by Wendy Smith
“I love our life,” he says.
“So do I. Whoever thought we’d end up back together and so happy?”
“There was a part of me that hoped.” He turns me around. “I wish Lane was here to see this, to be a part of our new life.”
“Me too. I think about her so much.” I blink back the tears that threaten to form.
“So do I. She would have loved it all.”
I snuggle into his chest as he embraces me.
“Marry me, Molly. Let’s make it official. Finally.”
My heart leaps. This is what I want. He’s what I want. I look up into his eyes. “Are you sure of what you’re getting into? I mean, I can be a flake at times.”
“But you’re my flake.” He grins. “And I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for this.”
“I’ll say yes, with one condition.”
His expression drops. “What’s that?”
“That you finish computer games by yourself. I’m not helping you cheat anymore.” I grin.
Brad laughs, leaning into me and claiming my mouth with his. His tongue sweeps over mine, and I let out a contented sigh.
“It’s a deal,” he says when he finally lets go.
My heart feels like it might just burst, and I shrug. “Guess we’re getting married, then.”
“Grace is gonna freak.”
My face hurts from grinning. Lane’s mini-me as my flower girl.
I can’t wait.
Epilogue
Molly
In tech news, the buyout of software company Psycom by Molly Beckham’s Mollab is now complete. Speculation around job losses has been floated since the announcement, but Beckham’s Chief Operating Officer, Miranda Fleming, confirmed today that all staff would be accommodated in either the current Silicon Valley corporate office, or the new offices being built in the small town of Nettle Downs …
I turn off the radio and smile as I take the last turn to our temporary offices right next to the future construction site. Work starts soon, and while the new building is months away, having somewhere to go to work helps ground me.
Although, Grace certainly wasn’t complaining about not being able to eat at the dinner table when I took it over.
“Molly? That story was about you.” Grace’s voice comes from the back seat, and I smile at her in the rear-view mirror.
“Yes it was, sweetie. It was just saying that I live here now.”
“With me and Daddy.”
I nod. “That’s right.”
When the car comes to a stop, I get out and open the back door. Grace unbuckles her belt, then grabs her school bag and slides out.
“All ready?” I ask.
She nods. God, how I love this kid. She really is a miniature Lane. Maybe that’s why we get along so well.
As we walk back out the gate and down the road toward the school, she slips her hand in mine. I love she has this trust in me.
This is what Lane would have wanted.
When we reach the classroom, I bend in front of her. She giggles as I run my index finger down her cheek. “Remember, your grandmother is picking you up after school. I’ll come and get you when I’m finished.”
She nods, sliding her arms around my neck.
I plant a kiss on her cheek. “Have a good day. Love you.”
“Love you too, Molly,” she whispers.
When she lets go, she turns and skips into the room. I catch my breath.
I love my life.
There’s a dark blue truck parked outside the office when I get back. That must be Bridget.
I wasn’t happy when Brad told me he was sending Bridget to run the site. On a personal level, I’d have much preferred Stu, but I have to set aside those feelings and be professional. If this backfires, Brad knows he’s in trouble.
After walking to my car, I open the door and take out my laptop bag. My phone buzzes, and I smile at the name on the screen.
“Tom. Aren’t you in the air?”
“I’m here.” He laughs.
My mouth falls open. “What? I thought your plane was at least an hour away. I’ll come and get you.”
“It’s fine. I found a cab.”
I grin. “I’m impressed. There aren’t a lot around here.”
“So I hear. Anyway, the driver knows exactly where you are, so I’ll be with you shortly.”
“Good. I’ll make the coffee. See you soon.”
Taking a deep breath, I walk into the office.
Belle and Claire are already there. They arrived right after the temporary office did. They’ve both found places to live and are settling in just fine.
“Good morning.” I smile.
To my right there’s a cough, and I turn my head to see Bridget looking at me.
“Hey, Bridget. I just got a call to say Tom’s plane’s landed and he’s on his way. I’ll do the intros when he gets here, and he can show you what he’s been working on.”
She nods. “Sounds good.”
“I’m just going to make a coffee. Want one?” I ask.
“That’d be great.”
