“I remember them, too. I enjoyed them, as much as I enjoyed anything during that time.”
“You always sat on the outer edges, as far away from everyone else as Jared would allow. You never joined in the songs or the storytelling.”
“I didn't know how. Cozy family gatherings were a new experience for me.”
“You were so angry. It seemed like you were always scowling.”
“I was angry,” he agreed. “But you never seemed to worry that I would take it out on you.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
She hesitated a moment, then answered candidly, “Because of the way you treated Molly. She was only eleven and going through that pesky, chattery stage, but even though I could tell she got on your nerves sometimes, you never snapped at her.”
He looked surprised. “She was just a kid. A little spoiled, maybe, but she always meant well. I remember going to fairly elaborate lengths to avoid her when I wasn't in the mood for her babbling—which was fairly often—but I could never really be angry with her.”
“No one ever could. That hasn't changed, by the way.”
“I could never figure out why Jared and Cassie took in problem foster boys when they had a little girl in their house. They were taking a pretty big chance with that, weren't they?”
B.J. shrugged. “More than a few people expressed concern about that during the years Molly was growing up. But really she had Jared and Shane watching every move she made, and Cassie always nearby. No boy had the nerve to even try anything under those circumstances. Even when she passed sixteen and turned into a real beauty, she never had a problem with the foster boys. She complained that she was probably the most closely guarded teenager in Texas.”
Daniel chuckled. “I suppose she was. I always knew Shane would take my head off if I even looked cross-eyed at his baby sister—and that was assuming Jared didn't pound me into dust first. Hell, by the time I left, I was watching out for her like a big brother.”
“She was very fond of you, you know. They all were. Molly cried after you left.”
“From what I understand, she cried every time one of the foster boys left.”
“Well…yeah,” B.J. admitted. “But she did miss you. We…they all did.”
If he noticed the slight stammer, he ignored it. Instead he tossed another stick into the fire pit. The wood began to burn with a pop and a crackle. Only thing missing was a snap, B.J. mused, propping her chin on her knees again.
“So…you want to play another game? Checkers? Chess?”
“No, thanks.” She continued to gaze solemnly into the fire. “I think I'll just sit here for a while.”
She felt his gaze on her, but she didn't look away from the flames. After a moment Daniel stood, brushing sand off his pants. “I'll start squaring away the pavilion. Find us a place to sleep. No, don't get up. I can handle it.”
She relaxed again, deciding not to argue with him. She let her mind drift again, and though she made a conscious effort to avoid dwelling on old memories and fantasies, those thoughts weren't so easy to dispel.
Daniel rigged makeshift beds by laying out chair cushions on the picnic tables. A flashlight unearthed from one of the cupboards gave B.J. enough light to make use of the now-dark ladies' room.
After helping B.J. onto one of the tables, Daniel extinguished most of the torches, threw another couple of logs in the fire pit, then climbed onto the other table. “Not particularly comfortable, is it?”
B.J. lay on her side, cradling her head on one arm. “It's not too bad.”
On the other table, Daniel lay facing her, mimicking her position. Shadows cloaked him so that she couldn't really see his face, nor did she imagine he could see hers any better. “Are you too chilly?”
“A light blanket would feel pretty good, but my cardigan should be warm enough.”
“Sorry there's no blanket. You'd think with all the other stuff Drake stocks in those cupboards, he'd at least have one or two.”
“I'll be okay.”
“Let me know if you need anything during the night.”
“Thanks.” She closed her eyes, trying to will herself to sleep. It wasn't going to be easy, what with the hard table, the cool air, the sounds of the ocean and the night-calling birds. Not to mention Daniel lying so close to her.