Page 55 of Love in Riverbend
Her hair is piled on her head, and she’s absolutely gorgeous in a light blue Quintessential Treasures t-shirt and blue jeans.
“I need a shirt,” I say as she locks the door.
“For two days? I think what you’re wearing is fine.”
“Where is Molly?” I ask, looking around.
“Next door.”
“Do you want to join us for breakfast?”
“Nah, I have things to do here. She’s expecting you.”
“Thank you,” I say as I stare at Kandace.
“You better hurry.”
I do, going out the front door and heading to the diner. Molly is sitting on the same stool as she was on Friday morning. Her hair is in pigtails, and she has a stack of pancakes in front of her. The stool to her side is empty. As I walk toward her, I notice a few familiar faces. The round table in the back is still empty.
“Is this seat taken?” I ask.
Molly’s golden eyes turn and look up at me as she grins. “I saved it for you.”
Joyce comes to the counter from the kitchen with a smile on her face. “Coffee?”
“Yes, and I think I’d love some pancakes.”
“You like pancakes?” Molly asks, bouncing on the stool.
“I do. I also like blueberry ice cream.”
“Me too,” she replies with glee. “Grandmom used to make it. I miss her.”
“Did you know that she was my grandma, too?”
“She was?”
I nod as Joyce brings me my coffee.
“She was really nice,” Molly says. “Mommy cried when Grandmom went to heaven.”
“I think,” Joyce says, “your grandmom is smiling right now.” She gives me a wink.
As we both eat our pancakes, Molly tells me about her teacher, Mrs. Pollard, and gives me the first names of most of her classmates. Finally, Joyce comes out with a lunch sack.
“It’s time to get you to your mom,” she says. “You have school.”
Molly nods. Before she gets down, she turns to me. “Mommy said she likes you.”
I smile. “I heard her.”
“Do you like her?”
My heart beats in double time. “I do, very much.”
“Why didn’t you come here sooner? If you like someone, you want to be with them.”
“That’s a great question, Molly. I should have been here. I hope you and your mommy will let me make that up to you.”
