Marrying Molly

by Linda Hope Lee

  “And I’m only a phone call away.” Sara held up her cell phone then tucked it into her shoulder bag. “But there’s something else I’d like you to do.”

  The tentative note in Sara’s voice put Molly on alert. “What’s that?”

  Sara walked to the desk and perched on a straight chair. “Someone needs to make lunch for Steve. Today is Anna’s day off, and I’ll be gone…”

  Was Sara matchmaking again? Molly pressed her lips together. “And that leaves me.”

  “’Fraid so. But preparation will be easy. Anna made potato salad yesterday, and there’s sliced turkey for sandwiches. And cherry pie for dessert. Maybe Karli could come, too.”

  Molly shook her head. “Much as Karli likes Steve, I doubt she’d turn down lunch at Teresa’s. Today is Joaquin’s birthday, and his mother is bringing cupcakes.”

  “Well, then…” Sara raised her eyebrows.

  Molly shrugged. “I’ll make lunch.”

  Sara patted Molly’s shoulder. “Thanks, Molly. I really appreciate your pitching in. And, honestly, I’m not throwing the two of you together on purpose.” She covered a grin with her fingers. “At least, not this time.”

  “I know, Sara. I’ll be fine.”

  “Good. Now, I’d better be on my way. I hope Lupe has the samples ready.” She stood and headed for the door leading to the kitchen.

  As soon as Sara was out of sight, Molly sagged against the back of her chair. She really didn’t want to fix Steve’s lunch. Not that she didn’t want to help out. But being around him was…unsettling.

  What choice did she have, though? Sara was her boss, and making Steve’s lunch was her assignment for today. She’d have to make the best of it.

  At eleven thirty, Molly closed down her computer, stuck her head in the kitchen to let Doreen and Lupe know she was leaving, and then trudged under the hot sun to the main house. Once inside, she looked for Steve, to let him know she was there. She wondered if Sara had told him she was coming.

  She walked through the kitchen into the living room, but he wasn’t there. He wasn’t on the front porch, either. She returned to the house and called his name several times. No answer. He was probably still up in his room. Sleeping? No, she didn’t think so. He wasn’t a slacker. He’d be up and working, doing what he could with his limitations. Limitations that were her fault. Guilt tugged at her conscience.

  In the kitchen, she took out bread, the sliced turkey, and the potato salad, hoping he’d put in an appearance before she finished her preparations. Ten minutes later, he hadn’t. She forged on and set the food on the kitchen table, but still no Steve.

  Finally, she stood at the bottom of the stairs and called his name several times. No answer.

  Molly blew out an exasperated breath. She’d have to go up to his room and knock on the door. She wouldn’t enter his room, though. Today she had no reason to. She’d stand in the doorway and announce lunch was served.

  Setting her shoulders, she marched up the stairs. At the top, she hesitated. Of the several guest rooms, which one was his? A glance down the hall revealed all the doors were ajar except one. Taking a chance that was his room, she stepped forward and tapped her knuckles on the door.

  “Yes?” came his deep voice from inside.

  “It’s Molly.”

  “Molly? Hang on.”

  Surprise etched his tone.

  Seconds later, he flung open the door. A white T-shirt stretched across his broad shoulders, and jeans fit snugly over lean hips and long legs. He wore no shoes, but only a pair of brown socks.

  At the sight, Molly’s pulse quickened.

  “Hey, Molly, what brings you here?”

  The welcoming grin on his face eased her tension. “I’m your cook for lunch. I guess you didn’t get the word. Or hear me calling your name when I came in.”

  “No, I didn’t. I’ve been on the phone a lot.” He ran a hand through his tousled hair. “How’d you get roped into fixing my lunch?”

  She explained about today being Anna’s day off and that Sara had gone to an appointment. “Can you come downstairs, or should I bring your lunch up here?”

  “Of course, I’ll come down. Let me shut off my computer, and I’ll be right with you. Come on in.” He held the door open wider.

  Over his shoulder, she glimpsed his bed, neatly made and piled with decorative pillows. Did he wear pajamas? Or sleep naked? Taking a step backward, she raised her hands. “Ah, no, I’m okay…unless you need help with something.”

