“Why don’t you go take a bath? I’ll feed and change her and then bring her to you when you’re done. You can’t convince me you don’t need to wash off all that shopping.”
As much as she wanted to argue with him, she couldn’t. “Okay.”
“I promise I’ll bring her to you. She needs her momma as much as you need her.” He smiled.
They locked eyes, and Molly combed her fingers through his hair. Heartbeat after heartbeat, they just stood there.
She was falling for him. It wasn’t even a question anymore. She was falling for the “weird,” sensitive, sweet, funny guy who cared about people and treated her like no one ever had.
Just as she went to kiss him, his phone rang, and he fished it out of his pocket. “Oh man,” he said and looked at her. “I have to take this. It’s for work.”
“This late? On the Friday after Thanksgiving?”
He nodded. “I’m sorry.” He handed Ellie to Molly. “I’ll make it up to you later. I promise.” He put the phone to his ear, walked around her, and rushed out of the living room and down the hall.
For a second, she was upset that he’d rushed off, but he’d taken care of Ellie all day. Just because she couldn’t take a bath right that second didn’t mean he’d always put work first.
Plus, it wasn’t like she could command all his time. Sure, they’d grown closer, but he’d seemed to respect her decisions. Not once had he pushed her to change her mind. Although, with the way her thoughts were going, he didn’t need to push. They were shifting on their own.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It was too much, too soon to even be thinking about any of this stuff. Ellie was more than enough for Molly. Besides, she didn’t need a guy to ride in like Prince Charming and save the day. She could fight her battles on her own.
Chapter 9
The sun had just hit the horizon on its way into the sky as Josiah shuffled into the kitchen. He grabbed a cup and poured himself some coffee before taking a seat at the bar. Yawning, he rubbed his face, trying to wake himself up. It had been a week since Thanksgiving, and he and Molly were taking turns getting up with Ellie during the night. They’d played rock, paper, scissors, lizards, Spock to see if they’d share the responsibility, and he’d won.
It had been Molly’s turn that night, but that hadn’t kept him from hearing Ellie’s cries. He wasn’t upset about it, more amused than anything. In no time at all, he’d gone from being able to sleep through an earthquake to hearing the tiny cries of a baby who…he almost thought didn’t belong to him, but she did.
Maybe not in the legal sense, but there was an Ellie-shaped spot in his heart. He loved her. Innocent, sweet, and able to wrap grown men around her finger with a single smile. She was Super Ellie, and he absolutely, whole-heartedly loved that little girl. In the last week, he’d found himself reevaluating his goals. Realtor of the Year was important, but Ellie…Dad of the Year had moved up several spots on his list since meeting her.
As he took a sip of his coffee, his sister walked into the kitchen. “Rough night?”
“No, it was Molly’s turn last night, but it’s hard to turn off hearing Ellie.” He raked his hand through his hair, trying to push a few of the strands from his face. Add to that staying up late to get the tree up and decorated, and it had made for a long, long night.
She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat on the stool next to Josiah’s. Together they took a sip and sighed. “This has to be the best coffee ever brewed,” she said.
He nodded. “I crave it nightly.”
“What?” She looked at him funny.
“So I Married An Axe Murderer. Mike Meyers?”
She shook her head. “No clue.”
Shrugging, he said, “It was suggested after I watched this other movie. It was awesome.”
“If you say so.” She bumped him with her shoulder. “Molly speaks your language too. She said something about burgers and fertility.”
Burgers and fertility? What kind of discussion were they having? Then it hit him. “The Borg? Resistance is futile?”
She swallowed the sip of coffee she’d just taken. “That’s it. I had no idea what she was talking about.”
“How did your brain turn that into burgers and fertility?” He laughed.
“My brain? The better question is, how did you get Borg and resistance is futile out of burgers and fertility?”
They quietly drank their coffee for a few minutes before Carrie Anne set her cup down. “She likes you, you know.”
How did he know that was coming? “You put me on a dating website, and I will never speak to you again.”
