Chapter 19
MOLLY
I still don’t understand why Chase is so dedicated to helping me. Maybe I’m a fool for trusting him. But my heart, not to mention my body, refuses to believe that.
He remains close while the kids flit about the market, making sure I stay off my feet while he gathers blooms and wraps bouquets.
The three hours go by in the blink of an eye, and during that time, more than a few people stop by the booth to talk to him.
They all ask about his career or the latest rodeo, inevitably circling back to the same question: when is he getting back in the proverbial saddle?
I can see how much he hates those conversations. He tries to steer them back to me and the flowers, but it’s not easy.
An older man with a bushy gray mustache and a weathered ball cap shading his leathery face strolls up to the booth and plants himself right in front of Chase.
“Calhoun, what the hell are you doing here?” He shakes his head and adjusts the hat. “Why is one of the best damn bull riders in the country slingin’ daisies?”
Chase gives a tight smile. “Helping out a friend, Uncle Walt.”
Walt—as he quickly informs me—is not an actual uncle, but an “honorary” one, whatever that means.
My hands curl into fists at my sides as he fires off questions like he’s been saving them for months.
Chase is clearly uncomfortable. He keeps his tone polite, but his answers are short, and his eyes flick to mine more than once, like he’s hoping for an escape.
The mother bear instinct that normally only shows up when someone messes with my kids roars to life. For this man, who has been helping me without asking for anything in return.
I stand and use the scooter to move a few steps forward, clearing my throat until the older man turns to me, thick brows furrowed like he can’t understand what I could have to add to the conversation.
“Walt,” I say, voice calm but firm, “if you’re not planning on buying any flowers, it might be time to move on. I’m running a business here, not hosting an honorary family reunion.”
He blinks at me. “Well now, I didn’t mean—”
“Of course not,” I cut in gently. “But I also need Chase to be able to give his attention to our paying customers.”
Walt rubs his thumb and forefinger across his mustache and gestures toward a bouquet of wildflowers like it’s a peace offering. “Uh…these’ll look nice on the table. For my wife.”
“Lovely choice.” I pluck them from the bucket and then wrap them in brown paper with more enthusiasm than necessary. I see Chase’s lips twitch as he watches the interaction.
Buying the bouquet gives Walt an excuse to linger, but fate throws me a bone in the form of Sadie and Ian. Nobody soaks up attention better than a former NFL star with a movie-star smile. I lock eyes with Sadie then tip my chin toward Uncle Walt, shooting her a silent plea for help.
Without missing a beat, she nudges Ian, who steps forward and claps Walt on the shoulder. “Hey there, buddy.”
Walt turns, delighted to have the attention of Skylark’s resident football legend.
They talk about the upcoming season, and Ian’s younger brother, Felix, also a football legend, being traded to Denver.
I don’t really follow professional sports, but I do know that people around here are delighted to have both Barlowe brothers calling Colorado home.
A few minutes later, Ian steers Walt down the aisle and away from my booth.
I let out a slow breath and subtly shift to block Sadie’s view of Chase, who’s now helping another customer. He glances toward me for a moment, and I notice how his shoulders relax as the tension releases from his body.
It’s not like I needed to protect him. Chase is more than capable of handling himself. But there was something about seeing him cornered that tugged at a place deep in my chest.
Sadie watches the two of us with quiet curiosity, but doesn’t comment. She’s known me long enough to read between the lines, and seems willing to wait until I’m ready to spill.
Still, I find myself avoiding her gaze. “So,” I say, trying to sound casual, “do you, um…have plans tonight?”
She quirks a brow. “Why? Are you thinking of sending the twins my way?”
“I haven’t told them yet, but I was hoping you’d say yes to a sleep over.” Chase is now talking to a middle-aged couple who’ve approached the booth. “I don’t want to take advantage of you guys.”
“You never take advantage, and we love having Luke and Laurel. Riva’s with her mom in Aspen this weekend.
Ian always misses her, even when it’s just a couple of days, so they’ll be a welcome distraction.
They can come home with us after the market.
We’ll stop by the store, grab the ingredients to make pizza and you can bring PJs and stuff over later. ”
“You’re the best, Sads.” I reach over the table to hug my friend as something soft unfurls in my chest. This town and the people in it who have become my family are why I can’t imagine leaving Skylark. “I’m surprised Ian hasn’t convinced you to pop out a whole football squad.”
Her smile dims slightly. “We have plans,” she says quietly. “They’re just not working out yet.”
