Now she realized this wasn’t the place for her and Karli, after all. A tear slid down her cheek and she flicked it away. The reminders of their previous life here, instead of offering comfort, brought mostly pain. No matter how hard she tried, she hadn’t put her old life back together again.
As much as she loved Sara, Jackson, and Ryan, and Mike and Rose, and baby Melissa, this wasn’t home. The simple truth was, without Buck, she and Karli didn’t belong at the Rolling R. They needed to move on and make a new life—and new memories—somewhere else.
Molly leaned her head back against the chair’s cushion, her thoughts whirling now she had admitted the ranch was not the place she wanted to be. She hated to take Karli away from kindergarten, when she’d only recently begun, but Karli was resilient. She would adjust to a new school.
Where to go, though? The most obvious place, for now, was Chicago. Her old boss had said he’d always have a job waiting, and she and Karli could find an apartment near Paige and Harlan. But she didn’t know if she wanted to stay there permanently.
A deep sigh escaped. Well, one step at a time. The first step was to realize she needed to move on.
Her gaze drifted out to her garden. Moonlight shone on the yard ornaments. The humming bird, the frog, the duck—and the butterfly. Angie’s butterfly. She’d meant to give the ornament to Steve, but there’d been no opportunity. So, she placed it in her garden, as had been her original intent. The ornament was too pretty to hide away anymore, and she might as well enjoy it. Trouble was, every time she looked at the decoration, she was reminded of Steve. She sure had ruined that relationship. She hadn’t been ready then. Now, it was too late.
“Oh, Steve,” she whispered into the night air, “I hope you’re happy with your new life.”
****
“Here is today’s mail, Steve.” Beverly placed the stack of papers, which she’d opened and sorted, on Steve’s desk.
“Thanks,” he said without looking up. “I’ll get to it later. Right now, I’ve got a problem with one of our new programs.” He pointed to the computer screen.
Beverly propped her hands on her slim hips and pursed her lips. “You’ve been working like a hound dog on a scent since you returned from your trip. When are you going to slow down and enjoy life?”
Steve’s lips twisted into a grim smile. “This is my life.”
Beverly shook her head and made a “tsk tsk” sound before heading back to her office.
Afternoon arrived before Steve gave his attention to the stack of mail. On the bottom was an envelope Beverly hadn’t opened, addressed to him in handwriting and postmarked Red Rock. What could this be? He slit the envelope and took out a printed card:
You are cordially invited to attend the christening of Melissa Ann Mahoney at the Red Rock Community Church, September 30, at 1:00 p.m.
Reception to follow at the Rolling R Ranch.
Steve sat back and smiled. Well, well. During a phone call, Jackson told him of the baby’s birth. Now, she was ready to be christened. Time had flown. Almost two months had passed since he’d left Colorado and returned to New York.
The invitation included a separate note:
Hi, Steve,
We know it hasn’t been that long since you were here, but, if possible, we’d love for you to come to our celebration.
Hope you’re doing well.
Love, Rose and Mike
His thoughts whirling, he put down the note and stared into space. Yeah, he’d like to see all his friends in Red Rock, especially Molly. Whenever he thought about her—which was more often than he wanted to admit—a longing consumed him. Man, but he wanted to see her again.
But, after leaving her to run after Angie, why would she want to see him? Why make them both uncomfortable by attending the christening?
He picked up the invitation and read it again. Maybe she wouldn’t be uncomfortable. Maybe she’d already moved on and was involved with Dirk, or someone else. She was still living on the ranch, because on his last phone call with Jackson, he’d casually inquired about her and Karli.
Jackson had said they both were doing well.
Should he go to the christening or send a gift and his regrets? He brought up his schedule on the computer screen. A technology convention that he’d thought about attending was scheduled in Vegas the week prior to the christening. Traveling from there to Red Rock would work, wouldn’t it?
After office hours, he was still mulling over his decision when he and Jerry went out for drinks. They sat at the bar at Dugan’s. The place was packed, as usual. Raising his voice over the din, he told Jerry he might want to attend the convention.