Carrie Anne scoffed and feigned being mortally wounded. “I was being a wonderful, loving sister by putting Bear on that website. And it’s been, like, what? Two years now. Let it go.”
“I haven’t watched that movie.” He grinned, and his heart said, Yet. If Ellie wanted to watch Frozen, he’d be right there with her, Milk-Duds popcorn and Twizzlers as well.
“Whatever. I’m right, though. She likes you, and you like her.” She leveled her eyes at him. “You’re perfect for each other, and you know it.”
Shaking his head, he engulfed the rest of his coffee before standing. “That might be, but she doesn’t want to date, and I’m not going to push it. Besides, I can’t think about that right now. I have my own reasons for not dating at the moment.”
Carrie Anne stood and grabbed his arm. “Wait. I actually wanted to talk to you about something else.”
He set his mug on the kitchen island counter, expecting her to ask why he couldn’t date. “What?”
“Molly mentioned something during lunch while we were shopping last week, and it’s been bugging me ever since.”
Slowly, he took his seat again, and so did Carrie Anne.
“She said when I call you weird it hurts your feelings.”
“Uh…” Molly told her that? Definitely not what he expected.
“I had no idea. I meant it as a good thing, but I guess to you, it felt like I was making fun of you. I promise I wasn’t. I like that you do things differently. You’re a great person. I love you to pieces, and I wish I’d known all this time that I’d been hurting you.” Her eyes turned glassy. “I’m so sorry.”
Whoa. He’d always just tried to let it roll off his back. It had hurt for a second, but he knew she wasn’t trying to be mean. All of his siblings ribbed him, so it wasn’t like she was the only one. “It’s okay. I know you weren’t.”
“No, it’s not okay. I’m really sorry for hurting you. I’ll try to be conscious of it from now on.”
He hugged her and smiled. “Thanks.”
When he lifted his gaze, Molly was standing in the doorway, chewing her lip. He mouthed, Thank you.
She winked and stepped back, deliberately making a noise as she reentered. “Good morning. Ellie’s asleep, so I’m grabbing a quick cup of coffee.”
Carrie Anne quickly wiped her eyes and walked to the door. “Uh, I’m going to get ready for the day. I’ll see you guys in a while.”
Josiah waited until she was out of earshot before asking, “How did you know being called weird bothered me?”
“Your lips turned down when she said it. We were having lunch in the middle of all that shopping, and I mentioned it.” She filled her mug with coffee, took a sip, and wilted. “I might have to figure out a way to have this shipped to me.”
She approached him and set her cup down. “You’ve been so good to me. I think I’d fight off a bear for you.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Grizzly or black?”
“Sugar-free gummy.” She giggled.
“That’s a serious bear. Have you read the reviews?”
She covered her mouth with her hand as she leaned on the counter, laughing. “Yes. They’re hysterical.”
He was laughing as hard as she was. Then he began telling her that his sister couldn’t remember the Borg. By the time he was done, his stomach was hurting from the laughing.
He drew a cross over his heart. “I promise. At first, I was like, what exactly were you talking about? Then it hit me. Oh man.”
“Stop, stop, stop,” she said and groaned. “Oh, my sides.” She took a deep breath and stretched. “I haven’t laughed like that in I don’t know how long.”
“Me either.” He yawned.
“Did you not sleep well?” she asked.
How could he tell her without making her feel guilty? Short answer: he didn’t. “Um…I slept okay.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s not true.” Stepping into him, she palmed the side of his face and ran her thumb across his cheek. “What was wrong?”
“I think I’m programmed to wake up with Ellie.”
Her jaw dropped.
Shaking his head, he covered her hand with his. “No, it’s okay. I hope this doesn’t make things weird, but…I love her. I’d get up with her a hundred times a night.”
Her lips parted just slightly, and she whispered, “Josiah…”
He dropped his hand and lowered his gaze. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry.” He felt hollowed-out. He could already hear the pulling away.
