Chapter Twenty

"T hat woman!" Friday bellowed, scaring old Zeb so badly the dog yipped and took off at a run for the house.

"Don't yell at the messenger," his brother-in-law Adam said as he took a step back from Friday.

He'd delivered a letter from Harley John that let Friday know Molly missed him but she refused to do anything about it. Friday had been out in the barn, oiling the harnesses and tack for lack of anything more enterprising to do when Adam had brought him the letter.

On top of all the other transgressions she'd committed, Molly had apparently tattled to his mother about his side needing to heal. Now that his parents knew about it, they acted like he was so fragile he'd fall into the throes of death if he sneezed.

It was bad enough everyone was treating him like an invalid with one foot in the grave, but the worst thing of all was that Molly had left him. Just left him!

Every time he thought of her giving him that ridiculous spiel about coming between him and his family, he wanted to throttle his little sister then ram his fist through something. So far, he'd managed not to do either. Barely.

January had gone to stay with Mabel for a few days after Molly's departure. When her friend couldn't abide her presence any longer, she'd foisted herself on June and then May, since April refused to speak to her. She hadn't spent a night at their parents' home, though, and Friday couldn't even pretend he was sorry he hadn't seen her, although June and May had filled his ears about their horrid little sister.

He could see what Molly had meant about division in his family just by what was happening with his sisters.

His mother had fussed and worried, trying to reason why Molly had left him standing at the depot with his heart in tiny little broken shards around his feet, but she refused to see the part January had played in it.

January's big mouth and evil-scheming tendencies had been part of the problem, but not all of it. He was sure Molly had latched onto the first available excuse to run from him.

Anxious, infuriated, and heartsore, Friday hadn't known what to do.

He'd written Molly a letter that had gone unanswered. He'd written Harley John, but before the letter had had a chance to be delivered, he'd called his friend, desperate to know what he'd done so wrong. Harley John reported Molly had sequestered herself in her room and wasn't even coming out to eat. Sophie and Marnie were taking her meals to her.

The news from Harley John that she missed him but refused to fix the problem left him infuriated. He hoped Molly was as miserable as he felt.

Then he sighed.

He didn't want her to feel bad. To hurt the way he hurt. To mourn what could have been between them if she hadn't walked away from it. From him. From love.

Friday could understand what she said about needing to find herself. That made sense to him. He was still trying to figure out what it was he wanted to do with the rest of his life. The longer he was at the farm, though, the more he was coming to realize his desire to leave. They didn't need him there. Hank and Jack, with the occasional help from Adam, handled the business of growing nuts far better than Friday ever would. He wanted to do something that was his own. Only he didn't know what. He'd been so interested in the wheat grown in Pendleton, in the possibilities of starting a herd of beef. Those dreams hadn't even had a chance to take wing before they were dead on the ground.

He just couldn't understand why Molly felt they couldn't figure things out together. To him, everything was better, everything made more sense when he was with Molly. It was when they were apart that he felt unsettled, unsure, and angry. So incredibly angry.

If it hadn't been for the wound in his side, he would have taken J.B. Nash's advice and already worn out a punching bag. As soon as his side healed, he fully intended to set one up.

In the meantime, he had started writing down his thoughts and feelings. Although he'd doubted the process, he'd found letting his anger flow out his fingers and onto paper helped keep it from pouring out in angry fists. Like J.B. had suggested, Friday burned everything he wrote. No one, including him, needed to read about his nightmares or his fury, irritation, and disappointment. If his mother had seen any of it, she'd likely faint from shock, especially since January had caused more than her share of his frustration.

"Friday, talk to me. You're just standing there clenching and unclenching your fists while your jaw looks so tight I'm surprised I haven't heard your teeth start to crack." Adam tossed him a worried glance.

"Sorry," Friday said, forcing himself to relax. He inhaled a few long breaths and expelled them slowly.

