Molly's Man (Haven, Texas 4)

“I’ll talk to Duncan about Saxons,” Laken promised. “I’m sure you’d be allowed to come as our guest as long as he took responsibility for you.”

Molly wrinkled her nose. “But that means I’d have to behave.”

Laken grinned, shaking her head. “Somehow, I have the feeling you’re going to turn this town upside down.”

Hopefully that wasn’t a bad thing.

“Actually, maybe I will go down and grab some clothes. If that’s still okay?” She set her glass down. She felt a little raw inside, she just needed a few minutes to herself or she was worried she’d burst into tears and tell these women everything.

“Of course it is.” Laken smiled at her.

“I’ll pay for them of course.”

“No, you won’t. It’s my gift to you. Especially since I spilled wine all over you. I’ll come down with you.”

Molly waved her away. “Don’t bother. I can find my way down there.” And it would give her a chance to clear her head and stop feeling so damn melancholy. She should have moved to Haven years ago. Or someplace like it. She’d never been truly happy in the city. With the long hours she’d worked, she hadn’t had much of a social life. She’d missed out on nights like this one with good friends and lots of laughter. And now she had only a limited time to cram them all in.

With a sigh, she flipped the light switch on in the shop and turned to the racks of clothing, hoping she could find something that would go over her ass. She’d accepted that she was never going to be thin. Well, not unless someone invented a magical pill that enabled you to eat as much as you liked without ever putting on weight. Now wouldn’t that be awesome?

She’d just picked up a bright yellow skirt with white trim when a knock on the door startled her. She turned, the skirt clutched to her chest, to find a dark figure looming in front of the glass door. Who the hell was that? She thought about calling out for Laken, but then maybe it was that husband of hers.

She moved forward, coming to a stop as she finally managed to make out the features of the person on the other side. Jake.

Her stomach danced happily as she opened the door. “Hey, Sheriff. You sure you’re not following me?”

He pulled off his hat, holding it in front of him. “Molly, what are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing.”

“I saw the light was on and I knew Laken should have been closed up by now. Thought I’d just check that everything was all right.”

She sighed. “You caught me red-handed stealing.” She held out the yellow skirt. “I suppose you better arrest me and haul me away to jail.”

“You want to be arrested?”

“I have a thing for authority figures,” she whispered with a wink, leaning into him. She leaned a bit too far, though, and her sprained ankle gave way, sending her toppling into him.

He grabbed hold of her, holding them both steady.

“Whoops! Sorry, Sheriff. Didn’t mean to fall head over heels for you.”

His eyebrows drew closer together. “Molly, have you been drinking?”

“Just a couple.”

“You smell like booze.”

“I do not!” she protested before she remembered the wine she’d spilled on herself. “Oh, I suppose I do.”

“I hope you’re not planning on driving anywhere,” he said sternly.

“Of course not.” She sighed with exasperation. “Sheriff, are you always so serious?”

“I am about people driving under the influence.”

She pulled away from him. “I’m not an idiot. I’ve only had a couple of glasses of wine, but I’m not going to drive. Max is picking us up soon. I knocked some wine onto my jeans, so I came down to pick out something to wear. That’s all. Laken and the others are upstairs. So, you see, I’m not stealing anything, not breaking any laws.”

“Molly? You okay? Did you find something to wear?” Laken walked into the main shop. “Oh, hi, Jake. What are you doing here?”