Jerry eyed him with one eyebrow peaked. “Okay with me. But I have a feeling there’s something else going on here.”
Steve grinned and sipped his gin and tonic. “You’re too smart for your own good, my friend. Yeah, okay, I was invited to a christening in Red Rock, for Mike and Rose’s baby daughter. It’s the week after the convention.”
“Keep going.” Jerry made a spinning motion with his hand.
“I’m debating that, because Molly will probably be there.” At the thought of seeing Molly again, Steve’s heart beat faster.
“So?”
“So, I don’t know if my being there, too, is a good idea or not.”
“You’re in love with her. Still in love with her, I should say.”
Steve stared at his drink. A yearning for Molly filled him. If only he could restore their lost relationship. “Yeah,” he said in a low voice. “I am. Haven’t been able to get her out of my mind since I’ve been back. But I know I hurt her. Why would she want to see me again?”
Jerry scooped up a handful of mixed nuts from a bowl on the bar and popped a few into his mouth. He chewed and swallowed. “Hey, you did what you had to do at the time. If Molly is the woman I think she is, she’ll understand. I say, go for it.”
Steve looked his partner in the eye. Putting his partnership on the line was a risk he had to take. “Okay, but if the trip turns out like I want it to, I might have to make some big changes in my life—and my work.”
“We’ll deal with whatever you decide.” Jerry clapped him on the shoulder. “The only thing I need for sure is that, come December, you show up as best man at my wedding.”
“You have my promise on that.”
The following day, he called Beverly into his office. “I need a favor,” he said when she stood on the other side of his desk.
She cast him a sideways look. “Something I’m going to like doing?”
“You like babies, don’t you?”
A twinkle gleamed in her eyes, and she laughed. “I hope so. I’ve had three of them.”
“Right. So, I need help in picking out a baby gift. For a christening…”
Chapter Twenty-Two
In the Phillips’ living room, Molly hovered at the edge of an admiring group gathered around the guest of honor, Melissa Ann Mahoney. Rose held the baby in her arms. Melissa’s long white christening dress, decorated with tiny silk roses, trailed over Rose’s arm. A narrow white headband, also decorated with rosebuds, encircled the baby’s head.
“Isn’t she the sweetest thing?” a woman said, her eyes sparkling, her hands clasped against her chest.
Along with the others, Molly nodded her agreement. Melissa Ann’s wispy black hair, big brown eyes, and tiny, bow-shaped mouth, gave her a special charm.
As much as Molly wanted to focus on the party, another matter kept her mind occupied and her nerves thrumming. A couple hours ago, after Pastor Logan conferred the blessing on Melissa Ann, and as Molly and Karli were leaving the church, the most amazing thing happened. Her eyes had no more than adjusted to the bright September sunlight than who should she see but Steve Roper. He stood at the end of sidewalk leading to the church, scanning the exiting crowd, as though waiting for someone.
Her heart started to pound. He was the last person she expected to see today.
His gaze landed on her and Karli.
His lips broke into a smile as he hurried to their side. “Molly!”
Before she could say anything—not that she could, anyway, with surprise rendering her speechless—Karli shouted, “Steve! Steve!”
Karli broke away from Molly and ran to meet him halfway.
“Hey, Karli.” He bent and gave her a hug.
Molly wished she could run to him and so easily receive a hug, too. But she wasn’t five years old. She was twenty-five and, besides, they’d parted as strangers. Fear rooted her feet to the sidewalk, and she held herself steady.
Steve stood and their gazes met. His was tentative, questioning. Hers—well, she couldn’t be sure what showed on her face, but she hoped the expression wasn’t the strong emotion that had filled her heart.
“I didn’t see you earlier,” she said, when he’d let go of Karli and approached her side.
He gave a slight shrug, never taking his gaze off her face. “I got here a little late and sat in back.”
“Oh.” Words failed her. Hearing the sounds of car doors slamming, she glanced at the parking lot. Sara and Jackson and Ryan were climbing in their SUV.