Adam settled onto the back of a bench, elbows propped on his knees, and studied Friday a moment. "How about you tell me what really happened with Molly. Everything was peaches and ice cream that Saturday evening. April said Molly had raved about the picnic you took her on and how she'd had a wonderful day. What changed between then and the time she left on Sunday? I have a good idea, but I'd like to hear it from you. You've been extremely closed up about the whole shebang."

Friday thought about telling Adam it wasn't any of his business but of his three brothers-in-law, Adam was his favorite. It wasn't because he'd married Friday's favorite sister, although that certainly didn't hurt anything.

Adam had become a brother and friend to Friday, whereas Hank and Jack were more like uncles to him because of their age difference. He'd never felt close to either of them and likely wouldn't, and that was fine.

But Adam was someone Friday knew he could confide in because he had on other occasions.

"Molly and I had a grand time that Saturday. She genuinely liked Ma and Pa, and she said she adored April. Who wouldn't?"

Adam grinned in agreement. "I'm quite set on her myself, but I might not own the most unbiased opinion."

Friday nodded and continued. "January was such a pill. So rude to Molly. Calling her Miz Thorton and treating her like she was some old biddy. Then you saw the debacle at church. I don't know how she got that many girls at the service that quickly. I didn't even know who half of them were!"

"We all knew that was her doing. Go on."

"I don't know what January said to Molly, but I saw her whispering to her while I was trying to get away from all those girls. It was like being trapped in a flock of stupid chickens."

Adam chuckled. "Some of them were attractive chickens."

"I didn't notice and don't care. Anyway, I could tell Molly was upset. I could tell it all through lunch, even though she smiled and laughed and acted like everything was just swell. When it was time for her to leave, she gave this grand speech about how she loved me too much to cause division in my family, because one day it was going to happen and she didn't want to be the reason. She also mentioned something about needing to figure out what she wanted for her future, and it had nothing to do with me. She told me to marry some nice girl and live on the hilltop and be happy because she loved me. Can you believe it?"

Adam shook his head. "What I can't believe is you're still here moping around instead of going to Molly. She loves you enough to want what is best for you, even if her opticals are slightly skewed as to what that is. She really loves you, Friday. Thoroughly and completely. As for that part about figuring things out, seems to me you both are rowing the same kind of boat. Why not paddle together?"

"You think so?"

Adam nodded. "I do think so. I think your family, in their exuberance to meet the girl you've raved about, might have been a little too much. Wasn't she fresh off the boat from France when she came here? She probably felt overwhelmed by everything. If you'd given her a month, or even a few weeks, to catch her breath at home, and then invited her to come, maybe the situation and end result would have been different. Maybe she would have felt rested and confident, and January's escapades wouldn't have ruffled her feathers."

"I hadn't thought of it like that," Friday admitted. "Gee, she did look tired, and we were on the go the whole time I was in Pendleton. I'm an idiot."

"You are, but one we all care about." Adam smirked at him. "You know how January can be. Who knows what she said to Molly. She could have told her you're already engaged for all anyone knows."

Friday's eyes widened. "Do you think she did?"

Adam shrugged. "I don't think so, but it's not like you'll get the truth out of January. Your folks should have taken her in hand a long time ago, Friday. I'm afraid she's in for a world of hurt and trouble if she doesn't straighten up and walk in a straight line. April has been looking for any excuse to ban her from our home. She's awful when she comes over, criticizing everything from April's choice in décor to the food she cooks. I've even seen her run her finger over the top of the bookcase and point out every speck of dust. April does her best, taking care of the young ones, and keeping house and keeping my office accounts in order. I'd rather come home to a sweet, happy wife than a house with every pillow perfectly in place."

"I heartily agree."

"Then what are you still doing here? So what if Molly said goodbye. Go tell her hello. Get her somewhere she can't run away from you and talk to her until you figure this thing out. You haven't said anything, Friday, but I get the idea before things went into the furnace that Sunday afternoon, you were leaning toward moving to Pendleton. Is that right?"

Friday nodded. "Even before I left for Camp Lewis, I was feeling the pull to do something different than stay here. I know Pop always wanted me to be here, to take over the farm, but all of you have done that. You don't need me. Now that Ma thinks I should be bedridden until my side heals, I'm about to climb the walls."