I drop my laptop bag on my desk and head toward the coffee machine. There’s not a huge amount of space. There’s room for a few desks, and a separate space for a meeting room, and I made sure there was a couch and chairs so we have our breaks in comfort.
“How do you take it?” I ask.
“Black. No sugar.”
I nod. “No problem.”
The first thing I did was buy a coffee machine for the office. Something that makes nice coffee, so I don’t have to go and get it every morning. Best investment ever.
When the coffee’s made, I hand Bridget one and I sit on the couch. She takes a seat opposite.
I lick my lips. “Before Tom gets here, I thought we should have a word.”
“Oh?”
I let out a long breath. “He can be very particular. Don’t get me wrong; it makes him good at his job. There’s not an i he doesn’t dot, or a t he doesn’t cross. But it can make him difficult to work with at times.”
She nods. “So, he’s fussy.”
I take a sip of coffee. “It’s a bit more than that. He’s quite the perfectionist. I’m sure you two will be fine working together, but if he drives you a little nuts, just let me know. All the other projects he’s managed have been game-related, so I’m a little wary that this is the first building project he’s worked on.”
“To be honest, I’ve always had Brad with me on big projects, so I’m nervous myself. But we’ll work through it.”
I smile. I need this to be a success. She’ll have all the help she needs. “Brad thinks a lot of you. He has faith and that’s enough for me.”
Her lips twitch. “Thank you. Brad’s a great guy.”
At the thought of him, my smile stretches into a grin. “Yes, he is.”
Behind us, the door opens and Tom appears.
“Tom.” I grin, standing and walking to him.
He drops his bags, and I wrap my arms around his chest. Tom’s one of my original employees. He and Miranda were with me before everyone else. I trust him.
Letting go of him, I turn. “Bridget, this is Tom. Tom, Bridget. She’ll be the supervisor on-site for the construction company and who you’ll be working with.”
I suck on my bottom lip. Her gaze runs over him from head to foot. I know Tom, and I know he won’t recognize that look in her eyes in a million years.
But I do.
After we’ve finished with our business in the afternoon, I drive Tom to the motel he’s booked into. It’s a little out of the way, but there’s a nice view, and the Internet’s better here than in any of the places closer to town. If I know him at all, that’s what’s important.
“Bridget seems nice,” he says as we pull up outside the motel.
My skin prickles. “I don’t really know her very well. But you can work with anyone. You’ve proven that over the years.”
As I turn off the car, he reaches across and
places his hand on mine. “Thank you for trusting me with this. You know how scared I am of new things.”
I smile. “Yeah, I do. But there’s no one else I want doing this more. Why don’t you get settled? Call me if you need anything, and I’ll come by in the morning to pick you up and take you to work.”
He nods. “Thanks, Molly.”
Once he gets settled, he’ll be fine. There are places for rent a lot closer to the office, and I’m acutely aware of the fact that he doesn’t drive. But I need him here, and I’ll do whatever it takes to accommodate what he needs until he finds his feet.
It’s just so good to have another friend in town.
Leaving him there, I drive to Nancy’s place.
We’ve settled into a comfortable relationship. She’s still a bit wary of me, but I think once construction starts, it’ll drive home the fact that I’m not going anywhere.
“Molly.” Grace flies out the back door of the house and into my arms almost as soon as I step out of the car.
“Hey. Have you had fun?”
She nods, and I run my fingers through her blond curls. I follow her back into the house where Nancy stands in the kitchen.
“As soon as she heard the car, she was on her way.” Nancy laughs. “She’s done her homework.”
“Thank you.” I nod toward Grace. “Grab your things and we’ll get home. Dad’s cooking dinner.”
“Do you need me tomorrow?” Nancy asks.
I shake my head. “We should be okay. I just had another team member arrive today and wanted to get him settled into his motel.”
“It must be exciting. Not long until the ground-breaking.”
I grin. “No. Next week, if all goes well.”
She smiles. “I’m so pleased. It’ll give you a sense of grounding too, I’m sure.”
Grace runs back into the room and grabs me around the waist. “I think I already have that.” I laugh.
“Molly, can we ask . . .?” Grace says.
I nod. “Grace wants to know if she can stay with you on Saturday night.”