She turned back to Steve. “We’re riding with Sara and Jackson, so we’d better go.”
“I’ll see you at the party. I want to talk to you.”
Now, at least half an hour had passed since Molly and the others arrived at the Rolling R. The party was well under way. Drinks had been served, and Anna and her daughter, Doreen, were passing around the hors d’oeuvres.
But no Steve. Molly rubbed her forehead. Had he changed his mind and decided not to come? What did he want to talk to her about, anyway? Hadn’t they said everything there was to say on that last day before he returned to New York?
The crowd around Rose and Melissa parted, and Rose approached Molly. Glad for the distraction, Molly said, “I’m so happy for you and Mike.” She ran her finger along Melissa’s silky cheek. The baby smiled and waved a chubby fist.
“Thanks.” Rose’s eyes sparkled. “I never dreamed I could be so happy myself. I have the love of my life”—she nodded to where Mike stood talking to several of the guests—“and now my daughter.”
“Are you quitting your job?”
“I am. I love working for TransAmerica, but I want to be a stay-at-home-mom.” Her gaze drifted to her daughter’s face. “For a while. Then I’ll get my degree in counseling. After that, I’ll join Mike at the clinic as a social worker.”
Molly clapped her hands. “That’s wonderful. I remember counseling is something you’ve always wanted to do. There’s a lot of cause for celebration today.”
“Uh huh. And that includes Sara. Did you know her father is here?” Rose nodded toward the sofa.
Following her direction, Molly saw Sara sitting with an older, distinguished-looking man with gray hair and a gray mustache. “I met him yesterday. I was surprised to learn he was coming. I know they’ve been estranged for several years.”
“Ever since Sara came to Red Rock. But she called him recently and they reconciled. This is the first time he’s seen his grandson.” Rose straightened the baby’s dress. “I hope you find happiness, too, Molly. I hear you’re leaving us, though. We’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you, too. But Karli and I will come back to visit.”
“You’d better. Any idea who’ll replace you at the bakery?”
“Teresa’s sister, Ellie, is interested.” She gestured to the buffet table, where a tall, blonde woman was sharing a laugh with Dirk Lamont. “Looks like my job on the ranch isn’t all Ellie’s interested in,” Molly added with a chuckle.
Rose lifted her eyebrows. “They make a nice-looking couple, don’t they?”
Molly nodded as Dirk placed a possessive arm around the woman’s waist. “They do. And Dirk’s really a nice guy. I hope things work out for them.”
Another guest joined them. As they chatted, the sound of a car pulling up outside caught Molly’s attention. Steve? She excused herself and hurried to the window and peered out. The white car was not one she recognized as belonging to a local. She kept her gaze pinned to the driver’s side. The door opened, and a man stepped out.
Steve.
Molly’s heartbeat quickened.
He shifted the gift-wrapped package he carried from one hand to the other and looked up at the house. Molly ducked out of sight. She didn’t want him to think she was eagerly waiting for him—even though that was exactly the case.
As Steve climbed the porch stairs and approached the front door, Molly stepped farther back into the room. She watched as he entered and shook hands with Mike and Jackson.
He was even more handsome than she remembered, tall and sturdy in a navy blue jacket, navy slacks, and black boots. Sunlight from the window accentuated the strong lines of his cheekbones and jaw. Molly felt light-headed, as though she might faint. She reached out and grasped the arm of a nearby chair for support.
Anna Gabraldi took Steve’s coat and the gift. Jackson led him to the portable bar and poured him a glass of wine. As Steve sipped his drink, his gaze swept the room.
Molly knew instinctively he was looking for her. Suddenly afraid to talk to him—although she wasn’t sure exactly why—she joined a group of guests. For the next half hour, she mingled with the others, managing to stay far away from Steve.
And then, after a short conversation with the Russian-born wife of Mike’s clinic partner, she turned around and bumped into the solid wall of a man’s chest. “Excuse me…” The words died on her lips as she looked up into a pair of all-too-familiar brown eyes. “Hello, Steve.”
