Page 39 of Rekindled

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Molly glanced at her cell phone as she entered Ruby’s Diner. She was meeting Sarah for lunch, but knew she was running late. As she approached the table, she quickly said, “I’m so sorry I’m late, Sarah. I was up late finishing up a story I needed to turn in, and the time completely got away from me.”

“That’s ok, Molly. Don’t worry about it,” Sarah said with a friendly smile. “It gave me time to catch up on social media. I ordered you a glass of iced tea,” she said, gesturing to the glass on the table.

Molly removed her jacket and purse, and placed them on the back of the chair as she took her seat.

“I’m glad you suggested Ruby’s. I was craving a pot pie,” Molly stated. “I swear I’m going to miss them when I return to Seattle.”

“Are you?” Sarah asked, with a tilt of her head. “I mean, returning to Seattle, not missing the pot pies. That’s a given.”

“Of course I am,” Molly stated automatically. “My life’s there.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” Sarah coaxed. “You could move back to Bayfield. I know a lot of people will be happy about it, especially a certain public defender.”

“Even though Spencer and I are getting close again, it doesn’t mean I’m going to uproot my whole life just to be with him. Contrary to popular belief, love isn’t everything.” As soon as the word slipped out of her mouth, Molly wished she could take it back. “Scratch the ‘L’ word. We’re going to pretend I never said it.”

“Why? Is it not true?” Sarah probed.

“It was a slip of the tongue; nothing more,” Molly stated emphatically, though she wondered if she was trying to convince herself or Sarah more.

“You don’t have to be afraid, you know. Spencer’s a good guy, and you can trust him.”

“Everyone keeps saying that, but it’s hard when you’ve been burnt once already. Don’t get me wrong, the more I get to know him again, the more I realize it’s true. I just don’t know if I will ever be able to completely let my walls down with him.”

“You’re right; you can’t. There is something you can do though.”

“What’s that?” Molly asked.

“You need to pray to God, and ask Him to help you let down your walls,” Sarah explained. “God can do anything, and He wants to help you. All you have to do is ask.”

“I haven’t really told anyone this, but ever since I went to church the other day, I’ve been praying and reading the Bible again. I haven’t done that since I left Bayfield ten years ago.”

“That’s so good,” Sarah said with a big grin. “Next time you pray, ask God. I promise, you won’t regret it.”

Molly knew Sarah was right. She had been trying to do it all on her own, but she wasn’t designed to navigate life that way. No person is an island; she needed to let other people, and most importantly, she needed to let God, be a real part of her life.

“Thanks, Sarah. I really needed to hear that. I have to go to the restroom,” Molly said standing up. “I’ll be right back.”

She headed towards the back of the diner, and entered the restroom. Both stalls were in use, so she moved over to the sink to check her makeup. She placed her purse on the counter, and then leaned in towards the mirror.

Molly turned her head from side-to-side, inspecting her face. “I definitely need to powder my nose,” she mumbled to herself, opening her purse to look for her compact.

A silver USB drive caught her attention. She pulled it out, and looked at it skeptically. “Where did you come from?” she asked herself in a perplexed tone. “You’re not mine, so who put you in my purse.”

She glanced back in her purse and noticed a folded piece of paper that was also unfamiliar. Molly unfolded it and read the contents.

Spencer Conrad is not what he seems. The information on this drive links him to underhanded dealings with the district attorney. He shouldn’t get away with what he’s been doing. It’s your job to make him pay for his unethical behavior.

The note didn’t have a signature and had been typed. What was going on?

Molly shoved both items into her purse, and instead of using the restroom, she exited the area and made a beeline to Sarah. She slipped into her seat, her arms folded across her chest in a protective manner.

“What’s wrong?” Sarah asked with trepidation. “You look like you’re going to pass out.”

She debated whether or not to confide in Sarah. On the one hand, she trusted her opinion, but on the other hand, Sarah was good friends with Spencer. What if she told him before Molly could figure out what was on the drive? If he found out before she got to the bottom of it, he would have the heads up to try to erase his tracks.

Stop it, she told herself.You know Spencer. He’s a good person and you’re jumping to the wrong conclusion.

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