Page 65 of Right in Front of You

CARTER

I refusedto have Molly wheel me around town as if I were an old man, which infuriated her.

“Why don’t you let me help?”

“You do help. More than enough. But if I can do something on my own, I want to.”

“You’re going to push yourself too far too quickly.”

“Nah.” I waved my hand. “Impossible.”

“Says a fireman who thought he was invincible and walked into a burning building in a t-shirt and shorts.”

“Mackenzie—”

“I know. I’m sorry, but it doesn’t change the fact that you need to accept help when it’s offered.”

“How about I ask you to help me undress later on?” I wiggled my brow as she laughed and shook her head.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Molly asked, when the taxi pulled up to the curb. I gave her a nod of reassurance and opened the door for her. It felt so good to do something normal, like open the door for a beautiful woman.

This was the first time she’d seen me on crutches. I’d been practicing walking everyday while she was at work, but given the mixture of surprise and concern on her face, Molly had no clue how hard I’d been working behind her back just to see that pure look of joy when she saw me reach a goal for the first time.

We sat inside the cab and she read the address to the driver. Since I was new in town, that meant nothing to me. Molly grinned, knowing very well that I was itching to find out where we were going.

“Patience is a virtue.” Her soft whisper wiped the frown off my face. The way her eyes were glowing with happiness, I could never be upset with her, about anything.

The ride lasted ten minutes before we pulled up to a curb by a restaurant.

“Is this where we’re going?” I asked.

Molly first slipped out of the cab and removed my crutches from the trunk. I turned in the seat and stood up all on my own. She smiled with pride, then looked up to the top of the building where the restaurant’s name, Spiced Grill, was spelled out in rusted metal letters hanging above the entrance. “I haven’t been here in a while, but the food is delicious. And they don’t have mechanical bulls.”

I chuckled.

“I didn’t think you’d be making a move on me so soon, Molly, because you know what they say – the fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Resting my weight on the crutches, I patted my belly.

She laughed. I loved the sound of Molly’s laugh. I always had, especially when it was so heartfelt. “You didn’t think we were going for a hike, did you?”

“You never know. I mean, I’ve heard you like to be adventurous.”

“Oh, yeah? From who?”

“How about I hold onto that secret for a while longer?”

“Now I want to know what you’re thinking that much more.”

“I’ll tell you, but only if you promise to fulfill that same adventure with me.”

Molly got that priceless look on her face as she dug through her memories, but it didn’t seem that she knew what I was talking about.

“Hmm, that sounds dangerous, but I haven’t done that many dangerous things in life, so… okay, I’ll bite.”

“All right. Remember the time you suggested going skinny-dipping with Jo and Daisy after Nick left? You will go skinny dipping with me.”

“Jo told you that?”

“Was it a lie?”

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