Mine

Chapter Twelve "Lies"

AN: I hope you're still reading and don't hate me.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my made up characters!

Same Day (February 15th, Wednesday) Kit POV

I sat waiting in Molly's bedroom as she helped my grandfather into bed. She was such a good person and watching them together made me ache even more for what I did.

"Hey, he's settled in for the night. He says he's glad to have you here." Molly plopped down on her bed beside me. I tried to smile at her but it didn't quite work. "Something wrong?"

"You said on the phone that you wanted to talk?" I reminded her, nervously. What did she want to talk about that was about us?

She became serious at once. "Yeah, I did. I do." She laid against my arm and placed her hand on my chest. "Kit, I worry about you. About us. Am I…Am I enough for you? Am I being the girlfriend you need me to be?"

I looked down at her in shock. "Of course you are, Molly. You're a great girlfriend. Why would you think otherwise?" I gently rubbed her arm. "Are you worried because I'm your first relationship?"

Her finger drew circles on my chest and I gently grabbed her hand. She met my eyes after a minute. "I just mean…you have needs that I'm not meeting or going to be able to meet…"

It didn't take me long to realize what she meant. "You mean because we're not having sex?" I asked bluntly. She looked down before answering.

"Yes, because I want to wait until marriage. I just…" Molly trailed off. "I'm just worried that maybe you're missing it and that because I'm not meeting your needs in that way, that it might cause problems in our relationship."

My heart nearly broke listening to her concern. What could I say? Last night's events ran through my mind like a clip from a movie. How eager I was to have sex, to be intimate again. But I cared for Molly and saving herself for marriage was important to her, something that would violate her and what she believed in if she were to do it before marriage. I would never ask her to do that.

"Molly, I'm not going to lie to you. I enjoyed being intimate with women. But Molly, saving yourself is something important to you. I would never ask you to go against your morals, to do that. I understand how much it means to you. I…I can wait. We don't need to have sex. It's you I care about, not your body."

"Are you sure?" She asked quietly. "Are you sure you can go without sex?"

"I am. One hundred percent sure. I want to be with you. There is no one else that makes me feel like you do. I've never met anyone like you, Molly." I lifted her face up so I could see her eyes. I held her face in my hands and I kissed her gently. "This, Molly, is enough. Holding you close is enough for me."

…

Molly POV

I felt confident at Kit's words and working off that confidence, I slid my hand over his bare chest. "I wouldn't mind more." I glanced at him and swallowed my nervousness as my hands roamed over his chest. "If you could handle it, I'd like to do more without going all the way. I want you, Kit, I just can't have sex."

"How about this?" He murmured, rolling on top of me and his body pressed mine into the mattress. His hands slid down to my hips and his mouth crashed into mine. His mouth demanded more than usual and I let him have it. He grabbed my legs and wrapped them around his hips and he left my lips to kiss my exposed collarbone. I gasped at the feeling growing inside me. The heat. My stomach tightened—in a good way—and I tangled my hands into his hair. Our bodies moved together as he kissed along my shoulders and I gripped his hair.

I dragged his mouth back to mine, half-mad with desire for him. I groaned as he moved his hips, causing friction between us. His breathing matched my ragged breaths as we kissed repeatedly. Kit's hand slid to my backside. "You're so incredibly sexy, do you know that?" He whispered, his eyes focused on my face. "So incredibly sexy."

I pulled his mouth back to meet mine, not giving him anymore chances to talk.

…

"Wow." I heard Kit whisper as we laid beside each other, breathing heavily from our passionate kissing session. "Wow, Molly."

Tiredly and out-of-breath, I looked over at him. "You enjoyed that?"

He groaned, nuzzling my neck. "You have no idea how much I enjoyed that."

I leaned against him. "It's not too much for you?"

"Never." Kit said, kissing me again before becoming serious. His eyes searched mine. "Are you feeling better, Mol?"

