Marrying Molly

by Linda Hope Lee

  “Oh, right. On my last job, I used Martin’s Bookkeeper.”

  He nodded. “What exactly was your job?”

  “I worked in a real estate office, in Chicago. Mostly, I prepared contracts.”

  “Residential? Commercial?”

  “A little of both.”

  Encouraged by his interest, Molly told him more about her job while he finished installing the program.

  At last, he picked up the manual and opened it to the first page. “Okay, we’re ready to begin.”

  As Steve explained the program, Molly struggled to ignore the fluttering sensation in her stomach and the sudden palpitating of her heart whenever his arm brushed hers and instead to concentrate on what he was saying.

  Enough of her brain must have been functioning, though, because after he’d guided her through the program, he sat back and grinned. “Hey, I think you’ve got it.”

  His praise warmed her cheeks. “Thanks for your patience. The program does seem like a good one.”

  With his forefinger, he tapped the manual’s cover. “Here is everything you’ll need for ordering, inventory, bookkeeping, all sorts of graphs and charts for analysis and projections, and then some.”

  “And you developed all this?” she asked, truly impressed.

  Steve nodded, his eyes shining with pride. “Yep. I could have gone to work for Microsoft or one of the other software giants, but decided to strike out on my own. Hooked up with my partner, Jerry, and we’ve done well.”

  A beat of silence went by while he checked his wristwatch. “Almost noon. I’d better get going.”

  Apparently, he hadn’t heard that he was invited for lunch. Molly studied her hands while she considered what to do. If she kept quiet and let him go on his way, she could have lunch at Teresa’s, as planned. Afterward, she and Karli might be able to spend some one-on-one time.

  But what about the lunch Anna was preparing for the three of them? And later, when Sara returned, she surely would question Molly about lunch. Molly wouldn’t lie to either of them. She prided herself on being a truthful person.

  She cleared her throat. “Sara wanted me to invite you for lunch at the ranch house. But you probably have other plans…” She held her breath, waiting for his answer. Part of her wanted him to refuse, while another, traitorous part, wanted him to accept.

  One eyebrow peaked. “Sara wants me to stay for lunch? What about you?”

  “Of course, you’re welcome,” she said, carefully avoiding his question. “I planned to have lunch with Karli at Teresa’s, where she’s in daycare. But if you stay, she can eat with us. I’m sure she’d like to see you again.”

  “Sounds like you had your plans all set. I wouldn’t want to intrude…”

  “You wouldn’t be,” she said, hoping her bright tone sounded sincere rather than forced. “But it’s up to you.”

  Steve rubbed his hands together. “Well, then I’ll stay. Anna’s cooking is the best. And I won’t mind the company, either,” he added with a teasing grin.

  “How’s Karli doing in daycare?” Steve asked later as they walked down the asphalt road to Teresa’s.

  Better than I am, Molly wanted to say. “She enjoyed yesterday’s play, but it’s too soon to tell.”

  “I have to admit I’m surprised you’re letting her stay there. I mean, considering how protective you are—by your own admission,” he added, as though afraid of offending her.

  Molly tugged on the brim of her straw hat. The noonday sun, as usual, was hot and unrelenting. “I didn’t have much choice. Sara was firm. But I’ll spend as much time with Karli as I can.”

  They made small talk for the rest of the short walk past the hay fields and meadows where cows and horses grazed. At last, they turned down the side road that led to Teresa’s. As they neared the house, the sounds of children playing in the yard drifted along the airwaves. Happy, carefree sounds. But Molly was anything but carefree. Her stomach had knotted up.

  It’s only lunch. Why are you making the meal such a big deal?

  Because she wanted time alone with Karli? Because Steve was an intruder?

  Or because his nearness kept her senses on high alert?

  Pushing away her concerns, she scanned the yard looking for Karli, finally spotting her at the top of the slide.

  “Mommy, look at me!” Karli whooshed down the slide, landed on her feet, and ran over to the fence.

  “Hi, darlin’.” Molly gestured to Steve. “Look, we have a visitor.”

