Josiah shifted Ellie to his shoulder and patted her bottom. “On the way here, she told me about growing up. Her mom divorced her dad when she was young. With all the dating, men would come in and out of her life. She doesn’t want that for Ellie. I respect that. I respect her, so I’m good with friends.” It was a total lie, but he figured he needed to get used to it.
“You are as terrible a liar as you are a secret keeper.” Carrie Anne chuckled. “It’s okay to want to date her. Show her you’re not like those guys.”
He shook his head. “No, I don’t want to put that kind of pressure on her. She’s a new mom, and that’s enough to deal with as it is. As great as Ellie is, I’m not ready to be a full-time dad.”
Shaking her head, his sister rolled her eyes. “You just don’t want to take a risk. You’ve never liked taking risks.”
Yeah, because any time he did, they backfired. His last relationship was a testament to that. He’d not meant to mention his lottery winnings, but he had. Instead of backing away slowly at the sign of red flags, he’d excused some of the things she said under the guise of taking a risk. “They don’t work for me.”
“You back down too quickly. Stand up for yourself. You have a lot to offer a woman. Just stop being so…”
“Me? The guy who just takes the lumps and doesn’t say anything?” That’s exactly what he was. The nice guy. The good friend. The sweet man. All great things that lead to friendships with women that went nowhere.
His sister’s posture softened. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
Shrugging, he said, “Yeah, I know.” Except she did mean it. It was always him backing down or taking the blame for things. He was stuck in the middle. All he needed was jokers to the right and clowns to the left.
Just as he was feeling sorry for himself, Josiah glanced at Ellie on his shoulder to find her sleeping peacefully. She wasn’t his, but, man, how could he feel sorry for himself when such a small human being needed him. Granted, it was temporary, but he was glad to give Molly a decent break before they returned to Dallas.
He brushed his fingers down her little head and touched her cheek. How could Molly’s brother not want her? Of course, that would mean that Molly wouldn’t have her, but Josiah struggled to understand how any man wouldn’t want this sweet baby.
Carrie Anne moved the edge of the sofa. “I’m going to get something to drink. Can I get you something?”
He shook his head. “I’m fine.”
His sister hesitated and touched his knee. “You are a great guy. I…I just want to see you happy.”
“I know, and I am. Molly needs a friend, and I’m okay with that.” But he was less okay the more he was around her. She used movie quotes, loved animated shows and things he liked.
He’d never met a woman like that before, but he also knew she wanted someone focused on her and Ellie. Until the year was over, his goal was winning Realtor of the Year and Commercial Transaction of the Year. Once he had those, he’d be free to have a relationship.
* * *
Later that afternoon, Josiah pushed his plate away. “No more. I’ll explode.”
Just an hour ago, all the Thanksgiving dishes were piping hot and plates were piled high. Josiah and Molly were seated next to each other, and Ellie was in the living room, snoozing in a bassinette Gabby let them borrow.
Molly finished the last bite of green bean casserole on her plate and wiped her mouth. “Bandit, you make a mean green casserole.”
“Th-th-thank you, but R-R-Reagan gave me some tips,” Bandit replied.
Reagan shook her head. “It was delicious even before the tips.”
Josiah’s dad, King, sat back, rubbing his stomach. “Bud, you seem to outdo yourself every time you cook.”
“He needs to open the restaurant again. Two more families moved to Caprock Canyon just last week,” Bear said. “You just need to do it.”
Bandit shook his head. “N-n-no.”
“Stubborn. Most stubborn man I’ve ever met,” Bear grumbled.
With a snort, Josiah said, “Yeah, have you looked in the mirror?”
The whole family chuckled as Bear gave Josiah a dirty look.
“Shut it,” Bear growled.
Molly leaned in. “This is the best Thanksgiving I’ve ever had.”
“So, you’re admitting my use of the Flynn-Ryder smolder was a good move?” Josiah chuckled.
She grinned. “No, that was still wrong, but I am glad you talked me into coming.”
