With Jason’s help, we got Molly’s car towed off the highway and to auto shop in town. Even though I explained to him that she wouldn’t be able to have it fixed right away, he agreed to house Molly’s car at the shop and no cost until she was able to have the repairs done. I knew that would be a huge relief to her, and just another example of the people at the Happy Endings Resort helping each other out.

After dealing with the car, I was hungry, so I found Molly and Tim and invited them over to my cabin to grill some hamburgers. Wanting to be nice, I extended the invite to Julie and Kyle, too, even though I secretly wanted her to decline. I hope my relief wasn’t too evident when she did. Maybe she got the clue that I wanted to spend some time alone with Molly.

I was already falling for her, and even though every rational thinking part of me knew that was probably a bad idea, I couldn’t seem to help it. She was so pretty and sweet, and despite the adversity she’d been through in her young life—which was reflected in the sadness in her eyes—she struck as a genuine and trusting person. Yeah, I was falling, all right.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” Molly asked, jolting me from my thoughts.

I turned from where I stood at the kitchen counter, forming hamburger patties. “Nope, I’ve got it. You just relax.”

“I’ve been relaxing most of the day, while you were out dealing with my stranded car.”

“So?” I countered. “You deserve to take it easy. You’ve been through a lot, and besides, you’re starting a new job tomorrow where you’ll be cooking for other people. Tonight, let me cook for you.”

Molly laughed. “Okay, if you insist.”

“I do, yes,” I said, but then added, “There is one thing you can do.”

“What’s that?”

“Grab a bottle of wine from the fridge and open it.”

“I’ll be glad to. A glass of wine sounds good.” She walked over to the refrigerator and pulled open the door. “Any particular bottle?”

I shook my head and turned my back to her so I couldn’t see which bottle she picked. “Nah. Surprise me.”

“This is quite a stash you have in here,” she said, causing me to laugh.

“Yeah, what can I say? I’m a writer.” There I went with the stereotypes again.

“Are you implying it helps the words flow?” I could hear the amusement in her voice, and I turned back around with a grin on my face.

“Either that or it makes for a convenient excuse when they don’t.”

***

MOLLY MADE AN EXCELLENT choice with the wine, selecting a bottle of my favorite Sauvignon Blanc, and I enjoyed a glass while I manned the grill and watched her kick a soccer ball around with Timmy. They both looked relaxed and happy, and it was hard to believe only a day had passed since their arrival at Happy Endings, when she’d been so closed off she wouldn’t even talk. Then again, I didn’t blame her for having trust issues after what she’d been through.

“Burgers are almost ready,” I called out. “The soccer game is going to have to wait.”

“Oh, man,” Timmy let out a protest, but picked up the ball and carried it back toward my cabin.

“Can we use your sink to wash up, so we don’t have to walk all the way down to the restrooms?” Molly asked.

“Of course. You don’t even have to ask,” I said. “Can you grab the ketchup and mustard while you’re inside, though? And that bag of chips that’s sitting on the counter?”

“Yep. Just a sec.”

While they were inside, I put three hamburger patties on buns set on paper plates. I wished I could’ve made baked potatoes or beans to go along with the burgers, but I hadn’t been to the store in a few days. Potato chips would have to do.

“Sorry I don’t have anything else,” I said, when they were back and we all had chips on our plates. “It’s a pretty lame cookout, I’m afraid.”

“It’s fine,” Molly assured me. “The hamburger is really good, and Timmy loves potato chips. Don’t you, kiddo?”

He looked up, his mouth stuffed with food, and nodded. “Mmm hmm.”

Molly turned to me and laughed. “See, you’re good.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” Still, I hoped to do better next time. There I went, probably getting ahead of the game and assuming there’d be a next time. I mentally cautioned myself that she just got out of a relationship. A bad one. She was a broken woman trying to get back on her feet. She needed a friend, not a romantic partner.

Even recognizing that, though, I couldn’t ignore my own feelings. I already knew I wanted more. The only question was how to handle it.

“You’ve gone quiet,” Molly observed. “Are you deep in thought again?”

“Guilty.” I gave her a sheepish smile. “That happens to me a lot. It must be a writer thing.” It was also a convenient excuse, so I didn’t have to tell Molly the truth. I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

I took a drink of wine, and then asked, “Do you play soccer, Timbo? You looked pretty good out there.”

He shook his head. “No. I want to, though. Some of my friends played.”

I didn’t want to read too much into his words, but it was impossible not to notice that the words were laced with sadness. It served as a harsh reminder of how much this innocent young boy had already endured in his young life.

“I used to play when I was a kid,” I said. “I was good, too.”

“Really?” Timmy’s eyes lit up. “That’s cool.”

“Maybe when we get to Virginia we’ll see about getting you signed up for soccer,” Molly said.

“When will that be?” Timmy wanted to know.

“I’m not sure. A few weeks, hopefully no more than a month,” Molly told him. “In the meantime, maybe Dak will practice with you when he’s not working.” She looked up at me, her eyes searching for assent.

She’d put me on the spot a bit, that’s for sure, but I didn’t mind. “I’d love that. We’ll get started after dinner. We’ll also have more time tomorrow while your mom is at work,” I said. “Maybe we can get Kyle to join, too.” I didn’t know how good he’d be at soccer, given his special needs, but I wanted to be sure to include him.

“That sounds fun,” Timmy said, and I agreed.

“Good. Settled. We just need to get this trash cleared and the rest of the food put back in the cabin.”

“I’ll do that,” Molly said, standing up. “You guys play.”

I looked at her. “You sure?”

She nodded. “Yeah. Then I can have another glass of wine while I watch you.”

I didn’t protest. The kid wanted to play, and I sensed Molly needed the down time, so I got the ball and went with Timmy to the grass behind my cabin. A few minutes later, Molly came back out, holding a glass of wine, and sat down on the back steps.

“You can join in,” I said, and she shook her head.

“No, thanks. I’m fine watching.”

“Okay, suit yourself. I’ll show off my mad skills for you, then,” I teased.

“Arrogant, much?”

I feigned offense. “Me? Never.”

“Oh, okay,” she said with a laugh.

I couldn’t help it. I wanted to impress her, so I tried to put on a show. I don’t know if achieved the desire purpose, but she at least seemed to enjoy watching, and Tim was having fun, too. We didn’t stop with our little one versus one game until the sun began to set.

“All right, it’s getting dark, I think that’s it,” I said when it to the point that it was difficult to see. I didn’t want Tim, or myself, to trip in the uneven grass.

“Yeah, it’s time to get you ready for bed, kiddo,” Molly said.

“Save yourself the walk and use my bathroom,” I suggested. “Then once you get him settled, come back over here. I still want to give you that book, and we have wine to finish.” I thought we could watch the sun finish setting while we sat on the deck.

Molly hesitated before answering, and I expected her to say no and offer some excuse about starting her new job tomorrow. Instead, she surprised me.

“Sure. That sounds nice. Just give me a few minutes.”