  “Don’t think so.” He turned away and headed for the table near the window where his laptop was set up.

  Did Angie’s picture grace this table as it had the one in his hotel room? Probably.

  He spent a few minutes at the computer, punching the keys with the fingers of his left hand then disappeared into the walk-in closet. He emerged carrying a pair of scuffed, brown leather boots.

  “Good thing I brought these.” He sat on a straight chair and slipped his feet into the boots. “The ones I wore yesterday are still drying out. And shoelaces are out of the question.”

  “I could help you with shoelaces, if there’s another pair you’d rather wear.”

  “No, thanks. Boots will do for now.”

  She led the way downstairs and into the kitchen, where she waved him to a seat at the table.

  Once seated, he surveyed the array of food she’d laid out. “Hey, this looks great. You went to a lot of trouble.”

  Molly slid into a chair across from him. “Not much for me to do, really. Anna made the potato salad, and the turkey’s left over from last night’s casserole. The pie was already made, too. All I had to do was make the sandwiches.”

  They talked for a while about where Sara had gone for her appointment and about a new quarter horse Jackson had acquired, and then Steve asked, “So how’s Karli doing?”

  Molly wrinkled her forehead. “Okay—I hope. She was worried last night because she thinks your injury is her fault. I remembered what Jackson said and told her when something’s an accident, no one’s at fault. I didn’t want her to feel guilty.” Like I do.

  Steve helped himself to another half sandwich from the plate in the middle of the table. “I don’t want her to carry any guilt, either. And that goes for you, too.” From under furrowed brows, he leveled her a stern look. “But you do feel guilty, don’t you? I can tell.”

  Molly pressed her lips together and looked down at her plate. “If I do, that’s my problem, isn’t it?”

  “If you want it to be. But I’m glad Karli’s not following in her mother’s footsteps. Not this time.”

  “We had a talk about her need to obey me, but I don’t know if it’ll do any good. She has a mind of her own.” Molly picked up her fork and took a bite of Anna’s creamy potato salad.

  Steve sipped his coffee. “And when she gets excited about something—like the squirrels yesterday—she forgets she’s not supposed to run off.”

  “Yeah. She seems to have no fear.”

  “Do you think that’s because she’s so young, or…”

  Molly put down her fork. “I don’t know.” She hesitated, biting her lip. The urge rose to share her worries with Steve. But should she?

  Before she could decide, he leaned forward, his gaze alert. “Go on, Molly. There’s something else on your mind.”

  “Okay, I’m afraid she’ll be a daredevil, like her father.” Her voice cracked with the anger never far from the surface. “Buck risked his life every time he rode the broncs, and, finally, the bulls, in the rodeo.” She waved a hand. “Yeah, I know, you could say we risk our lives getting out of bed every morning, but I’m talking about unnecessary risks.”

  “I understand.” His brow wrinkled, and Steve nodded. “And you’ve every right to worry. But right now, you don’t know whether she’ll be a chronic risk-taker, or if her rash behavior is because she’s a child and doesn’t think things through the way she will when she’s older.”

  His calm, even tone soothed Molly. She
sat back and let her shoulders relax. “Maybe. I guess I’ll have to wait until she’s older to find out. But if recklessness is part of her nature, I want to curb it now.”

  “Without spoiling her spirit.” Steve touched his napkin to his lips. “She has such a wonderful sense of joy in life. Lots of little kids do. I envy that. We lose our spirit, some of us, when we grow up.”

  “I suppose so.” She took a deep breath and exhaled. “I didn’t mean to dump all that on you. Raising Karli is my problem.”

  “Talking helps, sometimes.”

  He was right. Sharing had eased the single parenting load she’d been carrying, if only momentarily. She’d never before told anyone those deep-down fears about her daughter. Even though he had no children, Steve appeared to understand.

  She cast him a covert glance while he was busy scooping more potato salad onto his plate. I bet he’d make a good father.

