by Renee Ryan
And why not? Her conversation with Garrett had been difficult. Hunter and Logan had arrived at an optimum moment, she realized, saving her from baring any more of her soul.
She’d revealed too much already. Now, she was caught somewhere between the past and the present, when all she wanted was to move straight into the future.
If she was truthful with herself she’d admit that the hole in her heart—in her life—was still there, large and gaping.
She feared only one man could fill it.
Lord, why him? Why Garrett?
It couldn’t be right to care for another person this deeply, this strongly, this completely. No, it had to be wrong.
Then again…
How could she understand God’s unconditional love for her, if she never allowed herself to experience earthly love in its deepest, purest, truest form? How could she wish to—?
The door flew open and two women tumbled in, giggling.
“Oh. Oh, my! They have to be three of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen.” The smaller of the two, a bubbly, pretty brunette, spoke in a rapid staccato. “I’m all aflutter.”
“Quite so, quite so,” agreed her companion, a curvy blonde dressed in a pale pink gown cut in the latest fashion. “They look as if they’re related.”
“Of course they’re related, you dolt.” The brunette rolled her eyes. “They have the same hair color and features, like brothers. Definitely brothers. I bet the two wearing denim trousers are cowboys, real cowboys.” She fanned her face with splayed fingers. “I’ve always had a soft spot for rugged men.”
Obviously, the brunette was talking about Hunter and Logan.
“I’m not especially fond of cowboys, too much dust on their boots,” the blonde woman stated decisively. “No, I go for a more sophisticated veneer, myself. Take the other man at the table. There was something quite elegant about him, very urbane.”
Garrett? Urbane?
Molly stifled a laugh. She supposed he was urbane, especially dressed as he was today in his elegant lawyer attire.
Not particularly in the mood to hear the blonde continue waxing poetic about Garrett’s striking eyes and handsome face, Molly headed back into the restaurant. Feeling a bit smug, she rather liked the idea of dining with two real cowboys and their urbane little brother.
Chapter Twelve
Garrett only half listened as his brothers engaged in a heated discussion over rising cattle prices and what that meant for the Flying M. He had an opinion on such an important matter. One he should probably share, if for no other reason than to insist his brothers consider a different angle altogether.
At the moment, though, his mind wasn’t on the Flying M or soaring cattle prices or anything remotely to do with business. His thoughts were firmly ensconced on Molly. She still hadn’t returned. Logan and Hunter had already been served, and in true Mitchell fashion had nearly polished off the bulk of their food.
Their discussion turned to branding.
Garrett continued listening with only part of his brain.
What was keeping her?
Molly had been gone nearly ten minutes, no—he checked his watch—make that twelve. She’d been gone twelve full minutes, closing in on thirteen.
Frowning, he looked over his shoulder. Had she taken ill? Had she left?
“Relax, little brother.” Good-natured laughter wove through Hunter’s command. “She’ll be back.”
Garrett said nothing, just sat stiffly in his chair and resisted the urge to look over his shoulder yet again.
After consuming the last dumpling on his plate, Logan let his lips curve into a satisfied grin Garrett had seen often enough. His brother was clearly enjoying Garrett’s discomfort as much as the food.
“So, you and Molly.” Logan pounced on the source of Garrett’s agitation with annoying accuracy. “Something going on between you two?”
Several choice responses came to mind, but Garrett held his tongue and considered his answer carefully. He and Molly hadn’t settled on all the terms of their pretend courtship, including the delicate matter of how much—or how little—to tell their respective families.
Where was she anyway?
He gave in and glanced over his shoulder.
Both brothers chuckled.
Swinging back to glare at them, Garrett had to consciously untighten his jaw before speaking. “As I said, now that Mrs. Singletary and I will be working together, it’s important I get along with Molly, too.”
Hunter snagged the remaining biscuit off Garrett’s plate before Logan could get it. “Makes perfect sense to me.”
“Me, too.”
They eyed Garrett steadily. He tried not to squirm under those astute, all-knowing stares. Not a chance was he giving in to their blatant intimidation tactics. He knew how to wield the weapon of silence just as well as they did.
When neither of them spoke, their stares holding firm, Garrett caved in after all. “Since our paths will cross often,” he said in way of explanation. “Molly and I have decided to use this lunch as an opportunity to become better acquainted.”
Could he sound any more defensive?
Could his brothers look any more amused?
“You mean reacquainted,” Logan corrected.
“Right, then. We’re getting reacquainted. Two old friends enjoying a brief lunch together. It isn’t any more involved than that.”
“No?” Logan smirked at him. “You looked pretty involved to me. You were holding her hand and staring at the poor girl with cow eyes.”
Garrett ground his teeth together. “You can’t possibly know how I was looking at her.” He scowled. “You entered the restaurant at my back.”
“Just a hunch.”
Lips twitching, Hunter chuckled.
Garrett scowled at him next.
Hunter lifted his hands in mock surrender. “All kidding aside, your arrangement with Mrs. Singletary can’t be easy.” He gave Garrett a sympathetic grimace. “Not with Molly such a large part of the widow’s day-to-day life.”