"Can't you climb them in Pendleton?" Adam asked with a teasing grin.

"I reckon I can, but what if Molly won't talk to me? What if she really doesn't love me? What if she never wants to see me again?"

"Go see her, and you'll have your answers. April and I both think she might surprise you with her answers if you ask the right questions."

Friday thought on that a moment, then held out a hand to his brother-in-law. "Thanks, Adam. I'll miss you, and especially April. Will you come visit sometimes?"

"Of course we will. I've wanted to go to the Round-Up since I heard about it. Maybe we can make that a yearly visit, and then you and Molly can visit us in the spring or summer."

"I'd like that, but only if someone makes sure January is locked up somewhere, or at least puts a muzzle on her."

Adam threw back his head and laughed, then hopped off the bench and thumped Friday on the shoulder. "You go get cleaned up and pack. I'll phone the depot and have them hold a ticket for you."

"Thanks." Friday gave him a brotherly hug, then jogged off toward the house. He backtracked and caught Adam before he left. "Does April still have a bunch of daisies blooming?"

"I think so," Adam said. "Why?"

"They are Molly's favorite flower. Think April would mind parting with a few for a good cause?"

"I'll take the shears to them myself if I have to. I'll meet you at the depot with them. Anything else?"

"Nope, but thanks."

"Anytime!"

Friday ran to the house and leaped up the back steps in one long stride. He slammed the screen door and startled his mother as she stood at the sink, peeling peaches to can.

"Heavens, son, you roared in here like you're heading to a fire. What's happened now? Should you be moving around like that?"

"I'm fine, Ma. Better than fine. I'm going to Pendleton and see if Molly and I can't square this … whatever it is that happened. I don't know how long I'll be gone, but I'll send a telegram if it will be more than three days."

Fiona wiped her hands on her apron, then gave him a hug and stepped back. "You go to your girl and talk to her from your heart, sweetheart. I know January said things she shouldn't have, and I'm sorry. I just … well, that's trouble for another day. April, June, and May all think Molly is wonderful, and we do too. I've never seen you so happy as you were when she was here. Go to her, Friday. Figure out how to fix what is keeping you apart, and have a happy life, wherever that may be."

"Thank you, Ma. I love you." Friday hugged her and kissed her cheek. "I need to pack and clean up."

"Go take your bath. I'll press a shirt for you."

Friday ran up to his room and retrieved a pair of almost new jeans and his underwear then returned downstairs to the bathroom. He bathed, shaved, brushed his teeth and combed his hair, then grabbed the things he'd need while he was gone and returned upstairs. Quickly packing his bag, he retrieved his secret stash of cash, tucking it into his billfold and shoving it into the front pocket of his jeans. He'd seen too many pickpockets in France to ever carry his billfold in his back pocket again.

Assured he had what he needed, he hurried downstairs and slipped on the dark-blue shirt with a light-blue pinstripe his mother had just ironed. He wondered if she'd chosen it because it would hide both the dirt of travel as well as blood if his side started to weep through the bandage he wore, or if it was because blue was Molly's favorite color.

"Did you put more salve on your side?" his mother asked as she glanced at the fresh bandage he'd wrapped around his middle.

"I did, Ma." He hastily buttoned his shirt. "Thanks for ironing this for me. I'm sure it will be wrinkled before I get there, but at least I'll start out looking decent."

Fiona smiled and patted his cheek. "You're the most decent-looking, and decent-acting man I know, Friday. Your Pa and I are so proud of you, and love you. Now, go. Be happy!"

"I'll do my best, Ma." He kissed her cheek and took the tin of cookies she held out to him, setting them inside his bag before he hurried outside.

"I heard you're leaving us," his father called as he finished hitching a horse to the buggy. "I'll give you a ride."

"Thank you, Pop. I could have walked," Friday said as he climbed into the buggy with his father.

"I know you could have, but I'll take you."