Josiah put his arm around her and hugged her to him. “I’m glad too. Just wait ’til Christmas. Bandit makes cinnamon rolls that will make you believe in angels.”
More than anything, he was glad the dark circles under her eyes were lighter than they were before. Her entire countenance seemed refreshed. It made him feel good that he’d been able to help.
She hugged him around the chest. “The food is great, but mostly, I’ve loved how big your family is. Everyone talking and laughing and getting along.” She straightened and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I guess that sounds odd, huh?”
“No, it sounds like someone who likes a big family.”
“Molly,” Josiah’s mom, Caroline, said, “our typical tradition is to go Black Friday shopping in Amarillo. Would you want to go with us? It’s just us girls. We grab breakfast and then hit the stores for deals. We’d love to have you.”
Pauline leaned forward where she sat at the end of the table, holding her grandson, a babbling Travis, as he played with a plastic keyring. “Yes, Molly, we’d love it.”
Josiah had explained earlier when Pauline and Amos Fredricks first arrived who they were and their relationship with his family, basically part of the family. That Gabby and Stephanie were their two girls and now Gabby was married to his younger brother, Wyatt, and that Travis was their little boy.
Carrie Anne, Gabby, and Stephanie echoed their moms. “Absolutely.”
Reagan, who sat across from them, nodded. “Yes, it’ll be awesome.”
“Uh, well…I have Ellie…”
His mom flicked her gaze from Molly to Josiah. “Why don’t you and Josiah discuss it. No pressure at all. We just want you to know you’re welcome.” She smiled.
“Okay. Thank you. I’ll think about it.”
“Last year was so much fun,” his mom said with a chuckle.
Reagan rolled her eyes and leveled her gaze at Molly. “They’re laughing because last year at this time, I was pretending to be Hunter’s fiancée.”
Hunter’s entire face lit up neon red. “And all of you are grateful because her coffee is the best.”
Everyone at the table laughed and murmured agreements.
Hunter put his arm around Reagan. “She’s the best at a lot of things.”
Reagan’s cheeks turned deep red, and she ducked her head, smiling. “You’re married to me. You have to say that.”
“No, I don’t. It’s the truth.”
A second later, plastic keys flew across the table, and Travis giggled. Gabby waggled her finger at him. “No throwing, mister!”
He stuck his fingers in his mouth and bounced on Pauline’s lap.
Little cries began to carry into the dining room, and as Josiah started to get up, Molly stopped him. “It’s my turn.” She smiled.
“Okay.”
He watched as Molly walked out of the dining room and settled his gaze on the table. So far, this had been his best Thanksgiving ever. Maybe he could figure out a way to convince Molly she could date him or at least let him be a part of her and Ellie’s life. If he could find a way to prove he wouldn’t leave if things got hard, she’d be open to the idea.
His heart dipped low into his stomach. No. He’d seen her face when his mom put her on the spot. That’s not what he wanted, and he didn’t want her to pull away. How could he help her if she did that? It wasn’t worth losing her or Ellie just because he wanted something more. He needed to settle…like he always did.
It was best for both of them
if he did that. If he somehow didn’t win Realtor of the Year, he’d be working for it the next year. Molly and Ellie needed someone who put them first, and until his goal was reached, he couldn’t do that.
Convincing Molly to date him and then not giving her the attention she deserved would be wrong. He didn’t want to do that to her. Not when she’d seemed so sad while talking about her childhood. The right thing to do was to keep things as they were. He’d help when he could, and maybe in a year or two, they could date.
If she was still available.
He rubbed the spot over his heart. It hurt to think that, but he wasn’t going to be selfish. After all, if he cared about her and Ellie, he’d want what was best for her, even if that wasn’t him.
Chapter 8
For the first time in her life, Molly loved Thanksgiving. The food was delicious, Josiah’s family was awesome, and she felt…wanted. Although, as she thought about it, wanted didn’t seem to be the right word.
Her mom never made her feel unwanted, but maybe the right word was inconvenient. Molly felt loved, but at the same time, she also felt in the way of what her mom wanted. After marrying young, her mom had Derek and then her. Not long after Molly was born, her parents’ marriage had started to have trouble.
