Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 192(@300wpm)
“We’re right here, Daddy.” Hunter’s eyes were open, but his hands gripped Molly tight. “What’s wrong?”
“Everything is fine, buddy.” I held out a hand to comfort him, but my gaze remained fixed on Molly. “You didn’t leave a note.”
“I’m sorry, I forgot. I didn’t have my car, so I assumed you knew we were on the property.”
My chest heaved. “Something could have happened to you, to both of you!”
“Nothing happened,” she insisted. “We’re both fine. Perfectly fine.” Her voice was so even and calm, and that only made me angrier.
“How in the hell was I supposed to know that?” I raked both hands through my hair with shaky fingers. “I. Need. To. Know. Everything.”
She gave a short nod. “Noted.” Molly moved slowly, getting to her feet before dusting the dirt and grass from her clothes and then Hunter’s. “I will make sure you know where we are at all times.” She knelt down to face Hunter. “Ready for some grub?”
He glanced up at me with worry in his eyes and then back to Molly with an excited nod. “I’m hungry enough to eat a horse! But not a real horse because Peanut Butter is my friend, not my food.”
She smiled. “That’s right, kiddo. Let’s go.” She brushed past me without a word or a glance in my direction, which was rich considering she was the one who’d left without telling me where she was going.
Horse hooves sounded, and then Billy was there, his trademark smile replaced by a frown. “Been looking all over for you, Boss. What are you doing out here?”
“What’s up?”
“Peanut Butter is missing. I just got back with Wyatt, ready to get the horses settled for the night, but his stall was empty.”
“That can’t be. I was there about ninety minutes ago, and he was fine in his stall.”
“Not anymore. The guys are out looking for him, but I figured you’d want to know.” He glanced over his shoulder where Molly and Hunter walked hand in hand, chatting quietly. “He’s very attached.”
That was an understatement. “I’m right behind you,” I told him. “Get my horse ready.”
Billy nodded and took off, leaving me alone with nothing but anger to fuel my walk back to the stables. I had plenty of time to think about how I’d come after Molly and how she handled it with grace. It wasn’t her fault I was so damn worried; she didn’t even know yet why because I’d gone off half-cocked instead of telling her what I set out to tell her.
“Dammit.”
“Who pissed in your oatmeal?” Wyatt flashed a smile as he settled Peanut Butter in his stall an hour later.
“Me,” I grunted honestly. There was no one to blame for my current turmoil other than myself. And whoever put the tracker on Molly’s car. And slashed her tires. “Dammit.”
“Good luck to ya,” Wyatt called out, laughing as he left me alone in the stables.
I took my time, knowing I had an apology to make but unsure of the reception I would receive. There was only so much time to delay, though, before the night chill settled in, and eventually, I found myself kicking off my boots and stepping inside the kitchen, which was quiet and empty.
The oven warmer was on with a note taped to it. “Dinner is warm. Hunter is waiting for you to tuck him in. Good night. Molly.”
She was mad.
Really mad.
Chapter 21
Molly
A knock sounded on the bedroom door, and I froze, knowing it was Colton on the other side. Of course, he wanted to talk, probably to ream me out again for daring to take a nap in the middle of the day. Of course, that wasn’t fair. He was worried about his son, which I understood, completely, but he should know me better than that, thinking I would leave with Hunter without telling him first.
He doesn’t know me at all.
That was heartbreaking, especially since I had only just realized how much I loved him. I wanted to make a home here with Colton and Hunter, and the goats, maybe even expand our family. That’s what I wanted, how I dreamed of our future together playing out. But while I was dreaming up this fairytale life we could have together, he didn’t even really know me.
The knock sounded again, and I sighed, knowing he wouldn’t give up. That wasn’t the kind of man he was. Might as well get this over with. I unfolded my legs and pushed off the bed, exhaling deeply before I opened the door.
“Yes?”
Colton actually looked nervous as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other, raking a hand through his already mussed hair.
“Hey. Can we, uh, talk?”
I shrugged. “I don’t think that’s necessary, Colton.” I took a step back to close the door on him and my earlier realization, but he was a man on a mission. I tried to close the door, but his hand flew out to stop it.