Page 76 of Lost Then Found
“You got Boone’s eyes,” she whispers, squeezing him tight. “And your mama’s nose. Lord, I could just cry.”
Hudson pulls back, his face a little pink. “Uh, please don’t.”
That makes Molly laugh, a deep, genuine sound. “Oh, you’re gonna fit right in here, I can tell.” She reaches out, brushing a stray curl from his forehead. “Tell me somethin’, honey—what’s your favorite food?”
Hudson’s eyes spark with interest. “Easy. Cheeseburgers.”
Molly grins. “Cheeseburgers! A man after my own heart. You just waittill you try my homemade ones. Best in the state of Montana.”
Hudson crosses his arms, smirking. “You sure about that?”
Molly gasps, clutching her chest in mock offense. “Boy, I’ll have you know I’ve been perfecting my burger recipe since before your daddy was even a twinkle in his own daddy’s eye.”
Hudson grins, clearly liking her. “Alright, then. I guess I’ll be the judge of that.”
Molly laughs, looping an arm around his shoulders like she’s known him forever. “Oh, I like you already. You’re trouble, I can tell.”
Hudson’s chest puffs up a little at that, and I feel something settle in me, something warm and certain. He’s home here. He just doesn’t know it yet.
Loretta sidles up next to me, her sharp brown eyes twinkling as she adjusts the casserole dish in her arms. “How’s The Bluebell?”
“Busy as ever. Tourists want their pie, and the locals want their coffee.”
Loretta grins. “And you? What do you want, honey?”
I blink, caught off guard. But before I can answer, she waves a hand. “Never mind. Ain’t my business. But if you ever need a break from slinging coffee and rolling out dough, you know where to find me.”
She pushes open the door, stepping inside, and I follow, my breath catching in my throat the second I do.
The Wilding house still looks exactly the same.
The living room opens up before me, all warm wood and worn-in furniture, a space that feels more lived-in than anywhere else I’ve ever been. The walls are lined with framed photos—generations of Wildings staring back at me, frozen in time. The old leather couch is still there, the one Boone and I used to sprawl out on during summer afternoons, our feet tangled up as we watchedJurassic Park. The brick fireplace is stacked with firewood, like Molly still keeps it ready for when the nights get cold.
And the smell.
Something rich and familiar fills the air—roasted meat, onions caramelizing in butter, the unmistakable scent of fresh bread baking. It’s the kind of smell that sinks into the bones of a house, the kind that makes you feel safe even when you don’t realize you need to.
I swallow hard, the memories pressing in from every direction.
Being here again is like stepping into an old life I’m not sure I still fit into.
Hudson lets out a low whistle, eyes scanning the room. “This place is huge.”
Molly grins, already unwrapping one of the casserole dishes. “Glad you like it, sugar. You’re welcome anytime.”
Loretta pulls a loaf of bread from the oven, the scent filling the room, warm and buttery. Molly waves Hudson over, reaching for a knife. “Come here. I want you to try my special butter.”
Hudson eyes the bread warily, then glances at me. “What makes it special?”
Molly smirks, spreading a generous layer onto a slice. “Oh, I’ll never tell.”
Hudson narrows his eyes at her like he’s trying to crack the code. Then he takes a bite. His eyes widen instantly. “Okay, that’s really good.”
Molly and Loretta cheer like they just won the lottery, and I can’t help but laugh, shaking my head just as the front door swings open. Heavy boots hit the hardwood, laughter spilling in with them.
“You’ll never guess what I found wandering around the ranch,” Boone calls out.
Another voice—deep, warm, and unmistakably familiar—follows right behind him.
