looked at his boots for a minute while
chewing on her bottom lip.
Trent prodded, “Going
to now?”
“I’ve had this guilty feeling since I met all of
you that I replaced my old friends with her, even though I didn’t know about
anyone here.”
Trent stepped forward and took her hands, making
Molly look up into his face. “That’s just silly. You didn’t have a memory or
much support. I’m glad you had someone there.”
“Karen was great. She didn’t push me to remember,
but we did things I knew I enjoyed to see if I’d remember some of my identity.
I think you’ll like her, I’ll introduce you when we get there.”
“I’d like that. I talked to her on the phone
actually. About the medical stuff and what she remembered about your hospital
visit.” He paused, wondering if maybe he should have told her about that
sooner. Knowing her made investigating this case a bit on the strange side.
Molly didn’t look mad, and if she was mad, she usually said so. “And I’d like
to talk to her more in case there’s something she might mention that you didn’t
think of.”
“Like what?”
“I’m not sure at this point, but I’ll check into
everything. I’m interested in her perception of your parents. The answer to a
case is usually in the minute details that don’t seem to mean anything at
first.” He realized she didn’t seem to mind that they stood so close, her hands
in his. Suddenly all he could think about was kissing her back at the pond, and
wanting to kiss her again.
Then the phone rang.
Chapter Seven
It was Mark calling. Trent told him they planned
to leave for California in the morning, and somehow the two of them cooked up
an idea for a barbeque sendoff that evening.
Molly had wondered how she would say goodbye to
the people she’d met here. While the trip was supposed to be short, leaving for
any amount of time brought sadness over her. It made her realize how attached she was to the town and Alicia.
Trent grinned at her after he hung up, “Just
Alicia and David . . . and Mark and Bev, if David can get her to come.”
“Mark and Bev, as in Mark and Bev together?” Molly
asked, realizing she hadn’t picked up on it before. She’d been told Bev was
related to David, and that was her connection with the group of friends.
“Sort of. He’s working on it anyway.”
Molly gave a hmm at the vague answer and
checked his refrigerator. “Supplies?”
“Yeah, maybe we need to go to the store.” He
grabbed his hat, her hand, and started out. She walked a step behind, watching
him. There was something sexy about him putting on his cowboy hat and the way
he walked.
In his truck, she asked him, “Is it just me or is
everyone rubber necking at us?” Or maybe it was the truck they were checking
out since it was a pretty sweet ride.
“At you, I’d say.” He smiled slowly. “Maybe people
recognize you.”
His idea must have been on the mark Molly decided.
They walked through the town’s grocery store and someone nearly tripped as they
did a double take of Trent and Molly. She gave Trent an unbelieving look, and
he said, “I almost trip sometimes when I look at you too.”
That got a giggle out of her. Since they didn’t
grab a basket, they both ended up in the checkout line with their arms full.
“Molly Anderson?” A surprised voice exclaimed
behind her. She turned to find a short, energetic looking woman in her forties
wearing the store’s blue uniform.
“Hey, Birdie.” Trent greeted her as space became
available for them to lay down the groceries. “Molly, this is Birdie Duncan.”
The other woman looked surprised that he had to introduce her.
“I was just going to lunch. Molly, I can’t believe
it’s you! Where have you been?”
“Redding.” Molly spilled her load onto the belt
and looked to Trent for help.
“Birdie’s a real sweetheart. Everyone shops here
just to talk to her.”
“I wouldn’t go that far!” Birdie’s warm
personality showed