by Ciana Stone
"Mercy."
"You honor me, ma'am."
"And this," Molly said. "Is my daughter, Kaylee Joy. Kaylee, this is Mr. Wiley."
Wiley knelt and held out his hand to Kaylee. "I'm so honored to meet you, Miss Kaylee Joy. Your mama talks about you all the time."
Kaylee smiled and started to put her hand in Wiley's but paused and looked at Molly. "He's not stranger danger, Mama?"
"No, honey. Mr. Wiley is my dear friend, and he protects people."
Kaylee nodded and turned to Wiley with a smile that could light up the sky. "You can call me just Kaylee. I'm five, and I'm graduating today from kindergarten. Next year I'll be in a new school and the first grade. And my mama and Elisi and me are moving to a new house in – what's that place Mama?"
"Cotton Creek."
"Yes, we're moving to Cotton Creek, and I get a new room and a swing set. Do you want to come swing and be my friend?"
"I most certainly do. But first, would it be okay if I come to watch you graduate from kindergarten?"
"Oh yes!" She took his hand and then looked at Molly. "Can Mr. Wiley come with us, Mama? Please?"
"Of course, Punkin," Molly said and smiled. "As a matter of fact, it's about time for us to go."
"I'm ready. I brushed my teeth twice."
"Good girl."
"I'll lock up," Elisi said.
Kaylee tugged on Wiley's hand and looked around Molly to point at the limo. "Is that your car?"
"No. But I rented it so we could ride to graduation, and later it will take us to the airport."
"Why?"
"Because we're going to get on a big plane and fly to Texas, so you can see your new home."
"We’re going to ride in a plane?" Kaylee looked up at Molly. "A real one?"
"Yes, we are."
"I'm so excited."
"Are you now?" Molly asked and grinned.
"Yes. Elisi has all our stuff packed, and the movers are coming to put everything in a big truck. But I have my clothes. Oh, I need to get my suitcase. And my tablet. I charged it so I can read my new book."
"You can read?" Wiley asked. Things must move at an accelerated rate in schools now if five-year-old were reading.
"I been reading since I was little. Three."
"Three?" Wiley looked at Molly.
"Three," she nodded and smiled. "Kaylee's quite the bright one."
"No kidding."
"My tablet, mama?" Kaylee interjected.
"Yes, I promise we'll come to get it after graduation."
"Okay."
Elisi walked back out, and Kaylee piped up. "We get to ride in that big car, Elisi."
"Oh my, isn't that nice?"
"Can I sit beside Mr. Wiley?"
"Sure, you can," Wiley answered. "Shall I escort you, Princess Kaylee?"
Kaylee giggled. "Yes, please."
Wiley smiled and with her hand in his started for the car. When he opened the door, Kaylee scrambled in. Molly gestured for Elisi to get in and then she stopped and leaned in to give Wiley a kiss. "My hero."
She got into the car and took a seat beside Elisi, leaving Wiley space beside Kaylee. Molly gave the driver the address and then smiled at Kaylee, whose attention was on Wiley.
"My dad is dead."
Wiley cut his eyes at Molly, who looked as surprised as he felt. "He died before I was born," Kaylee continued. "His name was Kayden Branch. That's kinda like my name. Kaylee Joy Little Fox Branch. I'm like my dad and my mama. She's Margaret Grace Little Fox, so I'm Little Fox and Branch."
"You have a beautiful name, and I bet your dad would be very proud of you today, graduating kindergarten."
"Oh yes, he would. Mama and Elisi says he would be proud as punch of all the good things I do. But – I need to tell you something, Mr. Wiley."
"Okay, tell me."
"Well, you know, other kids have dads that aren't dead, and their dads do things with them. And they walk them onto that stage at graduation, and my dad's dead so he can't, and I don't want to walk by myself."
"I understand. How can I help?"
"Would you walk with me?"
"I would love to, Kaylee."
She smiled so sweetly, he felt a well of emotion that just wasn't common. What was it about this family that opened the well of sentiment within him? He looked at Molly and Elisi and saw tears glistening in their eyes.