Aiden was unusually silent on the way into town. It wasn't until they were nearly to the depot that his father looked over at him. "Friday, ever since the day you were born, I planned for you to one day take over the farm. You are my son. My incredible son. Then your sisters got married, and I learned the value of sons-in-law. When you went off to war, I thought about a whole lot of things, and I realized you've been wanting to leave here for a long time and find your own path in life. Go with my blessing. Find what makes you happy. Spend your life with the girl who makes your heart smile."

"Thanks, Pa. Thank you for that." Friday felt a lump forming in his throat and swallowed it down.

"Molly's a wonderful girl, and she made you happy. I don't know what happened between the two of you. I don't need to know, even though I'm sure January had her gums flapping in there somewhere to stir up trouble. Anyway, I hope things work out with Molly, and you two have many happy years together."

"If I do end up in Pendleton, will you and Ma come visit sometime?"

"You betcha!" his father said with a grin. "It will give us a reason to finally take a vacation."

"That's grand, Pa. I appreciate everything you and Ma have done for me over the years, as well as the love and care you've always given to me. I'll miss you, but I just feel like this is the right path for me."

"Then don't drag your feet, son. Take off and run." His father patted him on the shoulder as he pulled up at the depot. "Let us know when, or if, you'll be back."

"I will, Pa. Wish me luck." Friday stepped out of the buggy and retrieved his bag.

"You don't need luck, Friday. You need hope. I'll continue keeping you and Molly in my prayers."

"I'll keep you in mine, Pa." Friday shook his father's hand, then grinned. "You'll need all the help you can get if you're ever going to get January headed in the right direction."

"Mercy me, that child is a tribulation!" His father winked at him. "Love you, son."

"Love you too, Pa. Take good care." Friday stepped back and waved as his father turned the buggy and headed toward home.

Friday went into the depot office to the ticket counter and paid for the ticket Adam had reserved for him, then returned outside just as his brother-in-law raced toward him with a basket in his hand.

"April fixed it up real nice. She's a wonder, that sister of yours." Adam held the basket out to Friday.

Inside, nestled in the shape of a heart, with moss packed around it to keep the blooms from drying out, was a heart made of daisies.

Friday took the basket with a grin. "Tell April I now owe her two big favors instead of just one."

"She's keeping track." Adam grinned and shook Friday's hand, then thumped him on the shoulder. "The road to love isn't smooth sailing, but you'll never reach the destination if you just sit at home on your thumbs. I hope to hear very soon that you and Molly have patched things up."

"I'll send a telegram as soon as I know anything. Either that, or I'll be back here with my tail between my legs."

"Nope. I have every confidence in you, Friday. Use some of that Fitzpatrick charm and persuasion and sweep her off her feet. How do you think April coerced me into marrying her?"

Friday laughed. "You practically crawled to the house on your hands and knees, begging her to put you out of your misery, you sap. I was there. I remember it clearly."

Adam gave him a shove forward. "Don't you have a train to catch instead of tormenting me with your imaginary tales of the things a man will do when he's in the throes of love?"

"I do. Thanks again, Adam, and be sure April knows the flowers are perfect."

"I'll tell her. Now, go get your girl."

Friday grinned at Adam, then boarded the train. Buoyed by the support of his family, he spent the trip rehearsing what he'd say to Molly when he saw her.

It was only after he'd arrived in Pendleton that he considered how to get out to Dogwood Corners, or if she'd be there.

He could ask one of her aunts or even try to find Lars. Caterina seemed like she might be more friendly toward him than Molly's father, so he started off in the direction of her restaurant. He was waiting to cross the street when he felt a big heavy hand grip his shoulder, and looked up into the face of Kade Rawlings.

"Howdy, Friday. What brings you to town?" Kade asked in a friendly tone, although he didn't crack a smile.

"Molly. I'm not quite ready to accept defeat where she's concerned," Friday said honestly.

Kade glanced at the basket of flowers he carried and grinned. "Well, then, how about I give you a ride."

"That would be grand. Thank you." They crossed the street and walked around to the back of Caterina's restaurant. Kade stuck his head inside the back door and said something Friday couldn't hear, then he led the way to an automobile parked in the lot behind the building.

