decision Becky had made. “What if this backfires? Adam might be right. Edith’s legal team could say you’re coercing her into dropping the guardianship case.”