"Thank you," Molly said softly.
"I'm honored," he said with absolute honesty. How was she to know that the biggest regrets of his life were that he'd missed sharing these moments with Trina? It was the birthdays and school plays and dance recitals and graduations that he didn't see and the hole that left in him when he thought of never experiencing such things.
"So, tell me what I have to do, Miss Kaylee."
"First, you can call me Kaylee cuz we're friends. And since friends are always honest -- That's what Mama and Elisi always say, so you know it's true. So, I have to tell the truth. I saw you kiss my Mama, and that's okay because she likes you and she said you're a hero. But what's a hero, Mr. Wiley?"
"Well, thank you for letting me call you Kaylee, and you can call me Wiley. And I like your mama, too. Very much. As far as being a hero, I don't know that I am, but a hero is someone who helps people, who protects them and makes sure no one hurts them."
Kaylee looked at him for a long time, her expression serious and her gaze fixed unblinkingly on his. "Do you think you would mind being our hero, Mr. Wiley? Since my dad's dead, we don't have one."
"There's nothing I'd like more."
"Good." She smiled and then looked at her mom. "You're right mama. Mr. Wiley is a good man. I can see it in his heart."
Wiley saw the surprise on Molly's face and the knowing on Elisi's. Looks like Mercy and Molly Grace weren't the only women in the Little Fox family who were all that.
Chapter Ten
"They're real and they're spectacular"
Molly felt the wall rise and choked back the upswell of emotion it provoked. Her mind went immediately into self-blame mode. What did I do? Was the trip a mistake? Should I have stopped Kaylee from asking him to walk her onto the stage? Was that what made him pull back? Did I say or do something since we got back here?
"I have a – job that will take me away for a few weeks," he said as she walked out onto the front porch with him."
"A dangerous one?"
"With luck, no."
"Still…" Regardless of the barrier now suddenly between them, her feelings for him hadn't changed.
"I'll be careful." He put a hand on her arm and leaned over to give her a very chaste and quick kiss. "I'll talk to you when I get back."
She nodded. "Be safe, Wiley."
"Always."
Molly fought back the tears as she watched him walk away. She heard the door behind her open. "What did I do, Elisi?"
"Child, I don't think it was you."
"Then what?" Molly looked at her grandmother.
"Come, let's sit out back. We can leave the door open so we can hear if Kaylee wakens."
Molly made sure the front door was locked, and the lights in the living room were turned down low before she headed out to the small porch off the kitchen. Elisi sat in one of the rockers, moving slowly back and forth as she looked out into the darkness.
"This is a lovely home, Molly. I feel love and happiness here. Don't let tonight change that."
"I'm trying." Molly took a seat across from her grandmother. "I just don't get it. We had a great time. Everyone was laughing and happy all through dinner and while we were in the backyard. And Wiley seemed fine until--"
"Oh, Elisi, Kaylee asked him to come with me to tuck her in, and she hugged him goodnight and said she was glad we finally have a hero. Do you think—oh damn, what if we scared him off because we like him? I mean, he hasn't ever been married, and he has no family so maybe—"
"Maybe there is more to him than you are allowing yourself to see."
That sent a shard of fear stabbing in
to her. As smitten as she'd been with Wiley since the first moment she saw him, maybe there were warnings she'd ignored because she didn't want to see or hear. "What did you see?"
"A healer. A powerful one. But a man with secrets and one who carries old, deeply embedded pain."
"What kind of secrets?"
"I would not pry – the secrets are his. But I know they weigh on his soul and keep him from being truly happy."
"And what does that mean for me?"
"That you should be careful. I know that's not what you want to hear, but you asked, and you know I won't lie. He could very well be your one great love. And he may also be the one who can irreparably break your heart."
"Or neither. I felt his wall go up, Elisi. He wouldn't look at me, at least not my eyes and it was like he couldn't get away from me fast enough. Something changed, and I think I may have lost him before I ever had him."
"And?"
