Tainted by Brooke Morgan

Author:Brooke Morgan
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins

Chapter 18

People changed. Henry had seen it before. Some of the boys who started their stint in the Marines as scared, insecure weaklings, came out strong, secure men. Others who thought they were God’s gift to the world had had the shit kicked out of them and were humbled. Over the course of seventy-five years, he’d seen many people change in many different ways, but he hadn’t been prepared for the change he saw in Holly when she arrived back from the honeymoon. It wasn’t only the way her beauty, which had been hiding for so many years, now shone like a bright light—he’d already noticed how she had grown into her looks with the advent of a man who loved her. No—it was the way she held herself. There was a certainty to her which translated into her posture and the way she walked. Her shoulders weren’t hunched, her stride was purposeful.

Marriage, the honeymoon, having time on her own with Jack for a few days—Henry wasn’t sure what it was, but something had given Holly a new confidence.

Nevertheless, he was going to have a talk with her. And he needed to do that as soon as possible. Obviously he hadn’t said anything when she and Jack had picked up Katy the night before—but now he was sitting with her on the porch and Katy was with Bones in the living room and Jack was in town getting groceries. This was his chance; yet he found himself hesitating.

“We were so lucky with the weather for the wedding, weren’t we?” She smiled. “Look, the clouds have come in with a vengeance.”

“Mmm.”

“Are you all right, Henry? You seem preoccupied.”

“What do you say to a walk on the beach? You must want to stretch your legs after all that driving.”

“Sounds like a good idea. Katy,” she called out. “We’re all going for a walk. Bring Bones out with you.”

“OK,” Katy yelled back. “Just a second.”

“I’ll tell you all about Vermont. The inn was beautiful. But not too quaint if you know what I mean. It wasn’t up itself.”

“Shit, sweetie. You’re talking like a Brit now. I bet you’ll have the accent soon too.”

“No, I won’t. I tried once. Jack was rolling on the floor laughing at me.”

Katy came out, followed by Bones, and they set off for the beach.

“You’re being preternaturally quiet, Henry.”

“Preternaturally?”

“Jack and I have a competiton going for who can use the best big words. He’s winning so I have to practice.”

“Right. I have a feeling you stole it from me, but that’s certainly a good one.”

“Henry?” She stopped. “You sound strange. What’s the matter?”

“Nothing. Katy, when we get to the beach, why don’t you go look for shells?”

“Which shells?”

“I don’t know, bumblebee—pretty shells.”

“Is there a hidden agenda for this walk?” Holly asked.

“I want to have a talk with you, that’s all.”

“Katy.” She frowned. “Go see if you can find any angel’s wings shells, OK?”

“OK.” Katy ran off to the shoreline and Holly turned to Henry. “What’s this about? What’s so

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