Garrett always did like Hunter best. The man understood him. “It’s not all bad,” he admitted gruffly.
Perhaps the past two days had been more stressful than most. But they’d also been interesting, and surprisingly entertaining. Garrett had actually enjoyed Molly’s company more than he’d expected. Much more. “We’re finding our way.”
“Are you, now?” Hunter and Logan divided a look between them.
Garrett’s shoulders instantly tensed. “What?”
“Nothing,” they said in unison.
“Oh, it’s something.”
Logan lifted a questioning brow at Hunter. “You want to tell him, or should I?”
A smile shadowed around Hunter’s mouth, right before he put the older, wiser big brother in his tone. “He isn’t going to like it coming from either of us.”
“No,” Logan agreed with his own version of the shrewd older brother. “But we should tell him anyway. Forewarned is forearmed, or something like that.”
“Then, by all means, you do the honors.”
“My pleasure.” Logan leaned his elbows on the table and waited for Garrett to give him his full attention.
Garrett did so grudgingly, feeling twelve years old again.
“It’s no secret that Mitchell men are colossal fools when it comes to love.” Logan held up a hand when Garrett tried to interrupt. “We fall fast. We fall hard, and we fall for keeps.”
Garrett barely managed to draw in a shocked breath before Hunter picked up the story. “Once we give our heart to a woman we never get it back.”
“Romance advice?” Garrett scoffed. “From the two of you?”
“Hey, now.” Hunter clearly took exception. “We know what we’re talking about. Logan and I are both blissfully married. While you, little brother, are neither blissful nor married.”
Garrett let out a low sound that may have been a laugh, maybe a growl. “Don’t look so superior.” Then he turned to glare at Loga
n. “You, either. You scoundrels only found happiness by the Grace of God.”
“True.” Smiling now, Hunter leaned back in his chair.
But Garrett wasn’t through. “Neither of you deserve your women.”
“Also true,” Logan agreed. “Annabeth is a prize jewel. The most exquisite of all gems.”
“I’m proud to call her my wife.” Hunter lowered his gaze over Logan. “And we all know Megan is worth ten of you.”
Logan waved this off with a flick of his wrist. “Not even going to attempt to disagree with that. I thank God for my wife every single day.”
Garrett gaped at his brothers in amazement. Hunter, the former bad-to-the-bone outlaw, and Logan, the former by-the-book U.S. Marshal, were acting like a pair of lovesick cows.
“Saps,” he muttered, whereby both of his brothers released deep, rolling belly laughs.
“You should try it sometime,” Hunter suggested, still chuckling. “Living happily ever after might make you the biggest sap of us all.”
Garrett grunted a nonsensical response and then promptly changed the subject. “What brings you two to town anyway?”
“We came to see you,” Logan said, sobering. “We need your advice.”
Garrett blinked in amazement. “My advice?”
“On a legal matter,” Hunter said, tilting his head. “That so hard to believe?”
Actually, yes. “You’ve never sought my advice before.”
“We haven’t needed it before.” Logan picked up a stray spoon and twirled it around in his fingertips. “We’re thinking of acquiring a large parcel of land running along the southern perimeter of the Flying M, but it’s complicated.”
“Water rights are involved,” Hunter explained. “And there’s a question over the eastern boundary lines. We need your help wading through the complex language of the contract.”
Garrett thrived on combing through complex language and unraveling legal tangles. “You have my attention, but unfortunately not for long. I have an appointment with Mrs. Singletary first thing this afternoon.”
Neither man seemed disturbed by this.
“No problem,” Hunter said for them both. “We’re staying in town overnight. We can discuss the matter in greater detail later this afternoon, or first thing in the morning. You decide.”
“My office, first thing in the morning.”
“That’ll be fine.” Logan hitched his chin at a spot behind Garrett. “Here comes Molly.”
At last.
Garrett rose to greet her, smiling. The instant she smiled back his heart tripped and his brother’s words echoed through his mind. We fall fast. We fall hard, and we fall for keeps.
Why did that send a thrill through him? Where was the trepidation? The sheer masculine terror?
He’d fallen for Molly once. And, yes, he’d fallen hard. But had he fallen for keeps?
After all these years, did Molly still have his heart? Was that the reason he’d never been remotely interested in another woman?
The possibility was like a slap to his peace of mind, and just as shocking.
Dear Lord…
He couldn’t think what to pray.
By the time she arrived at the table, Hunter and Logan were already standing, tossing down money for their food and saying their farewells. They lingered over Molly, showering her with compliments. Then they took turns hugging her and telling her how great it was to see her again.
She flushed under their attention and returned the sentiment with equal fervor. “I’ll make it a point to visit the ranch soon.”
“The family will be pleased, especially our folks.”
Hunter’s comment clearly added to her pleasure and she beamed.
As the two turned to leave, Garrett realized they didn’t know about Fanny. “Hunter, Logan. Wait.”
They looked over their shoulders, eyebrows lifted.
“You’ll want to stop by the boardinghouse and speak with Fanny.”