"I've felt better since you got back." I answered honestly. Kit smiled, sleepily at me, pulling me into his arms.

"Me too."

….….

Kit POV

The next morning, I watched Molly over my cup of coffee. Her and Grandfather were talking easily about what they were going to do today as she fixed breakfast for the three of us. I don't think I had ever seen Grandfather so happy, not since my grandmother had passed, years ago. As Molly waved her hands, talking about some horse at Katie's, I noticed the ring on her right hand. It was an opal square stone with tiny diamonds surrounding it.

Who gave it to her, I wondered. I also noticed pink and white roses in a vase on the kitchen counter and the bottle of wine. Had Nate really went all out for her the other night? I hadn't even asked. I'd have to ask him when I went over to Three Ponies later to see Mom and Dad.

Molly looked so beautiful in her jeans and her black, long sleeved shirt. Her dark hair was in a messy bun at the moment and her smile was radiant. "So do you want me to drop you off at Three Ponies before I head to work?"

I snapped out of my thoughts as she sat a plate of food down in front of me. "Yeah, that'd be great. Mom's already at school and Dad had stuff to do this morning. If it's not too much trouble of course."

"It's never any trouble for you." She smiled over at me. Grandfather smiled, watching us.

"So, how's Honor doing?" I asked, trying to make conversation. I noticed how Molly's smile faltered and Grandfather frowned at her reaction.

"Fine." Molly shrugged. "I feel like I'm re-training her again with all the groundwork we've done lately."

I exchanged a look with Grandfather at Molly's tense shoulders and her demeanor. Was I missing something between Honor and Molly? "Groundwork? Has she been giving you trouble?"

Molly shook her head. "No, no, I just thought it'd be good to give her a refresher on her groundwork." A ringing interrupted Molly. "That's my phone, excuse me."

Once Molly was out of earshot, Grandfather leaned close to me. "She hasn't gotten back on Honor since the accident." My jaw dropped open in shock. "She rides the other horses but won't get back on Honor. Katie's real worried about my accident having a psychological effect on Molly. Traumatic experience and all that."

"She…she never said anything." I confessed. She had mentioned working in the training barn and working Bailey but never Honor, really. How had I not noticed? Was Molly afraid of Honor?

….

Molly POV

I grabbed my phone, grateful for an escape. There was no way I could tell Kit that I was afraid of riding Honor. That when I even thought about riding Honor, I nearly had a panic attack. My horse, that I've had for years, suddenly seemed like a stranger. She was a sweetheart on the ground and seemed like the regular Honor but I couldn't get the image of her falling on Mac out of my head every time I thought about riding her.

Katie hadn't approached the subject anymore but I knew by her worried looks that she wanted to. I still worked Bailey and any other horse she asked me to. They didn't bring out the fear that riding Honor did.

I brought myself back to reality. My phone indicated I had a text message. It was from Joe.

Kit home? All good?

I half-smiled at his text. Kit's home. All is well. See you later?

Of course. I paid for an extra lesson—wouldn't miss it. Your fees are outrageous, ya know ;)

I laughed at his text, knowing he was kidding. My fees—well Katie's fees—were well within reason. Sometimes even on the cheap side, or so I thought.

…..….

Joe POV

"Let me get this straight—you like this girl, Molly, and there's an opening for you. Traveling boyfriend, issues in the relationship—he's taking pictures of another woman kissing him for Pete's sake—and you fix the issue for him?" Matt asked incredulously as we sat at our desks at work.

I threw my hands up in the air. "She just looked so distraught. I couldn't help myself. It hurt me to see her so upset."

"You had the wine, a fire, and an opening. And you fixed the issue. I knew you were dumb." Matt threw a crumpled-up piece of paper at me and I knocked it away, irritated.

"What was I supposed to do, Matt? Take advantage of her weak moment?" I asked seriously.

"Yes! For God's sake, yes. Show her you're the guy for her and he's not. Highlight his flaws and show-off your good qualities." Matt scoffed.

