by Elle James
“Why?”
“My mother is relentless when it comes to getting to know everything there is to know about someone.” As she passed Parker, her shoulder brushed against his chest. Her heartbeat stuttered, and a flush of heat washed over her.
Molly could feel Parker’s gaze boring into her back. She wondered if she was walking weird or like a jock. Then she shrugged and forced herself to remain calm. Parker was just a man, not a critic of all things female.
Wait. Wasn’t that what all men were? Critics of all things female?
Her thoughts were taking her to places she’d rather not go. Painting all men with the same brush went against her grain. Parker wasn’t all men. He was the foreman of the Iron Horse Ranch, and he’d been assigned to act as her bodyguard.
If he happened to kiss her, well then, that was a perk.
The nurse at the station smiled at Parker before she turned to Molly and let her smile slip. “How can I help you?” As soon as she asked the question, she turned back to Parker and her smile blossomed.
Molly’s fists clenched. “Mrs. McKinnon is awake. Is it possible for her to get something to eat?”
“Absolutely.” The nurse handed her a menu. “She can have anything on the menu.” She pointed to a phone number. “Just call that number and place your order. It could take up to forty-five minutes, depending on how busy they are in the kitchen. Guests are invited to order as well. It’s self-explanatory. Let me know if you have any questions. I’d be happy to help.” Again, she smiled at Parker.
“Thank you.” Molly took the menu and marched back to her mother’s room.
“What’s wrong?” Parker asked as he hurried to catch up.
“Nothing,” Molly said, her voice tight, her fists still clenched.
“If nothing’s wrong, why are you mad?” He took her hand and unfurled her fist.
“I don’t know. It doesn’t matter.” His holding her hand made the butterflies in her belly flutter. She tugged on her hand, but he refused to release it.
“Are you angry because the nurse was flirting with me?”
“No,” she said, her answer a little too quick. “You don’t belong to me. Why should I be mad?”
A smile curved his lips, and lights danced in his eyes. “No reason.” He let go of her hand and knocked on her mother’s door.
“Come in,” her mother’s voice called out, strong and clear.
“She’s obviously feeling better,” Molly muttered.
Boomer pushed out of the lounge chair beside the bed. “Your mother was just entertaining me with stories about growing up in Eagle Rock. Maya will have a great childhood here, if she does half the things your mother did.”
“I’ll have Fiona call Daphne to set up a playdate soon with Caity and Maya,” Molly’s mother said. “They’re getting big enough to interact with each other. They’ll eventually be going to school together.”
“I’ll let Daphne know. And thanks.” Boomer left the room.
After Molly showed her mother the menu, they placed her order.
“You two don’t have to stay here with me. I can order a meal for Boomer, and he can eat with me. Why don’t you two take advantage of being in the big city of Bozeman and go out to dinner.”
Molly glanced down at her dirty clothes. “I’m not dressed to eat out.”
“Nonsense. You look fine,” her mother waved a hand at her clothes and winced. “How often do you go out to eat?”
Molly thought back to the last time and couldn’t remember.
“Exactly,” her mother’s lips pressed together. “Take Parker to that cute little Italian place. They have great food, and if you get anything on your shirt, it won’t matter anyway.”
“Because it’s dirty,” Molly said, her tone flat. “That’s what I get for crawling up hillsides after a wreck.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Her mother frowned. “If you’re not feeling well, just stay here. I can have the doctor look you over again.”
“No, I’m fine,” Molly said. “But Parker might not want to go out with me.”
“I know the place you’re talking about.” Parker grabbed her hand and waved his other hand at her mother. “We’ll be back in an hour and a half.”
Molly’s mother chuckled. “I do so like a man who takes charge. You two enjoy.”
Parker led her out of the room again, nodded to Boomer and told him their plans. Then he hurried her to the elevator, down to the parking lot, and they drove out to the street in his truck.
“Are you on a mission or what?” Molly asked.
“Yes. I’m hungry and didn’t want to stand around arguing with you in front of your mother.”
