by Jaci Burton
"That's very good news," her dad said. "I know how much you want to get up and move around."
"Like you wouldn't believe, Emmett."
"I want that for you, too, Mom," Molly said. "My fingers are crossed."
"I'm going to work hard on therapy the rest of the week. I want that walking cast."
"We'll be dancing together in no time," her dad said.
Molly smiled. She'd like to see that.
"Oh, by the way, I have a committee meeting tonight," Molly said.
"And will you be going out with Carter afterward?" her mother asked.
"I . . . don't know. I'm not exactly going out with him."
Her mother waved her hand. "Whatever it is you young kids call it these days. Anyway, you two should go out. There's no reason you should be stuck in the house with me all the time. Your dad and I will be fine here. Go out and enjoy yourself. I always liked you and Carter together, Molly. I don't know why the two of you broke up in high school, but I sure am glad you're seeing him again."
"Me, too," her dad said.
Molly blinked. She had no idea her parents were even aware she was seeing Carter. So much for thinking she was doing this under the radar. Pretty soon everyone would know, because while her mother was housebound, she definitely had a phone--and a computer--and she used it a lot to talk to her friends. Who talked to their friends. And so on.
After dinner, she did the dishes and dashed off to take a shower. As she left the house for the committee meeting, she waved goodbye to her parents, who were settled in the living room with a movie.
Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Rhonda parked in the lot of the community center.
Ridiculous. It was just a meeting, not a date.
But when Carter came outside to greet her, she couldn't help but notice his smile, or the way he walked, or the way he'd unbuttoned the sleeves of his shirt and shoved them up his arms. He'd worn jeans today, and damn, he always looked so good in jeans.
"Hi," he said, taking the folders from her hands as she got out of her car.
"Hi. You're here early."
"So are you."
"Yeah, I had a busy day today," he said as they walked side by side toward the community center. "I wanted to get a head start scanning through the agenda."
"I went over it today."
He held the door for her, and she stepped inside. No one else was there yet.
"Yeah? Any ideas?"
"A couple. I also drove by the town square today. The new fountain is in. It looks amazing."
"I saw that, too. Mavis called to complain about the dolphin."
Molly rolled her eyes. "What's wrong with the dolphin?"
"Nothing. It's a replica of what was there before, everyone signed off and agreed to it. But if it was up to Mavis, we'd have a bust of the mayor in the middle of the damn fountain. So she'll find something to complain about."
"Whatever. It looks awesome."
"Oh, and before everyone gets here . . ."
He pulled her into his arms and laid a hot, hard kiss on her. Suddenly, agendas and dolphins and fountains were forgotten as she fell into the kiss, wishing they didn't have this damn meeting tonight and could go somewhere and explore this kiss a lot further.
Even though the kiss was laced with passion, and he ran his hands over her back, it was over all too quickly, and Carter took a step back. But the fire lingered in his eyes. "We'll take that up later."
"I'm making a note at the bottom of my agenda."
His lips quirked. "You do that."
"I just will. In the meantime, I'm going to start making coffee."
"I'm actually surprised Mavis isn't already here doing that. She wouldn't want to miss out on any gossip."
"We beat her to the punch. And we got a kiss in as well."
He moved over to the sink and helped her, filling the large coffeepot while she put the ground coffee in.
"In fact," he said, "since no one's here yet . . ."
He cupped the back of her neck and slid his lips over hers. She put the coffee down and moved into him, grabbing on to his shirt to deepen the kiss.
Until someone cleared their throat and she heard the click of heels on the hardwood floor.
"You two should get a room."
When they broke apart, she smiled at Chelsea. "Why, when it's so spacious here?"
Without breaking stride, Chelsea made it over to the coffee station. "Good point, since you have the table. And the floor. And don't forget the stage."
"I like the way you think, Chelsea," Carter said.
Molly laughed. "I just started the coffee."
"It could have been done already if the two of you weren't engaged in a hot and heavy makeout session."
"Oh, we had just gotten started," Molly said.
"Don't make me smack you upside the head with the coffee creamer box. Those who are getting some shouldn't lord it over those who aren't."
Since Carter was busy talking to a couple of the others who'd just come in, she walked away with Chelsea. "I find it hard to believe that someone as beautiful and funny and smart as you isn't seeing someone on a regular basis."
Chelsea shrugged, then snatched one of the cookies Mavis had just brought in. "I'm picky. Besides, I know all the men in Hope. I went to high school with most of the guys my age."
"There's always Tulsa. Or online dating."
She snorted. "Tried that last one. Major fail. Men lie on those dating sites. They say they have burgeoning careers when really they're still living with their parents, or they're flat broke and can only afford a night out at the nearest McDonald's. Or they tell you they've been focusing on their careers and that's why they're still single in their thirties, when in reality they've been divorced twice and are paying child support for four children."
Molly sighed. "What's so difficult about being honest?"
"I have no idea. I'm brutally honest." She offered Molly a flat gaze. "Maybe that's why I don't go on a lot of dates."
Molly looped her arm in Chelsea's. "I think you have a lot to offer, and if men can't see that, it's their loss."
