Forty minutes later, the back of Derek’s SUV was packed. “It’s a good thing I didn’t want more chairs.” Molly scanned the furniture arranged like a jigsaw puzzle in order to utilize the most space.
“We can always make another trip if you decide you’d like to add a few more.”
“I think this should be enough, but thanks.” Molly couldn’t deny Derek was making an effort. Was it time for her to meet him halfway and make the best of the situation? For better or worse, she needed his help if she were to have any chance at keeping her store open. Plus, he’d been generous with his time. “You must be starving. I know you think I’m destitute, but how about we stop for lunch? My treat.”
Derek laughed. “Sounds great to me. Any suggestions?”
“I know just the place. It’s about two miles down the road.” Feeling a bit more relaxed, Molly settled back against the leather seat for the remainder of the ride.
“There it is. Turn right at the next entrance.” She pointed to the sign off the side of the road.
“Bert’s Redhots? I took you for more of a steak and lobster gal.” Derek navigated the vehicle into the last open parking space. “This place must be good. It’s packed.”
“Bert serves the best dogs in the valley. You’ll love it.” Molly smiled and unfastened her seat belt. “Plus, the views are incredible, and they don’t cost a thing.” The couple headed toward the line that snaked around the food truck to place their order.
When they were settled at a wooden picnic table, Derek’s eyes bulged. “Boy, you weren’t kidding. This is the best.” He sank his teeth into the potato roll bun for the second time. A gob of chili sauce flopped onto the paper plate, next to a mound of onion rings.
Molly laughed as she pointed to her chin. “Right there.” She passed him a napkin to wipe away the sauce.
“Thanks. These are messy, but so worth it.”
“Around four years ago, Bert used most of his savings to buy and refurbish the old truck. Once he parked it here and word got out, people from all over the valley traveled for miles. Can you blame them?” She pointed to the surrounding mountains with hints of red and yellow ready to explode in splendid autumn color.
“He couldn’t have picked a better spot.” He plucked a crispy onion off his plate and popped it into his mouth.
Molly dabbed the napkin to her lips and took in her surroundings. “I’ve always loved the view here. Building a home on this road would be a dream come true. Could you imagine stepping out onto your back porch with a cup of coffee and seeing that view?”
Derek fingered the edge of his plate. “It sure is prime real estate. There seems to be a lot of available land.”
“There is. I was raised down the road.” Molly’s mother had never been a homeowner. She’d rented a house and made it feel like her own.
“So your family owns land here?”
“No. My adoptive mother could never afford to purchase a home for us. After she passed away, I moved closer to town.”
“Rusty mentioned your mother. I’m sorry. How long has she been gone?”
Molly glanced toward the sky. She hadn’t talked about her for a long time. Being close to the place her mother loved made it easier. “It’s been two years.” She watched as though she could see Derek calculating the timeline. When his eyes widened, she knew he’d realized.
“After your wedding day?” His face flushed.
“What was supposed to be my wedding day. Yes. She’d been undergoing treatment for breast cancer. A year after her diagnosis, the doctors discovered it had spread. She passed away three days after I was to be married.”
The silence was broken by a male and a female cardinal singing in a nearby evergreen. With timid movements, Derek reached across the table and rested his hand on top of hers. Warmth conflicted with the chills traveling through her body.
“I’m so sorry you lost your mother. I also want to apologize for what happened at the church.”
“Derek, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I do, but I’m not ready to talk about this with you.” She paused. “I thought I was, but right now, I need to focus on my store.” All of these discussions about the past were causing the pain to bubble back to the surface. Compartmentalizing was her way to lighten the emotional baggage she’d accumulated since childhood. She wasn’t ready to open her internal container and sort through its contents. Not now. And certainly not with Derek, of all people.
* * *
Later in the evening, Molly tried to settle her racing mind by baking homemade chocolate chip cookies. Gripping the side of the yellow mixing bowl, she stirred in two eggs, along with a teaspoon of vanilla. She mixed the ingredients, unable to escape the events from earlier in the day. Why had she mentioned her mother during lunch? Before, she’d been enjoying herself and his company.
Of course getting close to Derek wasn’t a good idea. Yet there were moments when she felt drawn to him. Stop, Molly. You need to keep your emotions in check. Otherwise you’ll be hurt again.
Using the cookie scoop, she formed the dough into perfect round balls. One by one, she spread them out onto the baking tray. The oven beeped, indicating it was preheated. Molly lifted the tray and noticed one of the balls wasn’t shaped like the rest. Her mind drifted to the countless foster homes she’d lived in after Walter and Angela passed away. Molly had done everything she could to be the perfect child while in each home. She’d wanted the adults to fall in love with her and offer her the forever home she dreamed of having.
As she raised her hand to smash the dough and reshape it, she thought of Ryan. His parents hadn’t thought she was good enough. He’d never said it, but it had been obvious by their actions. They’d wanted him to marry someone with similar breeding, not a woman raised in foster care. They were probably happy when their son left her at the altar after his conversation with Derek. She slid the tray into the oven, leaving that one piece of dough malformed. Like her.
