He pulled a chair out from the table and sat down. “What are you working on?”
Molly closed the lid of her laptop. “I have an exhibition in Los Angeles soon. I’ve been sorting the images into the order I want them displayed.”
“Can I have a look?”
Molly frowned, but opened her laptop. “The gallery will be printing a catalog of the photos. I’d be interested in your thoughts.”
Jacob watched the first photo appear on the screen. “Is that Doris Stanley?” Jake and his wife were minor celebrities in Bozeman. Everyone knew them, knew their family, and knew where to go for the best gossip in town.
He’d never been interested in hearing what was being said. But thanks to his brother, he knew when his name made the gossip grapevine.
Molly leaned closer to Jacob. “Jake wanted a photo of Doris working in their hardware store. She didn’t know I was taking the photograph.” Molly looked at the image and smiled. “It’s one of my favorites.”
Doris was walking into the store from the back room. There was a plate of scones in her hands and a wide smile on her face. The shelves behind her were filled with power tools and other merchandise that Jake’s Hardware was famous for.
Jacob saw strength and humor in the photo, a rightness that gave Doris’ presence a sense of purpose. “It’s a great photo. What did Doris say when she saw it?”
Molly laughed. “She wished she’d worn a different dress.”
Jacob glanced at her and watched her smile disappear. “What’s wrong?”
Molly pushed the space bar on her laptop. “You need to be careful how you look at a woman. It might give her the wrong idea.”
He swallowed the lump in his throat. “How did I look at you?”
Molly sat back, scowling at the image on the screen in front of her. “As if I’m a mystery you’d like to be unwrapping. There’s a hunger in your look that needs to be filled.” Her eyes locked with his. “I’m not the person for you, Jacob Green. There’s no mystery to be found. I am what you see. No more and no less.”
“I’m not looking for a mystery.” He watched Molly’s eyes widen, soak in who he was and what he meant. “I want you to know me better, to trust what we could have together.”
Molly crossed her arms in front of her chest. “You’ve got a fine way with words, but it doesn’t change what is. You’re a man who’s driven to be better than the next.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I’ve always enjoyed being challenged, but I’m not driven. Not anymore.”
“I don’t believe you.” Molly nodded at the next image on her laptop. “I took this photo of Mr. and Mrs. McGill last month. They’ve worked hard for what they have. Nothing has come easy, but through thick and thin, they’ve stayed together. That’s what I want to find.”
Jacob looked at the elderly couple in the photo. He knew the McGills, knew their children and grandchildren as well as he knew his own family. They were neighbors of sorts. Ten miles may have separated their ranches, but over the years they’d spent a lot of time on each other’s properties.
In the photo, Evan McGill had his arm wrapped around his wife’s waist, staring into her eyes with a smile that held more than fifty years’ worth of love. “Everyone wants to find someone who loves them,” Jacob said softly.
Molly’s gaze connected with his and something important passed between them.
Caitlin came across to their table. She left Jacob’s coffee and another pot of tea sitting on the table between them. “I’ll be back soon,” she said with a quick smile. “Kate’s heating your pies now.”
Molly smiled at Caitlin, then pulled her tea out of Jacob’s way. “Have you had time to think about Marsha’s request?”
Jacob stared at her. “You’re doing it again.”
She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it. “I’ll not be dwelling on matters of the heart that involve me. You have a need to leave Bozeman. This is my home. I’ll not be changing my life for a man again.”
Molly pulled her laptop close and found one of the photos she’d taken of Emerald Lake. “Marsha’s heart is another matter. She wants to get married by your lake. Can you make her dream come true?”
“It’s not as easy as that. The nearest road access is too far away for Marsha’s fiancé.”
“What about a four-wheeler? Could he be driven closer to the lake from the road?”
“It’s October, Molly. We could be knee-deep in snow in a week’s time.”
Molly frowned at the photo in front of her. “Are you saying it won’t work?”
She looked so disappointed that Jacob didn’t want to tell her the obvious answer to her question. “I’m saying that they’ll need a plan B. Even if we figure out a way of getting everyone to the lake, the weather will ultimately decide where they get married.”
Caitlin arrived with their chicken pot pies. “Kate says, hello. If you need anything else, just let me know.”
Molly smiled at Caitlin, then pushed the space bar on her keyboard. She flicked through the photos she’d taken of his property, stopping at a picture of his home. She hesitated, moved to the next one, and smiled. Her green eyes lifted and widened, brimming with excitement.
“No.”
“You don’t mean that, Jacob. A man who believes in horseshoes and lucky charms couldn’t say no to a bride in distress.”
“For one thing, the horseshoe was already there when I bought the ranch. For another, your bride isn’t in distress. If they have to get married inside because of the weather, they’ll find another location.”
“But your pretty house would be perfect. They could drive right to the front door. There’s a beautiful view of the lake from nearly every window.”
Jacob frowned. “My home is too small.”
“It would be cozy, for sure. But it would only be plan B. If we can get Marsha’s fiancé to the lake, we won’t need to use your home.”
“What if I’ve sold my home by then?”
Molly’s eyes narrowed. “It would be highly unlikely that a buyer would move into your home so quickly.”
