Chapter 76
76
Molly
Cassidy: Okay, spill. Is the rumor true? Are you at a farm?
Josie: Like . . . an actual farm? With cows and chickens? And dirt? Send a mushroom emoji if you’re in trouble and need rescuing.
Molly: Yes, there are cows, and chickens, and dirt. And no, I don’t need rescuing. Yet.
Cassidy: Yet?!!!! What are you even doing out there?
Molly: Mostly trying not to get eaten alive by mosquitoes.
Josie: OMG. How did this happen? Were you kidnapped?
Cassidy: Hudson. It’s Hudson, isn’t it? You’re being held hostage by that man.
Molly: I am not being held hostage. I’m fine.
Cassidy: So you’re willingly on a farm? Molly, I’ve known you long enough to know that willingly and farm do not belong in the same sentence for you.
Molly: I am here of my own free will. Mostly.
Josie: What does that even mean?!
Molly: Look, it’s not that bad. Hudson’s parents are really nice.
Cassidy: This is worse than I thought. You’re being charmed by the Wilde family. That’s how they get you! First, they’re nice. Then they’re feeding you pie. And before you know it, you’re churning butter.
Josie: ?? I’m picturing Molly in a bonnet.
Molly: There are NO bonnets.
Cassidy: Yet.
Josie: So what do you even do on this farm all day?
Molly: Today, I helped gather chicken eggs with his mom.
Cassidy: You?? Chickens??? The same Molly Sinclair who once screamed because a pigeon flew too close to her face?
Molly: It startled me, okay?! And these chickens were fine. Mostly.
Josie: There’s that “mostly” again . . .
Cassidy: Be honest, do you have to fight for your life out there?
Molly: No, but tomorrow might be worse. Hudson’s taking me horseback riding.
Josie: Wait, you’re getting on a horse?
Cassidy: Like willingly?
Molly: He talked me into it.
Josie: Do you even know how to ride a horse?
Molly: No. Absolutely not.
Cassidy: Molly.
Molly: I know! It’s a terrible idea.
Josie: Girl, horses are huge. Do you even have the right clothes for this?
Molly: Hudson said he’d “take care of it,” whatever that means.
Cassidy: Oh no. That man is going to put you in cowboy boots and a hat, isn’t he?
Molly: If he tries, I’m walking back to Redville.
Josie: Please send pictures. I’m begging.
Cassidy: Seconded. I need to see this. For science.
Molly: You two are the worst.
Cassidy: Correction: We’re supportive friends. Now, tell us—how scared are you?
Molly: Terrified. I don’t even know how to sit on a horse. What if I fall? Or the horse doesn’t like me? Or it runs off into the woods and I’m stuck foraging for food forever?
Josie: The horse isn’t going to run off into the woods.
Cassidy: You’re overthinking it. Hudson won’t let you die. He’d probably throw himself off the horse first to protect you.
Molly: That’s not helpful, Cass.
Josie: Seriously, though, you’ve got this. Just hang on, let Hudson teach you, and try not to die.
Molly: JOSIE.
Cassidy: And trust the horse. Horses know things.
Molly: What does THAT even mean?!
Cassidy: I don’t know. It sounded wise.
Josie: If Hudson annoys you tomorrow, just “accidentally” steer your horse into his.
Cassidy: I second this plan.
Molly: I’m deleting this chat in case it gets SUBPOENAED.
Cassidy: So you’re contemplating it . . .
Molly: Shut up.
Josie: You’ll be fine. And if not, at least we’ll get hilarious pictures from it.
Molly: ?? You guys are the worst.
Cassidy: Love you! Don’t die tomorrow.
Josie: Hudson better not let you fall. Tell him we’ll come for him if he does.
Molly: Noted.
Cassidy: PS Don’t forget to send the pics.