Page 11 of Protecting What Is Mine

Hell, the only part of the whole evening that doesn’t sit well with me, is hearing Mollie tell me about the losers she’s gone out with in the past. From the bits of life story that she shares, it’s clear the girl has been through some hard times. But the thing is, you’d never know it to be around her. I don’t think I’ve ever met a more positive, upbeat, optimistic person in my life.

Long before I’m ready, I see it’s almost ten p.m. and time for me to get her home, so I can get back to my nightshift routine at the hospital. Chet’s awake and healing, but Christy can’t stand the idea of him being there by himself, and she’s sworn she’s going to stay with him if I don’t. Really? Every night? In that godawful chair? No way I’m letting that happen. She’s got a toddler and a business to worry about, whereas, my situation allows for a good bit more flexibility. So, I’ll suffer through nights fighting for sleep in that damned hospital chair, while Chet happily snores away beside me in his stupid bed.

But hell…it’s family. What are you gonna do?

The windows in the house are dark, so I kill the headlights before turning into the driveway. I slide out of the truck and hustle around to Mollie’s side to help her down so I can walk her to the door. We stand there for a while, under the yellow glow of her porch light, laughing about the evening and holding hands.

I look into Mollie’s eyes. “I had a really nice time tonight.”

“Me too,” she whispers.

“As far as I’m concerned, it was worth the wait.”

“Definitely. Hope that means you won’t make me wait so long next time,” she says, before leaning in and lightly kissing me on the lips. “Goodnight, Hank Wilde.”

“Goodnight, beautiful.”

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