He picked up his knife and fork and cut his pie. “It could happen.” He knew the chances weren’t high, but he was enjoying seeing the disbelief on Molly’s face. He ate his pie, chewing slowly in case she realized he was more interested in her reaction than what he was eating.
“Pie tastes great,” he said. “You should try it.”
Molly sent him what could only be called a chilling glare. “What are you going to do if you only sell one or two parcels of land?”
Jacob shrugged his shoulders. “I have a plan.”
“Will you still be able to buy your building in New York?”
“It depends on how much debt I want. Anything is possible.”
Molly picked up her napkin and unfolded it over her lap. “Including helping someone in love get married by your lake?”
Jacob was worried about the knife and fork in Molly’s hands. She was armed and dangerous, and looking at him as if he could be tomorrow night’s dinner. He ate another mouthful of pie.
“I think you’re too scared to help,” Molly said with confidence. “You’d be worried that a little of their loving might rub off on your bachelor ways.”
Jacob swallowed what he was eating. “I’m not the person with trust issues. You’re the one who doesn’t want to date anyone.”
“I don’t have trust issues.”
“Prove it.”
Molly waved her fork toward him. “I’ll not be blackmailed, Jacob Green.”
“Do you want to go out to dinner with me? No strings attached.”
Molly stuck her fork in the top of her pie. “I’ll go out with you if you let Marsha get married by your lake.”
“I thought you didn’t believe in blackmail?”
The smile on Molly’s face sent an arrow straight to his heart. “I’m a fast learner and you’re an interesting man. I think we’d do well together.”
He thought s
o, too. “It looks as though we’re going out to dinner, then. I’ll pick you up at six o’clock tomorrow night.”
“I know you too well,” Molly said with a sigh. “I had a feeling you’d be wanting to go out tomorrow night.”
It was Jacob’s turn to smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll be on my best behavior.”
Molly put a fork of chicken pie in her mouth. For the first time since he’d met her, she didn’t have anything to say.
***
As soon as Molly opened her front door, she knew she’d made a mistake.
Jacob Green took her breath away. It wasn’t what he was wearing or the shy smile on his face. It was Jacob. He was a man like no other and she didn’t know what to do about him.
They stood staring at each other, taking their fill of the person they were each beginning to understand.
Jacob cleared his throat. “You look beautiful.”
Molly glanced down at her turquoise silk dress. It hugged her body to her hips, then fell in soft folds to her feet. Jacob had told her they were going to the Saffron Table, a small Indian restaurant in the center of town. She’d put on a pretty dress and decided to make the most of her evening.
“Thank you. You look handsome in your fine suit as well. I’ll just get my evening bag and I’ll be ready to leave.”
“Is Becky still away?”
Molly checked her bag, made sure she had her front door key and her wallet, then snapped the clasp closed. “She’ll be back tomorrow afternoon. The convention is nearly over and she’s learned a lot. I’ve been helping in her store this afternoon.”
Jacob looked surprised.
“Becky and I grew up with our gran in her flower shop. We made bouquets after school from the flowers that hadn’t sold. They were happy times.”
“I guess this won’t be the surprise I thought it would be, then.” Jacob took a bouquet of tulips from behind his back. “These are for you.”
Molly felt her cheeks grow warm. “You’ve surprised me. I didn’t expect…” Molly took the flowers and smiled. “They’re beautiful. But this isn’t the season for tulips. Where did you…”
Jacob grinned and Molly sighed. “I keep forgetting that you’re a man with deep pockets. Regardless of the price you paid, thank you. I’ll find a vase for these lovely blooms and then we’ll be off.”
She rushed across the living room and through to the kitchen. She opened their biggest cupboard and looked at the vases in front of her. Becky had been collecting them for as long as Molly could remember. They were more than a collection of glass, porcelain, and crystal. They were a link to their gran, to the past they were so grateful for.
“Is that what florists do in their spare time?”
Jacob’s voice filled the small kitchen and Molly nearly leaped out of her skin.
She turned to the grinning businessman and scowled. “For such a big man you have a soft way about you.”
Jacob’s grin grew wider and Molly held her breath. His smile caressed and cajoled, caught her in an unguarded moment of longing. To have Jacob Green beside her would be a fine thing. But taking that first step, being prepared for heartbreak when her heart was still mending, wasn’t a place she wanted to be.
Jacob leaned against the counter, paying far too much attention to the heat she could feel on her face. “It’s just as well I know what you mean, Molly. A lot of people wouldn’t.”
She thought about her words and another blush hit her face. “My sister’s always warning me to think before I speak. I have the gift of the gab, and everything spills out of my mouth before I know it’s there.”
Jacob moved forward and brushed the side of her face with his hand. “I like your gift of the gab. You don’t have to be careful around me.”
Molly’s heart thumped against her chest. She felt the weight of Jacob’s hand on her shoulder, the promise shining in his eyes. She’d taken a step toward him before she realized what she’d done. “What is it that you do to me?”
The smile on Jacob’s face disappeared. He took the flowers out of her hand and left them on the counter. “The same thing you do to me. I have a question for you.” Jacob’s hand traveled down her arm, his fingers curled around hers. “What would you say if I told you I want to get to know you? That I think you could change my life?”