"We'll take Cat's car." Kade folded himself behind the wheel, and they were soon driving out of town but going in the opposite direction of Dogwood Corners.

"Where are we heading?"

"Molly's place." Kade glanced over at him. "She can give you the particulars, but she is now the owner of a quarter section of good farmland if someone is of a mind to work up the soil and plant something."

"A farm? And she's there?"

"It's where she lived as a child before her parents died. She discovered the deed and her parents' will. The place has been abandoned since they died. Lars had no idea what had happened to the deed, or he would have made sure Molly had it in her possession sooner. Anyway, the house is one good windstorm away from blowing down, as well as the barn. Molly's been cleaning out the things she wants to keep. When everyone gets back from New York, she plans to have a big bonfire."

"New York? Did Sadie get back?" Friday asked, wondering why Harley John hadn't included that in his letter. Then again, he might have, and Friday could have missed it in his rage about Molly.

"She's on her way. The gang left a few days ago. Harley John was so excited, he was practically floating when he boarded the train."

"I'm so glad his Sadie is coming home. He needs to be with her."

Kade nodded. "Once a man falls in love, there's just no use fighting it. We're useless without our women, because they become the keepers of our hearts, and we feel that absence when we aren't with them."

That perfectly described how Friday felt. He had missed Molly so much. Needed her with him so desperately. Before, he could at least write to her and know she'd write back, sharing little pieces of her heart with him in each letter. But after she left him at the depot, he didn't even have that to look forward to.

"Here we are," Kade said, turning off the road and driving across a bumpy lane to a house that had probably been a lovely home at one time.

Friday could picture Molly running across the yard, pigtails flying, a smile on her face.

Kade stopped beside a big Hudson automobile painted a shade of blue that looked just like something Molly would choose.

"Molly's?" Friday asked, pointing to the auto.

"Yep. Harley John helped her pick it out. You ought to see her speeding out here like she's in a race."

"Really?" Friday wasn't a bit surprised. Molly was a girl who lived life at full throttle, and it was one of the things he loved about her.

"Good luck, son," Kade said as Friday got out of the auto and shifted the bag and basket so he could shake the deputy's hand.

"Thank you for the ride."

"You're welcome." Kade turned and left.

Friday set his bag in the back seat of Molly's auto, admiring the machine a moment before he turned and faced the house.

He might have suggested they repair the house, but it listed to one side like the foundation had sunk. The boards along the base of the house were rotting, and the porch looked like it might collapse at any time.

"A hundred and sixty acres of prime land, just waiting to be farmed," he mused, envisioning acres planted in wheat, a pasture with cattle, and a farmhouse painted blue, with flowers blooming around it. They'd face the porch to catch the sunset so they could sit in rockers and watch it whenever they liked.

Before he got ahead of himself, Friday carefully mounted the porch and walked inside the open door. A floorboard groaned, and he stopped to make sure it would hold his weight.

"Hello?" a familiar voice called from down the hall.

Friday continued moving forward. He was almost to the kitchen when Molly jumped into the hallway with a roar befitting a warrior riding into battle while brandishing a rusty egg beater as a weapon.

The sight was so comical he had to choke down a laugh as he took in her appearance. She had a rag on her head covered in cobwebs, an apron that looked like she'd wrestled a pig and it had won, and her hands were red from washing them in what smelled like strong lye soap.

Molly looked nothing like the elegantly attired girl he'd seen a few weeks ago. However, what she wore didn't matter to him because Molly had a beautiful heart, a beautiful face, and a beautiful mind. She challenged and intrigued him. She infuriated and fascinated him. The woman was a mystery he hoped would take decades to unravel.

But the first step would be getting her to drop the egg beater.

"You planning to beat me into a froth?" Friday teased as he took a step closer to her.

"What?" She glanced down at her hand and tossed the egg beater into the kitchen. "What on earth are you doing in Pendleton, and how did you find me?" she asked as she wiped her hands on the filthy apron.

