He had to pause to clear his throat. That damn lump was
starting to rise again. And Molly's expression had softened. She had smiled at Kelsey. She was now smiling at Derek.
"Oh, hell," he said, and crossed the room to gather Molly into his arms. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause you any distress. I was just so shocked, and felt so-deprived." He leaned back to look at her. "I know you've always been there when I needed a mother. I just wish I could have called you Mother. But I think I understand why you felt that wasn't necessary." "Not unnecessary, Derek," she replied gently. "Just better for you-but I'll admit now that I might have been wrong to make that decision. I missed so much because of it. And now, knowing how you feel, I'll probably always regret it-If "Don't," he cut in. "There have been too many regrets already. And at least I know now. I'll understand, though, if you still don't want me to call you Mother."
She burst into tears then, and hugged him tight. "Oh, Derek, I've always loved you so! You can call me any bloody thing you like."
He laughed at that. Jason chuckled as well. Derek looked over her head at his father, and saw something he never had before. Jason really and truly loved Molly Fletcher. It was
there in his eyes as he looked at her. "I don't suppose you two have thought about getting married yourselves?" he asked.
Jason gave a long-suffering sigh. "She still won't have me."
Molly humphed as she wiped her eyes. "That isn't necessary," she said. To Derek she added, "Your father and I live
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very happily as we are, I'll have you know. There's no need to stir up a hornet's nest just for a silly piece of paper, no need a'tall."
"I plan to work on it," Jason said, winking at Derek.
Derek grinned. "Sort of figured you would."
"But I won't be changing my mind," Molly said, then smiled at Jason. "Although I won't mind your efforts to try."
Later that night, when Derek took Kelsey back to the inn to pack her things-she would be moving into Haverston until the wedding-he said, "You know, my Uncle Anthony had a good point tonight at dinner. I really don't dare risk getting you angry with me-ever."
Kelsey grinned. "Your uncle was being silly. Shooting husbands doesn't really run in my family. Now, tossing them into fireplaces is another matter."
Derek laughed, pulling her into his arms. "I'll remember that, luv. But I don't plan to ever make you angry with me. Madly in love with me is how I'll be keeping you."
"Hmmm, that sounds nice," she said, kissing his cheek, then his neck. "Can I have a little demonstration, d'you think?"
He groaned and sought her lips for a very heated kiss. "Your wish is my command," he said huskily a few minutes
later. "And that's one request that I'll never get tired of hearing.”
She looked up at him with love gleaming in her gray eyes. "Then show me, Derek. Show me now." He did, with the greatest pleasure.
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