"I don't think taking advantage of her in a weak moment would get me very far with her. In fact, I think it'd count against me. She's very...she has these standards of hers, Matt. She wants to save herself for marriage. She's committed to that. And if I show her that I can be her rock, her support, when he screws up, maybe it'll work for me. This guy…Kit…he's screwing up. He's not at all what she really wants, if she would think about it. She wants commitment, a stable life. He's not it. He's a rodeo cowboy, but she's got a love for it because she grew up living that life."

I sat back and sighed. "Honestly, with what I've read about him and seen from what I've searched on the internet about him, I think it won't be long before he leaves or cheats on her. That's not what she deserves. She deserves someone who dotes on her and treats her like she deserves to be treated. She deserves flowers every day and to be taken out to dinner and pampered. She deserves someone who wouldn't even think about being with someone else."

Yeah, Molly deserved a lot better.

…..…

Kit POV

"Hey." I greeted Quinn and Nate who were both in the barn, cleaning out stalls. I leaned against the stall door where Nate was cleaning. "So how did the other night go, with Molly? The roses and wine were a bit much don't you think?"

Nate frowned and his eyebrows knitted together. "Roses, wine? What are you talking about?" Quinn stopped his mucking to watch with widened eyes. "I didn't even get to hang out with Molly, I had to pull a double that night. She said she was gonna just head back to Grandfather's and watch chick flick's."

Uneasiness spread through me. "So you didn't give her the roses or the wine—or the ring?"

"The ring is from Grandpa Mac. He got it for her when he went shopping with me." Quinn piped up. "The roses and wine on the other hand…"

"You don't think they could be from that creep, her student, do you?" Nate asked with a scowl. "He's been all over her since you left. Always stopping by when he's not scheduled for a lesson, talking her up. I wouldn't be surprised if it was him."

"No, no, Molly wouldn't be inviting him over to Grandpa's." But I wasn't so certain in my words. "Would she?"

Nate and Quinn both shrugged. "You have been gone a lot since she got here, dude. She's bound to get lonely and want to hang out with someone. I mean Nate does as much as he can and Mom tries to visit with her. I know she hangs with Katie too. But you know, when people are lonely…they'll do things they usually wouldn't."

"But she's not like that." Nate spoke up in Molly's defense at Quinn's words. "She's crazy over you, man. IF they were hanging out, it was strictly friends. Molly's a good person."

"I have to go." I turned on my heel and left the barn, needing to talk to Molly. "I'm taking your truck, Quinn!"

…

Molly POV

"Do you think he looks ready to show?" I questioned Mac as we watched Joe take Hershey over the jumps in the indoor arena.

Mac smiled. "I think he looks good but I'm no English expert. You're the teacher, you tell me."

I smiled back. "I think so. He's not looking to go into equation or Hunter's—where they're really looking at your posture and such—and he's doing really well. I think when I start showing the girls, I'll suggest he come along."

"Exciting, isn't it?" Katie stepped up beside Mac and I, her eyes on Joe. "Teaching someone and then becoming their show coach? Watching them excel is one of the best things in the world."

"Well it's my first time so yeah. I think I'm slightly more excited for the girls though. It's their first time too." I smiled over at Katie. I felt my phone buzz in my jacket and took it out. It was Nate.

Heads up, Kit is on his way over. Pretty upset. Who got you roses and wine?

I gasped thinking of the bottle of wine from the night Joe came up when I saw the picture of Kit and that woman…and the roses from Valentine's day...from Joe. Oh, this was not going to go well.

We'll talk about it later. Thanks for the heads up.

I distractedly listened to Katie and Joe talk about all the upcoming shows in the spring as I pushed Mac back towards the barn. Drew intercepted Mac on the way, asking if he could take him over to the stud barn. I knew they had gotten a new stallion and Drew always liked hearing Mac's opinion.