Molly sighed. “I’d be telling you that you have a touch of the blarney inside of you.”
Jacob’s hands tightened around her fingers. “I mean every word. You see the world differently to most people. Deep inside, you’re searching for someone to love. You don’t think you’ve met him yet, but you’re wrong.”
Molly listened to the words coming from Jacob’s heart. She wasn’t ready to consider a future that included someone else. Someone that had high expectations about his own life.
She sent Jacob a lopsided smile, gave his hands a gentle squeeze before letting go and stepping away. “I know I’ve met the man of my dreams, but Jake Stanley’s already taken. Doris would come after me with a broom if I took an interest in her man.”
Jacob smiled, and just like that the tension was gone. The words that were left unspoken hovered in the air and settled, left alone for another time.
“It’s just as well you’re going out to dinner with me, then.”
“There is that.” Molly turned toward the cupboard. She could feel Jacob’s gaze, the need that was still there. “We’ll use the blue and white vase for the tulips. It will look pretty against the red and orange blooms.”
When she looked back at Jacob, he had a knowing look in his eyes. “One day, Molly O’Donaghue, you won’t walk away from what could be.”
She placed the tulips in the vase, took a deep breath, and turned to Jacob. “I hope you’re a patient man.”
“As patient as I need to be. Let’s go and have dinner.”
She took the hand Jacob held out to her and left the kitchen. Molly hoped their bride-to-be appreciated the sacrifice she was making. Marsha’s dream wedding at Emerald Lake would become a reality. Whether Molly’s heart survived until then was another story.
As they passed through the living room, her telephone started ringing. Molly glanced at the clock on the wall. “It might be Becky. Would you mind if I answered it?”
Jacob shook his head. “We’ve got plenty of time. I’ll read one of your magazines.”
Molly smiled. Between the photographic journal she subscribed to, and the Flower Guild’s monthly newsletter, there wasn’t a lot for him to read. She picked up the phone and watched Jacob sit in a chair. “Hello, Molly speaking.”
“Thank goodness you’re home,” a breathless voice said. “It’s Kristina Green, Molly. Has Jacob arrived yet?”
“We were about to leave for dinner, Mrs. Green. Would you like to speak to him?”
Jacob looked at her.
“Yes, please. Can you tell him it’s urgent?”
“Of course.” Molly walked quickly over to Jacob and passed him the phone. “It’s your mom. It’s urgent.”
Jacob frowned into the phone and listened to what his mom was saying. After a few seconds, he stood up. “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
He put the phone on its base and took his keys out of his pocket. “Emily’s been rushed to the hospital. She started bleeding. I’m sorry, Molly, but I need to get over there now.”
“Is the baby okay?”
“Mom doesn’t know. I’ll call you as soon as I hear anything.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
Jacob hesitated. “If you want to come, I’d appreciate your company.”
Molly picked up her camera, wallet, and jacket, and closed the door behind her. “It will be all right. Emily has a fine doctor.”
“I hope so.”
Molly knew so. As Jacob reversed out of her driveway, she thought about the glowing reference Alex had given their doctor. Emily was in good hands.
She just hoped their baby stayed healthy, too.
CHAPTER SEVEN
&nbs
p; Jacob drove into the hospital parking lot, worried about Emily and her baby.
“Stop at the main entrance,” Molly said from beside him. “You can get out and I’ll park your truck.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Find your family and I’ll see you as soon as I can.”
He drove straight toward the red brick building, stopping his truck in front of a wall of windows overlooking the parking lot. “Thanks, Molly. Mom and dad are in the family room on the second floor.”
“I’ll see you there. Now go and see how Emily and her baby are.”
Jacob opened his door and rushed into the hospital. He looked around for the elevator, pushed the button, and waited impatiently.
So far, Emily’s pregnancy had been textbook perfect. She’d had a few weeks of morning sickness and occasionally complained about a sore back and swollen ankles, but that was it. Alex took good care of her and tried to do as much as he could to make her life easier. Everything should have been okay, but it wasn’t.
The elevator finally arrived. He quickly stepped inside and pushed the button for the second floor. What he knew about pregnant women and babies could have been written on a postage stamp. But he’d heard enough stories to know it could be serious when a woman started bleeding this late in her pregnancy.
The elevator doors opened and he walked into the corridor. He strode down the vinyl floor, heading toward the nurse’s station.
A woman in her late twenties looked up and smiled. “Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for the Green family. I’m Emily Green’s brother-in-law.”
The nurse glanced at the computer screen in front of her. “Are you Jacob?”
He nodded. “A friend of mine, Molly O’Donaghue, will be arriving soon.”
“That’s fine. Your parents are in the family room. I’ll take you there.” She picked up a clipboard and walked down the corridor.
“Is Emily all right?” he asked.
“They’ve taken her into the operating theater. The doctor has seen your parents and explained what’s happening.” She opened the door and waved him through. “If you’ve got any questions after you’ve spoken to your parents, come and see me.”
Sweet on You (The Bridesmaids Club Book 4) Page 11