"Right. And in the meantime, I'm the only one in town not getting laid, whereas you've been back for a month and you've landed one of the hottest guys in Hope."
"Why didn't you ever date Carter? Or did you?"
"He's not my type. He's too nice."
Molly laughed. "So you don't want a nice guy?"
"I like nice guys just fine."
Molly shook her head. Chelsea was confusing as hell. Maybe Chelsea didn't know what kind of man she wanted. Or maybe her standards were too high.
Because as she looked across the table at Carter, she realized there wasn't much wrong with him. He was hot, sexy, funny, had a great job, and was a good person. Any woman would consider herself lucky to have someone like him to settle down with.
"Ready to get started?" Carter asked.
Everyone took their seats, and Carter began the meeting.
Not that she wanted to settle down with Carter--or any man. But if she was looking for a potential partner in life, she couldn't find much fault with Carter.
He had great leadership abilities. As he led the meeting, she noticed he got things back on track when someone strayed off topic, and he refereed any disagreements like a diplomat.
One day some woman was going to get lucky.
When she had the floor, his gaze met hers and he smiled at her. Her stomach tightened.
She'd be long gone by the time a woman married Carter. Made beautiful, dark-haired, green-eyed babies with him.
It wouldn't matter. He'd be happy, and she'd be content, moving on with her life.
Somewhere.
She almost lost focus just thinking about it, but rallied her brain in time to sound like she knew what she was talking about.
They got through the meeting with a minimum of fuss, which was good. Even Mavis seemed to be in a good mood, and didn't argue with their suggestions, including Molly's idea
to erect a playground near the square. The cost would be a minimal addition, and everyone approved. She was happy about that, and could already envision children playing in the square.
The project was moving along, and Molly was excited about the way things were going. Every time she drove through town she saw progress, making her want to see the finished product, especially in the spring and summer when it would really be used by the people of Hope.
Of course, next spring and summer she wouldn't be here to see the new town square in action.
She was going to miss out on a lot, because she was leaving as soon as her mother was capable of taking care of herself again.
That kind of sucked, but it was the life she'd chosen, and she wasn't going to deviate from it. Staying here in Hope just wasn't an option for her.
If she started caring about everything that was happening around here or about the people--she looked across the table at Carter--she might feel like staying.
And that just wouldn't do.
It was much easier to stick with the plan. Stay only long enough to get Mom right again, then take off.
She liked her life the way it was. That was a life she was used to, one she could manage.
A life that couldn't hurt her.
Right now she was having fun. It was light and easy and she was enjoying spending time with her family again. She was enjoying this newfound sex with no strings with Carter. And as long as she kept it a temporary thing, she could handle it.
Making it any more than that would only lead to heartbreak. She'd faced heartbreak once, and it had nearly brought her to her knees. She'd never do it again.
"That wasn't too painful, was it?" Carter asked as they got out of their seats and grabbed another cup of coffee.
"No, actually, it went better than I expected. Especially the playground part."
Carter lifted the cup to his lips, took a drink, then nodded. "Me, too. I thought for sure Mavis would balk. But she didn't. In fact, she agreed it was a good idea."
Molly turned and leaned against the sink. "I wonder what's up with that."
"I wonder what's up with her. Usually she stays and endlessly gossips 'til everyone does their best to make an escape, but she's already grabbing her coat and leaving."
"Hmm. Maybe she has a boyfriend."
Carter studied Mavis's escape. "She has been divorced for several years, but I can't imagine who'd be willing to put up with her."
Molly laughed. "There's someone for everyone out there, you know. Even for Mavis."
"I guess you're right." He pushed off the wall. "How about we go get something to eat."
"I ate dinner before the meeting."
"Okay, then. How about you come with me and watch me eat something? You can get coffee and dessert?"
"I had all those cookies."
He rolled his eyes. "I'm trying to ask you out, Molly. Are you trying to tell me you'd just like to go home?"
Why was she being so difficult? Maybe she'd spent too much time thinking during the meeting tonight. And too much time pondering her relationship with Carter--and all the things that couldn't happen between them.
But that was the future, and this was the present, and she wasn't going to let anything stand between spending time with him right now.
"No, of course not. I'd love to watch you eat."
He laughed. "All right, then. Let's go.
Chapter 23
ON THE DRIVE over to Bert's, on his own because Molly told him she didn't want to leave her car at the community center, Carter pondered her strange mood.
He chalked it up to her being a woman, and they got moody sometimes. He intended to keep that thought to himself so he didn't get into any trouble. His mother told him if he had a stupid thought about a woman, it was best to just shut up about it.
Good advice. His mom was pretty smart.
He pulled into the lot, Molly right behind him, taking the spot next to his. Though they'd fixed George's immediate problems, he still didn't like the way the car sounded.
"You're frowning," she said as she got out.
"George shudders. Coughs. Sounds like he's in death throes."
"He's old. Cut him some slack." She pocketed her keys and started into the restaurant, giving him no choice but to follow. He gave George a long look, but the car didn't make any more sounds, so he headed inside.
It was late, and the restaurant was nearly empty, which meant they had their pick of seats. Molly chose a booth near the wall, and he slid in across from her.