I gave Katie a pleading look in the barn as she went to leave me alone with Joe too. She nodded and helped me clip Hershey up in cross-ties before going over to one of the stalls nearby, pretending to check over one of the lesson horses. Giving space while still being there. What a good friend.

"So I've been thinking about buying my own horse again, so I can start showing again. It's been so long though. I've been looking online at horses but none of them seem to be it, ya know? I thought about looking at horses here but as much as Hershey and all these other Morgans are so beautiful, I really want a Thoroughbred. I'm a Thoroughbred person. No offense, Katie!" Joe added looking over his shoulder at Katie.

"None taken, Thoroughbreds are great jumpers. You should check up at the track. A lot of trainers and breeders are looking to re-home their race horses and some are completely sound, just slow. Often, they're cheap too."

Joe glanced at me as he took the saddle off. "I was hoping you and Katie would tag along with me. Give me advice and help me pick out a horse."

I nodded, distracted. "I'm sure Katie and I could do that."

Joe put his hand over mine as I went to pull the reins over Hershey's head. "Hey, you okay?"

I was about to answer when I saw Kit walking in. His eyes zeroed in on Joe's hand on mine and I saw him stiffen. I pulled my hand away and walked towards him.

"Kit, what are you doing here?" He had to walk in at the worst possible moment. Especially when I had to tell him who the wine and roses were from—but then I remembered why the wine was there and realized, we still hadn't talked about the girl and the picture, so I steeled myself a little.

"Did he give you those roses and that bottle of wine?" Kit demanded hotly, pointing at Joe. I saw Katie step out of the stall and watch Kit.

"Kit, please, let's talk about this outside." I gently grabbed his arm and he pushed past me going towards Joe.

"I don't understand what the hell is wrong with you!" Kit shouted at Joe and gestured towards me. "Molly's taken, happily taken, and yet you continue to cross the damn line!"

"Kit!" I yanked at him. "Come on, let's go."

Joe tried to ignore Kit—he had to know Kit was angry and anything he would say would only fuel Kit on.

"Oh, can't talk? You certainly don't mind talking to my girl!" Kit reached out to shove Joe and I gasped as Joe fell to the ground.

Joe's face turned to stone and he shot back up. "You know what, man? Yeah I did give her the damn roses and yes the wine was from me too! Those are the only flowers Molly received on Valentine's day and you are the reason she even had the damn wine. Remember that cute little blonde you were being kissed by and posting pictures on Facebook? Yeah, don't forget about that, buddy." I saw guilt flash in between Kit's anger on his face. "Molly called me, crying, over that damn picture! She needed a friend and I was the only one around, so yeah I brought the wine to try to calm her down. And I talked to her, defending you, and comforting her since you were too damn busy flirting with some blonde, while Molly cried! So the only one you should be angry at is yourself, cowboy!"

Silence filled the barn. I shakily let go of Kit's arm and walked away. I could hear words being spoken but couldn't tell by who or what they were saying. My chest tightened and I rubbed at it as I walked. It felt like I couldn't breathe.

I heard Drew and Mac calling out my name but I kept walking. Keep walking, I thought to myself, keep walking away.

Why had I called Joe that night? Was I wrong? I didn't know who else to call. Katie was out with Glen, Nate was working, and I certainly couldn't call Maxine, Kit's mother. I couldn't, and wouldn't, bring her into our relationship problems.

Had I crossed the line with Joe? With the wine and confessing to him about my and Kit's issue? With each question, my chest tightened more.

I stopped at the pasture fence and leaned against it, trying to catch my breath. Arms grabbed me and I was looking into Kit's face suddenly. "Mol."

I burst into tears and Kit's arms went around me. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry if I crossed the line. I just…I didn't have anyone else to call and I saw that picture and I…" How could I tell him that I had doubted him? That I let the words from my father get to me? That would hurt him more than anything else I could do. "I'm so sorry, Kit. Please don't be angry with me. I care about you so much and I never want to do anything to hurt you…I just…I…"

"Shh, Mol, shh." Kit rubbed my back. "I'm not mad at you, I'm not, I promise. I understand, I'm sorry for what I did."

