The Housekeeper's Billionaire Boss (Caprock Canyon Romance Book 3) Read online

  Lifting on her toes, Molly placed a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you.”

  “You bet,” Josiah replied and watched Molly nearly float over to the women who were talking. He lowered his gaze to Ellie. “I think your mommy needed some serious adult conversation. How about me and you find a recliner and nap? What do you say?”

  Ellie gurgled and cooed, wiggling a little as she did.

  “I have all sorts of great ideas, don’t I?”

  She wrapped her hand around his finger. Oh man, he was done for. This little girl had his heart, but that was okay.

  His phone rang, and he pulled it from his pocket. It was his client Malakai Raven, the lead singer of Crush…again. He’d been the one who’d called so late on Black Friday.

  Josiah sandwiched the phone between his shoulder and his ear. “Hello?”

  “Hey, I looked through those properties you sent me, but I don’t think any of them would be great for a restaurant location. I really need that eclectic rocker vibe, you know?”

  No, Josiah didn’t know, not really. But the sites he’d shown Malakai did give him an idea of what to avoid. “Well, when I get back to Dallas in January, I could look again now that I know what you don’t like.”

  “Well, that’s the problem. We’ve been asked to perform live in Times Square New Year’s Eve, and then we’re going on tour. I need to find the location so my partner, Tyler, can get to work.”

  “Uh, okay,” Josiah said and looked around the room. “Hold on one second.”

  “Sure.”

  Muting the phone, Josiah walked over to Molly. “Hey, I’m so sorry, but I have to take this. It’s…”

  Molly took Ellie. “What’s going on?”

  His mom looked up at him from where she was sitting. “Are you leaving?”

  Nodding, he said, “Yeah, I have some work I need to take care of.”

  “Work? We barely see you. Can’t it wait until after the holidays?” his mom asked.

  “No, I can’t put it off.”

  Molly held his gaze a moment. “Will you be back soon?”

  He shrugged. “Uh, I don’t know. I’m not sure how long this will take. If I don’t get back before you’re ready to leave…” He looked at his mom. “Could you give her a ride home if I’m not back before you guys head back to the house?”

  “Sure,” his mom replied.

  “I’m okay with that.” That’s what Molly’s lips said, but the look she was giving him said it was anything but okay.

  His shoulders sagged. “If I could, I’d tell you more, but I can’t. I signed a confidentiality agreement.”

  “We’re good.” This time Molly gave him a real smile, or at least it looked like a real smile.

  “I’ll get the car seat and leave it before I go.” Josiah leaned down and kissed Ellie. “This is the last time, I promise. I’ll see you later.”

  He strode to the front door, grabbed his coat, and slipped outside, taking his phone off mute. “Hey, Malakai, sorry to keep you waiting.”

  More than anything, Josiah was sorry for leaving. For the longest time, his mind had been set on becoming Realtor of the Year, and now he wondered if maybe it wasn’t what he wanted. It sure didn’t make him feel successful. Not when he had to leave the two girls he cared about most.

  Shaking his head, he cleared his thoughts. Just a few weeks. That’s all he needed. Then he could think about other goals. Goals like love and family and kids.

  * * *

  Molly cut through her slice of pie and took a bite. Good heavens, it was delicious. With the way the kitchen smelled of cinnamon and nutmeg and apples, there was no way it was going to taste bad. Gabby had used fresh pecans, roasted pecans, and several other varieties including everything from maple-baked to honey-toasted pecans.

  Groaning, Molly closed her eyes, absolutely certain she’d died and gone to pie heaven. “Oh, girl, this is so good.”

  “You’ve said that about all of them.” Gabby laughed.

  “Because it’s true. They’re so good. I think my favorite is that one.” Molly pointed to the maple-roasted-pecan apple pie with the laced crust topping. “There’s something about that maple that just melts in your mouth.”

  Gabby nodded. “That’s my favorite too. Wyatt says it’s too sweet for him.”

  Molly absolutely loved Gabby. Well, she loved all of them. They were as genuine now as they’d been when they’d gone shopping. They weren’t putting on fronts or being nice. They were all just good people. They didn’t think she was weird for loving comic books and Sharknado. If only Josiah had been there to back her up about it being a great movie.