  “Steve! Steve!” Karli jumped up and down.

  “Hey, Karli. How’ya doing?” He stooped to Karli’s eye level. “I see you have your friend with you.” He nodded to Mr. Muggins sticking out of Karli’s pants pocket.

  “Uh huh.” Karli pulled the doll free and held him up. “He likes the slide. He likes everything here, same as me.”

  “Same as I do,” Molly corrected.

  Teresa appeared, wearing her usual apron with the bulging pockets, and Molly introduced her to Steve. They chatted for a few minutes then Teresa opened the gate for Karli to leave.

  Before Molly could take Karli’s hand, Karli turned to Steve and grabbed his hand. Something akin to jealousy shot through Molly. She’d looked forward to spending time with her daughter, and now she had to share her with Steve.

  Steve smiled down at Karli. “Your mom asked me to stay for lunch. That okay with you?”

  “Goody! Goody!” She skipped along beside him, tugging his hand.

  “Slow down, Karli,” Molly cautioned in an attempt to make clear her position of authority. “We’ll get there soon enough.”

  At the ranch house, Anna had their places set at the dining room table, two on one side, and one on the other. Karli ran to the side with two settings. “Sit by me, Steve. Sit by me.”

  “You and I need to sit together.” Molly stepped to Karli’s side and caught her hand. “You might need help with your food.”

  “Steve can help me. Huh, Steve.” Karli smiled up at him.

  “I’d be honored, but we need to do what your mom says.” His gaze met Molly’s.

  “Please, Mommy?”

  Molly released an exasperated breath. “Oh, all right.” She dropped Karli’s hand and went to the other side of the table.

  Steve pulled out Karli’s chair then headed around to help Molly.

  Molly slid into her chair before he reached her. “I’m fine,” she said over her shoulder. She picked up the lemonade pitcher from the table and filled their glasses.

  Anna bustled in with a plate of ham sandwiches, a bowl of potato salad, and a tray of fresh vegetables.

  While they ate, Karli chattered to Steve about her favorite subject—horses. “Can you ride a horse?” she asked him.

  He sipped his lemonade. “I have, but it was a long time ago.”

  ”When you were five?”

  As she picked up the plate of sandwiches and held it out to Steve, Molly heard the hopeful note in Karli’s voice.

  Steve laughed and took the plate. “A little older than that.”

  “Uncle Jackson says he can teach me. He could teach you, too.”

  Steve nodded. “That’s an idea.”

  Karli scowled at Molly. “’Cept my mom says ‘we’ll see.’ I think that means ‘no.’”

  After helping himself to another half sandwich, Steve put down the plate and shot Molly a questioning look.

  “I think she’s a little young yet.” Molly scooped a bite of potato salad onto her fork.

  “But you’ll let me, huh?” Karli said to Steve.

  What? Molly’s mouth dropped open. “Karli! Steve has no say in what you do. He’s not—” She almost said, “Your father,” but stopped herself in time.

  “Your mom’s right, Karli. She’s the one who’ll decide.”

  Steve’s support helped to settle Molly. She took a deep breath and leaned back in her chair.

  Karli’s lips pushed into a pout, but when Steve asked how she liked staying at Teresa’s, she bright
ened and launched into a tale about playing in the sandbox.

  When they finished eating, Molly suggested Karli help Anna clear the table, while she and Steve took their lemonade out to the front porch.

  Karli agreed and ran off to the kitchen to find Anna.

  When she and Steve were on the porch, Molly sank into one of the log chairs, placing her glass on the matching table. She turned her face to the soft breeze, which smelled of hay and the wildflowers growing along the side of the road.

  Steve pulled up a chair and sat beside her. He set his glass on the table, and then leaned forward and clasped his hands between his knees. “Good lunch. I’m glad I stayed.”

  Molly brushed back a lock of hair caught by the breeze. “I apologize for my daughter. She’s a little much, sometimes.”

  “No apology necessary.” Steve straightened and gave a dismissive wave. “She’s fine.”

  “She likes you.” Molly cast him a covert glance to gauge his reaction.

