Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
I smiled, because he wasn’t wrong. “I caught Hunter eating a tomato like it was an apple, juices running down his chin and all.”
Wyatt laughed. “That smile right there should be reason enough to ask her to stay. Use that cowboy magic the women are so fond of if you have to. Unless that’s not what you really want.” The accusation was there, but I didn’t take the bait.
I didn’t just want Molly to stay; I needed her to stay. Hunter needed her. She’d added the color and the laughter to our lives that I never realized was missing. Letting her go was out of the question, and just the thought of it had my hands balling into fists, my nostrils flaring, and my jaw clenching hard.
“Don’t growl at me,” Wyatt laughed. “And don’t tell me, tell Molly.”
“I didn’t say a damn thing,” I grunted.
“I know, but you were thinking a lot of ’em.” His smile faded, and he sighed. “Look, I’m happy to watch Hunter for an evening so you can take her out on a proper date. I hear women are really fond of the whole mating song and dance.”
“A date?” I hadn’t been out on a date in too many years to count. Was it even the same as it was back when I was Molly’s age?
“Yeah, you know, dinner and dancing, maybe a moonlight walk. Romance? Any of this ringing a bell for you?” He laughed when I flipped him off. “Offer stands. Just say the word.”
Wyatt walked out of my office like he hadn’t just turned my world upside down. Asking Molly on a date wasn’t just about one date. She was Hunter’s nanny; the implications of that one date would be more. A hell of a lot more. Was I ready for that?
Was Molly?
I didn’t know, but I pulled out my phone and sent Wyatt a text.
Ten seconds later, his loud laugh sounded outside the building, and seconds after that came his short reply. “You got it, brother.”
All that was left to do was to ask Molly on a date and then plan the date.
Chapter 23
Molly
“Are you sure you want to run away with your tail tucked between your legs? I mean, if you do, then I will totally support you.” Only Toni could make being a coward sound like a totally reasonable solution.
I sighed and shook my head, barely biting back a smile. “Gee, Toni, tell me what you really think.”
“If you insist,” she forged ahead as if sarcasm was totally lost on her. “I think you should stay and explore this thing with the hot cowboy, and I think you should remember who the hell you are: a sexy, badass any man would be lucky to have.”
“But is it fair to subject Colton and Hunter to whatever Travis might do next?”
“Fair? No. But is it fair that you should have to fight him all alone when you’ve already done the hard part by ending the relationship? Also no.”
“But—”
“No buts, Molly. You want this man, don’t you?”
“I do.” More than anything.
“Then don’t let anything or anyone, not even Travis, stand in your way. He’s not worth it, besides, it’ll piss him off even more to see you loved up and happy.”
I nodded, feeling buoyed by her words. Then again, maybe it was just because she was telling me what I wanted to hear. “Yeah, sure, Toni.”
“Great! Let me know how it all goes. Good luck.” She ended the call before I could ask for more advice.
Loved up and happy sounded wonderful, but was it possible? I didn’t know, it was something I had to think about, even though it was what I wanted more than anything. But Colton hadn’t said anything about that, so I swallowed down those hopes and focused instead on Hunter. And my garden. And enjoying the peaceful life I had here.
Far, far from Travis.
I didn’t need to be greedy. I had a job that I loved, a sweet and precocious little boy to care for, and his gorgeous father whom I could admire from a distance. That was enough. For now.
“There you are.” Colton’s deep voice boomed in the quiet kitchen where I rolled out biscuits.
“I’m here,” I said, working hard to sound light and carefree. “Is there something you need?”
“Where’s Hunter?”
“Rolling biscuits tired him out, so he’s upstairs having a siesta.” I continued to roll out the dough until I had the exact thickness I wanted. “What’s up?” I turned to find Colton standing less than a foot from me, rubbing his hair nervously as his gaze darted all around the kitchen.
He was dirty and dusty from spending all day on the ranch, but to me, he’d never looked handsomer. Hotter. “I’d like to take you out, Molly. On a date.”
A date. It was everything I wanted, but still, I couldn’t help the suspicion that tore through my chest. “A date? Why?” It didn’t make sense. He’d had sixty days to ask me out, and he hadn’t. Then it clicked. “I already spoke to Serenity and told her I’d stay for the next twelve months.” I still wasn’t completely sold that it was a good idea, but Hunter needed me, and this was my job. I’d spent too much of the past couple of years hoping for a placement like this, long-term with a lovable kid who needed me, and now that I had it, I wouldn’t throw it away.