"And I think my heart is already breaking a little, but I'm not going to let it mess up your and Kaylee's first days in our new home. You do like it, don't you? I had friends help me, and we made that arched opening in your room and connected two bedrooms to make one. I know you like having privacy, so I wanted you to have some space. If you don't like the way I furnished it, we can redo it however you like."
"I love it, Molly. It's beautiful and peaceful, and I've never lived anywhere that's as pretty. I think we're all going to be happy here. Especially, if I can have a little place for a garden?"
"You already do. Wiley and I got it all ready. I'll show you tomorrow. And maybe I could ask Mrs. Netta and Mrs. Nellie Mae over to meet you? They've been so nice to me. I think you'll like them. Although, like I told you, they do like to gossip."
"That's the same the world over, and I'll look forward to it. But for now, I'm tired and ready for bed."
Elisi got up, leaned over and kissed Molly on the top of the head. "I love you."
"I love you. Sleep well."
Molly watched her grandmother go inside and then she turned and stared into the darkness, once again wondering what she had done to drive Wiley away.
*****
Wiley was halfway back to the training center when he pulled out his phone and placed a call. Lincoln answered on the second ring. "What's up, bro?"
"You busy?"
"No, why?"
"I need to talk."
"The door's open and the beer's cold."
"I'll be there in fifteen." Wiley checked his mirrors, then slowed and turned to head back the way he'd come.
As promised, Linc's door was open when he arrived. "Linc?"
"Getting beer. Take a load off."
Wiley took a seat, leaned back and closed his eyes. It wasn't often he felt the need to confide in anyone, but on those rare occasions, there was no one he trusted more than his half-brother, Linc.
"What's up, bro?" Linc's voice had Wiley opening his eyes.
"Thanks." He accepted the beer Linc offered and took a long pull from the bottle before continuing. "I'm not quite sure where to start."
"Is there a beginning?" Linc took a seat across from him, on the couch.
"I don't know. It's…" Wiley stood and paced. "The truth is, I'm a coward."
"I've never known you to run from anything."
"I did tonight."
"From what?"
"Kaylee. Molly. Me and Molly. Take your pick."
"You want to spell it out a little for the mentally impaired?"
Wiley snorted. "Impaired, my ass, but fine." He sat back down, with elbows on his knees and head lowered. "She hooked me, Linc. Without ever casting a line, she hooked me and didn't even have to bother to reel me in because I swam toward her as fast as I could."
"She's pretty amazing."
Wiley looked up and locked gazes with Linc. "You didn't hit on her, did you?"
"What do you think?"
"Yeah, sorry. But you and she are friends."
"We are."
"Then you know."
"I do. And if she weren't batshit crazy about you, I would've made a play for her. She's—unique. Real. Sexy as holy fuck."
"Yes, to all of it. She is. And her little girl is …" He looked away, struggling to find the right words, and was shocked to hear them come from Linc.
"She's the epitome of what you lost and what you want the most. She and Molly. They embody what you've never been willing to admit you want. A woman you worship and a child you adore. They're the family that maybe you could have, and it scares the living hell out of you."
Wiley nodded. "Like I said. Coward."
"Yep."
Wiley looked up sharply. Rather than condemnation, he saw understanding in Linc's eyes, and Linc asked. "So, what are you going to do about it, big brother?"
"I don't know."
"How did you leave it with her?"
"Not well."
"You hurt her?"
Wiley nodded, ashamed to admit it. "It wasn't intentional—" The ring of his phone interrupted. Hoping it was Molly, he hastened to answer. As soon as he looked at the caller ID, his hopes fell.
"Yes? When? Okay." He ended the call and stood. "Gotta go. The timetable was moved up on this mission."
"Duty calls." Linc stood as well. "How long?"
"Don't know. Two – maybe three weeks. Or longer. You know how it goes."
"Will you call her before you leave?"
Wiley didn't answer because he had no clue what he'd say to her. Linc stood and approached. "I'll say this once, big brother. If you hurt her, you'll answer to me. And worse, you'll lose her to me because I'll go after her."
