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“I know Molly wouldn’t let her hurt herself.”
“I know, but she’s the love of my life, Dale. I’m not going to stop worrying.”
He thought about Molly. She didn’t have anyone, not really. He’d always given himself some excuse. If she didn’t want to marry him then she’d not needed him. Rubbing the back of his head, he was glad that he no longer had to make up any excuse, and that he could finally be with the woman he loved.
Chapter Six
“Stop stressing,” Dale said.
“I think I should call just to make sure everything was clear.” Molly reached for her phone, and Dale caught her hand.
“You gave Trey and June each a list with detailed instructions of not only their routine but also what they like, what they hate. How often they go to the toilet before bed.”
“It’s all very important,” she said.
He knew it was. He’d asked for Trey to photocopy one for him so he knew what he was doing when he got home. The list was like a guide to taking care of Sasha and Luke. None of what he’d glimpsed had been in any of the books he’d read.
They had one week together. One week where they could find each other once again. No interruptions from parents, the town, their kids, or their past. He’d seen Chloe around, but he’d always avoided her.
“You’re right. I told them everything.”
“Yes, and Trey thanked you for the little secret that sugar keeps them awake for a lot longer at night.”
“Yes, I found that out at Halloween. Now that was a scary thing. They couldn’t sleep, and I spent the entire night watching movies while they calmed down. No sugar sweets after four o’clock unless it’s homemade cakes. I don’t know if it’s the additives in food or what. I wasn’t willing to risk it.”
He laughed. “You know, I was like that,” he said.
“You were?”
“Yep. I had a curfew on sweets. When it was time to trick or treat, my parents would make me put the bag of candy up and I’d spend the next couple of weeks being allowed one treat.”
“Did you grow out of it?”
“Probably. Either that or I got old enough to not bug them when they were in bed.” He kissed her hand.
He’d arranged for a private cabin. It was owned by June’s family, and through her, he’d gotten to speak with her father, who’d offered to rent it to him for one week at a reall
y cheap price. June’s family was particularly wealthy.
Being one of the boys who used to tease June growing up, he’d been surprised when her father agreed. Of course, June had informed Dale that her father liked Molly quite a bit, so he was probably doing it as a favor to her.
The cabin would be fully stocked, and there was a television, and he’d also be able to use his cell phone, which was a big deal. He didn’t think Molly would go an entire week without panicking. It was also out of town, and two hours away from Winters Fall. June let him know that the town was a nice one, and offered some local sightseeing walks for tourists. He intended to spend the entire week with Molly in his arms.
“I’m sorry. I’m probably overreacting.”
“You’re not.”
“This is the first time I’ve been away from them, and my mind is ready to explode.”
He still held her hand as he drove. “I’m not annoyed or angry. Call them. Check in.”
Before he’d even finished talking, she was clicking away on her cell phone. She pressed for speaker, and he heard Trey speaking.
“Molly, you’ve only just left,” he said.
“This is her first time,” Dale said, speaking up.
“Kids, your mommy is on the phone. Tell her we’re not feeding you ice cream.”
She laughed.
“Mommy,” they both said. He heard the laughter in their voices, and was pleased that he’d gotten Trey and June to take care of them.
“Are you having fun?”
“Loving it. They’ve got a small dog, Mommy. Did you know that? He’s called Ruffles.” Sasha squealed with excitement. “He’s so cute.”
“I want a doggy,” Luke said.
He listened as Molly spoke with them, and after five minutes, she said her goodbyes. “They’re going to be constantly asking for a dog. I’m going to have to get them a dog.”
“We’ll get them a dog. We can go to the animal shelter.”
“You’re right.” She sat back. “I never thought I’d say this, but I just sounded like a crazy mommy, didn’t I?”
“You sounded like a woman who has never left her kids and didn’t know what to do.”