“You see what she was doing, don’t you?” Molly asked.
“Trying to set us up on a date?” Parker nodded. “I saw that. So?”
“You didn’t have to go along with her.”
“What if I wanted to?” he asked.
“You could have asked the nurse at the nurses’ station to go with you,” Molly said, refusing to glance in his direction. “She’s much prettier, and she likes flirting with you.”
“I didn’t want to go to dinner with her. I don’t know her.”
“You could get to know her,” Molly insisted.
“I don’t want to get to know her. I want to have dinner with you. Can we stop talking about the nurse at the nurse’s station? Otherwise, I’ll think you were jealous,” he said, giving her a pointed glare.
Molly sputtered. “Jealous. As if!”
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the smile on Parker’s face. The louse. He was enjoying teasing her.
Nevertheless, Molly’s heart swelled, and heat suffused her body. Parker Bailey actually wanted to take her out to dinner. Dirt and all.
She pulled the visor down and gasped at the swaths of dust on her cheeks. “I can’t go to a nice restaurant looking like this.”
“You look fine. But if you’re that concerned, here.” He pulled a napkin out of the console between them and handed it to her.
She wiped at the dirt, removing the majority of it. Then she ran her fingers through her hair, trying without succeeding to tame the wild curls she usually kept secured in a ponytail. “It’s hopeless,” she said, and slumped against the seat.
“I love it like that,” Parker said. “It’s kind of wild and untamed…like you.”
“I’m not wild and untamed,” she said.
“Compared to your father, you are.” He winked. “I like that about you.”
“I’m not wild.” She hid the smile that threatened to emerge. “My hair is untamed, though.”
“Here we are. Saliano’s,” he said, pulling into the parking lot.
“You know this place?”
Parker nodded. “I eat here once a month. I know the owner and his wife.”
“You eat here once a month?” Molly frowned. “How is it I didn’t know this about you?”
He shifted into park and opened his door. “You never asked.”
Before she could climb down on her own, he was there, pulling open her door for her. He held out his hand.
Molly placed hers in his and let him help her down from his truck.
“I know,” he said. “you don’t need help.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Molly said. “Your mama trained you better.”
“That’s right.” He grinned and opened yet another door for her.
She liked that he teased and treated her like a lady. Who knew Molly McKinnon would go all girly? “I need to be careful, or I might get used to this.”
“Count on it.”
No. She couldn’t let that happen. Guys like Parker didn’t fall in love with girls like her.
As soon as Parker stepped through the door of Saliano’s, a cheer went up from the wait staff and the owners.
“Parker! Benvenuto, amici miei!” a man called out from behind the counter. He came around it and enveloped Parker in a bear hug that crushed Parker’s ribs.
“Massimo,
it’s good to see you.”
A woman’s cry sounded from behind a swinging door. A moment later, a small, rounded woman with salt and pepper hair rushed out. “Parker, benvenuto, amore mio!” Once again, he was enveloped in a bear hug that took his breath away.
When at last the woman released him, she stood back and studied him. “You’ve lost weight.”
Parker laughed. “It’s nice to see you, too, Bianca.”
“Are you staying with us tonight?” Massimo asked. “Your room is ready.”
Parker shook his head. “Not tonight. I’m just here for dinner.” He stepped back and brought Molly forward. “Massimo and Bianca Saliano, this is Molly McKinnon from Eagle Rock.”
Bianca stood back, her gaze raking Molly from head to toe. “She’s too thin. What are they feeding you at the Iron Horse Ranch?” She shot Parker a stern look. “Are you Parker’s fidanzata?”
Molly looked from Parker to Massimo and back to Bianca. “I don’t know what that means.”
“Girlfriend,” one of the pretty waitresses said as she passed by Molly.
Molly’s eyes widened. “Oh, no. We’re just friends.”
Bianca frowned. “You are a girl. You are Parker’s friend?”
Molly nodded. “Yes.”