"I'm here for a very important reason that I'll get to in a moment. I ran into Kade, and he gave me a ride."

"Oh," she said, then whispered, "Traitor" under her breath.

Friday grinned and took another step closer to her, holding out the basket of daisies that had miraculously not yet begun to wilt in the August heat. "These are for you."

Molly took the basket and lightly touched a few blossoms, then looked at him with tears in her eyes. "They are perfect. Thank you. Where did you find such a clever arrangement?"

"April. She did that. Adam helped a little."

"That is so kind of them." She hugged the basket to her midsection. "I just love her, Friday. April is such a sweetheart, and so is Adam."

"I'll be sure to pass that along next time I see them." Friday took another step closer. Their toes were nearly touching, but Molly kept the basket between them, using it as a shield of sorts.

Friday was afraid to take it from her to set on the floor for fear of quick-footed vermin crawling into it. He noticed Molly had all the windows open and both doors to catch a breeze and let in fresh air. The stench of rodents was ripe and made him think of being in the trenches where rats gnawed on anything they could find, including fingers, toes, and ears.

He shuddered and pulled himself back to the moment, to Molly.

"Mame, here's the thing. I can't live without you. I just can't do it. I don't want some emptyheaded simpering girl. I want a strong, brave, courageous, intelligent, intriguing, inspiring woman who makes me want to be a better version of myself. I love you, Molly. I loved you yesterday. I love you today. I'll love you tomorrow and fifty years from now. So, why don't we stop putting ourselves through this misery and accept this precious gift of love."

"Friday, I …"

He held up a hand to stop her.

"I just spent hours on the train rehearsing this, and nothing is coming out like I wanted, but I do love you, Molly. With all my heart. I know things won't be easy. We both have challenges from our time in the war that will always be with us. But if you let me, I'll be your strength when you feel weak. I'll give you hope when your faith wavers. I'll stand beside you, holding you in my arms until my last day on earth. I don't care if we don't have the next three weeks or three months or thirty years planned out. Let's just live today, Molly girl. Let's not overlook the blessings we've been given because I know not everyone has the kind of love we share. I want to cherish it—cherish you—every day of my life. Molly Antoinette Banks Thorsen, would you do me the grand honor of marrying me? Will you allow me to be your husband, protector, and friend?"

Molly moved the basket to one hand and opened the other to Friday, opened her heart and life to him. "Yes! Oh, Friday. I've missed you so. I love you so much. I've buried myself in this old house just to give me something to dwell on besides missing you with every breath. Life together won't always be easy, but I can't think of anything better than spending it with you. In sorrows and joys, in trials and triumphs, I'll stand beside you and won't ever let you go. This I promise you. As for when we wed, I will happily marry you soon. However, I do have one request."

"Anything," he said, pulling her into his arms.

"We'll wait to get married until all of your family and mine can join us. My family will be back from New York in two weeks. If we time it just right, Sadie and Harley John might be able to come for our wedding."

"Sounds perfect to me." He kissed her then, a kiss of hope and promises brimming with love.

Friday had found the one his soul loved, and he wouldn't ever again let her go.

Friday squeezed Molly's hand, then the two of them took their places with Sadie and Harley John at the head of the parade during the Round-Up festivities. The four of them had been asked to lead the parade, and they'd proudly donned their uniforms.

A blast signaled the beginning of the parade, and Molly marched forward. By silent agreement, Friday, Harley John, and Sadie fell back one step, wanting Molly to lead, to get the recognition for her contributions to the war that she deserved.

Sadie and Harley John had arrived from New York just in time to stand up with Molly and Friday at their wedding two days earlier. For now, Molly and Friday were renting the apartment above Caterina's restaurant until they could begin construction of their house in the spring. They'd already picked out the spot where they wanted to build it, where the front porch caught the evening breeze and a wonderful view of the sunset.

Friday never dreamed his life could be so rich and good and happy, so full of love. But it was, and that was because of Molly. Because of the moment when she'd smiled at him and he'd fallen for her.

He had no idea what the future would bring, but he knew in his heart it would bring them years of joy and abounding love.