Chapter Thirteen---A woman of mystery
Am I loud and clear, or am I breaking up?
Am I still your charm, or am I just bad luck?
Are we getting closer, or are we just getting more lost?
I'll show you mine if you show me yours first
Let's compare scars, I'll tell you whose is worse
Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words
We live on front porches and swing life away,
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave till the end,
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
I've been here so long, I think that it's time to move
The winter's so cold, summer's over too soon
Let's pack our bags and settle down where palm trees grow
I've got some friends, some that I hardly know
But we've had some times, I wouldn't trade for the world
We chase these days down with talks of the places that we will go
We live on front porches and swing life away,
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave till the end,
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand...until you hold my hand
I'll show you mine if you show me yours first
Let's compare scars, I'll tell you whose is worse
Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words
We live on front porches and swing life away,
We get by just fine here on minimum wage
If love is a labor I'll slave till the end,
I won't cross these streets until you hold my hand
Swing life away---Rise Against (2003)
Molly kept busy at the shop. Her eyes kept glancing to the clock. Lizzie should be back soon, Molly's mind noted, as she moved a few of her newly painted watercolors to the front display window. Andrew saw a busy body Molly—looking as stunning and charming as ever. As he watched her shuffling her works of art as he crossed the street, placed his hand on the shop door and the bell tolled again, alerting Molly that someone was there.
"Andrew?"
"Molly, lovely bits of art you have..."
"Thank-you, could you help me?" Molly held up an oversized portrait of the loch view from the rock jetty.
"Oh yes, right," replied Andrew immediately, as his eyes went from the painting that he helped set up on the easel to the engagement ring which was on her left ring finger.
"What brings you my way?" Molly grinned as she waited for Andrew to answer.
"Well, I thought I'd see how you are, check on your endeavor you have here."
"It's a lot of work, but keeps me up to date and preoccupied."
"I bet it does. How are you Molly?"
"I'm at the top of my prime, Andrew." Molly nodded as Andrew asked, "And Golly?"
"He's good, getting ready for the wedding in his own way."
"The wedding, right, of course, beautiful ring, Molly, I'm overjoyed for you."
"Yes, it was Golly's mother's ring. He told me he's always wanted to give it to someone special who upholds his heart. You should come to the wedding Andrew."
"Well, Molly my dear, you are just that and then some and I wouldn't miss it for the world, you and Golly marrying on," Andrew flattered, as Molly laughed, "Where are you staying?"
"A quaint B n' B here in the village."
"Liz's place, the only B n' B in town, oh good, next time you should call first and I can set you up at the house."
"No need Molly, I was hoping to have a word with you."
"What about?" Molly asked, just as the phone rang and Andrew stopped talking so Molly could answer the phone, "Molly's Saving Grace, how may I---Lizzie? All right, yes, you all right dear?"
"I'm fine, Mummy," Lizzie's voice came through loud and clear to Molly via the phone line, "I'm just going to need some time alone."
Molly said, "All right." Molly talked to Lizzie for a few more seconds before she placed the receiver on the cradle and Andrew glanced over to Molly concerned. Molly didn't buy it that Lizzie was 'fine' since she sounded like she had been crying.
"Everything all right?" Andrew asked sympathetically, as he noted the despaired and harried look upon Molly's face.
"It's Lizzie,"
"Lizzie?" Andrew asked slightly confused as to who Lizzie was.
"My daughter?"
"Ah yes, she all right?"
"As much as she says to me she's fine, I'm her mother and I can tell she's not...I need to get over to the house. Lizzie has my car."
"I can give you a lift?"
"Would you be so kind?"
"No problem, Molly," Andrew laughed as Molly placed her purse off of her right shoulder and followed Andrew out after turning the sign hanging on the door to closed and locking the shop up.
Molly chuckled as she noted Andrew's motorcycle, "Still running as new?"
"Yes, and we won't run out of gas this time! Hang on, Molly!" Andrew and Molly put helmets upon their heads as he helped Molly climb on behind him. Andrew upped the motorbike break, turned the key, revved up the engine and off they went. Just as Golly was about to step up to the shop with a bouquet of flowers and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Molly zooming away with Andrew on his bike.
David spent hours punching in numbers, working with Killwillie's investments and figures just as Hermione appeared at the door. Hermione infectiously laughed, before entering the room, "Busy typing away, tiger?"