  Steve tossed back his head and laughed. “I do seem to hit it off with kids. I have a niece and a nephew, a few years older than Karli. I spend time with them when I can.” He was silent a moment then continued in a more sober tone, “I know it’s none of my business, and I don’t want to bring up a troublesome subject, but I was wondering about Karli’s father…how he…”

  Molly’s stomach twisted. Talking about Buck’s death was always painful, but she wanted to answer his question. She took a deep breath. “Buck was killed in a rodeo accident while riding a mean bull, almost two years ago.”

  Steve slowly shook his head. “Wow. What a tragedy. You have my sympathy.”

  “Thanks. But, how about your wife? When did she pass away?”

  His mouth tightened. “She didn’t pass away. She disappeared.”

  Molly gasped. How awful. “Disappeared!” She hadn’t expected that.

  “Yep. One day, she left our house to go shopping—or so she said—and that was the last I saw of her.”

  “She didn’t leave a note or anything?” Molly couldn’t imagine a spouse just walking off without a word.

  He shook his head. “And she didn’t take anything, except her purse and the clothes she was wearing.”

  Molly bit her lip. “I had no idea…”

  “I did everything I could to find her. I put her description in every missing person’s database, hired private investigators, even consulted a psychic. There were a few leads, but none that amounted to anything.”

  Molly picked up her glass and sipped the lemonade. “Maybe she got amnesia. Sara had amnesia after she was mugged in the train station here in Red Rock. That’s how she and Jackson first met.”

  He nodded. “I’ve heard the story. And I thought of amnesia regarding Angie.”

  “So there’s a possibility you’ll find her yet.”

  “Maybe.” He shrugged. “I waited five years and then divorced her in absentia.”

  “Were you together long?”

  “A year. She was only eighteen when we married. Her parents had passed away, and she was an only child. Our relationship was…different.”

  She wanted to ask what he meant by “different,” but that was too personal a question. “I was eighteen when Buck and I married, too. And my parents were both gone. Dad had died of pancreatic cancer. Mom overdosed on prescription drugs. We never knew whether her death was intentional or accidental. She and Dad were devoted to each other and were inseparable.”

  “That must have been hard.”

  The sympathy in his voice sounded heartfelt, and she warmed toward him. “It was. My older sister, Paige, was already married, and I went to live with her and Harlan.”

  Steve shifted in his chair. “How’d you meet your husband and end up out here?”

  “Paige and Harlan and I came to Colorado for a vacation on a dude ranch where Buck worked. We experienced love at first sight.” She propped her chin in her hand and smiled at the memory, remembering those special days. “When Paige and Harlan went home, I stayed. They didn’t want me to, but I was eighteen, and they couldn’t stop me. Buck and I were married, and soon after that Jackson hired him, and we came to the Rolling R.”

  “Any regrets?”

  “None. We were very happy. Until he got hooked on rodeo,” she added in a low voice, pushing the words out through a tight throat.

  “You didn’t approve.”

  His words were a statement rather than a question. “Only because the sport was so dangerous.” She angled her chin.

  He looked off into the distance and then back. “Life is dangerous. You could get hit by a car crossing the street.”

  Molly gripped her glass. “You can save your breath with that kind of talk. I’ve heard all those arguments, and they’re no comfort at all.”

  “I’m sorry.” Steve leaned forward and spread his hands. “I didn’t mean to tell you how to feel.”

  Molly put down her glass and folded her arms against the ache in her chest. At the same time, she gritted her teeth. The reminder of Buck’s tragic death always brought this combination of sadness and anger. If only he had listened, he might still be with them today. Then she wouldn’t be sitting here on the porch with Steve Roper. Which she shouldn’t be, anyway. She scooted to the edge of her chair. “I’d better get back to work.”

  “Right.” Steve pushed to his feet. “And I need to head back to town.”

  The screen door squealed open, and Karli burst onto the porch. She skipped forward, skidding to a stop in front of Steve. “Let’s ride horses now,” she said, looking up with bright and shining eyes.