Bianca nodded. “Fidanzata.” The woman wrapped her arms around Molly and hugged her so tight Molly’s eyes bugged.
When Bianca was done hugging, she kissed Molly on both cheeks. Then Massimo treated her to the same.
By the time all the hugging and kissing was done, Molly’s cheeks were pink, and she was breathless.
“Benvenuta, Molly.” Bianca waved a hand toward a table near the windows. “Come, have a seat.”
Throughout the meal, Bianca and Massimo did what the Italian couple did best...they showered Parker and Molly with love, attention and all the Italian food they could possibly eat. With the pasta, they poured glass after glass of wine until Parker held up a hand. “Please, no more. I have to drive.”
Molly laughed and smiled as the flamboyant couple argued, kissed and argued over every little thing, but they always came back to Parker and Molly with smiles.
When the meal was over, Bianca and Massimo tried to convince Parker and Molly to stay the night.
“I can’t,” Molly said. “My mother’s in the hospital. I’m staying with her tonight.”
Bianca’s eyes widened. “Perdonami. I did not know. Wait.” Bianca disappeared into the kitchen. Minutes later, she reappeared with an aluminum tray covered in foil. “Per tua madre. For your mother.”
Molly hugged the woman and then Massimo. “Thank you for such a wonderful meal and making me feel like family.”
“Oh, but you are famiglia,” Massimo said. “You are Parker’s fidanzata.”
Molly smiled, and Parker led her out of the building and helped her into the truck.
Once they were on the road back to the hospital, Molly turned to him and said, “What just happened back there?”
He chuckled. “What do you mean?”
“I feel like I was just adopted by the Salianos.”
Parker laughed out loud. “That’s exactly what happened to me when I came to Montana looking for a job and a place to live. I stopped for a bite to eat, they fed me, invited me to stay, and ever since, I’m like their long-lost son.” His smile persisted. “I come here once a month and stay with them, help out in the kitchen and become one of the famiglia.”
Molly sat back in her seat, shaking her head, a smile pulling at her lips. “I like them.”
“I’m glad you do. They can be a little overwhelming, but they mean well and love unconditionally.”
Back at the hospital, they found Boomer in Mrs. M’s room, playing a hand of poker.
“We brought a gift from the Salianos.” Parker set the plate the family had sent on Mrs. M’s rolling tray table.
“Thank goodness, you two are back. This woman just beat me in ten hands of poker. I think I owe her two hundred dollars.”
“Oh, don’t be silly. We weren’t playing for real money,” Mrs. M said. “If we had been, I would’ve raised the stakes.” She winked. “Thank you, Boomer, for entertaining me.”
“No, thank you, Mrs. McKinnon. I’ve never played poker with such a formidable card shark.” He winked. “If you need anything, I’ll be outside.”
Boomer left the room.
The flirty nurse arrived to take Mrs. M’s vitals. She left and came back with two blankets. “For you two, since you’re staying the night.”
Parker took the offering, thanked the nurse and handed one of the blankets to Molly. After the nurse left the room, Parker leaned close to Molly’s ear and whispered, “Not interested in her.”
The warmth of his breath on her neck made Molly’s insides ignite. She took the bench by the window.
Parker stretched out in the lounge chair.
“Thank you for being here with me,” Mrs. M said, her voice fading to a whisper. “I miss James.”
“We do too, Mom,” Molly said softly. “He’ll be back.”
“I hope you’re right,” Mrs. M said.
Parker lay for a long time, listening to the sounds of movement in the hall outside the room, thinking about the Salianos, Molly and the McKinnons. He’d gravitated toward the Salianos and the McKinnons because of what he’d been missing in his life.
Family.
He prayed they would find Mr. McKinnon soon. For Molly’s sake. For Mrs. M’s and for all the McKinnons. They loved the man and were lucky to be a part of the Iron Horse Legacy.
Tomorrow, they had to come up with something new, something different to help them find Mr. McKinnon. The family couldn’t hold out much longer before someone broke.