David looked up at Hermione and gave her a laugh, "Just number punching, princess."
"I'm actually going to be leaving soon. Just wondering when you'll be down my way?"
"I haven't got any plans to return down to London, but when I do I can phone you?" David smiled, as Hermione grinned back.
"I'd like that," Hermione replied sweetly, before noting David's body language, as he was more fidgety than usual, "Everything okay?"
"Yes, well," David stood up from his desk and wandered to the door before closing Hermione and he into the office. Flora, who noticed her cousin entering the office and then David closing the door, became increasingly curious. She decided to take matters into her own hands, as she tip-toed over to the office door and put her ear up to it. Flora wanted to eavesdrop, be a fly on the office wall, but she couldn't hear a thing through the door. Flora's eyes went to the drink tray sitting on the dish hutch nearby as she plucked up a whiskey glass. Flora rested the glass to the door and then her ear to the glass...
"I'm now embarking on a custody battle..." David added flatly as Hermione said, "Ah, right your daughter. How is she?"
"Her mother's being difficult but my daughter's well."
Flora blinked when she heard David mention a daughter. She had no idea David had one, just like she did.
"So what's the matter then?"
"I don't think I'm ready to take on the parenting role or full custody since I'd be taking her away from her mother if I won the case."
"Well, it's harder to run an office with a child by your self, I s'pose. Does Uncle Sharon know?"
"Actually, not many do know."
"Right, you always keep to yourself David, why is that?"
"I dun no, just me I s'pose."
"Who's representing your case?"
"Rory."
"How's he? How's Marsha these days?"
"Both well. Do you think I'm being brash taking my daughter away from her mother?"
"Let me tell you, if my mother had been taken away and I had been sent to live with a father like you, I wouldn't consider it brash," Hermione winked, while giving David the words of advice that he didn't exactly want to hear—that it was okay to claim custody for Martha and take her away from Lizzie.
Flora kept the glass to the door as much as she had a thing for David. She fancied him more for wanting to be with his child. Just as Flora was about to listen in some more the door opened, and then she fell forward and flat on her face and into a heap on the floor, "Flora?"
David went over to help Flora up and Hermione laughed at Flora, "What are you doing down there?"
"Uh, um, I dropped a glass while getting father something to drink," Flora fibbed while Hermione didn't buy it and routinely replied, "Uncle Sharon doesn't drink in the afternoon, only in the evenings at night."
"Yes, right well, I thought I'd have a drink then." Flora got helped up from David as she dusted off her dress and smiled at David, before grimacing at her cousin.
"I'm off now, kisses," Hermione kissed David's cheeks with bright red lipstick leaving marks and then turned to Flora, giving her a hug, "Good bye Flora. Make sure you tell Zelda that I love her."
"I'll follow you out," David added as Flora piped up now wanting a word with Hermione alone, "No I can do that David, you have work to do, right?" Flora hinted as David nodded, "Right, very well then, you ring when you get back to London."
"I'll be stopping in Edinburgh for the night and then returning tomorrow. I will call." Hermione smiled as she walked out of the house and Flora caught up with her.
"Flora, next time, just ask if you want to know what David and I are chatting on about," Hermione added matter of factly as she opened her car door, and sat down inside.
"I wasn't listening in."
"Well, the glass trick only works when it's up to the door, lovey."
"I know this." Flora grumbled and slightly embarrassed.
"You have a soft spot for David? I can tell, just don't let it get the best of you---and no, we're just good friends, David and I and nothing more. Ta ta!" Hermione started up her blue sports car before Flora could protest or ask more questions. Her cousin backed up her car and took off down Killwillie Castle lane.
"Where is she?" Archie waltzed into the front foyer of the house behind a very pregnant Lexie who was busy sorting through the heavy stack of mail, "Mother phoned me worried sick about Lizzie since she hadn't seen her since lunch time. I came straight away from Ghillie's Rest."
"Who?" Lexie muttered while trying to sort Duncan's mail and then Golly's, Sean's and Jess's into piles.
"Lizzie?" Archie said exasperatedly.
"Hmmmm, in her room…" Lexie continued to sort the mail, halfway listening to Archie before she decided to go after him---realizing she had done and what Lizzie had asked her not to do, send her little brother to her door, "Arch? Archie, you need to be gentle with her."
