Page 80 of Someone to Hold
MOLLY
Over the next week,we fall into a rhythm that feels as natural as breathing. I’m still frustrated by my lack of mobility, but I’m much more comfortable with the walking boot. Chase seems in no hurry to pull back on the amount he’s helping with the flowers, the driving, and overall being an integral part of our lives.
I feel like I should remind him that the better my business does, the more likely he is to lose his chance to buy the farm. Linda texted me a few photos from her trip to share with the kids, but she hasn’t asked how things are going with the nanny she sent to my doorstep.
And I haven’t given any updates.
It’s going to be difficult for her to accept that we’re not moving to Albuquerque, so I don’t want to put a damper on her time away. Plus, there’s no need to mention anything until I know I have the money to buy the property.
My friends think I should lean into the idea that Teddy would want his kids to be raised in his family’s home, but my mother-in-law isn’t a sentimental woman. I might be working on losing my fear of living life on my terms, but it’s not a dragon I can slay on thefirst try.
If I’ve learned anything from watching my friends succeed at their bucket list challenges, the important part is doing the work, making the changes, and accepting that fear might come along for the ride.
The kids are excited to help with a wedding in the barn. They also seem happier and more relaxed recently, and I’m quickly realizing how much living with Linda affected them. Maybe even more than it did me. She made it clear to us that we needed her because we couldn’t survive on our own.
But now? We’re doing more than surviving—we’re thriving.
Laurel is less snappish, and Luke is becoming more confident. He even asked to join one of the local T-ball teams so he could hang out with some of his new friends from school.
I won’t lie. The first time I watched Chase take my son out to the backyard to practice tossing the ball, I had to blink back tears. In that simple moment, I understood with startling clarity how much Teddy’s constant criticism fed our son’s anxiety. While Luke’s worries haven’t vanished completely, there’s been something transformational in the way Chase accepts him exactly as he is. It’s the same gift he’s given me with his genuine interest in my work and respect for what I’m creating here.
The morning of the wedding, the book club arrives like a small army to help transform my utilitarian barn into something that might pass for romantic. They’ve volunteered their decorating expertise to help me create magic from what is, let’s face it, still a building where livestock lives. Not that the bride minds. She’s too thrilled with the steep discount in exchange for letting me feature her photos on my website.
The one silver lining to my messed-up ankle is that it slowed me down enough that I’ve been able to devote time to making the flower farm’s online presence look more professional. It’s good that my mother-in-law only uses Facebook, and I’ve blocked her from seeing anything I post.
Luke begs Chase, who has also been helping all day, to let himshow my book club friends how much he’s progressed riding Gumdrop. And because they’re the best kind of friends, they ooh and aah as they watch him ride around the outdoor ring. My heart pinches once again at the pride and excitement on my son’s face. Chase coaxes out the best in Luke with his genuine encouragement and belief in what the boy can accomplish.
“You look good on that horse,” I hear Eric Anderson tell him when Luke climbs out of the saddle. Eric, Taylor’s fiancé, moved to Skylark with his teenage nephew a few months ago and retired from nearly a decade playing professional hockey in Germany after he and Taylor fell in love.
“I’m playing T-ball now, too,” Luke reports. “I scored at our first game last weekend.”
“That’s fantastic, bud,” Eric says. He squeezes Luke’s thin arm and nods approvingly. “Oh yeah—I feel the muscles. Maybe you want to try hockey?”
“I can’t skate,” Luke says with a frown.
“I can teach you to skate,” Eric replies.
“Or you could give football a try.” Ian moves to stand next to Eric. “I work with the local youth league. Your sister might like it too. Flag football is getting real popular with girls.”
“Girls can play hockey, too,” Eric says.
Chase meets my gaze over Gumdrop’s head and flashes a grin. “You got yourself some pretty awesome coaches ready to work with you,” he tells Luke.
Luke glances between the trio of men.
“I’m about to choke out on the testosterone,” Piper says as she comes to stand next to me.
“Is that a bad thing?” I ask.
She grins. “Not at all.”
“Thank you very much,” Luke says when Eric and Ian continue to stare at him. “Those are nice offers.”
“Nice,” Piper repeats, amusement lacing her tone.
“I’m going to be a cowboy. A bull rider like Chase.”
“Good for you, kid,” Eric says, patting my son on the shoulder.