“Sorry, I didn’t expect you to turn so suddenly. Are you okay?” He briefly touched her shoulder.
Molly steadied her trembling lips into a smile. “No harm done.”
“I saw you earlier, but couldn’t get over to say hello until now.”
Heart pounding, she gazed at the person she’d missed so much over the past two months. “I saw you, too, but there are a lot of people here to talk to.”
“How’ve you been? You’re looking good.”
“I’ve been fine. You’re looking good, too.”
“Is there somewhere we can talk privately?” Steve frowned and nodded at her left hand. “Or, are you and Dirk…”
“We’re just friends,” she said quickly. Maybe too quickly. She didn’t want Steve to think she had any designs on him. What did she want him to think? She frowned. “Leaving the party would be rude, wouldn’t it?”
“I promise not to keep you too long.” He looked over Molly’s shoulder and nodded. “I see we have Sara’s okay.”
Molly glanced around to spot Sara smiling and making shooing motions. “But Karli…”
“Is with the other children in the den. Teresa’s keeping an eye on them.”
She shrugged. “I can’t think of any other excuses.”
“Good. We’ll grab our jackets and go outside.”
Outside, Molly blinked in the bright sunlight beaming down on the warm autumn day. Yellow, orange, and red tinged the leaves on the maple trees, while the aspens’ leaves were pure gold. A bit more snow than usual draped the mountain peaks, but the sky was as blue as any day in summer.
“I’ve missed this place,” Steve said as they strolled the path leading to Sara’s garden. His voice dropped a notch. “Most of all, I’ve missed you.”
She wanted to say she’d missed him, too, but uncertainty kept her silent.
They reached the barn, and through the open door, a horse’s neighing drifted along the air, accompanied by the soft shuffle of hooves on the barn’s brick floor.
“I felt badly about the way we parted,” Steve continued. “We left so much unsaid. I want to talk now and be honest with my feelings. I’ve been kicking myself for the way I acted that night—you know—when I found the butterfly ornament.”
Molly stuffed her hands in her jacket pockets and tucked her chin into her chest. “I was wrong to keep the information from you.”
“I’d lik
e to think that had something to do with how you felt about me?”
Hearing the question in his voice, she darted him a glance. He was turned in her direction, and under slightly furrowed brows, his gaze was steady and unwavering. Although still not comfortable with the situation, his honesty reassured her.
“You’re right.” She took a deep, fortifying breath. “I was afraid that if you found Angie, you might realize you still cared for her, even though you’d said you didn’t love her.”
“And that was because—”
Molly briefly closed her eyes before replying. “Because I had feelings for you myself.”
His wrinkled brow relaxed. “Ah, that’s what I hoped you’d say.”
If you only knew how much that admission cost me. My stomach is rumbling like a freight train, and my nerves are strung tight.
They came to the pond where the resident ducks drifted in and out of the weeping willow tree’s overhanging branches. The birds’ green and gray feathers were shiny and water-slick.
“Want to sit?” Steve pointed to the wooden bench facing the pond.
“I guess we could—for a while.”
Steve brushed away a few fallen leaves and gestured for Molly to sit.
Still a bit apprehensive, she sank onto the bench, conscious of the wooden slats pressing into her back. She expected him to join her. Instead, he paced toward the pond and back again, his feet crunching through piles of dried leaves.
At last, he spoke. “When I finally talked with Angie, she made me realize that during our marriage, I’d been trying to make her into the wife I wanted, the wife I thought I should have. I wasn’t letting her be herself. Plus, I married her for all the wrong reasons. I wanted to rescue her. I wanted to keep my promise to her parents that I’d look out for her after they were gone. But you know about all that.” He made a dismissive wave.
“Yes, and keeping one’s promise is a good quality for a person to have. You must never be ashamed of that.” Steve’s loyalty was a trait she’d always admired.
His gaze radiated appreciation before he looked away and began pacing again. “Anyway, I knew I loved you, but I was afraid I’d make the same mistake all over again. When I went to the grange dance that night—”
Marrying Molly Page 23