There'd never been a time when he and Linc competed for a woman, and Wiley was damn sure he didn't want to ever face such a competition. He wasn't insecure, but he wasn’t stupid. Linc was smart, big, strong, handsome and women were attracted to him like bees to flowers.
"I hear you."
"And?"
"And I hear you. But hear me. I know what I want, and I know what I fear, and I'll come to terms with both. On my own time. Until then, don't hang your hat where it doesn't belong."
"Just don't hurt her, Wiley. She doesn't deserve that."
"You're right. I have to go."
"Stay in touch. Be safe."
"You know it. To both."
Linc gave him a back-pounding hug, and Wiley left. He got in his car, intending to head for the training center for his go bag and to meet the copter that was being sent for him. But, he couldn't make the turn toward the facility. Instead, he headed for Molly's.
The house was dark when he pulled up in the driveway. He sat there for a minute then called her. She answered on the second ring. "Is everything okay?"
"No."
"What's wrong?" He could hear the concern in her voice.
"I need to talk to you."
"We are talking."
"In person."
"Oh."
There was a long enough pause that he thought maybe she'd hung up on him. "Molly?"
"I'm here. Are you coming here?"
"I'm parked in your driveway."
After another pause, she spoke. "I'll be out in a sec."
Wiley watched the front door. After a minute had passed, it opened, and Molly stepped out. She was wearing yoga pants and a loose top, with bare feet. The top was one he'd given her, imprinted with the words They're real, and they're spectacular, across the front.
It brought a smile to his face as he remembered giving it to her. It was after dinner one evening. She'd cooked for him and was washing dishes as he put leftovers away. He loved those times. When he came up behind her, wrapped his arms around her and cupped her breasts in his hands, she remarked that once upon a time he would have had to move his hands higher, but gravity was starting to make itself known.
He laughed and said "don't move" before hurrying to the family room where he'd put the bag on the coffee table. She was drying her hands when he returned to the kitchen, and he handed her the bag. She opened it, pulled o
ut the top and read what was printed on it.
Then she laughed and threw her arms around him. "You're the sweetest man ever, Wiley Johns."
Now, he watched as she walked down the sidewalk to the driveway, skirted around the front of the car and opened the passenger door. There was no joy on her face, not even a smile.
"Here I am." Her tone confirmed that now she was sure he was safe, she wasn't thrilled to see him.
"First, I want to apologize for leaving the way I did."
"All right."
"I didn't mean to—"
"Stop." Molly held up one hand. "Please. You don't owe me an explanation or – anything. We had a good time, and now it's over, and that's that."
She reached for the door handle, but he took hold of her arm. "Don't."
"Why?" She looked at him. "Nothing you can say will make it hurt less, Wiley, so if nothing more, leave me with my dignity." Molly pulled away and opened the door. He wrestled with himself, desperate to stop her yet afraid to open the gate to what was inside him. Once it was out, he had no more control.
"Please." He leaned toward her and reached out. "Molly."
She hesitated, already with one foot on the pavement, then turned her head toward him. He saw the tears tracking down her face and felt the crush of pain in her chest as she struggled to keep her emotions in check. Wiley felt what was inside her as keenly as if it were his own and it overwhelmed him.
"I love you."
The words were out before he could stop them. Surprisingly, once out they didn't seem so big and frightening. "Molly. I love you."
She shook her head. "No. Please, don't say that. Whatever it is you want, don't play me with those words. Any but those."
"I'm not playing you. I swear on my life. Please, just give me five minutes."
For a second, he thought she would refuse, but she acquiesced and got back in the car. Wiley felt, for all the world, like a man on trial, facing certain doom unless the plea he offered was accepted and he was shown mercy.
"You scared me. That's the truth. Today was – it was like a day out of a dream. One I've had since Trina was born."
Revealing secrets wasn't Wiley's strong suit, particularly ones that involved people he loved. But if his love for Molly was real, then he had to trust her to protect those secrets as if they were her own.