“Yes, you should have.” She lifted on her toes and kissed his forehead. “You are without a doubt the most special man I’ve ever met. Ellie is a lucky little girl to have you in her corner.”
Lifting his gaze to hers, he smiled, relief filling him. But it wasn’t lost on him that she’d called him special. He’d heard those words before, and they were used for guys who’d been permanently friend-zoned. He already knew that’s where she’d put him, but that word was the nail in the coffin.
Even if she did like him, which he suspected Carrie Anne was just being her typical matchmaker self, it didn’t mean she thought of him as more than a friend. It wasn’t just her either. Ellie was in the equation. He needed to keep his distance if for no other reason than he didn’t want to jeopardize his friendship with Molly.
Friends wasn’t great, but he could live with it. What he couldn’t do is live without either Molly or Ellie. That little girl was a done deal, and her mom wasn’t far behind. In his mind, a woman who could play rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock was a keeper.
His heart hiccupped. He was falling for Molly. The one perfect girl for him. She didn’t want to date, and he couldn’t date. His timing was about as good as his ability to pick food delivery. Horrible.
* * *
With one last mirror check, Molly walked out of the bathroom. Taking turns getting up with Ellie had done wonders for Molly. She felt more refreshed and put-together than she ever had. When she and Josiah played rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock, she was sure he cheated somehow.
As she reached the door to his room, she softly leaned against the frame, watching him with Ellie. He was in the middle of the bed, propped on his elbows, kissing her cheeks and talking to her. It was so sweet.
Ellie batted at his nose and then held the tip of it.
“Yeah, that’s my nose. You have one too,” he said and touched the tip of her nose with his finger.
She babbled, and he chuckled. “Baby translator activated. You got it right. Nose.” He kissed one cheek. “You.” He kissed the other. “Are.” He kissed her forehead. “So stinking adorable.” He smothered her with kisses all around her face.
As Molly stood there, it took no effort at all to see him next to her. When she’d called him special, she’d meant it. Somehow, this incredible man had followed her out of a coffee shop, given her a job, and invited her into his life—a life with a family she’d only ever dreamed of belonging to.
On top of all that, he loved Ellie. As horrible as he was with a poker face, it hadn’t been a shocking revelation. What man would get up with a baby if he didn’t have some connection with her?
It was scary; she couldn’t deny that. What if he got angry with Molly and decided he was done? She couldn’t picture him actually doing that, but as a kid, she’d learned that just because she couldn’t see it happening didn’t mean it wouldn’t.
Josiah turned his attention to Molly and smiled. “Hey. You look great.”
“Yeah, because runway fashion is a faded Metallica t-shirt and jeans.”
“I’ve seen the runway. I prefer your look.”
She walked to the bed and sat beside him, putting her finger in Ellie’s hand. “Hi, Ellie.”
Ellie rolled her head and cooed at Molly.
“Hey, you two,” Caroline said as she came into Josiah’s room.
“Hi…Caroline.” Molly wasn’t comfortable calling her that yet. It felt odd, but Josiah’s mom had insisted on being called by her first name.
Josiah rolled to his side and faced his mom. “What’s up?”
“Carrie Anne, Reagan, and I are going down to the orchard. Gabby’s been working on an apple-pecan pie recipe. Next weekend is their monthly farmer’s market, and she wants us to test it. Your dad is out with Bear and Hunter. I called him, and he said they’d meet us there. You three are more than welcome to join us.”
“Pie?” Molly was in like Flynn. The three words she loved most were I’ve got pie. Unlike most women, her dream proposal was: I love you, and I have pie. “I love pie.”
Caroline brightened. “Great. I’m sure Gabby would love your opinion. She’d probably thinks the rest of us are just being nice.”
Josiah used his feet to grab a diaper at the end of the bed and began changing Ellie. “Okay, we’ll see you guys in a little bit.”
As soon as Caroline left, Molly turned to him. “I think I’ll change shirts. It won’t take me but a second.”
He smiled. “Take your time. Knowing Gabby, there’s enough pie to feed an army.”