"Lex, I know." Archie was frazzled and about to disagree with Lexie when he noted the sorry look upon her face and her frown.
"She's not ready to talk Archie. I tried hours ago. Lizzie just sent me away. She didn't even touch her veggie lunch." Lexie explained, but it was too late, Archie had taken off for Lizzie's old bedroom. It was the same room and shape as Lizzie had left it when she moved out days upon days ago.
Lizzie stood, gazing out of the bedroom window which over looked the pebbled driveway. Archie walked up to the door, about to knock, thinking about how to console his sister, "Lizzie?"
Lizzie didn't turn around. She was silent until she finally registered she wasn't alone.
"What's a matter? Mother's worried sick about you? She told me you rang her and said you wouldn't be in for the rest of the afternoon."
"He's going to take her Archie…" Lizzie's tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Who's going to take who?" Archie glanced at his distraught sister and stood beside her in the window.
"David served me with court papers this morning."
"David?" Archie blinked at Lizzie.
"Rory did, David's solicitor friend, he knows about everything I went through with George, and David's---gonna take Martha." Lizzie wiped her tears while more showered her face. Archie encircled Lizzie with his hands and enveloped her into a hug.
"He'll do no such thing, Lizzie. It's all right."
"Archie how can you say it won't happen? Martha's my life. David can't take her from me. He knows nothing about her!" Lizzie cried, and into Archie's shoulder.
"Is there anything I can do? I can have a word with him, you know, rough him up a bit. Make him see the light and come to his senses. You're the best sister in the world and I'm beyond lucky to be your little brother. You still have me and we'll work this out," Archie rested his head on top of Lizzie's and gave her shoulders an empathetic rub.
"I spent the night with him."
"What?" Archie looked suddenly shocked as Lizzie's solemn eyes met his.
"It was silly, Archie. David danced with me, we started going back into time, talking about memories, Archie…"
"What about Graeme?"
"I don't know what to do about Graeme. He wants to move in, take the role as Martha's father, and he doesn't know anything about what happened between David and me nights ago."
"Well, you have to say something."
"Archie, I can't do that. I know you're always doing damage control with every mistake I have made."
"Well, not every Lizzie, just a few. Look, we'll talk to the estate solicitor in the morning about how to get around David and this custody business. For now, you need to discuss stuff with Graeme. You can't marry him Lizzie if you're having doubts."
"No, I guess I can't. I was settling Archie. I figured I'd settle after the talk we had about me not being married and how much father wanted it."
"Oh Lizzie, I didn't suggest marry the first man you meet. I was only looking out for you when you were with Compton."
"Look how that ended."
"You not marrying a scum-bucket," Archie cracked a small joke to get Lizzie to stop crying and smile.
Lizzie let out a tiny chuckle just as there was a knock at the door and Lexie came in, "Archie, the phone. It's important since its Killwillie."
Archie pleasantly looked at Lizzie once more, "You need to eat, no more worrying, and I will check in on you in a bit." Archie kissed Lizzie's forehead and wandered out while Lexie stayed in the room with Lizzie.
"Yanno, I have wedding stuff to finish organizing for Molly, but if you want to stay here, I can go get Martha for you," Lexie said, hoping to help out Lizzie too.
"Okay, she gets out soon from school. Hard to believe she's got one month to go and then school holidays--but I might not have her then," Lizzie began to despair again.
"She's going stay with you, Lizzie, and David won't take her away. Arch and I, will make sure of it." Lexie left Lizzie in her room. Lizzie let out a heartfelt sigh, sat down on the bed before toppling backward as she gazed up at the ceiling.
"Will do, Killwillie," Archie hung up the phone on the phone table and glanced up at Lexie while she journeyed down the steps with her jacket on.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to go pick up Martha from school. I told Lizzie I'd do it. What did Lord Killwillie want?"
"Just wanted to check on something with the fish farm, asked about Mother and I told him she was at the shop. He said something about her not being there when he stopped in and it being closed. Killwillie seemed concerned that something was terribly wrong, which isn't the case."
Meanwhile, out in the front courtyard of the house, Andrew's motorbike zipped down the drive as he pulled the break, and cut the engine while Molly hopped off and handed Andrew her helmet, "Thanks again for the lift."
"My pleasure, Molly," Andrew added with a bright beam.