“Oh, honey.” I wrap my hand around hers. “That was a dumb thing for me to say. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay. We haven’t shared it with anyone.”
“It’s going to happen,” I say, knowing full well I have no business making that promise. But I can’t help it.
She turns her hand in mine and squeezes. “I think so, too. Until it does, I love being a dog mom and honorary aunt.”
“You’re the best.” I pause and then add, “I truly believe, Sadie. With all my heart.”
Her eyes glisten just a bit. “Thanks, Mols. It feels like you and Chase have things under control here, so I’m going to head back over to the Humane Society booth.”
“I’m sure Luke is still there with Piper.”
“He’s got a way with animals,” Sadie tells me, and I know there’s no greater compliment from her.
“Thanks again for tonight.”
“Anytime.” Sadie slips away just as I turn to face two new customers, a woman who looks a few years older than me and her mother.
The daughter’s gaze snaps to Chase, which shouldn’t surprise me. I’m used to women needing a moment to process him—that thick hair, the Clint Eastwood jawline, and the cowboy swagger that’s as natural to him as breathing.
“Chase,” the woman breathes, like she actually knows him.
His eyes go wide as he glances up, and it looks like he wants to bolt. “Hey, Mariah.”
“Chase Calhoun, where have you been hiding?” her mother exclaims.
“Hello, Mrs. Crawford.”
“Gone from taming bulls to selling flowers, huh?” Mrs. Crawford teases. There’s something about the exchange that I don’t understand. The words are straightforward but the sudden tension pulsing in the air is anything but.
Chase gestures toward me. “Have you met Molly McAllister?”
Both women pause for a beat.
“Teddy’s widow,” the mom says, her voice dipping slightly.
“Hi, Molly.” Mariah gives me an almost apologetic smile. “Teddy, Chase, and I went to high school together.”
“Ran wild together is more like it,” her mom adds. “I thought my baby and Chase were gonna end up hitched right after graduation. They were—”
“That was a long time ago, Mom,” Mariah cuts in, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
If Chase seemed uncomfortable before, now he looks like he’d gladly disappear completely. Mariah seems just as flustered. Meanwhile, a completely oblivious Mrs. Crawford beams like she’s ready to mail out engagement announcements.
“Chase is doing a favor for my mother-in-law,” I say evenly, keeping my tone light and trying not to notice how his shoulders tense at the explanation. “He’s been kind enough to pitch in with the flower business while I’m recovering from a sprained ankle.”
“He always was a good boy, this one,” Mrs. Crawford says with a wink. “The kind you don’t want to let slip away.”
Subtle as a sledgehammer, that one.
“Mariah is back in Skylark, too,” she tells Chase. “Living with me. You’ll have to come for dinner to catch up.” She pats her daughter’s arm. “Just like old times.”
“I’m just living with Mom temporarily,” Mariah offers quickly. “I moved back last month after my divorce was finalized.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I say automatically, though the words feel small based on the devastation in her eyes.
“It’s for the best,” she assures me, and why does it feel like we’re both avoiding making eye contact with Chase?
“Were you looking for anything specific?” I manage to keep my tone warm, even as something tight coils in my chest.
Mariah is everything I’m not. She’s petite and classically beautiful with shiny blonde hair and bright blue eyes—the kind of girl whose homecoming queen crown is probably still sitting on the dresser in her childhood bedroom.
“You know,” Mrs. Crawford says, eyeing the blooms, “these are a lot more expensive than the bouquets at the grocery store off the highway.”
“Mom,” Mariah mutters.
“The market’s almost over,” I say, keeping my smile in place. “Why don’t you pick your favorite and consider it an early Mother’s Day gift from Meadow Blooms.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Mariah says, shaking her head.
“I want to.” I catch her eye and nod. Her mother’s obvious re-matchmaking seems to be making Mariah almost as uncomfortable as Chase.
Mrs. Crawford takes her sweet time, but finally settles on a simple bunch of daffodils.
“These will look lovely on the dining room table.” She focuses her calculating gaze on Chase. “I expect you to come by for dinner this week.”
“I appreciate the offer,” he replies, and I don’t think she notices the noncommittal answer. “Good to see you again, Mariah,” he adds with a tight smile.
“You too, Chase.” Mariah loops her arm through her mother’s and hustles her away before any more awkwardness can escape Mrs. Crawford’s mouth.
“We should pack up,” I say, already moving to consolidate the leftover flowers into one bucket. “We’ve sold out of almost everything. Who knew cowboys were so good at selling flowers?”