  Straightening, she set her jaw. Maybe. But not for Karli. As soon as his arm healed, he’d return to his life in New York. They’d never see him again.

  “Penny.”

  Steve’s voice jolted her back to the present. “What?”

  “For your thoughts. You’re deep into something.”

  She shrugged. “Nothing in particular.” Eager for a new topic, she noticed his empty plate. “Are you ready for pie?”

  Steve patted his stomach. “Sure, but make it a small piece.”

  Molly cut a slice of pie, slid it onto a plate, and handed it to him. “Did you manage to get some work done this morning?”

  “Yeah. It’s slow, but I can peck the computer keys with my left hand. Same with my cell phone. How about you? How’s the program?” He took a bite of the pie and his lips curved. “Mmm, this is good.”

  “I’ll have to try some.” Molly cut herself a piece and put it on a plate. “To answer your question, I did have trouble printing an order.”

  “I’ll come out after we’re through here and see what’s going on.”

  Molly gripped her fork tighter than necessary. “You don’t need to. I can figure it out.”

  “No trouble. Besides, I need a break.” He pointed his fork upward. “I’ve been in my room all morning. Although it’s a very nice room, I need to stretch my legs and get some fresh air.”

  Thinking more protests would be a waste of time, she said, “All right, then.”

  Molly finished her pie, wishing she’d kept quiet about her problems with Karli. Sharing personal information shifted a relationship to an intimate level. As if that weren’t bad enough, she’d be spending even more time with him this afternoon.

  With a twist of her shoulders, she shook off her fears. Maybe having him help her with the computer was a good idea. They’d be dealing with business, not personal, issues, which would help to put their relationship back where it belonged.

  ****

  “You’re selecting the wrong printer icon to do the job.” Steve pointed to the computer screen, and then punched the keys to correct the error. The printer on the side table hummed.

  Sitting next to him, Molly slowly shook her head in disbelief. “The fix was that simple? Boy, I feel stupid.”

  Steve rested his injured arm on the desk. “Don’t be hard on yourself. Learning a new program takes time.”

  “Maybe so, but I’m not a computer illiterate. When I worked for the real estate firm in Chicago, most of my time was spent on the computer.”

  “You’ve got a lot on your mind right now. Moving back to the ranch, worrying about Karli—”

  “True, I do.” Molly blew out a breath. “But I also need to concentrate on this job. Sara depends on me to run the office.”

  The printer chugged to a stop.

  Molly stretched to the side and scooped up the papers. As she leaned back in her seat, her shoulder brushed his, connecting with hard muscle underneath his thin T-shirt. Her pulse skittered. Clutching the papers, she tapped them into alignment on the desk. “Thanks so much, Steve.” Please leave now. If I have to work with you here, I’ll make more mistakes.

  Steve leaned back and stretched his long legs under the desk. “No problem.”

  Molly put down the papers and picked up a pen. “I’ll be okay now, so I won’t keep you.”

  “You’re not. Think I’ll hang around for a while.” His smile was slow and lazy.

  She nodded at the stack of papers next to the computer. “Well…I do have work to do.”

  “I didn’t mean in here. I’ll go outside, get some of that fresh air I was talking about.” He gestured toward the screen door.

  Okay, outside was better than here in her office. She shrugged. “Feel free.”

  While she returned to work, he stepped out and sat on the wrought iron bench next to the building, under the shade of the towering maple tree. He’d put some distance between them, but not enough. No matter how hard she tried to ignore his presence, she couldn’t. Once, he cast a glance over his shoulder and caught her looking his way. She ducked her head behind the computer, but not before she glimpsed the smile on his lips.

  Next time she looked up, the bench was empty. Had he gone back to the house? No, his deep voice, mingled with Lupe’s and Doreen’s lighter tones, drifted in from the kitchen. Molly briefly closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. The man was simply too distracting.

  An hour or so later, while Molly was retrieving a box of envelopes from the supply cupboard, Sara came in.

  “I’m back.” Sara peeked around the cupboard door to greet Molly.

  “How was the appointment?” Molly took out a stack of envelopes then replaced the box on the shelf.

