Page 26 of Protecting What Is Mine

“You know, big guy. If you’re going to be hanging around, you probably ought to have a name. Just calling Hey you, all the time doesn’t seem right.” The pup turns his head, raising one ear as he does, like he’s trying to understand me.

Mollie squats back down in front of the animal and scratches behind his ears as I try to come up with a fitting name. “You did a great job, but he definitely still smells like gas…or diesel…or something.”

“Diesel. That’s a strong name. And it’s befitting of a fine, strong animal. What’d you think, Mol?”

She looks back and smiles. “It’s perfect.”

“Alright then, it’s settled. Diesel, you’ve taken more than your share of time away from us. So, you’re on your own while we go four wheeling. Understand?” I take Mollie’s hand in mine and lead her to the barn, with Diesel promptly ignoring my instruction and following at our heels.

I tie the basket with our lunch in it onto the front of my Yamaha and lift a red motocross helmet off the wall for Mollie. “Why don’t you give this one a try, it should fit. Now, the million-dollar question.” I motion toward the machines beside me. “Do you want to ride your own?” I ask, pointing at the red Honda TRX. “Or double up with me on the Yami?”

For the first time today, I notice Mollie isn’t smiling. “Hey, what’s the matter? If you’re not comfortable riding by yourself, it’s totally fine.” When she looks at me, the way she looks at me, I’d swear she was about to cry. “Hey, what’s the matter? Do you not want to go explore the trails? That’s alright, we can figure out something else to do.”

She looks at the ground, kicking at the gravel before she answers. “No, it’s not that. It’s just…I don’t know…it’s been a rough couple of days. Do you mind if I ride with you?”

“A beautiful woman scrunched up against me? Wrapping her arms around my waist and holding on for dear life when I…ahem…if I get a little squirrely with the throttle? I don’t think I’d mind.” I smile, but she still doesn’t look up. “Hey.” I lift her chin. “What happened?”

Mollie looks up but won’t make eye contact. “What do you mean?”

“Where’d this come from all of a sudden?” I motion to Diesel. “With him, you seemed like you didn’t have a care in the world. And now…I don’t understand what’s changed.”

Mollie steps in close and hugs me. “I just really missed you. And I don’t want to be any farther away from you than I have to be. Ever.”

I smile. “Sounds good to me.” I lean down and kiss her forehead and gently stroke her hair until she pulls away.

“I’m sorry about this. I don’t know what got into me.” She wipes her eyes. “Let’s get this thing out on the trail,” she says, motioning toward the Yamaha.

It’s clear that something has her upset, but she doesn’t appear ready to talk about it, and I don’t want to push. “Yes, ma’am,” I say, following her lead. I help her with her helmet before strapping mine on and climbing onto the ATV. I pull out of the barn nice and slow, stopping when we reach the edge of the gravel to check on my passenger. “You doing okay? So far so good?” I ask.

“So far, so boring. I thought this was going to be exhilarating,” she jokes. “Punch it already, would ya?”

Clearly this woman doesn’t know who she’s talking to.

I reach down and wrap her arms tight around my waist and then hit the throttle. Hard.

The Yamaha lunges forward, throwing gravel and grass and anything unlucky enough to get caught under the wheels high into the air as we fishtail across the field.

I take Mollie on a tour of the property, showing her the goats and the chickens and my homemade dirt track, and then blaze down the trails I’ve cleared in the woods. We spend most of the afternoon exploring from one end of the property to the other.

Through everything, I am constantly aware of her presence behind me. Her body pressing against mine, squeezing into me as I cut a sharp corner or goose the throttle to fishtail the rear end. All of it combining into one thought that rolls through my mind again and again.

I want this woman.

---