Their previous curiosity morphed into equal expressions of concern.
“Something come up we need to know about?” Hunter asked.
Not sure how much to reveal, Garrett glanced at Molly. She gave him an imperceptible shake of her head. “I’ll let Fanny tell you herself.”
His response didn’t sit well with either brother.
“Well that’s certainly cryptic,” Logan groused, looking very much like a seasoned lawman set on pulling the rest out of him, one way or another.
Garrett wasn’t up for a battle. “Talk to her yourselves.”
Both men hesitated, then slowly nodded.
When they turned to go a second time, their footsteps held considerable more urgency.
Garrett waited until they left the restaurant before escorting Molly back to her seat. “Maybe I should have told them about Fanny and Reese.”
“It’s her tale to tell.” Molly shook her head and sighed. “She has a lot of hard questions ahead of her in the coming days.”
There was something in Molly’s tone, something that had Garrett wondering over what sort of hard questions she’d endured after her breakups.
“Did your family give you a rough time after your engagements ended?”
“What? No. Of course not.” She looked at him aghast, seemingly shocked that he would ask such a question. “They gave me their full support.”
“Perhaps they gave you a bit too much support?”
Her lips twisted. “You do know the Scotts well.”
He knew Molly even better. She would have hated their sympathy, would have preferred their censure. Or so she thought. But had her family given her even a shred of criticism instead of understanding and love she would have been devastated.
She was far more sensitive than she let on.
Feeling softer toward her, understanding her as never before, Garrett offered her a smile. “I seem to remember something about you needing to shop for ribbon. Once we’re through eating, we’ll head over to the millinery shop.”
She stared at him a beat, and then another and still another. “You’re going to accompany me?”
“That’s right.”
“But you hate shopping.”
“A man can change.”
“Not that much.”
She had him there. “Let’s just say I enjoy spending time in your company.”
His statement was met with further suspicion. “What are you up to, Garrett Mitchell?”
He wasn’t sure. And, quite frankly, that was a problem. A very large problem. He needed time to think through an idea that was beginning to formulate in his mind. A risky venture he didn’t dare act upon until he’d considered all the angles, including the potential hazards and possible gains.
“I repeat…what are you up to, Garrett?”
“I’m practicing my role as the besotted suitor. Ribbon shopping is an excellent start, don’t you think?”
“What I think,” she said oh so carefully, “is that we may have been a bit hasty in the planning phase of our courtship.”
The reminder cast a shadow over his mood. “You’re right. We need to decide what we’re going to tell our families.”
“How far are we going to take this, Garrett?” He heard a trace of panic in her voice. “And what will we tell them when it’s time to move on with our separate lives?”
He already had an answer to that particular problem, but he wasn’t sure she was ready to hear the particulars.
Garrett wasn’t sure he was ready to hear the particulars. He was only just coming to grips with the realization that he’d come home for her.
“Don’t worry, Molly. When the time comes to reveal the truth, we’ll know exactly what to say.”
Looking adorably flustered, she blew a tendril of hair off her face. “I don’t think I can bear telling my family a third time that I’ve failed at another relationship.”
He had no intention of letting her fail. Nor was he going to let her get away a second time. “Then you won’t tell them.”
“But—”
“Molly, you’re overthinking this.” He leaned forward, rested his hands on the table and proceeded to use her own words against her. “Where’s your sense of adventure?”
It was the perfect thing to say. Her chin shot up and her eyes took on a familiar gleam. “I assure you, Garrett Mitchell, my sense of adventure is fully intact.”
“Then what’s holding you back?” He leaned in closer still. “Afraid?”
She practically hissed at him. “Never.”
Biting back a grin, he tossed down enough money to cover his and Molly’s lunch then took her hand and drew her to her feet. “We’re through here.”
“I’m not finished eating.”
“Yes, you are.” To emphasize his point, he looked at her plate. The untouched food had congealed into an unappealing ball of goo.
Muttering something about high-handed, stubborn, urbane gentlemen, she allowed him to lead her out of the restaurant.
Smiling at her description of him—urbane, indeed—his plan materialized a little more in his head, one tricky detail at a time.
Once outside, he directed Molly to Mrs. Singletary’s carriage and climbed in behind her. Instead of sitting across from her, he made the bold move of planting himself on the narrow seat beside her.
“I think, my dear girl—” he took her hand and placed it against his heart “—we are about to embark on our grandest adventure yet.”
“You think so, do you?”
“I know so.”
Her hand curled into his shirt. “You are an arrogant brute, and far too full of yourself for your own good.”
“Good thing you like arrogant brutes that are far too full of themselves.”
“That remains to be seen.”
They made the short journey to the millinery shop staring into one another’s eyes, neither speaking, neither moving. Garrett could drown in Molly’s blue, blue gaze and do so smiling. The moment should have been awkward.
It was glorious.
He inhaled her sweet, floral scent, thinking he hadn’t felt this alive, this awake, in years. Seven to be exact.
She continued blinking at him, refusing to look away first.
Another detail of his plan slid home.