You’ll never be perfect enough.
An hour and a half later, with warm cookies sealed in a plastic container to take to the store tomorrow, the scent of sweet vanilla filled the house. Molly snuggled into an oversized chair in her bedroom. The cup of tea in her hands sent ribbons of steam trailing underneath her chin. She flipped through the file documenting Grace’s life in foster care. Her stomach turned over as she read accounts of abuse. One home in particular revealed stories too horrific to read. No! Barely able to breathe, she tossed the file aside. Lord, please, tell me what to do. Am I strong enough to do this?
Silence engulfed the room before her attention was once again drawn to the file. A sense of calmness and strength replaced the fear. Molly reached for her phone resting on the table. As she tapped out a text, the weight against her chest continued to ease. When can I see Grace? She hit Send, and her message was on its way to Annie.
* * *
Derek’s jaw tightened as he struggled to review the inventory on his laptop. He couldn’t stop thinking about his conversation with Molly yesterday. The guilt had dug a little deeper when she’d mentioned her mother had passed away three days after he’d ruined her wedding day. Yesterday, he had wanted to tell her everything, but maybe she was right. Now their focus should be on saving her store.
Following a sleepless night, he’d headed to his coffee shop just before sunrise. The email he’d received from his mother late yesterday had also contributed to his inability to sleep. His eyes brimmed with tears. His father was ill, nothing serious, but she stressed it was time for Derek to forgive him. After a year of therapy and legal proceedings, Derek’s mother had divorced his father. He’d asked for her forgiveness, and she’d given it to him. She was a Godly woman. Derek couldn’t see himself following in her footsteps. How could he? His entire childhood had been one big ruse.
Three long hours later, and with the inventory now complete, Derek stepped out from his office an
d into the store. The place was a flurry of activity. With Charles and Nell in charge, he was comfortable leaving to help Molly work on the children’s section. His store was certainly in capable hands.
“I’ll be next door if you two need anything.”
Charles shot him a glance from behind the counter. “We’ve got everything covered.”
The long line flowing with ease was proof. “Thanks, guys. Remember, tomorrow we’ll be giving out the discount to any customer who shows a receipt of ten dollars or more from Molly’s store.” Derek had used an online printing company to design coupons resembling a business card and had paid for expedited delivery.
“Will do, Boss. I’ll get that sign up that we talked about,” Charles answered.
“Do you want to take Molly some coffee?” Nell called out as she wiped down one of the bistro tables.
“That’s a great idea.”
Outside the store, with Molly’s beverage in hand, Derek was met with resistance when he pulled on the door handle. The lights were on, so he knew she was inside. He tapped on the glass so he wouldn’t startle her.
Molly emerged from the back room. She breezed through the store dressed in faded blue jeans and a pink sweatshirt. Her hair was swept into a messy bun with loose tendrils framing her face. Derek’s pulse accelerated.
She opened the door and gave him a half smile. “Good morning.” Her eyes lasered in on the coffee.
He passed her the cup. “It’s a new blend. I hope you like it.”
“Thank you. I could use some caffeine this morning.” So he wasn’t the only one who couldn’t sleep last night. She stepped to the side as he entered the store. He moved slowly, enjoying her fragrance.
Molly took a drink of her beverage before turning to Derek. “I baked some cookies last night. They’re on the counter.” She pointed. “Would you rather start work on the walls or the rocking chairs?”
“Thanks for the cookies.” He rubbed his hand underneath his chin. “Well, since the excited bookworms are set to come to Book Buddies, we should start on the chairs so they’ll be ready by Wednesday.”
She nodded. “I was happy when the school called. This class hadn’t been assigned a book to read in advance due to the short notice, but I’ll pick something out. It’s a class of first-grade students, so I’ll read a book to them. I’d love to have the space ready for them to use, but I can’t have the children sitting on wet paint.”
Derek laughed as he palmed his face. “Yeah, you’re right. We can work together on the chairs and take care of the walls afterward, so the rockers will have plenty of time to dry.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“By the way, I reminded Charles and Nell that tomorrow we’ll start distributing the coupons with proof of purchase from your store. Charles is going to make up a sign to put at the front of my store. Hopefully, this will send people to your shop before they come in for their coffee purchase.”
Molly unrolled the tarp she’d brought from the storage closet earlier. The buckets of yellow and blue paint were lined up against the wall. “Thanks. I can use all of the help I can get.”
Derek pulled the screwdriver from his back pocket and bent over to pry off the lid. “Last night, I came up with more ways to increase traffic.”
“You’ve confirmed my theory.”
He turned in her direction and placed the can at her feet. “What’s that?”
“You must never sleep at night.”
“Well, not much.” In the past two years, he hadn’t clocked much sleep. Between store openings and thinking about his father, sleepless nights had become the new normal.
“So, what’s your idea?”
“Last night, I did an internet search for Bound to Please Reads. Guess what I found?”
“I don’t know...what?”