Chapter 8
“Mom’s home!” Molly called out as she helped her mother through the door into the big house and into the living room. “Sit.”
“Really, Molls,” she said. “I can walk on my own. They cut off the good drugs at midnight. I’m perfectly sober.”
“Mom…” Angus hurried forward with Bree beside him.
“Mrs. McKinnon…Mom,” Bree said, “I’m so glad you’re home. We’ve all been worried.”
“I’m fine. The night in the hospital was just a precaution. Other than a sore rib and a bump on my head, I’m as good as new.”
“Mom,” Colin came into. “Good. You’re home.” He hurried forward and hugged her gently.
Still, she flinched. “Careful. That particular rib is broken.”
“Like I said,” Molly reminded her, “sit.”
“Okay.” Her mother frowned. “When did you get so bossy?”
“When you didn’t listen to what the doctor told you. You’re to rest and relax to give that rib a chance to heal. That doesn’t mean for an hour. He meant several days.”
“Oh, that’s ridiculous. I’m fine but for a little twinge.” She twisted just a little and cringed. “Okay, I’ll sit, but I plan on cooking dinner.”
“No, you aren’t.” Emily entered from the hallway to the kitchen. “I have a crockpot going with a huge roast, potatoes and carrots, and I made fresh bread rolls. It’ll all be ready around dinnertime.”
“Emily, honey, thank you so much.”
“And Fiona made an apple pie,” Emily said.
As if on cue Fiona entered the living room, carrying Caity. The baby squealed when she saw Molly’s mother and held out her arms.
“Sorry, sweetie.” Duncan scooped his daughter up in his arms. “Grandma can’t hold you for a few days.”
Distracted by her new favorite person, Caity batted at her daddy’s head and giggled when he blinked.
“That’s so not fair. I want to hold my grandchild,” Molly’s mother said.
“And you will, when that rib has had a chance to mend.” Molly helped ease her mother into a lounge chair and kissed the top of her head. “You’ll be okay. Just give yourself time.”
“Here’s the mail to keep you busy for a few minutes,” Jenna said, handing t
he injured woman a stack of envelopes and a letter opener.
“At least, I can be useful for something.”
Molly smothered a grin. “Mom, you’re not a very good patient.”
“You mean I’m not a very patient patient,” she said with a grin. “I crack myself up.” She stuck the letter opener in an envelope and ripped it open. “Don’t mind me, I’ll just be ripping and reading while you all are getting on with your lives.”
“Mom, you’re too much,” Bastian said and leaned down to kiss the top of her head. “You’re not bruised there are you?”
“No, sweetheart.” She gave him a weak smile. “I do appreciate all of you. I’m just not used to sitting while everyone else is working.”
“Just pretend you’re the queen, and we’re all your subjects. Your wish is our command.” Bastian bowed low.
“Now, you’re just getting on my nerves.” His mother shook her head. “Get out of here. Go mend a fence or break a horse.” She chuckled. “Queen. That will be the day.”
“Mom, you have a visitor,” Angus said.
Molly’s mother turned her head as far as she could without twisting her body. “Who is it?”
“Miss Hannah, it’s me, Earl Monson.” The old mountain man had become a fixture at the Iron Horse Ranch since he’d helped Bastian and Jenna find the bastards who’d tortured James McKinnon.
“Earl, honey, please come in. Caity will be so glad to see you.”
Earl took a seat beside Molly’s mother, and then sank to the floor.
Duncan placed Caity in the old man’s lap.
The baby giggled and pulled at Earl’s beard, making the old man laugh.
Parker touched Molly’s arm. “While your mother is entertained, let’s go check on the animals in the barn.”
She nodded and slipped out of the room while the rest of the family milled around her mother. She was glad to be home where everything was familiar and work made her feel good about life.
She and Parker walked to the barn where the horses were still in their stalls, instead of out in the field where they could graze.
Molly and Parker got busy feeding horses, cleaning hooves and brushing the tangles out of their manes and tails. One by one, they turned the horses loose in the pasture and went back to work on the next.