It hadn’t seemed so far when Molly had set out on her trip to find Kyle, but she knew it would seem a half a world away after he left. Even had he wanted her to go back with him, which was highly unlikely, she couldn’t imagine living that far away from her family. Her aunt Lindsey lived in Little Rock, not even halfway to Kyle’s place, and Lindsey had never been able to participate fully in all the family get-togethers and impromptu parties.
Not that Kyle would ask, of course. More likely he’d be glad to see the last of her when he left. She couldn’t even talk him into staying a few more days for the party.
The back door opened and Shane ambled in, followed by Kyle.
Shane draped an arm around his wife’s shoulders and kissed her cheek. “Where’s Lucy?”
“Watching cartoons in the den.” Kelly smiled at Kyle. “I’ve heated some water for tea. Would you like a cup? We have several herbals without caffeine. And fresh cinnamon rolls, if you’re interested.”
“I’m interested in both. Thanks.” He pulled out a chair and sat next to Molly, his gaze meeting hers for a moment and then sliding away.
“Kyle’s decided to stay and join us for the party Saturday,” Shane announced cheerfully. “You don’t mind having a houseguest for another few nights, do you, Molly?”
She blinked, but managed to contain her surprise, though her curiosity was running rampant. How on earth had Shane talked Kyle into staying? “I’d be delighted,” she said brightly, without looking at Kyle. “Mom and Dad will be so pleased.”
“They’re going to be so surprised,” Kelly predicted. “I can’t believe how much Molly has gotten done without even letting a hint of her plans slip to her parents.”
Molly smiled modestly. “I really wanted to do this for them. But I’ve had a lot of help, you know. You and Shane, and aunt Layla and aunt Michelle. Everyone at Walker Investigations who helped me track down the foster boys we’d lost contact with.”
“So everything is pretty much on track on your end?” Shane asked.
“It’s going to be a busy week, but nothing I can’t handle.”
Shane nodded and glanced at Kyle. “Since you’re going to be here anyway Kyle, maybe you could give me a hand for the next couple of days with some of the outside preparations.”
Molly watched as Kyle gave Shane a look of guarded intrigue. “I’d be glad to help out.”
She thought he sounded almost relieved to have the prospect of something to do for the next few days.
As for herself, she couldn’t help wondering about the next few nights.
Molly didn’t see much of Kyle that day, since he spent a lot of time outside with Shane. In the meantime, she and Kelly—with a little “help” from Lucy—made a half-dozen lists of details to be seen to before the party.
Working on the party plans gave her something to do besides brood about Kyle, but didn’t stop her from wondering about him periodically. Specifically, she wondered what he and Shane were talking about out there.
“…as for the logistics of housing everyone, it looks as though all the arrangements have been made,” Kelly said, breaking into Molly’s reverie. “Most everyone from out of town prefers to stay in a motel, and they’ve already made reservations. Everyone else lives close enough to drive back and forth.”
“I assume Lindsey and Nick and their kids are staying with Michelle and Tony?”
“Yes. They’ll drive to Dallas on Friday. By the way, I don’t envy you having to admit to Lindsey that you drove right through Little Rock—twice—and didn’t even call her.”
Molly shifted guiltily in her chair at the kitchen table where they had spread all their paperwork. “If I’d called on the way to Kyle’s house, she’d have tried to stop me, or would have insisted on someone accompanying me the rest of the way. I didn’t call on the way back because Kyle was with me and it would have been too awkward.”
“Mmm. Maybe you’ll get away with those excuses.” They both knew she wouldn’t, of course. Lindsey would have a few things to say—but since she’d have to get in line behind Jared and the other relatives, Molly figured it would be routine by then to say she was sorry and promise never to do such a reckless thing again.
The phone rang then, and Kelly jumped up to answer the kitchen extension. Molly dutifully admired the picture Lucy had drawn with colored markers, then looked up when Kelly held the receiver out toward her. “It’s your mom.”
For the first time in her life, Molly hesitated before reaching for the phone to speak to her mother. She could only hope Kelly would attribute her sudden surge of nerves to her determination to keep the anniversary plans secret.
“Hi, Mom. Are you having a good time?”
Cassie’s rich voice came through the line with a vibrant clarity that made Molly ache to hug her. “We’re having a wonderful time, even though your father is already getting restless to get back home.”
“Tell him he’ll be home soon enough. You should both enjoy every minute of this trip. You’ve had so few of them together.”
“How is everything there? Going smoothly, I hope?” Molly glanced at the papers scattered across the kitchen table. “So far.”
“How are the boys?”