I sobbed into his shirt and my chest became less tight as he soothed me. I was too lucky to have him.

….…..

Kit POV

"Shh, Mol, shh." I rubbed Molly's back. Oh God, what had I done? I had made Molly cry over something so stupid. I had been so angry at the thought…at the thought of Molly doing what I did to her. "I'm not mad at you, I'm not, I promise. I understand, I'm sorry for what I did." I was apologizing for cheating, but she didn't know that, wouldn't know that.

She sobbed into my shirt and I held her tighter. Closing my eyes, I thought of Katie yelling at me as Molly left the barn. You didn't tell her! Now you're here yelling at her and Joe when you're the one who should be apologizing!

The guy, Joe, had just stood there, looking angry. But he hadn't pushed the issue, didn't come at me like I thought he would. Then I ran after Molly, passing a confused Drew and Grandpa Mac.

As Molly's sobs subsided, I thought of how much she'd cry when I told her what happened between me and that girl. How heartbroken she'd be. She might even be sad enough to…to run into another man's arms, like Joe.

And it would be one hundred percent my fault, my doing. I held onto her as I felt the pain inside me. I loved Molly. There was no doubting it now. I didn't want to lose her. She was the first girl I had loved since high school, the first girl who mattered. And I had screwed it up.

I kissed her head gently. "I forgot to tell you this, but Mom wants us to come over for dinner tonight with Grandpa. Do you think you're up for it?"

"Yes." She whispered. "I love your family."

Another thing that would kill me. Molly would lose the friends she had once this all came out. No way would she still come around my family, even though they would want her too. She'd lose her security here.

"We better come up with something to tell Grandpa, tell him why you're upset." I sighed. "Better tell him the truth, I guess. He'll be upset with the way I acted." I pulled back as Molly seemed better.

Her lip trembled as she looked up at me. "Will he think differently of me? For having Joe there?"

I shook my head. "Mol, he loves you. You couldn't do anything to change his mind about you."

…

Molly POV

The day went on without an issue. Katie asked me if I'd like to go home but I said no. After making sure Joe was okay—and not pressing charges—I worked with Bailey. Riding him helped clear my mind and reminded me how much I loved—and missed—riding Honor.

I could see her, watching me work Bailey in the ring. She neighed, sounding almost sad, and it tugged at my heart.

"She misses you, you know." Kit stated as I dismounted from Bailey. I sighed.

"I know." I patted Bailey's neck. "I'm…I'm scared of her, Kit." I hung my head, ashamed that I was afraid of my own horse.

Kit nodded. "I figured as much. I'm sure it was very traumatic seeing her fall on Grandpa, scary. But Molly, it wasn't her fault. The dogs spooked her, snapping at her from what you said, even the best horse would have trouble tolerating that. She was trying to escape—her flight instinct kicking in—trying to get herself and Grandpa away from them. She wasn't trying to purposely hurt Grandpa."

"I know. In my mind, I know that. But anytime I get near her, Kit, my chest…it feels so tight and I can't breathe. All that goes through my mind is her falling on Mac."

Kit frowned at me. "You're having panic attacks, Molly. How long has this been going on?"

I looked down at my boots. "Since the accident. I'm fine if I just work her on the ground but if I try to even think about riding her, it starts."

Kit grabbed Bailey from me. "Go get her out of the field. Let's work with her for a bit."

I frowned at him. "But I'm supposed to be working."

"I'll clear it with Katie. She won't have an issue with it."

I watched as he walked away and told myself it would be okay. Honor was fine with me.

….…

Kit POV

I gently knocked on Katie's office door after giving the chestnut, Bailey, to Julio, one of the grooms here. "Come in." She nearly snarled when she saw it was me. "What do you want?"

I sighed. "I hope it won't always be like this between us."