Derek couldn’t believe it. “Do you mean to tell me you’ve never done a search on your store?”
“Why would I do that?”
“Come on, Molly. Next you’re going to tell me you still use the telephone book.” Derek laughed. “If you ever hope to compete with the large chain stores, you need to have a presence in cyberspace. Everyone is online these days—especially businesses.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“There’s no guessing involved. I’m serious. You need a website and a newsletter.”
“What in the world would I write about in a newsletter? How my sales are so low? Oh, I know. Why don’t I write about the going-out-of-business sale I’ll be forced to have if things don’t improve in the next couple of weeks? Or how about how I could lose my house?”
It was obvious she was taking this the wrong way. “I’m not trying to be critical. Let me give you an example. Say I live in Tennessee, and I’m planning a trip to Whispering Slopes. The first thing I’m going to do is search the internet for things to do and places to go. Think of all the out-of-town visitors you’re missing. They’re all going to your competitor to purchase the book they plan to read while on vacation.”
Molly removed a paintbrush from a bucket of supplies. She dipped it in the can of yellow paint and wiped the excess on the rim. “I see your point, but I don’t know a thing about creating a website or a newsletter.” She moved toward one of the rockers and sat on the floor, pulling the paint can toward her. With one stroke, she brushed the seat and glanced in his direction. “And don’t forget, it’s not like I’m in a position to hire someone to do all of this.”
It pained him to see Molly struggling. God had blessed him with a head for business that had provided him with financial security. He wanted to help her as much as he could. “Have you ever learned how to do something on YouTube?” He opened the blue paint, grabbed a brush and joined Molly on the floor.
“The other day, I learned how to fix my leaky toilet.”
Derek laughed. “See, you can find anything on the web.”
“I know, it sounds silly. But a couple weeks ago, I did teach myself how to make the most delicious lasagna. It’s incredible.”
“I love lasagna.” He rubbed his stomach. “I can show you a few excellent videos on how to create your website and a newsletter.”
“I don’t know. When it comes to technology, I’ve always been challenged.”
“When I opened my first coffee shop, I didn’t know anything about building a presence on the internet, and my computer skills were lacking.”
“They were?”
“Honest. I’ll help you...but it will cost you.”
She swiped her brush into the paint and resumed the task at hand. “I’ll have to wait until my circumstances improve before I invest any money in advertising.”
“Lasagna.” He felt a grin pull at his cheeks.
Molly looked over as Derek turned the rocker to paint the other side. “Excuse me?”
“You can pay me with the amazing lasagna you learned how to make.”
Her face reddened. “You want me to cook for you?”
“I can help.”
“With the website?” Her brow arched.
“No. Well, yeah, with the website. But I can help you with the cooking, too.” His suggestion surprised him as much as it had probably shocked her. She did a double take as though he had three heads.
“You want to cook together?”
“Think of it more as a working dinner. We’ll get your website up and can celebrate with a nice meal.”
Molly remained silent. He clung to hope. She could go either way. “I’ll even do the dishes,” he added.
Sweet laughter filled the room. “Okay, as long as you promise you’ll help with the cleanup.”
Derek crossed his heart. “You have my word.”
“So, when do you want to do this?” Molly moved on to the next rocking chair.
“How about tonight?”
Molly’s eyes popp
ed open. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, the sooner we can get your website designed, the faster you’ll start to bring in more customers. We need to get your business booming in order to keep your store open. I want you to welcome Grace into your home and give her the life she deserves.”
The idea of spending more time with Molly caused his insides to vibrate like a rattlesnake’s tail. Was that a good idea? Probably not. But Derek didn’t care what his mind was telling him. For the first time in years, he was listening to his heart. And boy, was it speaking an entirely different language.
Chapter Eight
What in the world had she been thinking? She hadn’t been. That was the only explanation. Monday evening, Molly pulled the container of whole milk ricotta cheese from the reusable canvas grocery bag. How had she ever allowed Derek McKinney to convince her to cook him dinner tonight? Oh right. They would be cooking together. Even worse!
The thought of working side by side at her kitchen island with Derek, slicing and dicing, turned her stomach into a knotted ball. She glanced at the wall clock, and her shoulders tensed. He’d be here in less than an hour, and she still needed to tidy things and grab a shower. She removed two cans of tomato paste, folded the sack and stowed it inside the pantry before she headed to her bedroom to get ready for her guest.
Later, when the doorbell rang, Molly bit the inside of her mouth. Dressed in her skinny black jeans and a lime-green cardigan, she fluffed the back of her hair cascading loose over her shoulders. Here we go. Releasing a deep breath, she hurried down the hall to greet her company.
“Good evening.” Derek stepped inside holding a cluster of flowers.
Unsteady, Molly grabbed the edge of the door. He wore a smile that could melt a stick of butter long forgotten in the back of the freezer.
It was the flowers making her feel wobbly. Wasn’t it? “Zinnias. I’ve always loved them.” Wait. Was this another thing he remembered about her? They’d always been her favorite.
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