Oscar rested his head against Paul’s. “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you, too. Let’s get a quick photo before I leave. That way, I can have a picture of you with me all the time.”
Oscar wiped his eyes with the back of his hands. “Mommy, too?”
Paul looked across at Chloe. The thought of having a happy family photo made her heart break all over again. “How about I take a photo of you and your dad?”
Oscar didn’t realize what she’d done but Paul did. He didn’t have to say what was clearly written on his face. He understood, and he was sorry.
She held up the phone and took a few photos, hoping they’d remind Oscar of the happy time they’d had together. “If you email them to me, I’ll make sure Oscar gets a copy.”
Paul nodded. “I will.”
This time, no one said much as they returned to Chloe’s cottage. Oscar gripped Paul’s hand tightly and had tears in his eyes.
When they reached Anchor Lane, Paul stood beside his rental and sighed. “I have to go now, Oscar. It’s been wonderful spending time with you and your mom.”
“Will you come back soon?” Oscar asked in a quiet voice.
Paul glanced at Chloe. “I hope so, but even if it’s a little while away, we can still talk on the phone.”
“Like Mom and Polly?”
Paul nodded. “Exactly like them.” He turned to Chloe and hesitated before speaking. “Thank you for the last couple of days. It meant a lot to me.”
“You’re welcome.”
He gave a slight smile. “Goodbye, Chloe.”
“Have a safe trip.” She placed her arm around Oscar’s shoulders as he cuddled close to her. After Paul had driven away, she looked down at their son. “Did you have a good time today?”
Oscar nodded. “I want to see Dad again.”
“I know you do, sweetheart. Dad lives a long way away, but we’ll see what we can do to make that happen.” The part of Chloe’s heart that Paul had damaged whispered the words she didn’t want to admit.
Maybe Paul had achieved what he’d set out to do. He could manipulate people as easily as the wind blowing through the trees. For Oscar’s sake, she hoped this visit was motivated by a genuine need to see his son—and not pull them into something that would hurt them all over again.
CHAPTER 17
After three daysof not hearing from Chloe, Liam was worried. Instead of calling her, he needed to speak to someone who wasn’t emotionally involved in what was happening in either of their lives.
Steve was the closest friend he had in Sapphire Bay. He understood what was important and could usually burrow down into what was really going on inside of Liam’s brain. But in this case, it was his heart that needed a stern talking to.
This afternoon, Steve was bent over his workbench, welding two pieces of twisted metal together, sparks dancing like fireflies. The rhythmic clinking of tools and the hum of the air compressor took the edge off what was worrying Liam.
“Hand me that clamp, would you?” Steve asked, not looking up.
“Sure thing.” Liam handed him the tool, then stepped away.
Steve secured the metal pieces and lifted his welding mask, revealing a satisfied grin. “Thanks. This piece is finally coming together.”
Liam admired the emerging sculpture—a blend of reclaimed wood and metal shaped into an abstract representation of asoaring eagle. “It’s incredible. Is it for your studio or for a commission?”
“A client commissioned it,” Steve said, wiping his hands on a rag. “He’s building a home in the mountains outside of Vail in Colorado. It’ll overlook seventy-two acres of pristine land.” He studied the dark circles under Liam’s eyes. “How are things with you?”
Liam shrugged, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. Trixie looked up from the workshop floor, her big brown eyes focusing on him. He petted her, then looked at Steve. “I’ve been busy. The first edit on my book is almost finished, and we’re finding more information about Eleanor each day.”
“Did all the publicity about the hidden room at the old steamboat museum help?”
