Page 45 of Moonlit Kisses

“Yeah. The water turned freezing again.” The door opens, exposing Molly wrapped in a threadbare towel. She peers around the apartment. “Has Martin left?”

“Not yet. He’s gone downstairs to grab his tools. He’ll fix the wiring today since we all forgot about it yesterday.”

Molly blows out a breath. “Oh, thank goodness. Every time I have a shower, I cross my fingers that it won’t go cold, but it doesn’t work.” She giggles. I’m not sure how she’s still finding humor after everything she’s been through. “I’ll get dressed. Back in five.”

Yeah right. I’ve never known a woman to be ready that fast. I openly admire her long legs until she closes her bedroom door. Sure enough, she comes out of her bedroom as Martin steps back inside to fix the hot water.

* * *

As Molly and I share lunch, I study her for any signs that she’s still upset. But there’s nothing. I shouldn’t be surprised, because she gave no outward sign about her situation or how much she’d lost until the other night.

“Are you okay?” I’m not going to attempt to guess how she’s feeling. Having two sisters, I know how difficult it can be to gauge a woman’s emotions.

She raises her head, her eyebrows scrunched. “Yeah?” Her voice is unsure, the single word coming out more like a question.

“Are you okay after Martin showed up unannounced this morning?”I’m still pissed about it, and it had nothing to do with me.

“Oh right. It was a surprise, and I definitely wasn’t ready. But I didn’t have the heart to turn him away.” She scrunches up her nose. “It was pretty awkward. He left some photos of my mom for me to look at, though, which is pretty cool. I never saw what she was like when she was young. When she left, she didn’t take any of that sort of stuff with her.” She shrugs and stays silent for a few moments, and I think that’s all she’s going to say. “I’m a bit confused, though.”

“Yeah. What about?”

“I dunno. He … he basically abandoned Mom when she told him she was pregnant. But he seems incredibly upset about missing out on being in my life. His reaction doesn’t add up.” She shrugs and picks at her sandwich.

I run my thumbnail across my bottom lip as I collect my thoughts. “Maybe he’s always regretted his decision. I don’t want to make excuses for the guy, but he wasonlynineteen when he knocked up your mom.”

She drops her sandwich back to the desk and straightens. “My mom wasonlyseventeen. But she took full responsibility. Made important decisions and stuck with them.” Her eyes scan around the office, like she’s looking for something. “Mom had to grow up fast and face the reality of her situation. She didn’t walk away—she couldn’t. Her life was hard. Damn hard raising a baby on her own. Living in a car. Barely getting by. Working minimal jobs that allowed her to keep a baby in the back office for short periods of time.” Her voice cracks and her eyes become glassy.

Well, fuck.

I move my chair closer to hers and wrap my arm around her shoulder to drag her in close. I gently press her head against my chest. “Your mom sounds like she was an incredible woman. She made tough choices and followed through. You’re an amazing person as a result of her parenting.” I stroke my hand down her soft hair. “The only way you’ll get answers is if you ask Martin directly. Maybe there was some sort of misunderstanding? I dunno. I wish I had the answers and I could take away this pain for you.”

She nods. “I know.”

Molly peels away from me and heads to the bathroom to wash her face and gather her composure while I clean up from lunch. She opens the door, looking marginally more put together. “Are you gonna be okay? You can take the afternoon off if you need.”

She waves away my concern. “I’ll be okay. It’s better if I keep busy. I promise I’m alright.”

I hug her, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead and then head back out to the workshop to get on with the tire change and wheel alignment I need to finish.

* * *

“Uncle Maaaaax!” Kenny’s sweet voice shouts from the opposite side of the workshop.

Shit. I lost track of time and I forgot to let Molly know Emma was bringing the kids by this afternoon. Apparently, she needed to drop something off, but I think it’s an excuse to check out my new office manager so she can report back to the rest of the family.

I drop the torque wrench and hurry to the office door before Kenny decides to run across my workshop to get to me. The kids know the rules. They’re not allowed on the workshop floor unless they’re right beside me or Emma, but Kenny gets excited and makes her own rules.

As I close in on the door, Kenny leaps at me—I love how much she trusts me. I catch her easily, throwing her into the air with a flourish. She giggles as I catch her and kiss her forehead. “How’s my Kenny?” I press my forehead to hers. She’s one of the sweetest kids I’ve ever met, and I don’t think I’m bias because she’s my niece.

“I’m good. We came to visit you.” Her face is alight with joy, her body is practically vibrating with excitement.

“I can see that.” I tap the tip of her nose, then place her back on her feet.

“Hi, Uncle Max. What are you working on over there?” Austin points in the direction I just came.

I muss his hair. “Hey, Buddy. I’m doing a tire change and wheel alignment.”

His eyes light up. “Can I help?”

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