Katie punched in something on her calculator and ignored me as she did it. "Well it will be as long as you're lying to a girl who has become my best friend. I've known you since high school, Kit, and I've always thought of you as a good guy. I find it hard to continue to think of you like that the more you lie to Molly. The longer you take to tell her, the worse it's going to be. She needs to be able to decide whether she wants to work on your relationship or leave."

I swallowed hard at the thought of Molly leaving me. But if she chose to, I'd have to accept it. "I'm going to tell her, Katie, I am…I just want to have my last few days, weeks, with her. That's all I want." I cleared my throat. "But that's not what I came in here for. I wanted to ask if it would be okay if Molly and I would work with Honor for a little bit. She admitted to me that she's been afraid of Honor since the accident."

Katie looked up at that. "She did? She refuses to say anything else about it to me, but I can see it in her eyes, her posture when she works with Honor or if you mention her riding Honor. I think she's traumatized."

I nodded. "She's been having panic attacks and flashbacks ever since the accident. I want to work with her and Honor while I'm home, while I can. Try to fix it so she can ride Honor again. I think, if it gets no better soon, she needs to talk to someone. She might have PTSD."

Katie slowly nodded in agreement. "I definitely agree. Go ahead—take the time she needs to work with Honor. She'll have a lesson later today but it's not til late afternoon. I'll come find her when it's almost time."

…..…..

Molly POV

Honor trotted beautifully around the round pen. "She's like a dream on the ground. No issues, whatsoever."

Kit nodded as he sat on the top rail. "I'd bet she's a dream when you're on her too. She might act up a little since it's been almost two months since she's been rode but she's a good horse, Molly, and she loves you."

I looked from Kit to Honor. Some of what he said, made sense. "I'm not ready."

"You keep saying that, it'll last forever." Kit sighed and picked up the blanket and saddle off the rail, hopping down.

"What are you doing?" I asked, slightly panicked. Kit made Honor stand still and her ears pricked forward as he saddled her up. He grabbed a bridle off the fence and put it on her. Honor was nearly shaking in what I guessed to be excitement. "Kit, I said I'm not ready!"

"You aren't. Fine. But this horse needs to be ridden." Kit swung up into Honor's saddle and she stood quietly, her ears flickering as Kit settled in the saddle. He was heavier than me and he had never ridden her before.

But she listened. Every command of Kit's, she followed. He put her through the paces and then left the pen, letting her stretch her legs in a fast lope.

When he came back, I helped him untack her and walked together with them back to the barn, where we fed her together. Kit slid his arm around my waist and leaned his forehead against my head. "I know you'll get on her again, Molly. Honor and I will be patient and wait for you."

…..

"So, what's up with you and Kit?" Nate asked as he pulled me into the hallway, away from everyone. "He went over all upset and kind of angry, but you two are all lovey-dovey. It's sickening. Who gave you the roses and wine?"

"Joe." I grimaced. "He gave me the roses on Valentine's Day and the wine…well…the wine is from that night." I explained as best as I could.

I could see Nate's jaw tighten. "Yeah, I saw the picture too. But Molly, really, Joe?"

I shrugged, a bit ashamed. "Katie was out with Glen, you were working. Who was I supposed to call?"

"You could have called me. I was about to close then. I would have come up." Nate looked at me with worry in his eyes. "I know it's your first relationship and all—but calling other guys and having wine with them…it's not a good habit to start." Nate held his hand up before I could respond. "Kit is certainly wrong. No doubt about that and trust me, he's probably already heard an earful from our mom. She loves you and she doesn't believe in relationship games."

"Dinner's ready!" Maxine called and Nate led me back into the kitchen. Dinner looked amazing. Cheesy lasagna and garlic bread with a huge tossed salad.

"Oh my gosh. This looks amazing." I sighed in content. Maxine smiled and handed me a plate so I could get my food. Conversation started as people filled their plates and Sam, Jake's best friend—and girlfriend of one year—turned to me.