"Andrew, back at the shop, you said you had something to say to me?" Molly asked as she remembered vividly Andrew wanting a word with her.
"I did, but it can wait Molly, go on inside and handle Lizzie. I'll ring you later."
"Or I'll ring you."
"Bye, Molly."
"Bye Andrew..." Molly headed for the house and Andrew sat on his bike thinking about what he had to say to her that was indeed very important and would affect both of their lives.
Molly wandered right in on cue as Lexie replied, "Molly?"
"I just came to check on Lizzie and figured you and I could go over the seating arrangements for the reception?" Molly smiled as she noticed Lexie wearing a jacket, "Where are you off too?"
"Nowhere special Molly, I was going to get Martha from school for Lizzie."
"But I'll go instead," Archie added, as he wandered right out of the house with a nod and a grin. Archie made way to the SUV, climbed up in, shut the door and turned over the engine. He sat there for a moment thinking and wondering what Jamie would do. As much as Jamie and David were the best of mates, would he have allowed David to walk all over them? Allow David to torment Lizzie by trying to take Martha away? Of course not.
Lexie and Molly strolled into the kitchen. The twins and Minnie were off to the village library with Duncan, Ewan, and Claire. Lexie pulled out her clipboard with her pages of notes. And she also pulled out a diagram of the reception tent. Molly chuckled at the miniature design of her wedding to be.
"What?" Lexie said as she noted Molly's laugh.
"Just you being very together Lexie dear, I love the look of the tent," Molly laughed again.
"There are 30 of us, so five people to a circular table---about six tables, I s'pose. We also need to figure out who's having what for dinner and how many will be here." Lexie pointed out each table. "I have the flowers, wine and caterers too…nothing is going to stop this party Molly."
"Andrew's come back. He came into the shop today," Molly spoke up as Lexie turned her head to gawk at her.
"Come again?"
"You heard me, Andrew came back from Boston. I had a chance meeting with him during my final fitting for my dress."
"What did he say?"
"It's good to see Andrew, Lexie. He's staying at Duncan's Aunt Liz's B&B and I told him he's welcome to come to the wedding if he can--and he said he had something important to tell me." Lexie gave Molly a very perplexed look especially at what Andrew had to say.
"Everything will be wonderful Lexie, my family is around me, Golly's near me, we're in love and we're truly fascinated with each other."
"Are you sure you want Andrew there Molly?"
"Of course, I'm sure."
Lizzie traveled down to the kitchen of the house, as she walked in and inquired, "Archie go instead of you to get Martha?"
"Aye, just phone Maureen and she'll know you're having Archie pick Martha up."
"How are you feeling darling?" Molly immediately questioned while giving Lizzie a loving squeeze.
Lizzie replied, still sadly, "Fuzzy Mummy."
"Well, you haven't eaten and maybe you should," Lexie added, while pulling out Lizzie's uneaten lunch from the refrigerator and setting it down on the countertop.
"Lizzie, you join us for a cup of tea," Molly instantly added as Lexie was head of her suggestion and had already put a kettle on and mugs lined up on the counter.
"I dun no Mummy and Lex, I'm really tired."
"Nonsense, we need you too. You can help us figure out where to seat everyone." Lexie joined in, as Lizzie wandered over to the kitchen telephone and dialed out to the school, "And your mother can explain to us more about Andrew."
"Andrew?" Lizzie inquired while the receiver rang in her ear, "Mummy who's he?"
"A man of mystery and he's returned from Boston."
"Oh wait he's the one who helped you sell your art work and get your shop off the ground, right?" Lizzie asked and Molly smiled as her answer, "Yes dear."
Archie and Lexie's SUV turned onto the school road and the spinning wheels came to a stop at the curb just across the street from the school. Archie cut the engine, pulled the key from the ignition and climbed out. Martha saw Archie as she yelled out while waving her little hand, "Uncle Archie!"
Archie strolled right up to Maureen and Martha in the stone schoolhouse yard, "Hello Martha, let's get going shall we? Maureen, I came to---?"
"No worry, Archie," Maureen smiled knowledgably, "Lizzie phoned Archie so I'd know you were coming."
"Good, good. Martha? Ready?" Archie extended a hand to Martha as she latched onto his with her backpack hanging just off her right shoulder and added, "Yep!" Martha looked back and waved to Maureen and she waved back. Just as Archie loaded Martha into the truck and belted her in. David wandered towards them.