“Yeah, well, when it comes to pie, I’m all four branches of the military, including the Coast Guard.”
Laughing, Josiah shook his head. “Okay, I’ll have Ellie ready and packed by the time you change.”
“Awesome,” she said, briskly walking to the door and pausing as she reached it. “I’ve already said it a million times, but thank you for inviting us.”
He looked up and smiled. “I’m glad you came.”
With a small nod, she walked to her room and shut the door, leaning back against it. It was wonderful that he’d invited her, but at the same time, she could so get used to all of it. Now she had to figure out how to enjoy herself and remember that this was her glass-slipper night. Only, she’d end up barefoot because a prince just wasn’t in her future.
Yes, she liked Josiah. It was beyond great that he loved Ellie, but a relationship…she couldn’t go around breaking the rules she set for herself—even if the small voice in the back of her head said otherwise.
Only, the voice wasn’t so small anymore. It had gotten its hands on a megaphone, and it was so loud her ears were ringing. Why did things have to be so confusing all the time?
Chapter 10
On the drive to the orchard, Josiah had finally remembered to give Molly the promised rundown on what Carrie Anne had tried to do to his brother Bear. She’d been just as shocked as everyone else that his sister had tried to put his brother on a dating website. The whole family had wondered what Carrie Anne was thinking. Two years later, Bear was still a little sore on that subject.
“I guess I didn’t realize how big this place was. Just how big is this ranch?” asked Molly as they pulled into the drive and parked.
“Uh, over nine hundred acres.”
Her eyes widened. “Whoa. That’s a lot of acres. I definitely didn’t know it was that huge.”
He laughed. “Yeah, Bear has always loved this place. When we were kids, he’d tell us all the things he’d do if he ever had the chance to own it.” He twisted in the seat, took Ellie from the car seat, and cradled her.
Man, he loved this baby. It was the scariest thing he’d ever realized. It would absolutely break his heart if he didn’t have her in his life. He kissed her cheek and smiled at her. Th
en he realized it was super quiet. When he looked up, Molly was staring at him.
“What?” he asked.
A smile slowly spread on her lips. “Nothing. Just…you’re really good with her.”
“I think you’d have to work at being bad with a baby.” He chuckled. “Plus,” he said, turning Ellie to Molly, “who can resist this little face?”
Wrinkling her nose, Molly nodded. “You have a point.” She turned and fetched the diaper bag in the back seat. “May as well take this in. There’s pie, and I have a feeling this might take a while.”
“At least I know what to get you for Christmas.” He shot her a cheesy grin.
“This is true. You get me pie, and we are square.” She laughed.
Josiah opened his door, stepped out, and met Molly on the other side. Together, they walked to the front door and knocked.
The door opened, and Wyatt was laughing. “Hey, Josiah.” His brother stepped aside, allowing them to enter. “Come on in. Make yourselves at home.”
“Hey, Wyatt,” Josiah said.
Gabby crossed the room and stopped beside Wyatt. “Hey, guys.”
“Hey, thanks for inviting us to have pie,” Molly said as she slipped out of her coat and hung it up.
All Josiah heard was us, and he loved how it sounded. If only it could happen. It couldn’t and wouldn’t, though, and he needed to remember that. His heart was going to get broken if he didn’t watch it.
“Of course,” Gabby said and smiled. “The more taste testers I have, the better.”
Wyatt and Gabby returned to the living room, leaving Josiah and Molly by the door. Josiah turned to her. “I’m guessing you don’t get much girl time at home, so if you want, I’ll take care of Ellie so you can spend some time with the women.”
Molly stared at him and then mumbled something under her breath he couldn’t make out. She inhaled deeply, and her lips quirked up. “Thank you. Actually, I could really use that.”
He was beginning to love how he was the source of some of her smiles. “Okay, well, I’ve got her. Eat some pie, gab with Gabby.” He winked.
The Housekeeper's Billionaire Boss (Caprock Canyon Romance Book 3) Page 6
