Page 23 of Wild Spirit Revival

“It’s not going to be easy. These boys, they’ve been through a lot. They might not want to open up to a stranger.”

“I understand. I’m willing to put in the time to earn their trust. I believe in the importance of sharing their stories. Will you help me?”

Elijah hesitated, his internal struggle evident in the set of his jaw. Part of him wanted to dismiss the idea outright. He had work to do, after all, and this was a distraction. Something in Molly’s earnest gaze gave him pause.

“I’ll consider it. My priority is the ranch and the boys’ well-being. Those come first, understood?”

Molly’s face broke into a radiant smile, catching him off guard. “Of course,” she agreed readily. “Thank you, Elijah. I promise you won’t regret this.”

As she turned to leave, her steps light with excitement, Elijah found himself watching her go, a strange mix of emotions stirring in his chest. What had he just agreed to? And why did he have the unsettling feeling his carefully ordered world was about to be turned upside down?

The following morning, Elijah found Molly in the kitchen, talking with Annalee. They were in a conversation about baby Beckett, and how Jolene and Grayson had decided to name him Cody Grayson.

He approached with measured steps, his expression neutral despite the unexpected flutter in his chest at the sight of her.

“Mornin’. You’re up early, Molly.”

“Couldn’t sleep. I’m excited about meeting the boys and hearing their stories.”

Elijah nodded. “We’ll start with the youngest.”

As they walked, Molly fell into step beside him. “Tell me about him.”

Elijah’s voice was low and steady. “His name is Gavin. He’s twelve. I found him hiding in our barn last winter, half-starved and scared out of his wits.”

“What happened to him?”

“Parents died in a fire,” Elijah replied, his jaw tightening. “He’d been on his own for months, just trying to survive.”

They approached a boy brushing down a pony, his movements gentle and methodical.

“Gavin,” Elijah called softly. “Come meet Miss O’Sullivan.”

He looked up, wariness evident in his eyes.

Molly smiled. “Hello, Gavin. That’s a beautiful pony you’ve got there.”

Gavin nodded shyly. “She’s a mare. Her name’s Daisy.”

As Molly engaged him in conversation, Elijah watched, a mix of surprise and admiration rising within him. He’d expected the boy to shy away, but Molly’s gentle character seemed to put him at ease.

Elijah busied himself inside the barn while keeping watch on them. It had taken months for Gavin to open up to him. No telling how long it would take for the boy to be comfortable with Molly. An hour passed before Molly joined him.

“It’s a remarkable story. We’re going to talk again tomorrow.”

“Do you want to talk to another of the orphans?”

She cleared her throat, an edge of distress in her voice. “Yes, I would.”

Elijah led Molly toward the corral on the other side of the barn, where an older boy was working with a beautiful colt. They stopped, resting their arms on the top rung of the fence.

“That’s Samuel. He’s sixteen. His ma died and his pa was a mean drunk. Samuel ran away after a bad beating. He ended up at the door of the orphanage in town. They didn’t have any beds, so they brought him out here.”

Molly’s face clouded with empathy. “How awful. These boys have been through so much.”

“Life isn’t always kind out here. These boys are survivors, every one of them.”

When Samuel finished, he walked the colt toward them. “Hey, Eli.”

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