Heather Stanford headed over, pulling her order pad out of her pocket.
"Hi, Heather."
"Hi, Carter." Heather gave Molly a look. "New girlfriend?"
He laughed. "This is Emma Burnett's--I guess she's Emma McCormack now. I have to get used to that. Anyway, this is Dr. Emma's sister, Molly."
Heather's eyes widened. "Oh. Hi. I'm Heather. I have a pug named Cicero. I take him to see Dr. Emma all the time. Well, my parents and I take him, anyway. I go to Hope High School."
"Nice to meet you, Heather," Molly said.
"You're the sister who lives out of town."
"Yes."
"You must have hung around because Mrs. Burnett got hurt. How's she doing? We sure miss seeing her here at Bert's."
"She's doing a lot better. Thanks for asking."
"You be sure to tell her I said hey."
"I will."
"What would you all like to drink?"
"I'll just have water," Molly said.
"I'll have a Diet Coke," Carter said, then picked up the menu when Heather hustled away to get their drinks.
Molly studied the menu.
"So about the whole 'girlfriend' thing," he said.
She looked up from the menu. "What?"
"Heather asked if you were my girlfriend."
"Oh, that. Typical teenager. They think any man/woman combination is automatically a couple. I didn't think anything of it. Don't worry about it."
She went back to studying the menu, while he worried she'd been offended he hadn't automatically acknowledged her as his girlfriend.
Women were confusing. A lot of women he'd dated would have had their feelings hurt. Molly hadn't.
Maybe because she didn't think of them as a couple. Or in a relationship. Or whatever people called it these days. He had no idea.
When Heather came back, he gave her his order, and Molly decided to have a cup of soup, which made him feel better, since he didn't want to be the only one eating.
"How are things going at work?" Molly asked.
"Good, actually. I have an interview next week with a body guy. I'm hoping he might be the one."
She arched a brow. "Body guy?"
"Someone to do bodywork on the cars. We've gone through several in the shop here in town, with no luck. It's hard to find a guy who's good with his hands."
Her lips quirked. "Indeed, it is."
He laughed. "Anyway, I've heard this guy has good skills, so I'm hopeful. I'm tired of searching--and replacing."
She nodded, then paused while Heather delivered their food. She took a spoonful of her soup, then a sip of water.
"I know how it is to have to hire good employees," Molly said. "I've been in that position several times over the years when I've been put in charge of hiring at some of the places I've worked. It's never a fun job."
He bit into his cheeseburger, then popped a couple of fries into his mouth, washing them down with his pop. "It's my least favorite part of the job. Unfortunately, it's a necessary evil to keep things running smoothly. If it were up to me, I'd be out there with my head in an engine."
"The price of growth, I'm afraid."
"Tell me about it."
"You have--what--four shops now? Maybe you should hire a business manager to do all that paperwork and hiring and firing for you."
"And then what would I do? Play golf?" He shook his head. "I don't think so. I know the kind of talent required to do all the jobs necessary for the s
hops. A business manager might know the numbers and paperwork part of the job--and believe me, that takes up a lot of my time--but no one knows the inner workings of a car better than I do--or hiring the right kind of talent to get the job done."
Molly leaned back and wiped her lips with her napkin. "You're so confident in what you do."
"I know my job and what it takes to get it done."
"And you love your work."
He smiled. "Most days."
"Describe your best day to me."
"What is this, an interview?"
"No. Just tell me what you would consider a perfect day."
"First, everyone shows up for work. The bays in every shop are filled. There's no goddamn paperwork on my desk, so I have time to visit all four locations and see that all the operations are running like well-oiled machines. I end up at the shop in Hope, where I have a few minutes to roll up my sleeves and stick my head in a tranny rebuild, or maybe work with the body guy on some cool new paint scheme before quitting time."
"Sounds like a great day. And what keeps you from doing that?"
"That's easy. Paperwork. Inventory. Bills to pay. Taxes. Forms to fill out. Sales and marketing issues. Personnel issues."
"It sounds to me like you're one business manager short of having the ideal job."
He sat back and pondered her suggestion for a few minutes, studying her until an idea popped into his head. "You know what? You're right. You want the job?"
Her eyes widened. "Me? No."
"Why not? You've been managing offices all over the country for years. You've got the accounting, sales, and business skills to tackle the job."
"That's true, but--"
"But what? You don't think you're qualified?"
She lifted her chin. "If anything, I'm overqualified. I could get you organized in a matter of months. Then you'd be free to visit each of your shops, hire staff, handle the day-to-day paperwork and any hands-on repair work you wanted."
He liked seeing that fire in her eyes, the confidence in her abilities. She was right for the job. She knew it, and he sure as hell knew it. "Exactly. So what's the problem?"
"You know what the problem is, Carter. Actually, there's more than one problem."
"Your mom, of course. I didn't mean you had to start tomorrow. I'm willing to wait."
"That's not it."
"You mean the fact you're not planning to stay in Hope after your mom is back on her feet?"
Molly hadn't voiced her plans to move on once her mother was better, but obviously Carter--and probably everyone else just assumed it. And they were right. "Yes."