  When he’d left her on the night of Black Friday, she’d waved it off. Today, though, it hit her harder. It wasn’t just her he’d let down; it was his family too. The people he said he loved. If he could leave them, did she even stand a chance? Not just her, but Ellie too. Could Ellie count on him to be there when she was in a play? What if he promised to be there and didn’t show up?

  Carrie Anne walked into the kitchen and took a seat next to Molly. Leaning forward with her arms on the table, she sighed. “It’s a really good thing you weren’t doing this pie stuff before I got married. My dress wouldn’t have fit.”

  “I’m thinking I should’ve packed my set of Thanksgiving pants,” Molly added. “I’m gonna be waddling by the time I get back to Dallas.”

  Josiah’s sister smiled, and her eyes narrowed a fraction.

  “No, Carrie Anne!” Gabby popped her on the arm. “Don’t even think about it.”

  She scoffed. “What? All I did was smile.”

  Gabby leveled her eyes at Carrie Anne and pointed a finger at her. “I know you, remember?”

  Molly lifted an eyebrow. “Do I want to know what that was all about?”

  Sighing, Gabby said, “That look is the one that gets you put on a dating website or pretending to date a guy to make someone else jealous.”

  “In my defense, the last one worked.” Carrie Anne crossed her arms over her chest as she sat back. “And as for the first, Bear is just difficult. He didn’t even give it a chance.”

  Molly sucked in a sharp breath. “You were gonna matchmake me?”

  “Yes,” Gabby said.

  At the same time, Carrie Anne replied, “No.”

  Pointing at Gabby, Molly chuckled. “I think I believe her.”

  Carrie Anne’s lips quirked up. “I was just thinking…you fit here, and wouldn’t it be awesome if we were sisters. That’s all. I know you said you don’t date, but…well, I think you and Josiah would be great together.”

  “That’s sweet, but I can’t break my rule. Before I adopted Ellie, I made that promise.” The longer she was around him, the dumber her rule became. He wasn’t the kind of guy to cut and run if things got difficult. She knew it in her heart, but her head was putting up a defense that could rival a seasoned lawyer. “Most guys don’t want to date a single mom. I figured it would just be easier that way.”

  “Clearly, Josiah doesn’t have that problem,” Carrie Anne said.

  Molly took another bite of pie, trying to think of a reasonable argument. Her problem was, she didn’t have any. Josiah was amazing, even if he had left her for work again. It was the second time, but they weren’t dating. Maybe things would be different if they were.

  “I will admit that.” She held up her finger. “But, that doesn’t change the rule. It’s not just about whether he gets along with Ellie or even loves her. Two people can love a child and have it still not work out between them.” That was the part that scared her the most. Falling in love with him and it not working out. Not just for the safety of her own heart, but his as well. “I lived it. I don’t want that for Ellie.”

  Carrie Anne leaned back. “You have a point.”

  “I can’t fault you either,” Gabby added. “Having Travis made things so different. I’ve known and loved Wyatt since I can remember, but once I held this tiny little human, my whole world view shifted. I love Wyatt and would do
anything for him. But Travis? I’d move heaven and earth for him. It’s a love I had no idea I was capable of having.”

  Carrie Anne grinned. “I don’t know how it is to hold my own child in my hands…yet.”

  Gabby gasped. “Really?”

  Josiah’s sister nodded. “I took the pregnancy test last night. I had to tell someone, but I want to see the doctor before telling the whole family.”

  A loud inhale caught their attention, and they turned. Josiah’s mom was standing in the doorway with her hand to her mouth, eyes wide and tearful. “You’re pregnant?”

  Carrie Anne stood. “Yeah. At least, that’s what the test said.”

  Her mom rushed forward and hugged her. “Ohhh, honey. This is the best news since Gabby’s last Christmas.”