More than once, Molly suspected that her mom regretted getting married and having children. She’d been kept from the dreams she’d had for herself, and her kids were constant reminders of that.
In contrast, Josiah’s parents acted like having a family was the best thing to ever happen to them. They were only a couple of years older than Molly’s mom, and when they looked at each other or their children, they seemed to see their lives as full and happy. Molly wasn’t jealous of Josiah, but it did make her wonder what life would have been like if she’d had a similar experience.
“What’s got you so deep in thought?” Carrie Anne asked.
The sound of her voice brought Molly out of her thoughts, and she smiled. “Just the holidays when I was young. They weren’t like this.”
Somehow, Molly had found herself talked into going Black Friday shopping while Josiah watched Ellie. They’d left while it was still dark, and now they were having lunch. From what Molly understood, this was fuel for the second round of shopping. She’d never shopped like this. When it came to Black Friday, her opinion was that it was to be avoided at all costs.
Josiah had made the argument that Ellie needed a baby monitor and a crib. That way she could safely sleep upstairs. It wasn’t until Molly pulled the envelope out that she realized he’d stuffed it with way more money than the two items required. She’d texted him, and they were going to have a long talk when she got back to the ranch. His reply was sending her a text with him giving her a goofy grin. Over the last few days, as fantastic as his other smiles were, the goofy one was her favorite.
“What were they like?” asked Pauline.
All the women had gone out of their way to make Molly feel welcome and included. Talking to them felt like talking to people she’d known forever. They’d all just clicked, and Molly had no explanation.
“Well, my dad divorced my mom when I was young. I barely remember my dad. We kept in touch a while, but then he got remarried, and communication dwindled from there.” She picked a little cheese from the wrapper and nibbled it. “My mom was kind of a serial dater. Not that she was trying to date a lot. It just happened. Sometimes, her boyfriends would invite us to family things, but it was always weird and awkward.”
Caroline shook her head. “That’s tough.”
Shrugging, Molly said, “It’s okay. I love my mom, and I know she worked hard to give us a good life.”
“I don’t doubt that at all,” Josiah’s mom replied with a smile.
Reagan tilted her head. “How did you meet Josiah?”
Molly chuckled and told them the whole story, including how his messes were staged. “He’s a sweet guy.” And one of the reasons she’d felt she could take care of Ellie, because he paid her well. Not six-bedroom-mansion well, but comfortable, especially given the fact that she hadn’t divulged she even had Ellie. If Molly had, her pay would have increased. Of that, she was positive.
Carrie Anne laughed. “That sounds like Josiah.”
Caroline nodded. “It really does. That boy…Bear is stubborn; Wyatt is wild and spontaneous—”
“That’s the truth,” Gabby added, laughing.
“Hunter is driven, and Josiah is quirky.” His mom took a deep breath. “Yes, we’ll go with quirky.”
Carrie Anne rolled her eyes. “You mean weird.”
Without thinking, Molly said, “He doesn’t like that. Being called weird. It hurts his feelings.”
“What?” Carrie Anne asked, her eyebrows drawn together.
“You hurt his feelings. I don’t think you saw it, but he frowned the other night when you called him weird.” Molly held Carrie Anne’s gaze.
Carrie Anne’s forehead furrowed. “I wasn’t trying to. Weird isn’t bad. It’s just…weird.”
Gabby bumped her shoulder against Carrie Anne’s. “Yeah, but he’s always been sensitive.” She looked at Molly. “He’s got a big heart. He’s easy-going and simple.”
Nodding, Reagan said, “I have to agree with that. Josiah, Hunter, Bear, Wyatt…all four are good men.”
Carrie Anne returned Gabby’s shoulder bump. “And you chose the craziest West of them all.”
“You mean I chose two of the craziest,” Gabby said and burst out cackling.
“Shut up.” Carrie Anne poked Gabby in the side.
Reagan snickered. “They always bicker like this.”
“We do not,” Carrie Anne and Gabby said at the same time.