"So Jake says you work as an instructor at Sterling Stables." Her auburn hair kept falling in her face and she swiped it back. I noticed the freckles on her nose and the few on her cheeks. She was pretty. I nodded.

"Yeah, I'm doing an internship to finish up my college degree. I got my GED and graduated when I was sixteen." I added when she looked confused. I'm sure Jake told her we were near the same age.

"Wow, you're so lucky. I'd give anything to be out of school already." I caught Jake's chuckle at Sam's words.

I grinned. "Yeah, but you got the normal, high school experience. I missed everything."

Sam scoffed. "Nothing to miss. Mean girls, crappy lunches, dances that you don't want to go to."

I laughed at her words. "It does sound terrible." I took a quick bite of the lasagna. It was just as amazing as it looked. "Kit says you like photography, is that something you'll pursue in college?"

Sam smiled but it was bittersweet. "No, I'm going to major in Agricultural Science. I want to run my family's ranch."

"That sounds great. Cattle, I assume?"

Sam chuckled. "Yeah, pretty much everyone around here are cattle ranchers, except Mrs. Allen—sorry Mrs. Preston now—she runs a mustang sanctuary with her new husband, Phineas."

"A mustang sanctuary? That sounds like a dream job." I nearly gasped. Mustangs! Working with mustangs every day?

"Right?!" Sam broke out into a big smile. "I like you so much just from that sentence."

Kit groaned. "Mustangs are free-loaders."

"They are not!" Sam and I said in unison and then we grinned at each other.

"Oh boy, you and Jake are in for it now, these two teamed up?" Mac shook his head with a smile. "You've got no chance."

"One day, when you're not working, you should go over and see the ranch. Trudy—Mrs. Preston—won't mind at all. I think she just got some more mustangs in. It's been a hard winter on the mustangs, apparently, so they've done a lot of roundups." I could see the disdain in Sam's face and hear it in her voice at the mention of roundups.

"I would love to see the mustangs. I always wanted to adopt and train one. I thought it'd be the most amazing experience but since we moved all the time, it was never an option." I confided in Sam.

"Well you're stable now." Sam grinned and I could hear Jake groan along with Kit.

"Yeah, let's add a mustang to our family." Kit sighed, rolling his eyes. My breath caught at his words. Our family. Was he talking about me, him, and Honor?

As I half-listened to Sam try to warm up Kit to the idea, I thought about being a family with Kit. Maybe that was too big of a step—but could I admit to myself that I had fallen for him? Yes. I could. I didn't want to be without him.

But what if it was just myself over-thinking my first relationship? We hadn't even been together six months yet. But then I thought of what he said the other day. Baby, you can have me forever. Did he mean it? Kit wasn't the type to commit it seemed like but here we were almost six months later, together. He had been faithful to me—the picture was just a picture after all—and I to him. He had called me or texted me every day. He came home often and supported my dreams.

Yeah, I loved Kit. I felt a bit breathless at the thought of loving him. I wanted to tell him but I was afraid. What if I was the only one feeling it? Would it change things?

"Molly? You okay?" Luke glanced at me with concern and everyone's eyes made their way towards me. I nodded quickly.

"Yeah, I'm great." I met Kit's eyes. "I'm great."

After dinner, I helped Maxine clear and do dishes as the boys, Luke, and Mac spent time together. Jake was taking Sam home, after we had exchanged numbers and promised to set up a date to see the mustangs.

"Dinner was delicious." I complimented Maxine. "I wish you'd had some left over."

Maxine beamed at my compliment. "Thank you, Molly. It's nice to hear that once in a while from someone. And yeah, I wish so too, that there was more left but in this house, with six boys, and Luke, there usually isn't any left."

I sighed. "I have no clue how you cook for them all the time." I shook my head, astonished at the thought.