  Molly wished she’d had this kind of reaction to adopting Ellie. Her shoulders rounded, and she cast her gaze to the table as she remembered Ellie’s birth. It was supposed to be a happy day—a day of joy—but her mom had tried to hide a scowl. The nurses had tried to hand Ellie to Brenda when she was delivered, but she’d refused. Then they’d handed her to Derek, who promptly handed her to Molly.

  The next thing Molly knew, her thoughts were being interrupted by an arm going across her shoulders, and Caroline was taking a seat next to her. “Sweetheart, we are thrilled you brought Ellie, and I would love to be her grandma, if you’ll let me. In my opinion, I can’t have too many grandbabies, and she fits just fine here.”

  Oh, Molly felt awful for stealing Carrie Anne’s moment. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to take away from Carrie Anne.”

  Carrie Anne joined her mom and stood next to her. “You didn’t. Everything’s fine. Besides, I really don’t want anything big until there’s a doctor telling me I’m pregnant.”

  Caroline squeezed Molly’s shoulders tighter. “Honey, we’re family. You’d be hard-pressed to get any of us riled up. The only thing I’d be upset with is you not coming to family holidays or even a few trips in between. That little girl of yours is precious. I love her to pieces.”

  Blinking back tears, Molly nodded, and Caroline hugged her. “I don’t know when you decided you were in the way or a burden, but you’re not, sweetheart. It takes special people to adopt, and you are pretty special in my opinion.”

  She’d known these people all of a week, and they’d completely rocked her world. If nothing else, she wanted to protect her friendship with Josiah just so she could let Ellie grow up with people who appreciated the life they were given.

  Molly’s mom was good to her, loved her and Derek, but not once had she ever made her feel wanted. Not like this. Molly wanted Ellie to have this. A place and people to turn to when the world was cold, unmerciful, and mean. The kind of people who would hold her and love her and show her how to go out into the world and do the same.

  Agreeing to come home with Josiah was one of the smartest decisions she’d ever made, other than adopting Ellie. She’d never be able to repay him, but she’d sure try to find a way.

  Chapter 11

  Sitting in her room, Molly rocked Ellie as she looked out the window. It had been a few days since the pie tasting. The days were filled with walks, playing cards, and literally becoming addicted to Reagan West’s coffee. She’d been half-heartedly kidding when she’d talked about having it shipped in. Now, she wasn’t kidding at all.

  The time had also given her a chance to think even more about her own childhood. When she was a kid, the holidays were okay. When her mom wasn’t dating someone, sometimes she’d be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Other times she’d be at work. The holidays weren’t anything special, and they didn’t have extended family to visit.

  Her phone rang, and she quickly grabbed it out of her pocket before it woke Ellie. “Hello?” she answered without checking the caller ID.

  “Hey, sweetheart.” It was her mom with the obligatory Happy Thanksgiving. Well, belated. Each year it was different. Sometimes, her mom would call on the holiday. Others, she’d either call later or forget altogether.

  “Hey, Mom. Happy Thanksgiving.”

  “We were in town and stopped by your apartment. You haven’t moved, have you?”

  Molly grunted a laugh. “No, I was invited to spend the holidays with a friend.”

  “A friend?” The slight rise in her mom’s voice wasn’t missed.

  “Just a friend.”

  “I was hoping to see Ellie.”

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t know. Usually, you and Dad are out of town, visiting his family.”

  “Well, I know, but this year is different. You have my granddaughter.” She took a deep breath. “I’m still a little shocked that neither you nor your brother thought to ask me if I wanted her. I’ve been a single mom, and I know how hard it is. I didn’t want that for you.”

  Molly stood and walked to the crib to lay Ellie down. “Mom, I’m doing fine. I love her, and she’s well taken care of.”

  “On a housekeeper’s wage? I don’t see how that’s possible. And your apartment is too small to raise a child.”

  It was the same argument made before Brenda made her choice. Her mom had a stable income, a home, and the baby would have two parents. It made more sense for her to adopt Ellie, not Molly.

  Ultimately, it was up to Brenda, and she’d chosen Molly. Her mom hadn’t liked it at the time, but it was better that Ellie stayed with family. That way, they knew she was being taken care of.