Nancy’s eyes light up. I know she’s struggled a little since I’ve been here. Grace hasn’t got over the novelty of me being around, and hasn’t wanted to spend a lot of time away from me and Brad.
“Of course you can, darling. I’d love that.”
Grace goes to her grandmother for a hug. “Can you make mac and cheese?”
We both laugh. Brad and my efforts haven’t been up to Grace’s impossible standards.
“There’s always an ulterior motive.” Nancy sighs. “How about we make it together, and then you can take some home to put in the freezer for later?”
Grace grins and claps her hands together. “Yay!”
“See you on Saturday.” Nancy gives Grace a kiss.
“I’ll text you and we’ll work out a time,” I say.
Nancy nods. “Sounds great.”
With Grace in the car, I head home.
Home.
I turn into our driveway and park my car up beside Brad’s truck. Grace lets out a yawn.
“Don’t do that. I’ll start doing it.” I frown.
After we get out of the car, she jumps up the steps ahead of me and opens the front door.
“Pork chops for dinner,” she yells.
“Dad is the one cooking.”
My heart’s full as I dump our bags just inside the living room and watch Grace run to her father. Brad scoops her into his arms, and she giggles as he peppers her with kisses.
“Did you have a good day, Gracie-boo?”
“I’m going to Grandma’s on Saturday night.”
“Are you?” He gives her one last kiss and shifts his gaze to me. “How was Mom?”
“Excited about spending some time with this one.” I walk over to him as he lets Grace drop to the floor.
He pulls me into his arms and gives me a tender kiss. “And how was your day?”
“Tom arrived. But you knew about that. Most of the day was going over construction plans before I dropped him at the motel and picked up Grace. I’m glad to be home.”
He nuzzles my ear. “Dinner’s nearly ready.”
“Good. Grace yawned in the car. I’m sure she’ll be out like a light tonight.” I turn my head to see Grace disappearing up the hallway.
Brad chuckles. “Maybe we can get in some quality gaming time.”
“Are you playing, or me?”
He runs his hand up my arm. “You can get me past the level of Devil’s Tribute I’m stuck on while I play with you.”
I wag my index finger at him. “I told you I wasn’t going to let you cheat anymore.”
He shrugs. “But you love me.”
“Yeah, I do.” I hold up my hand and grin at the sight of my diamond solitaire engagement ring. “Just a little bit.”
“Molly, I’ve got a drawing in my bag for you.” Grace’s voice comes from the doorway. She opens her back and digs through it before producing a piece of paper.
“Let me have a look.” I take the sheet she hands me, and it makes me smile.
She’s drawn me and her, hand in hand. I know because our names are written in big, bold letters. I have huge hands and a bulging head, but if my eyes really were that blue, I’m sure I’d have men after me for days.
“That’s us walking to school,” Grace says.
Warmth rushes over me as I gaze at it. “It’s beautiful, Grace. I’ve got something for you.”
“You do?” she asks, those blue eyes wide.
“There’s still some space left in that scrapbook. I printed the newest articles about Mollab out today, and I thought we could add them to it.”
She beams. “I’ll go and get it.”
I retrieve my laptop bag and take it to the dining table.
While I pull the pages out, Brad kisses me on the back of the neck. “I love this idea.”
I nod. “If it helps her feel close to Lane, then I’ll keep doing it.”
He grasps my chin, pulling my gaze to his. “I love how much you love her. It’s exactly what she needed.”
“What about you?”
He smiles. “I’ll show you what I need later.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” I lick my lips. “By the way, Bridget and Tom met today. I’m not sure if I’m imagining things, but I think they kinda liked each other.”
His eyebrows rise. “Molly, if you’re thinking of matchmaking …”
I hold my hands up in the air. “I wasn’t thinking anything of the sort. It’d just be sweet if they found their way.”
He rolls his eyes. “Here we go.”
I grin. It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to happen.
And maybe I can help them.
Game on.
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Also by Wendy Smith
Writing as Wendy Smith
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About the Author
Wendy Smith publis
hed as Ariadne Wayne for three years before deciding she didn’t want to be someone else all the time. Heavily influenced by stories in the media, she decided to try something new, and the Copper Creek series was born. With lots of love and a touch of darkness, her stories will twist their way into your heart.
Find me online
www.authorwendysmith.com
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