"Well after twenty some years, you get used to it. Making small portions seems odd after that long." Maxine's face held a sad look. "I'm going to miss when my boys move out. Jake and Bryan are off to college this year, and Nate's talking about getting an apartment together with Adam…Kit is almost never home to visit…Quinn's talking about heading to California to live…It's just going to be so quiet, you know?"

I stopped what I was doing and hugged Maxine, who was teary-eyed. "I can't say that I know, but I know how much I'd miss being around your big family. It's always so loud and energetic around here." I pulled back to hold Maxine at arm's length. "I'm sure even if they move away, they'll all be here all the time. You could even make a special day for them, like Sunday dinner or something. A get together every week."

Maxine patted at her eyes with the paper towel I handed her. "That sounds like a wonderful idea, Molly. I hope you're not planning on going anywhere anytime soon. I like having another girl—along with Sam—around. You two are like the daughters I never had."

My heart filled with love and joy at Maxine's words. "Well you're certainly like the mother I never had. The best one a girl could ask for."

Kit walked back into the kitchen to find us both dabbing at our eyes and laughing at our weepiness. Kit slowly looked between the both of us. "I am missing something."

I swatted at him with a dish towel. "You need to visit your mother more."

Kit held his hands up. "Okay, okay, I will—no need for violence!" Maxine and I laughed at his expression. "If you're done, Grandpa said he'd like to head home. He's a bit worn out."

"Of course." Maxine gave us a quick hug and I watched as Bryan and Nate navigate Mac down to the truck.

…..…..

Kit POV

I frowned slightly when Mom grabbed my arm as I was about to go down the steps to follow Molly. "Something wrong, Ma?"

Mom shook her head but I caught her staring at Molly. "I just want to tell you, you better not screw it up with that girl. I like her, I like her a lot. At first, I thought she was too young, and you two would end up breaking up…but she's mature for her age and someone you need in your life. Don't screw it up, Kit, especially not over some pretty face."

I knew she was referencing to the picture—she had already lectured me in the car—and I smiled after Molly though I was feeling sick because of what I knew. "I don't intend to, Ma. I love her. I want to keep her in my life."

Mom's eyes filled with tears. "You love her?"

I nodded firmly. "I do, Ma, with all I have. She's the one I want forever."

Mom hugged me tightly and I squeezed her. "I love you too, Ma. We better get heading out of here since Grandpa is tired. I'll talk to you soon."

"Make sure you tell her." Mom said as I went down the steps and I told myself that I'd do what my mother said—and tell Molly.

…..….

AN: So another chapter! I can't stop writing—although I almost had to. My laptop, that I've had less than FOUR months, the screen is wonky. Lucky I had an old "desktop" computer that I can use and I am so very thankful for Google Drive—which after having computers break and losing my stories—I've learned to back up my stories to GD. Luckily for me, it's still under warranty so my laptop will be getting fixed!

So, I hope you like it. A little drama-y. The next chapter will be a bit more about love and their relationship—we'll see how that goes! I hope you are enjoying the chapters—especially since they're longer than I've done in a long time! I just can't stop writing. I apologize in advance for any typos—if I catch them when I'm re-reading, I'll fix them. Usually by the time I post the chapter it's between 1-2am and I'm exhausted so I miss them.

To my reviewers:

Jessica: You did surprise me! I thought you'd be way upset. I understand what you're saying about it just being kissing (though like you said it's still cheating and no excuse). I think the biggest issue for them is he's not at all forthcoming about it—yes he feels terrible but he's lying to Molly by not telling her. Joe is showing some unexpected, respect?, for their relationship in the last chapter, but as we see—and both know—that may be for other, not so good, reasons. Thank you for being a faithful reader and continuing to read with my terrible, way-spaced out updates and the upset in the story!

Goof: I'm glad you enjoyed the update! Yes, the plot does thicken and we'll see how it plays out!

I hope y'all liked the little bit of Sam in there—I'm going to try to work our other loved characters in sometime! Glad to see you all don't hate me!

Thanks for reading and expect another chapter soon ;) -Quinnandseth'sgirl15