Pauline sighed. “Girls, we are in public. Act your age.”
Stephanie snorted. “They are.”
“Shut up,” Carrie Anne and Gabby said at the same time.
Caroline gave the two girls a look, and they settled down. “Molly is going to run away if you three keep it up.” She grinned. “Just so you know, it’s pretty much like this all the time with this family.”
“I love it,” Molly said, and she did. If she had to pick a family to join, it would be this one.
Carrie Anne leveled her eyes at Molly. “Join us.”
“Uh-oh.” Reagan shook her head and looked down. “There she goes.”
“What?” asked Molly, glancing from Reagan to Carrie Anne.
“Josiah likes you. You can see it in the way he looks at you,” Carrie Anne said, seeming to ignore Reagan.
Gabby rolled her eyes. “Carrie Anne is the resident matchmaker. One of these days, she’s going to retire from teaching and open up her own business.”
“Hush.” Carrie Anne side-eyed Gabby. “I’m right about this. Josiah likes you.”
As sweet as that sounded, Molly couldn’t entertain that kind of thought. “I made a rule when I adopted Ellie that I wouldn’t date. I love my mom, but the continual dating was hard on me and my brother. I don’t want that for Ellie.”
Carrie Anne nodded, but Molly got the distinct impression Josiah’s sister wanted to press it. “I respect you for that. It couldn’t have been an easy decision to adopt. Is it finalized?”
“Not quite, but it will be soon. It’s just a matter of paperwork at this point.” If Molly remembered correctly, Derek and Brenda would’ve received their notice of rights termination. Once that was done, the last thing was the judge signing off on it.
“Okay, just one last thing. It would be awesome if Travis and Ellie grew up together. So, even if you don’t want to date Josiah, you still have to visit a lot.” Carrie Anne smiled wide.
Molly snickered. “I’ve wandered into a Borg hive, and resistance is futile?”
Josiah’s sister tilted her head and gave her a puzzled look. “Uh, what?”
“Oh, nothing.” Josiah would have gotten the joke. They spoke each other’s language. Something Molly never thought she’d find in a guy who wasn’t still living in their parent’s basem
ent.
“It sounds like something Josiah would get, though. Am I right?” Carrie Anne asked Molly.
Nodding, Molly’s cheeks heated. Her head was saying she wouldn’t break her rule, but her heart was not listening to reason at all. She liked Josiah. More than liked, she was falling for him. It certainly wasn’t hard. A gorgeous, goofy guy who was kind and generous. What more could a woman ask for?
Nothing. When it came to Josiah, Molly’s opinion was that he was the Danny Phantom to her Sam. Square pegs in a world of round holes. And she liked it. She liked it a lot.
* * *
Black Friday shopping took all day. By the time Molly shuffled into the house that evening, she was exhausted. She’d been anxious to get back and see Ellie, so Josiah’s family offered to put her things away.
Josiah met her at the bottom of the stairs, holding Ellie. He lifted her a little and smiled. “And this, Ellie, is why we don’t go Black Friday shopping.” He laughed.
Molly blew out a big breath and sagged. “I’ve never done that before. It was wild.” She held up her hand. “But I got a baby monitor and a pack-n-play for a steal. I even got you a gift.” She rolled her lips in, trying to hide her Cheshire grin.
“What?”
“You heard me.” She waggled her finger at him. “There was too much money in that envelope, mister.”
He tilted his head, and his lips quirked up. “You had fun, though, didn’t you?”
Nodding, she said, “Yeah, but I do feel guilty.”
“Don’t.” He lowered his gaze. “I like making you smile. You work hard and take care of a baby. Having a treat every now and again is okay.”
She walked to him and hugged him with one arm as she tickled Ellie’s neck. “Thank you. I’ve said it, but it really doesn’t adequately express my gratitude.”
Josiah pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “You have. Trust me.”
She lifted a little on her toes and kissed his cheek. “I had so much fun today. You’ve watched her all day. I think it’s my turn.”
The Housekeeper's Billionaire Boss (Caprock Canyon Romance Book 3) Page 5