  Steve laughed and ruffled her curls. “You are determined, aren’t you? But even if your mom says okay, now’s not a good time. She and I have to go back to work, and you need to go back to Teresa’s.”

  “So when can we?” Karli bounced up and down on the balls of her feet.

  “That’s up to your mom.”

  “And not something we’re going to discuss right now. Steve is right. You need to go back to Teresa’s.” Molly stood and took Karli’s hand then cut her glance to Steve. “Thanks for coming out to install the program.”

  He gave a slight nod. “Thanks for lunch. And, give a holler if you have any trouble with the program.”

  “I will.” She and Karli stood on the porch holding hands while Steve headed down the steps and along the stone walkway to his car. Before climbing behind the wheel, he turned and gave a little salute.

  “’Bye, Steve!” Karli called, cupping her free hand around her mouth.

  “’Bye,” Molly echoed.

  “I like Steve,” Karli said as he drove away. “Do you like him, Mommy?”

  “He seems like a nice man,” Molly hedged. “Come on now, we’d better get you back to Teresa’s.” She turned their steps toward the screen door. “And on the way, you can tell me all about your morning…”

  Back in her office, Molly sat at her desk, paging through the new program’s manual and reviewing what Steve had taught her. Although she tried to concentrate, her thoughts kept returning to the lunch they’d shared.

  As much as she’d wanted to spend time with Karli, she couldn’t deny she’d enjoyed Steve’s company. She wouldn’t deny the twinges of attraction she had for him, either. But at the same time, guilt niggled her, as though she’d somehow been unfaithful to Buck.

  Restless, Molly closed the manual, rose, and went outside. The air was hot and dry, and she stepped into the shade of the sprawling maple tree by the door. Her thoughts drifted to Steve and what he told her today. How tragic that his wife had gone missing. Had he been deeply in love with her? Was he in love with her still, even though they were now divorced? Surely, he’d cared for the woman. Why else had he married her? He said their relationship was “different.” What did that mean?

  Also disturbing was Karli’s obvious attachment to Steve. That wouldn’t do. He was here only temporarily. The more attached Karli became, the harder saying good-bye would be for her.

  Molly h
ad no intention of becoming romantically involved with Steve, no matter how attractive he was. All she wanted was to be here on the ranch where she and Buck had lived and to raise her daughter in the shadow of his memory.

  The phone rang. Thankful for an interruption that would force her back to work, she hurried into the office and picked up the receiver. “Rolling R Bakery. Molly speaking.”

  “This is Jeb at Gerson’s Grocery. Over in Farley?”

  “Oh, yes, I’ve been to your store. What can I do for you?”

  “I want to order some of them cookies on a stick. My granddaughter got one somewhere, and she and her friends want some more. Thought I’d try selling ‘em in the store.”

  Molly sank into her desk chair. She picked up a pen and poised it over a notepad. “Great! We have gingerbread, chocolate chip, and date-pecan.”

  “Send me a couple dozen assorted.”

  “You got it.”

  After she hung up, Molly accessed the order form on the computer, as Steve had shown her earlier, and easily filled it in.

  With a surge of pride, she sat back and surveyed her work. She’d have this new program mastered in no time. Steve said to call him if she had any problems, but, chances were, she’d never need his help.

  That was good.

  The less contact she had with him, the better.

  Chapter Five

  “So, how’d it go with Steve today?” Sara asked when she returned from her Denver appointment. She set her briefcase on the worktable and approached Molly’s desk.

  Molly looked up from the computer. “The program’s installed, and he gave me instructions.” She told Sara about the call from Gerson’s and showed her the computer order form she’d filled out.

  “Looks good,” Sara said after she perused the order. She stepped back and tucked an errant lock of her blond hair behind one ear. “Did Steve stay for lunch?”

  “Yes, and he said to thank you for the invitation.”

  “So, ah, how’d you two get along?” Sara cast Molly a sidelong glance.

  “Fine.” Molly closed the screen with the order form, making sure the file went into the proper file folder. She glanced up to see a look on Sara’s face that she had no trouble interpreting. “If you’re trying to matchmake, Sara, please don’t.”