Page 57 of Finding Molly Parsons

“Carmen and Mateo have set her on the right track. You should have seen the poor girl when she first turned up. I thought I’d taken too many gummies and was tripping.”

“What do you mean?” Bessie chuckled.

“Think Little House on the Prairie or The Waltons and that’s what Faith looked like. I half expected her to start milking a cow in the front yard.”

“She was a disaster,” Mateo said from the doorway. All three women turned. Molly grinned at Mateo’s near six-foot frame wrapped in a silk robe. His hair was still perfectly coiffed.

“Thought you went to bed?” Enid asked.

“I couldn’t sleep and Carmen is like a goddamn elephant when she gets into bed.”

“Is she still up there?” Enid inquired.

“She jumped in the shower after I beat the crap out of her for waking me up. She knows I need my beauty sleep.”

“You need a gummy,” Enid said, holding out her palm.

“Are you like the oldest drug dealer?” Bessie laughed.

“It’s legal. And let’s be honest, kids these days need to chill out.”

“You’re chill enough for all of us,” Mateo commented, but took the offered gummy. “So Molly, how are you feeling after today?” Mateo sat himself down next to Enid, crossing his legs.

“It’s been… unreal, to be honest. I’m over the moon she sought me out.”

“And your brother?”

“That’s going to take some time to filter through the old noggin,” Molly laughed. “It’s more important that I get to know my niece and support her.”

“Carmen’s taken a real shine to her,” Mateo said, a hint of protectiveness in his voice.

“So have you,” Enid added.

“Yeah, that’s fair.”

“I can’t thank you both enough, really. You’ve been a godsend. I won’t presume to know what Faith wants to do next. From what she was telling me, you and Carmen have helped her set up a life for herself in Seattle.”

“She needed a little guidance, is all. As soon as we did a makeover, that girl took off. Her confidence soared.” Mateo smiled wistfully.

“Well, from what I know, you provided her with everything she needed, so thank you.”

“We’re in her life now. No matter what she wants to do or where she wants to live. She’s a Ruiz.”

Molly smiled widely. Faith really had found the best people possible to help her out. The affection in Mateo’s eyes was palpable. Which led Molly to question if she was going to be seeing a lot more of Carmen and Mateo in the future.

“You lot are so noisy,” Carmen yawned. Molly looked over her shoulder and nearly choked on her tongue. Carmen’s hair was piled up on top of her head, showing off an undercut. Holy hell! The hair, along with Carmen in boxer briefs and a tank top, was a vision of pure eroticism. Molly squirmed in her seat and forced herself to look away. The smirk on Enid’s face pissed her off because she’d been caught drooling.

“We’re noisy?” Mateo laughed sardonically. “Carmen, you woke me up through earplugs when you stomped your way into the room.”

“You’re so dramatic, Hermano,” Carmen tutted. “You weren’t asleep because you didn’t sound like a jackhammer.”

“I do not snore,” Mateo shrieked.

“Mateo, seriously, we’re having this argument again?”

“Are they always like this?” Molly whispered to Enid.

“Yup, it’s very entertaining. Especially high.”

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