“Well, somebody has to tell her like it is,” Connor grumbled. “She can’t behave irresponsibly without someone calling her on it. I don’t suppose you did that?”
“No, I didn’t. She did have her cell phone. She did call me. She got home safe and sound. All in all, she behaved perfectly logically and responsibly.”
“You mean other than letting the stupid kayak drift off in the first place,” Connor said, still not pacified.
“It could have happened to anyone,” Will insisted. “Do I need to remind you of the time we got stranded over at Jessup’s Point because your boat got stuck on a sand bar? I believe it was the Coast Guard that finally tracked us down.”
“We were fifteen,” Connor retorted.
“And had been out on these waters a hundred times and we still screwed up,” Will said. “Stuff happens. It won’t help anyone if you make Jess feel bad for making a mistake. She’s sensitive enough to everyone’s opinion as it is.”
Connor sighed heavily. “I know you’re right. I just worry about her, you know? She doesn’t always think before she acts.”
Will understood Connor’s concern, but he also thought he knew Jess in some ways better than Connor did. “I worry about her, too,” he said. “But here’s the difference between you and me. I trust her to handle whatever problems crop up. You still think she’s that kid who needs her big brothers to bail her out. Jess is an adult.”
“But—”
Will gave him a warning look that silenced whatever he’d been about to say. “Sure, she’s an adult with ADD, but she’s not some basket case who can’t be trusted. Look at all she’s accomplished, Connor. She’s amazing. It’s time the rest of you started seeing her that way and stopped making judgments and rushing to her rescue before she says anything about needing help.”
Connor studied him long and hard. “You really do have it bad, don’t you?”
Will shrugged. “Nothing new about that.”
Connor shook his head. “What is wrong with my sister? Why can’t she see what’s right in front of her face?”
“She will,” Will said. He was increasingly confident of that. The only thing he couldn’t pinpoint with any certainty was the timetable. He just hoped they both lived long enough for it to happen.
Saturday morning had dawned with bright sunshine, a crisp fall breeze and promised to be the kind of day that energized people. Jess helped Connie set up the foundation’s booth displaying books about the Chesapeake Bay and providing information on memberships and donations. There was a large jar for cash donations as well.
Right next door, Connor was helping Heather set up the Cottage Quilts booth with its selection of colorful quilts hanging on three sides and additional quilts showcased on tables. Little Mick was scampering between the booths, hoping someone would read to him or take him to one of the food booths set up across the park.
“Come on, kiddo, I’ll take you,” Jess offered. “Let’s go see what kind of sticky food we can find that’ll make Mommy crazy.”
Heather scowled at her. “Please do not indulge my son with a bunch of junk food.”
Jess grinned. “How about a caramel apple? They’re a little on the gooey side, but there is fruit inside.”
“An interesting spin, but you’ll need to cut it for him, then make sure he washes his hands before he comes back here,” Heather said, then turned to Connor. “Maybe you should go with them.”
Jess feigned a scowl at her sister-in-law. “Did you just insult me? I am perfectly capable of taking care of a toddler for a few minutes.”
Heather laughed. “Not the issue. My kid has you wound around his little finger. There’s no telling what he’s liable to talk you into buying him.”
“That’s an aunt’s privilege,” Jess told her.
“Then you get him when he starts throwing up,” Heather warned. “That’s the rule I apply to Connor, isn’t it?” She gave her husband an affectionate poke in the ribs.
“Sadly, she’s telling the truth,” Connor said. “The kid’s all yours, sis. Just be prepared. Unlike us, he apparently wasn’t blessed with a cast-iron stomach.”
“He’s three,” Jess said. “Give him time.”
She held out her hand and little Mick grabbed it. “Over there, Aunt Jess,” he said, dragging her toward the funnel cake.
“Looks good,” she said at once. “Nothing like a little grease and powdered sugar to start the day.”
They were waiting in line when she looked up and spotted Will heading her way, weaving through the crowd and head and shoulders above many of them. Sometimes she forgot how tall he was, and how petite he’d always made her feel.
“What brings you to the festival?” she called out to him. “I thought you hated this kind of thing.”
“It’s a nice day. I felt like being outdoors, and Connor told me you all were going to be helping out down here. I figured I could lend a hand.”
Little Mick held out his arms, and Will immediately scooped him up. “Hey, buddy, how you doing?”
“Me getting cake,” he said excitedly, gesturing toward the sign over the booth. “And ca’mel apple and ice cream, too.”
Will laughed. “Is that so?” He looked at Jess. “You’re a brave woman.”
“So they tell me. Can I get you anything when I get to the front of the line?”
“Not me. I’ll stick to coffee for now. I think I saw some a couple of booths down.”
Normally Jess avoided caffeine, but she loved coffee. “I don’t suppose they have decaf?” she said wistfully.
“I’ll check,” Will offered at once. “If they don’t, I’ll run across the street. There’s a little café over there that’s open. Why don’t you bring the funnel cake back to the foundation booth and I’ll meet you there.”
“Sounds great,” she said at once.
“Go with Will,” Mick demanded.
Jess looked at Will.
“It’s fine with me,” he said.
“You can carry him and hot coffee?”
“Mick doesn’t need to be carried all the time, do you, buddy? You can hold my hand and