  Since then, nothing had been said. Her mom had even been at the hospital when Ellie was born and visited the week after she was home. Until now, Molly thought it was settled.

  “We’ve had this conversation. I wanted her. Things may not be perfect, but I love my life with Ellie.”

  Her mom cleared her throat. “Derek and Brenda received the paperwork notifying them that their rights were being severed about a week ago. We’ve talked some more, and they agree with us that your dad and I should have her.”

  Molly’s heart rate doubled. “What does that mean? I’m her mother. You can’t just take her from me.”

  “I was hoping the two of us could talk and make this as easy for both you and Ellie as we can. That we could come to an agreement.”

  Sucking in a lungful of air, Molly tried to make sense of what she was hearing. “Brenda wanted me to have her. The adoption is one step away from done. You can’t do this.”

  “Actually, we’ve talked to a lawyer. Since the adoption isn’t finalized yet, Derek and Brenda can switch custody from you to us. The lawyer says that if we can show we’re a better fit, we’ll have a good shot at being granted custody.” She paused. “That’s not how I want to handle it, but she’s my granddaughter, and I want what’s best for her.”

  Easing herself down on the corner of the bed, Molly’s entire body was shaking. Her mom was talking about ripping her daughter away from her. “I’m what’s best for her.”

  “Molly, I love you, and I think you are a fantastic person, but you really aren’t in any shape to take on the responsibility of a baby.”

  Molly wanted to pinch herself. This had to be a nightmare. “I’m twenty-nine years old, twelve years older than you when you had Derek, and apparently, you were just fine being a single parent.”

  Her mom took a deep breath. “This is different.”

  “Is this why you were stopping by my apartment? To discuss stealing my child from me? How much money did you offer them?” That’s the only thing Molly could think of that would have made Derek and Brenda change their minds.

  Her mom scoffed. “We didn’t offer them anything, and we’re not stealing her from you.” She sighed heavily. “You deserve a life that’s not weighed down with a child. You’re young. There’s plenty of time to have children when you’re older.”

  Molly stood. “Ellie is not a weight. She is the best thing to ever happen to me, and I love her. She’s my little girl, and you can’t have her.” She clicked the end button, and her lips trembled as hot tears ran down her cheeks.

&nbs
p; A knock came from her door. “Molly, it’s Josiah.”

  Normally, she hated for someone to catch her crying, but she wasn’t sure she’d ever stop at this point. She walked to the door and opened it.

  Josiah sucked in a sharp breath. “What’s wrong?”

  She stepped into him as the tears fell harder, and he put his arms around her, setting his cheek on top of her head. “I’m here. Whatever it is, you can count on me.” He squeezed her tighter, and it felt like he was the only thing holding her together.

  Leaning back, she sniffled and hiccupped. “My mom is trying to take Ellie from me.”

  “Why?” His eyebrows furrowed. “You’re a great mom.”

  “Derek and Brenda have changed their minds about who they want to have custody. My mom has talked to a lawyer, and since the adoption isn’t finalized, they can challenge it.” She dissolved into tears again and balled her fists in his t-shirt. “They’re going to take her.”

  He held her out from him. “She’s not taking Ellie from you.”

  It was so sweet that he was saying it, but he couldn’t be sure of that. Derek and Brenda were Ellie’s parents. The adoption wasn’t final, and they could change their minds. Plus, Molly didn’t have the finances to fight them. Josiah paid her well, but her parents had deeper pockets. If Brenda and her brother had changed their minds, there was nothing she could do. She didn’t even know where they were or if they were even together anymore.

  “That’s really sweet of you, but knowing my mom, she wouldn’t have said anything if she didn’t think there was a possibility of it happening.” She turned and pulled away from him, stopping at the end of the crib to watch Ellie sleep. “She’d said something before I began the adoption process, but I had no idea she was still thinking about it. I honestly thought it was settled. I don’t have the money to fight it.”

  “I do,” Josiah said.

  She looked at him. He was a good man, and she appreciated his offer. “I—"

  “Molly, I’m a billionaire.”

  She barked a tiny laugh. “I know you’re trying to make me feel better, but I just need a second to figure out what I’m going to do.”