Page 37 of The Housekeeper's Billionaire Boss
Before Molly could announce herself, Josiah sighed and brought Ellie close to his face. “I sure do love you. I hope you know that despite my singing. We probably should have your hearing checked the next time you visit the pediatrician. For that, I’m truly sorry.” He grinned.
He loved Ellie, not Molly. Sure, they were kissing a whole lot, but how long had it been since she’d kissed someone? The last couple of months had been hard on her as she learned to balance work and being a mom. Everything she was feeling could be explained away as loneliness and stress.
Reagan meant well, but she was wrong. What she saw between Molly and Josiah wasn’t feelings as in dating or otherwise. It was two extremely lonely people finding common ground and using the other person to satisfy the need for companionship. There was nothing more to it.
Molly didn’t need to worry about her heart being broken or leaning on someone. As soon as the holidays were over, she’d keep in touch for Ellie’s sake, but whatever was going on between her and Josiah would be over as soon as they were back in Dallas and reality hit. With the pressure from her mom, did she really need to add relationship questions on top of it?
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and stilled her mind. It was Christmas Day. A day to relax and enjoy the present with presents. That’s what she was going to do. Cast worry aside and focus on the now.
Chapter 16
With Molly sitting next to Josiah, holding Ellie, it was easy for him to picture his life. Well, with maybe a couple more kids and even maybe a cat. Hunter and Reagan’s Great Dane was cool, but picking up after it? Uh, no, thanks.
Molly shifted Ellie from one arm to the other, and the conversation he’d overheard returned in stereo. He’d listened to Molly and Reagan talking for a minute and gone back upstairs to tend to Ellie so Molly could have her conversation without being interrupted.
She’d said he was fantastic…and just a friend. He’d known that, but hearing it was disappointing. He wasn’t even sure that was the right word for it. Expected? Maybe that was a better word.
After his talk with Bear, he’d allowed himself to get his hopes up about maybe having something with Molly. So much so that, if he was truthful, it was more than disappointing. More like heart-piercing.
He’d even reconsidered the whole marriage suggestion…until he held Ellie. As much as he loved her, he knew Molly loved her even more. He couldn’t go back on his promise to do everything he could to keep Ellie from being taken. It wasn’t like the whole marriage thing was set in stone anyway. If the lawyer didn’t see a reason for it, they wouldn’t.
“Josiah?”
The sound of Molly’s voice broke through his thoughts, and he looked at her. “Uh, sorry.”
His dad held up a gift and laughed. “You must have been thinking awful hard if you didn’t hear me call your name.” He passed the gift to Wyatt, and it slowly reached Josiah.
He shook his head. “No, just relaxing.”
His dad eyed him for a second. “If you say so.”
After tearing the paper off the gift, Josiah pulled on the corners of the box until it popped. A smile formed on his lips as he plucked the gift out, and he laughed. “A Mr. Matchmaker cruise to Alaska?” He grabbed the wrapping and checked the name on the gift tag. “Carrie Anne, what is this?”
“It’s exactly what it says.” She chuckled. “Open it.”
He kept his gaze trained on Carrie Anne as he pulled the brochure open. “Really? You’re not funny.” Two season tickets to the Rangers’ baseball games were hidden inside. “You’re not funny at all.”
Everyone busted out laughing except Bear and Josiah. Bear grumbled and stood. “He’s right. That’s not even a little funny.”
Carrie Anne quickly jumped up. “Bear, it was funny. All I did was make the profile, and it was only up on the site a tiny little bit. You went on one single date. Are you ever going to forgive me?”
Their dad stood and stepped in between them. “Listen here,” he said, turning to Bear. “This has gone on long enough—”
“But—”
“Hush, I’m speaking. It’s gone on long enough. Now, Bear, I get being upset. You had every right to be mad, but that was a while ago now, and Carrie Anne has apologized plenty. Accept the apology.”
Bear pinched his lips closed and shook his head. “Fine. Apology accepted.”
“And, Carrie Anne,” their dad said and turned to her. “If you want to do this matchmaking stuff, that’s fine, but open a business and do it. That way you’re not meddling where you shouldn’t be. Attempting to put Bear on that website was wrong. Apologize—”
“I—”
“Yes,but…That’s what you’ve used. You’ve apologized and hooked a reason to it. An apology is given without any strings or vindication or reasoning. It’s just an apology. Now, give Bear a real apology.”
Her shoulders sagged. “Bear, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you so mad or hurt you. I love you, and I want you happy…whatever that might mean to you.”
Wow. It was about time, but Josiah was surprised it was taking place during Christmas. Usually, this sort of stuff was left to work itself out, but in Bear’s case, it was going to take work to get him simmered down.
