Gray brushed the horse in front of him. It was a dark brown stallion that reminded him of his father's horse Cliffgard. Gray tried not to think of the old man. He always had mixed feelings when it came to his father. Gray had always loved animals, but hadn't always liked working with his father. He had been hard on Gray, but damned if he didn't love that old man. Coming to Waffle Island had been his chance to do something he loved, away from his father's scrutiny. He scowled at himself. Who was he kidding? He had come here to run away from his past. He had been angry at the world when he moved here. More specifically, he had been angry at women. He had not even given any of the women on the island a second glance. Then he had met Angela. He had never seen anyone as strikingly beautiful as she was. Even Popuri his ex-wife paled in comparison. It was a shame Angela hid her natural beauty. He knew there was a story there, but he didn't want to care enough to reveal it.
"Easy there boy," Gray soothed. The horse was getting restless. It was probably sensing his conflicting emotions. Horses were sensitive to that. He took a deep breath. He really needed to get a hold of himself. Was he really going to let that little wisp of a woman affect him in such a way? But the minute he thought that, he remembered the feel of her small hand in his. It had felt almost natural. He cursed under his breath, now he was blushing.
"Gray!" Renee called. The rancher's daughter walked breezily into the barn. Her cheery smile was at times annoyingly sweet. "Mama wants to know if you'd stay for dinner tonight?"
Gray sighed. He liked his employers, but he would prefer not to get too close. Hanna seemed to be determined to make him a part of the family. Renee was still standing in front of him waiting for an answer. Her smile was unfaltering.
"Yeah, I can stay," Gray mumbled.
"Great!" Renee exclaimed. She turned and skipped out of the barn. He shook his head, he didn't understand how one person could be so cheery all the time. He supposed it had something to do with her life. It was doubtful cheery Renee had ever experienced the crushing betrayal he had. When he had been Renee's age he had lofty dreams and plans for his life. Every one of those dreams had included Popuri. Thinking of her was still a fresh wound. He turned his concentration back to the horse. Immersing himself in his work was the best therapy he knew of.
XxXx
Luna sat with her arms folded in front of her chest. She had met Molly in the square for lunch, hoping to get more information out of the girl. Molly was being as coy as ever.
"Come on! You gotta give me something!" Luna begged. Molly smiled sweetly.
"There's really nothing to tell," Molly informed. Truth was she wished she did have something to tell Luna. But ever since the Flower Festival a week earlier, she hadn't really talked much to Chase. The bar had been really busy, with all the summer people starting to come back to the island on their vacations.
"Fine," Luna pouted.
"Look I wish I did have more to tell you," Molly admitted. Luna smiled. It lit up her entire face.
"Well then there's a start at least," Luna teased.
"What about you and Luke?" Molly asked.
"Eh, he's a distraction for now," Luna mused. Molly looked at her friend quizzically.
"Distraction?" Molly asked.
"Yeah, truth is I've been in love with the mayor's son forever! But he barely notices that I'm alive," she sighed.
"Gill?" Molly asked incredulously. "But he's so..."
"Uptight? Arrogant? Self assured and bull headed? Yeah I know, but he has a different side too," Luna stated. Luna popped a bite of sandwich into her mouth. Molly smiled sympathetically at Luna. It appeared that she and her friend were in the same boat.
"Well if it isn't the little sluts," Maya taunted. She had come out of town hall. Molly rolled her eyes.
"Look who's talking," Luna sneered. Maya glared at the pink haired girl.
"You have some nerve!" Maya shouted.
"I believe you're the one that started it," Molly interjected.
"You shut up!" Maya shouted indignantly.
"What's your problem?" Luna asked. "When have we ever done anything to you?"
"You just stay away from Chase!"
Maya snarled at Molly. She came closer, trying to be more intimidating. Molly stifled a laugh. Maya couldn't be intimidating to her even if she tried her hardest.
"You don't scare me," Molly stated. She stared down Maya unwilling to look away. Finally Maya's glare faltered. She hmphed, and walked away.
"That was great!" Luna cheered. Molly barely heard her. She was seething with anger. Maya had no right to say what she had just said! As if Maya had any right to say anything to her!
XxXx
Angela stared at the box in her hand. She hadn't realized she had packed this box of momentos. Angela was never one to be sentimental, and she wasn't sure why she had kept this box in the first place. She pulled out the picture from the photo booth. It had been her first date with Darryn. Looking at it now hurt. Those had been good times. They had planned a future together. They had even talked about having children. Angela wanted children, he had as well. It had been a life she had prepared for. It still hurt how it had been ripped away from her.
She put the photo back into the box, and promptly threw the box away. She didn't want to dwell on the past. She needed to continue to look forward. It was a cathartic action for her. She felt herself finally saying goodbye to her old life.
XxXx
"Heya sis!" Molly greeted as she walked through the door. Angela was glad to see her sister's mood improved since they had moved.
"Getting ready for work?" Angela asked.
"Yup," Molly giggled. She skipped into her room. Angela shook her head. When Molly emerged, Angela stopped dead in her tracks. Molly had done herself up to look older.
"What is this all about?" Angela asked. "This wouldn't have anything to do with the bar's cook would it?"
"Maybe," Molly said in dreamy voice.
"He's too old for you," Angela stated.
"No he's not!" Molly insisted. Angela sighed. The last thing she wanted was another fight with Molly, not after things had been going so well.
"Just be careful," Angela warned. She didn't dare say anything else.
"You're always like this!" Molly shouted. "You're not my mom! You're my sister! Maybe you should start acting like it!"
"Molly.." Angela started.
"No!" Molly shouted. "I'm leaving, or I'm going to be late for work!" Molly stormed out of the house.
"Good job Angela," Angela scolded herself. Things had finally started to get better between the two of them. Angela was afraid that she had messed that up.
