Caught in the Current (Pacific Shores Book 2) by Lynnette Bonner Page B

options when it came to childcare. Alyssa had been in the one and only preschool down on Main for a while, but she’d constantly gotten sick, and Marie had been so thankful when Mrs. Hernandez had said she’d love to watch her.
    Marie sighed. She’d asked everyone she could think of, and no one was able to do it. She’d make a few last efforts to find someone; otherwise she was going to have to reenroll Alyssa in the preschool.
    The doors to the stone entryway which welcomed everyone to the grand log home stood wide open, and Marie was suddenly second-guessing her decision to bring the pickles to the kitchen. In her hurry to get away from Reece, what if she bumped into his mother?
    Cautiously, she stepped onto the natural stone slate. She paused in a moment of awe. She’d forgotten how lovely the honey tones of the well-maintained walls were. Above her a huge chandelier, made from dropped elk horns intertwined together, shone golden light onto the framed original oils of the Pacific at sunset. The entry table was one solid piece of pine with a beautiful dark grain brought out by the natural varnish. A large mirror hung above it, and Marie caught sight of her pale features.
    Best she just get on with it. The sooner she left these in the kitchen and made her escape, the less likely she was to be discovered.
    She remembered the kitchen lay to her right, and headed down a hallway past the large formal dining room, noting the delicious bounty overflowing on the table. Her stomach rumbled rather loudly. She pressed a hand to it and tossed a glance behind her. Still no sign of Mrs. Cahill, thankfully.
    She poked her head into the large dream kitchen.
    Across the wide granite-topped island, Reece’s mother looked up and stilled with her hands frozen above the bowl of lettuce she was tearing. “Marie!”
    Marie cringed inwardly at the aversion in her tone. There had been no time to evade her scrutiny. But of course. Based on how this day had gone so far, she should have known.
    “Hi, Mrs. Cahill.” She was thankful her voice didn’t waver as she lifted the paper bag of pickle jars. “Reece and I picked these up at the store.”
    Darlene Cahill’s lips thinned in decided distaste. “You can set them on the corner there.” She resumed her tearing, and by the caliber of her movements, Marie could easily imagine the woman visualizing the removal of her head.
    It was obvious Darlene wanted better for Reece than a girl like her. Little did Mrs. Cahill know how much Marie wanted that for him also.
    The jars clinked together as she set the bag down. “Is there something I can help you with?” The least she could do was offer help. After all, she could hardly fault the woman for not wanting her to be around her son.
    “No. I think I’m just about done. Thanks just the same.” Darlene never met Marie’s eyes.
    Marie rubbed her hands down the sides of her jeans. “Okay. I’ll just head back out, then. Thanks for having m—everyone over. I’m sure Reece is thankful.”
    The woman did look up then. She gave a little snort and then resumed her annihilation of the lettuce.
    Marie took the hint and left her alone.
    Her stomach had clenched up so tight during the exchange Marie felt a physical pain. Reece had been wrong. His mother definitely did not want her here tonight. She should just find someone to take her home.
    The scent of barbequed burgers and sausage links drew her through the living room toward the large French doors that led onto the back patio on the ocean side of the house.
    The hospital bed in the living room halted her. Mr. Cahill looked so frail and thin-skinned. His sparse hair fanned out around his head like a halo. The patio doors were open, and he was looking out over the ocean. He must have seen her out of the corner of his eye, though, because he swung his head her way. His eyes lit up. “Marie!” Her name sounded garbled through the oxygen mask over his face, but his tone undeniably held more welcome