Lifting her chin in an effort to salvage what little pride she had left, she gave a crooked smile. “Then again, you’re probably tired. I wouldn’t blame you if you want to just crash and…”
He put his hands on her shoulders and jerked her toward him. His lips settled firmly, almost possessively against hers.
As she wrapped her arms around his neck, Molly wondered if she would ever learn to predict what Kyle would do next, even if she’d had a lifetime to spend with him. Every time she thought she’d figured him out, he did something completely opposite from what she’d expected.
Funny how that very unpredictability was so mesmerizing to her, even as she wondered if anyone would ever really know him.
“Maybe you’re right,” he muttered, backing her through her bedroom doorway. “Maybe this is just what we both need.”
He didn’t give her a chance to reply before he swept her off her feet and onto the bed.
Molly woke alone the next morning. She didn’t remember Kyle leaving during the night, but she wasn’t surprised he had. He wouldn’t risk being caught in her bed by her brother or any of the other ranch residents. It had been enough of a risk, in his opinion, to spend any time there at all.
Sore muscles protested when she rolled to sit up on the side of the bed, proving that Kyle had made the most of the time he had spent with her. She wasn’t wearing the brace yet; tentatively, she flexed her still-swollen foot, wincing with the movement. She worked her way carefully through the gentle exercises she had been instructed to start out with, then made her way to the bathroom to shower and dress.
She emerged from her bedroom a short while later, wearing a long-sleeved yellow T-shirt with a denim skirt that wouldn’t interfere with her brace, and a white sneaker on her uninjured foot. It felt good to be wearing something other than the two athletic suits Jewel had provided for her, even though she’d have rather worn her jeans and boots.
She thought wistfully of her mare, Taffy. She supposed she wouldn’t be able to ride again at least until she’d shed the brace, which wouldn’t fit into a stirrup.
The door to the guest bedroom stood open, and the room was obviously empty. She thumped toward the stairs, half expecting Kyle to be lurking there to help her down. Instead, her sister-in-law appeared out of nowhere when Molly had descended only two steps.
“Here, let me help you.” Her dark blond hair pinned into a casual twist at the back of her neck, Kelly wore a red denim shirt and a pair of jeans, yet still managed to look stylish and attractive.
A licensed audiologist for the local school district, she had cut back to a three-day workweek after her girls were born. Cassie and Graciela had helped Shane with the girls on the days that Kelly worked, and continued to do so with four-year-old Lucy now that seven-year-old Annie was in school.
“I can make it down the stairs pretty well on my own—but stay close, just in case.” Molly clutched the banister and hopped down another step. “Where’s Lucy?”
“She and Shane are taking Kyle on a tour, showing him the changes that have taken place since he left.”
Molly tried to wrap her mind around the image of Kyle spending time with her talkative niece. When that proved impossible, she gave up the attempt and concentrated on getting down the stairs in one piece.
“Shane told Joe about your ankle this morning,” Kelly confided. “Joe wants to take a look at it tomorrow.”
Molly sighed. “Why did Shane do that? I’m perfectly capable of calling Joe, myself.”
“Actually, Brynn called me and I mentioned your ankle and Joe happened to overhear her part of the conversation and then Shane—oh, never mind. The point is, Joe wants to make sure you’re healing properly.”
Kelly had grown up with Molly’s cousin, Brynn, Joe’s wife, and Kelly and Brynn were still best friends. They considered themselves as close as most sisters.
“All right, I’ll call Joe’s office later today and ask when he wants to see me.”
“I’m sure Shane will be happy to drive you.”
“I’m sure he will.”And would probably insist on seeing the X-rays for himself, Molly thought with a sigh.
“So, do you think Kyle will stay for the party?”
“I doubt it.” Resting her weight on the crutches, Molly
made it into the kitchen, where tantalizing scents told her Kelly had been busy. “Do I smell cinnamon rolls?”
“Mmm-hmm. They’re just coming out of the oven. Sit down, and I’ll get you a couple.”
Molly lowered herself into a chair. She took a sip of the coffee Kelly poured for her. “Tastes good.”
Kelly set a plate of still-steaming cinnamon rolls in front of her, then took a seat across the table with a cup of coffee for herself. “Kyle’s changed a great deal since he left here, hasn’t he? Of course, I only met him a few times before he went away.”
“And I was very young when he was here—but I can assure you he has changed a great deal. He’s had a tough time the past year.”