"Archie," David announced as he came closer to the SUV.
"Daddy? Uncle Archie, Daddy's here." Martha pointed out as Archie glanced over to David and said, "You stay put, okay?"
Martha nodded her head and said, "Okay."
Archie closed the door and wandered towards David, who met him in the street.
"If you came for Martha, she's not going anywhere with you."
"I didn't come to see Martha, I had hoped to catch Lizzie," David stared at Archie who glared back at him.
"What are you playing at, David?" Archie asked on instinct.
"I came to talk to Lizzie about the papers."
"Stay away from my sister. Stay away from Martha. If you want to talk about papers, you can with the estate solicitor tomorrow."
"Archie," David rolled his eyes and then rubbed his chin, before shoving his left hand into his pants pocket.
"You've done enough, David, leave it be." Archie stormed off to the SUV and hopped on the driver's seat. He then slammed the door, started up the truck and drove off. As David stood in the street and then walked back to his SUV.
Chapter 14---Recipe for Love?
That same night, as David burned the 'midnight oil' at an old desk in Killwillie's study. The coo-coo clock chirped out on the wall just above David's head...Coo-coo! Coo-coo! Coo-coo! Coo-coo! Coo-coo! Coo-coo! Coo-coo! Coo-coo, just before the little birdie treated to his nest within the clock as it was eight o'clock pm:
A little bit of me and a whole lot of you
Add a dash of starlight and a dozen roses, too
Then let it rise for a hundred years or two
And that's the recipe for making love
David upped the volume notch on his I-Pod speaker...as he scribbled down numbers and transposed information from one file onto the lap top. David's mind kept floating back to his recent visit from Lizzie just hours ago. The cat's out of the bag, s'pose it's a good thing, aye, Liz? I'm not one-hundred percent honorable...but it...oh bologna, I'm not even zero percent honorable! Sitting in the tree house talking about those awful curtains and so on and so forth...David's mind recalled past events of being with her. Dancing the night away…talking at all hours…and the way you wrinkle your nose and your sweet laugh…
David sighed and tossed his pen onto the file folder and cranked up the volume even more. David should be happy but he was miserable for serving custody papers on Lizzie. David didn't want to compete with her as to who the best parent was of Martha. He just wanted more time with them both.
It doesn't need sugar 'cause it's already sweet
It doesn't need an oven 'cause it's got a lot of heat
Just add a dash of kisses to make it all complete
And that's the recipe for making love
To David, something was still missing...Lizzie, everything about Lizzie---every quirk that he missed, every inch of her and her scent---She's taken by someone who didn't match to David's qualities or standards. Oh Lizzie. Golly and Molly's wedding event, you know I wanted to bring that up to you in during our morning snuggle days back…David's mind crooned right out...
In the meantime, as David arose from the desk and started to sing out and actually in tune...in hopes to at least cheer him self up. Lizzie will never let me see Martha again…David's mind added…unless I call off the dogs.
And if you've made it right
you'll know it
It's not like anything you've made before
And if you've made it wrong you'll know it
'cause it won't keep you coming back for more
In amidst of David's song and standing in one place dance, he had a spectator at the door---Flora. Flora's lips went into this goofy, senseless, and star-struck smile when she saw her 'Prince Charming' dancing away and singing. David danced around the room as his eyes caught Flora's and a jolly beam sprung onto his face. David continued to ham it all up in front of Flora. David being high spirited, he pulled Flora into an embrace and swung her around the room into a giggity-jig. The office window was slightly cracked open but neither David nor Flora noticed.
I didn't get it from my
grandma's book upon the shelf
I didn't get it from a magical and culinary elf
No, a little birdie told me you can't make it by yourself
And that's the recipe for making love
Harry Connick, JR's Recipe for Love
Flora let out a giggle as she had never been pulled into a dance before, at least not in the middle of her father's study with a handsome man like David and then dipped to the floor. The jazz song ended and David smiled too, "What to my pleasure brings you to my door at this hour?"
"Actually, I wanted to tell you it was eight. My father suggested it was time for you to go home and call it good an' that the estate will keep."
"I see, you look lovely tonight Flora. Charming of you to come and suggest I punch out," David's mouth stayed in an impish grin.
