All the reminder he needed to step back into the corridor, tugging her with him. He left Morgan’s door open, though, in case he needed the solace of those memories later. For now, that stroll through the garden was a good idea. “Do you need to go back to St. Mary’s tonight? I can take you, or Mabena’s father would.”

His aunt and uncle had been among the visitors today, and they’d been none too happy to realize that their daughter had been injured too, and that they hadn’t been informed immediately.

Libby shook her head and fell into step beside him. “I don’t think so. Mabena isn’t fit for it yet, certainly. My only real concern is Darling. I hate to leave him so long—though I think I left enough food for him, and Mabena fashioned him a sandbox for his business. He refused to go outside when we left. He hid under my bed, and I couldn’t lure him out.”

Oliver chuckled. Her kitten had strong opinions, that was for certain. “Perhaps you should bring him with you when you come to Tresco.”

Libby walked with him down the stairs, her brows raised. “On a boat? Cats don’t like the water, do they?”

“Not as a general rule—but how do you suppose they got on the islands to begin with?”

That sweet smile sprang onto her lips. The one that meant she was amused at herself. “Well, I don’t suppose they flew here. Perhaps if I tucked him into a basket?”

“He may meow, but he’d be safe and probably quite happy to be wherever you are.” And if it resulted in her extending her Tuesday evening stays to Wednesday nights too, and perhaps even Thursdays . . . well, who could blame him for removing her primary need to get back to St. Mary’s?

“We’ll have to talk to Mabena and see what she wants to do. If she wants to stay longer in general, someone can simply take me over for Darling and some extra changes of clothes. I only really need to be on St. Mary’s for the Wednesday deliveries for Beth.”

The reminder brought a quick splash of cold water. He’d been half expecting to catch Beth trying to break into the safe and steal back his copy of Treasure Island. He’d changed the combination, just in case she tried it. Anything to delay her longer and improve his chances of catching her. “Perhaps you should distance yourself from that too. Given what Mabena reported Beth said the other night, if no one is there, the items will be left somewhere for her.”

“Exactly. And then we won’t know what they are. It’ll all be up to Beth again.” She hesitated at the bottom of the stairs, clearly waiting to see which direction he would lead them.