Page 32 of 5 Golden Flings

“Suspicious?” Tristan supplied when Ben faltered. “Burned? Bossy?”

“The second one,” Ben confessed. “I wish you only the best,” he added.

“Right back at you. When will you and Molly tie the knot? Next year? Now that people have heard about you two they’ll want to know your plans.”

He should tell his friend that the engagement had been a ruse. That it was a joke, a way to keep his little sister at a distance.

It didn’t feel like a joke anymore. “I’ll keep you posted.” Tristan’s father joined them, saving Ben from saying more. He looked for Molly again, but still didn’t see her. He finally saw Natalie, but she was with her sisters. Still no Molly.

Molly didn’t like crowds. Maybe she was in the lobby, hiding out. Before he could reach the exit he was waylaid by a couple of young guys he’d played with last year, before they’d been traded. Nice guys, both of them, still fresh and hyped up about the game and their place in it. He liked talking to the new players, sucking up their enthusiasm, and it would be rude to brush them off. They talked a while. He continued to search the room for Molly without success.

Natalie’s mother Diane intercepted him on his way out. She was a nice woman, the neighborhood mom who’d always insisted on giving all the kids healthy snacks. They’d had to go to Molly’s house for chips and cookies. Still, Diane hadn’t been wrong.

“There you are. If you’re here I know Molly can’t be far away!” She gave him a quick hug. “I wanted to have a chat with her this week, but you’ve been monopolizing her time.” That was followed by a sly wink. “She was always such a sweet girl.”

“She was. Still is.”

“I hate that we’ve lost touch, but it happens, I suppose.”

“It does.”

“You two.” Diane shook her head. “I should’ve known. You’re perfect for each other!”

The bride’s mother was swept away by her husband. Nice woman, but Ben wasn’t sorry to see her go. Diane gave a wave in his direction as she was swallowed up by the crowd.

Another woman, one he didn’t know, tried to sidle up to him. Ben had no more time to waste, and he was getting worried. He excused himself and left the crowded room.

In the lobby he ran into Rosie, who was on her way back from the ladies room. As she came closer he asked, “Have you seen Molly?”

Rosie stopped in her tracks. “You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

“Molly’s gone. She lit out of here a few minutes ago. Dragging her suitcase, still wearing her bridesmaid dress, which I thought was odd.” She glared at him. “What did you do? You must’ve done something. I swear, if you can’t hang onto a woman like Molly you’re a lost cause.”

Out of all that he hung onto one terrifying fact.

Molly was gone.

CHAPTER 9

Molly had always lovedChristmas at her parents’ house. She’d grown up here. There were memories in every corner. The ornaments on the tree and many of the decorations on tables and shelves had been displayed for Christmas all during her childhood and into adulthood. She didn’t miss her Knoxville apartment at all. This was home, even if she did have to sleep next to a treadmill.

“Why didn’t you ever tell me that Ben Crusher played baseball?” Molly asked. “You knew, right?” She placed three Christmas angels on the bookshelf in the living room, while her mother rearranged ornaments on the tree. They had to bejust right.

“You don’t like baseball, and you haven’t seen Benjy since he was a kid. I guess I didn’t think you’d care.”

Wouldshe have cared, before she’d seen him again? Hard to say.

“No one calls him Benjy anymore.”

Her mother made a disgusted huffing noise. “He’ll always be Benjy to me.”

A week ago she would’ve said the same.

A timer in the kitchen sounded, and her mom scurried in that direction.

The smell of baking cookies filled the air, and in this house Christmas music played all day and into the night. No news here, no television. Just music.

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