Flora was wowed, completely bowled over by David's compliment and then his question...
"Say you have plans now?"
"Um no," Flora answered and then David said, "Good, how about walking me out?"
"That sounds lovely, I'd like that..." They continued to chat; two curious heads arose from the bushes just outside of Killwillie's study...
"Splendid, they're dancing and now chatting away!" Killwillie grinned as Molly shushed him, "Killwillie, they do make a dashing pair—however, why are we on the outside looking in? You do want them together right? Why can't I just have word with David myself?" Molly continued to play along...even though she knew David wanted custody of Martha and to take her away from Lizzie. Molly only decided to help Killwillie so she could keep an eye on David. And Killwillie was as usual oblivious to anything going on in Molly's children's lives at the moment.
"Dear Molly, all I want is to see Flora happy and smiling and she is at this very instant...besides, I talked to her into finding a date for your wedding reception since you're allowing us to take a guest...quick, we must hide! They are coming out for a moonlit walk!" Killwillie tipped his head to Molly as they crutched side by side with night goggles on which Paul had left with his climbing gear in the back of the land rover. They were also sporting all black clothing, ski masks and boots to match.
Flora chuckled at one of David's belongings. David placed his mother's trusty bug net hat that Grace begged him to wear since it was midges' season upon his head and announced, "Bug net hat, don't leave home without it." David then snagged it off of his head, picking up his jacket and then his brief case. Flora and David headed out the office and to the front door.
Molly began to wonder about Golly, since he didn't know where she was, well not the truth of where she was---Molly could be a woman of secrecy, even to her beau—plus she didn't want to involve Golly in Killwillie's matchmaking scheme. Killwillie pulled Molly further down into the bushes as David and Flora entered the night, side by side, and down a path towards David's SUV.
"You know Daddy and I are going to a wedding this weekend up at the Glenbogle Estate," Flora added nervously, "The reason I brought it up is because you're a wonderful dancer."
"Why thank-you..." David bowed his head in appreciation and posed a reply, "That's Molly and Golly's wedding right?"
"Aye, it's going to be so marvelous in the middle of Molly's garden with the wispy sounds of the pipes...I'm so proud to be going, you know?" Flora's voice quaked just a bit, as she formed in her head her question...for David.
"I bet you are." David winked as they continued to stroll towards David's vehicle.
"Actually, I hoped to ask you...never mind," Flora became more distraught at what she had to say. Flora walked David up to his SUV as David opened the vehicle door.
"What is it?" David expressed interest, while raising a brow to Flora.
"Well, um, I need a date," Flora's face dropped, and she shyly added, "I know you've only been back for a couple weeks, but I really need someone to strut their stuff with me at the wedding. No strings attached mind you..."
"How thoughtful of you," David beamed again...the wedding, going with Flora, why didn't I hint about that to her—of course Molly and Golly would invite Killwillie and his daughter! It's perfect, I can see Liz and Martha...genius, Flora, darling!
"It was stupid of me to ask, I mean..." Flora started to change her wee mind.
"I mean, Flora, I'd love to go," David smiled once again and flashed his evergreen eyes in her direction. Flora astounded, blinked, as her mouth dropped wide open. She slowly turned right around as David replied, "When's the wedding?"
"Well, actually not until sunset, but they have a rehearsal in the day...about five o'clock?"
"Well, I will pick you up here at half past the hour? Okay?"
Flora's head went into a spin, "Of course, thank-you."
"Flora, it's my pleasure!" David tossed his briefcase and bug net hat into the truck just as seven and half year old Zelda, the spitting image of Flora with her blonde hair, cerulean eyes and glasses at the tip of her nose, opened a second story window and called out, "Mother---time to tuck me in and for me to read you my story!"
"Yes, Flora—I'll be there shortly!"
David laughed again as he waved at Zelda. He had met her on many occasions since working for Killwillie. As much as he liked Zelda, she reminded him of Martha and how much he missed her.
"Mother!"
"I'm coming Zelda! Well goodnight." Flora said to David as he replied, "Good night," before climbing into his truck, closing himself in and taking off down the trail.
Molly and Killwillie arose from the bushes with great big smiles, Molly's smile faded out, as she worried about David hurting Flora, but she didn't tell Killwillie that. Instead, her mind shifted to Golly and what time it was...
