Page 25 of The Housekeeper's Billionaire Boss
“That’s sweet, but I can’t break my rule. Before I adopted Ellie, I made that promise.” The longer she was around him, the dumber her rule became. He wasn’t the kind of guy to cut and run if things got difficult. She knew it in her heart, but her head was putting up a defense that could rival a seasoned lawyer. “Most guys don’t want to date a single mom. I figured it would just be easier that way.”
“Clearly, Josiah doesn’t have that problem,” Carrie Anne said.
Molly took another bite of pie, trying to think of a reasonable argument. Her problem was, she didn’t have any. Josiah was amazing, even if he had left her for work again. It was the second time, but they weren’t dating. Maybe things would be different if they were.
“I will admit that.” She held up her finger. “But, that doesn’t change the rule. It’s not just about whether he gets along with Ellie or even loves her. Two people can love a child and have it still not work out between them.” That was the part that scared her the most. Falling in love with him and it not working out. Not just for the safety of her own heart, but his as well. “I lived it. I don’t want that for Ellie.”
Carrie Anne leaned back. “You have a point.”
“I can’t fault you either,” Gabby added. “Having Travis made things so different. I’ve known and loved Wyatt since I can remember, but once I held this tiny little human, my whole world view shifted. I love Wyatt and would do anything for him. But Travis? I’d move heaven and earth for him. It’s a love I had no idea I was capable of having.”
Carrie Anne grinned. “I don’t know how it is to hold my own child in my hands…yet.”
Gabby gasped. “Really?”
Josiah’s sister nodded. “I took the pregnancy test last night. I had to tell someone, but I want to see the doctor before telling the whole family.”
A loud inhale caught their attention, and they turned. Josiah’s mom was standing in the doorway with her hand to her mouth, eyes wide and tearful. “You’re pregnant?”
Carrie Anne stood. “Yeah. At least, that’s what the test said.”
Her mom rushed forward and hugged her. “Ohhh, honey. This is the best news since Gabby’s last Christmas.”
Molly wished she’d had this kind of reaction to adopting Ellie. Her shoulders rounded, and she cast her gaze to the table as she remembered Ellie’s birth. It was supposed to be a happy day—a day of joy—but her mom had tried to hide a scowl. The nurses had tried to hand Ellie to Brenda when she was delivered, but she’d refused. Then they’d handed her to Derek, who promptly handed her to Molly.
The next thing Molly knew, her thoughts were being interrupted by an arm going across her shoulders, and Caroline was taking a seat next to her. “Sweetheart, we are thrilled you brought Ellie, and I would love to be her grandma, if you’ll let me. In my opinion, I can’t have too many grandbabies, and she fits just fine here.”
Oh, Molly felt awful for stealing Carrie Anne’s moment. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to take away from Carrie Anne.”
Carrie Anne joined her mom and stood next to her. “You didn’t. Everything’s fine. Besides, I really don’t want anything big until there’s a doctor telling me I’m pregnant.”
Caroline squeezed Molly’s shoulders tighter. “Honey, we’re family. You’d be hard-pressed to get any of us riled up. The only thing I’d be upset with is you not coming to family holidays or even a few trips in between. That little girl of yours is precious. I love her to pieces.”
Blinking back tears, Molly nodded, and Caroline hugged her. “I don’t know when you decided you were in the way or a burden, but you’re not, sweetheart. It takes special people to adopt, and you are pretty special in my opinion.”
She’d known these people all of a week, and they’d completely rocked her world. If nothing else, she wanted to protect her friendship with Josiah just so she could let Ellie grow up with people who appreciated the life they were given.
Molly’s mom was good to her, loved her and Derek, but not once had she ever made her feel wanted. Not like this. Molly wanted Ellie to havethis. A place and people to turn to when the world was cold, unmerciful, and mean. The kind of people who would hold her and love her and show her how to go out into the world and do the same.
Agreeing to come home with Josiah was one of the smartest decisions she’d ever made, other than adopting Ellie. She’d never be able to repay him, but she’d sure try to find a way.
Chapter 11
Sitting in her room, Molly rocked Ellie as she looked out the window. It had been a few days since the pie tasting. The days were filled with walks, playing cards, and literally becoming addicted to Reagan West’s coffee. She’d been half-heartedly kidding when she’d talked about having it shipped in. Now, she wasn’t kidding at all.
The time had also given her a chance to think even more about her own childhood. When she was a kid, the holidays were okay. When her mom wasn’t dating someone, sometimes she’d be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Other times she’d be at work. The holidays weren’t anything special, and they didn’t have extended family to visit.
Her phone rang, and she quickly grabbed it out of her pocket before it woke Ellie. “Hello?” she answered without checking the caller ID.
“Hey, sweetheart.” It was her mom with the obligatory Happy Thanksgiving. Well, belated. Each year it was different. Sometimes, her mom would call on the holiday. Others, she’d either call later or forget altogether.
“Hey, Mom. Happy Thanksgiving.”
“We were in town and stopped by your apartment. You haven’t moved, have you?”
Molly grunted a laugh. “No, I was invited to spend the holidays with a friend.”
“A friend?” The slight rise in her mom’s voice wasn’t missed.