  Gripping her briefcase with one hand, Sara made a thumbs-up gesture with the other. “Very well. You’ll have a couple more orders to fill out. How’d lunch go?”

  Molly shrugged. “Okay, I guess. Steve’s around someplace. At least, he was awhile ago.” She returned to her desk and sat in her swivel chair.

  Sara nodded. “I saw him in the kitchen. We’re going to hang out for a while. If you need me, we won’t be far away.”

  “All right.” If you’re with Steve, far away is fine. The farther away, the better.

  Later, Molly finished putting stamps on a stack of envelopes and set them aside. First thing tomorrow, she’d trot them out to the mailbox at the main road for the mailman to pick up. Letting out a sigh, she glanced at the wall clock. Four-thirty. Time to quit. She shut down and covered the computer, and then stuck her head out the door.

  Steve and Sara sat on the metal bench.

  “I’m ready to leave and get Karli now.”

  Steve looked at his wristwatch. “Is it that late already? I’ve taken up too much of your time, Sara.”

  “Not at all.” Sara shook her head. “You’ve given me some good business tips. But, yes, Molly, by all means, go get Karli.”

  Steve stood and turned toward Molly. “I’ll walk along with you.”

  ****

  He could have asked if I wanted his company. Molly grumbled to herself as she and Steve headed down the road to Teresa’s. She set her jaw and kept her gaze on the fields they were passing. With only a slight breeze today, the grasses stood tall and unwavering under the late afternoon sun.

  “I assume you didn’t have any more trouble this afternoon?”

  His question pierced her thoughts. “No, not with the program.” She glanced his way, but his pleasant smile indicated he either had not noticed or chose to ignore her sarcasm.

  “Good, good. You might be interested in some of the things Sara and I were discussing…”

  He talked on, but, still irritated by his presence, Molly had trouble concentrating.

  The walk to Teresa’s seemed twice as long as usual, but at last, they turned down the road leading to the Halstons’ house.

  “Karli’s probably outside.” Molly led the way to the chain link fence enclosing the back yard. Sure enough, Karli sat on one of the swings, pumping herself into the air. “Karli.” Molly waved her arms.

 
“Mommy! Steve!” Karli jumped off the swing and ran across the lawn to the fence.

  Steve stooped to Karli’s eye level. “Hey, Karli. How’re you doing?”

  Karli grinned and curled her fingers around the fence wires. “I’m fine. Are you gonna eat dinner with us?”

  “Karli,” Molly began, but clamped her jaw shut. What could she say?

  Steve raised his eyebrows. “I haven’t been invited.”

  “Mr. Muggins invites you.” Karli pulled the doll from her jeans pocket and waved him at Steve.

  Steve laughed and shot Molly a glance.

  Molly shrugged. “Tonight’s menu is mac and cheese. I’m sure you wouldn’t—”

  “My favorite.” Steve stood and shoved his hand into his pants pockets.

  “Mine, too,” Karli echoed, jumping up and down.

  “Well, sure, then you’re invited.”

  At the house, while Karli went in her bedroom to put away her backpack, Molly rushed to straighten the living room.

  “I wasn’t expecting company,” she said, plumping up the sofa cushions and picking up yesterday’s newspaper from the coffee table.

  “So don’t worry about it.” Steve stood in the middle of the room, feet spread, cradling his injured arm. “This is a cozy place.”

  “I haven’t had a chance to fix it up much yet.”

  “Looks good the way it is.” He snapped his fingers. “I’d better let Sara know I won’t be there for dinner.” He pulled his cell phone from its belt holder.

  She was about to ask if she could help him, but he managed to cup the phone in his palm and speed dial with his thumb. While he and Sara spoke, Molly rescued last night’s empty ice cream dishes from an end table and carried them into the kitchen.

  When she returned, he stood at the fireplace mantel looking at the photos. Molly stopped and sucked in a breath. Would the pictures of Buck disturb him as much as Angie’s photo had bothered her?

  He turned, but before he could say anything, Karli skipped in.

  “Can we play a game?” Karli asked, stopping in front of Steve.