Page 45 of The Housekeeper's Billionaire Boss
He’d been abnormally quiet the whole ride home from Lubbock. She really hadn’t meant to hurt him, but she wasn’t giving in this time. No matter how hurt and dejected he seemed, she knew she’d made the right choice, both for her and Ellie but also for him. He could focus on his career, and she could focus on raising Ellie.
Reagan nudged Molly’s arm. “You can go talk to him. I’m positive he won’t bite.”
Molly pulled her gaze from Josiah back to Reagan. “I’m okay.”
“Right.”
“I am.” Molly could hear the indecision in her voice. “I really am okay. This is for the best.”
Reagan took her hand and pulled her away from the group. Once they were out of earshot, she stopped. “Last year at this time, I was so angry I could have spit nails. I thought Hunter had betrayed me. It was the worst feeling in the world.”
“But that was a different situation.” Plus, Reagan didn’t know what it was like to have people letting her down all the time.
“Not really. He’s stolen your heart, and once you decide to let someone hold your world in their hands, heartache always follows.”
Molly crossed her arms over her chest. “If this is your idea of a pep talk, you should stick with coffee.”
Chuckling, Reagan shook her head. “People are people. They will inevitably let you down because they’re human. No one is perfect. Are you saying you won’t ever hurt Josiah? Because by the looks of him, you already have. It’s part of trusting someone. If there is one thing this family has taught me, you never quit trying.”
“I’m not quitting. We want different things.” Molly dropped her arms to her sides. “I’ve made my mind up, and I’m not changing it. I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I’ve got Ellie, and she’s all I need.”
Reagan gathered Molly into a hug. “Okay.” After a hard squeeze, Reagan leaned back. “You have my number. If you ever need anything, you give me a call.”
Molly had everyone’s phone number, and they’d all said the same thing. She thought it was really kind of them. Not that she planned on taking them up on it, but the gesture was wonderful. “Thank you.”
“You’re family. You won’t ever not be family. Not to me, and definitely not to the Wests and Fredericks.”
Nodding, Molly smiled. “I know. They’re really great people.”
“Incredible is more like it. My parents already had plans this year, or they would have been here. So would my sister, Carlin. I think Carrie Anne is salivating to get her here just so she can fix her up with someone.”
They both laughed. “You think she’ll ever open up a matchmaking service?”
“Seriously? Yes. The girl is actually really good at it.” They both looked in Carrie Anne’s direction. “She’s going to be an amazing mom. I don’t think the girl has a mean bone in her body. Israel says she wasn’t always like this, but it’s hard to picture her any other way.”
Molly’s gaze drifted to the porch where she’d last seen Josiah. The chair was empty, and when she searched the crowd, he wasn’t with them either. Inwardly, she grumbled. Reagan was wrong on this one. Josiah and Molly weren’t meant to be, and despite the tiny voice she continued to tamp down, she wasn’t having a change of heart.
Ellie deserved a life free of the kind of pain Molly endured, and Molly’s renewed determination would see to it that Ellie’s life was as close to perfect as it could get.
Chapter 21
After returning to Dallas, Josiah had dropped Molly and Ellie off at their apartment. He’d offered to watch Ellie from time to time, but he’d gotten the distinct impression that he wouldn’t be seeing either of them for a while, if ever.
It had been a painfully long drive from the ranch, and he’d felt broken as he drove off from her apartment, leaving the two people he loved most in the world. In a bid to take his mind off of it, he’d invited Case over to talk about the apartment. If Josiah was moving, he wanted to get it done. The more distance between him and Dallas, the better.
The doorbell rang, and Josiah jogged to the door and pulled it open. “Hey, Case.”
“Hey,” his friend said and shook his hand, stepping inside. “There are times when I think you invite me here to rub it in that you won it.”
With a laugh, Josiah walked to the kitchen and pulled out a few bottles of Dr. Pepper, the state beverage of Texas. “Actually, that’s why you’re here.”
“So you admit it!” He laughed as he took the offered drink.
“No, I’m saying if you want it, it’s yours. I want to move back home.”
Case stared a Josiah a moment. “What?”
“I’m moving back home. Do you want the apartment or not?” Josiah asked and took a long drag of his drink.
