When Hearts Collide

chapter 7

Her stomach was as queasy as curdled milk. She’d been up with Gracie during the night when the child had had another nightmare. She hadn’t slept well after finally getting her settled. With lack of sleep, and Pearce coming home this morning, Molly was a jumble of nerves. Every time she visited him at the hospital, her stomach became a jumble of knots, and when he smiled at her, ripples of desire shook her body. She wasn’t sure if she could live in the same house twenty-four hours a day with her growing attraction to him. It was too late now. She had agreed and he was packed and ready to leave when she arrived.

Doctor Graham came into the room with Rita. Molly recognized the tall, fair-haired doctor from the emergency department the night of the accident. His smile was friendly as he gave discharge instructions. “I’ll be coming every few days to check the incisions are healing, that the pain medication is working, and how physiotherapy is going. This is the prescription for painkillers and a supply of intravenous antibiotics.”

Rita handed Molly a paper bag. “And this is the outpatient appointment for a month from now.”

Molly took the white piece of paper and shoved it in a side pocket of her tote bag. Rita helped Molly get Pearce into the wheelchair. She wished she could tell Rita she wouldn’t be seeing her in a month’s time. She’d developed a friendship with the nurse, and she hated lying to her.

Pearce was excited to be home, but the effort had not only exhausted him, but also caused a lot of pain. Molly gave him an analgesic, and now his eyes refused to stay open. His last waking thoughts were of his red-haired angel.

He had no idea why he was so fascinated by her. Who was she? Was it fate that she’d been there just at the right moment to help him and Gracie? What would have happened if she hadn’t been there? The police told him she’d pulled them out of the car. The gas tank was leaking, and she was afraid it might explode. What if it had? She’d saved their lives. Was that why he kept dreaming about her?

Pearce pictured Molly’s freckled elfin face and the locks of red hair that kept falling forward, concealing her deep green eyes, eyes that reminded him of emeralds. Her hair looked soft and thick and rich. What it would be like to run his fingers through those curls? Would they slip through his fingers like imported silk?

As he drifted into sleep, Pearce’s last impression was the whisper of scarlet curls caressing his cheek. He dreamed about soft red tresses, deep green eyes, a freckled elfin face. But the face had a body—a body lying beside him, its curves snuggling into his, soft and warm, melting against him.

Pearce slept until suppertime. Had he sensed her presence? The object of his dreams peeked around the doorframe.

You finally awake?”

He blinked the sleep out of his eyes. “What time is it?”

Suppertime. Are you hungry? I made a cake in celebration of your homecoming.”

Cake sounds delicious.”

Her dimpled grin set off a little flutter in his chest. Was having her in his home, with her devastatingly attractive smile, going to prove too dangerous? Too late for that now. At least it was only for a short time. A few days where he could enjoy the effect she had on his body and his emotions, then he would be able to look after himself and Gracie, and she’d be on her way.

Molly, can you help me to the family room? I’d like to watch the news.”

Molly brought the wheelchair close to the bed. She slid her arms around him, supporting him from bed to chair, and then again to the chesterfield in the family room. All the while he tried to deny the effect her closeness had on his body.

No one was hungry, so Molly made soup and sandwiches. They celebrated with cake and ice cream. He’d propped his legs up on an ottoman and watched a comedy rerun. Molly was coming back from putting Gracie to bed, and he called out to her. “You look tired. Come and sit.” He patted the chesterfield beside him.

It shows, does it?” Molly plopped down on the other end of the sofa.

Her grin touched a soft spot that set his pulse racing. He grinned back. “Gracie can be a trial at times.”

She was overtired with all the excitement of you coming home. Plus having a sugar rush from all the cake and ice cream she ate.” Molly sighed. “But she’s bathed, had a couple of stories read to her, and she’s finally asleep.”

You look like you’re ready for bed yourself.”

Molly laughed. “I must admit I almost fell asleep. I had to lie down beside Gracie to keep her in bed, and my eyes were drooping before hers. I should have had a second helping of ice cream, too.”

Pearce watched her. He saw a wistful look come into her eyes. “Molly, can I ask you a question?”

Sure.”

I’ve wondered why you put your life on hold to stay here and look after us.” He smiled. “You were a lifesaver for me. I wouldn’t have been able to stand it if Gracie had been taken by Children’s Aid and put in a foster home, even if it was for a short time.”

I didn’t want to see her go to foster care, either.”

Pearce tipped his head, examining her. Molly looked away, took one of the throw pillows, and hugged it to her chest. Was there more behind her words? He thought he detected a tension in the line of her lips.

I feel like there’s more to it than just not wanting Gracie in foster care. Is there, Molly?”

Molly looked quickly at him, then averted her eyes. “No.”

He spoke softly. “Really?”

Molly met his gaze, watchful. He wondered if she was deciding if she could trust him. After a short pause, she spoke.

I was in foster care. My sister and I.”

He took her hand and felt tiny electric shocks synapse between their bodies. He looked up. Had she felt it, too? There was an intense look to her eyes that made him wonder.

How long were you in foster care?”

Too long.”

Molly’s lips were a tight line, and a vein twitched in her neck. Pearce spoke softly. “Tell me about your childhood.”

She shrugged. “There’s not a lot to tell.”

I have time.” Pearce lifted his casted leg. “I’m a captive audience.”

Molly laughed. “I guess you are.”

Tell me.”

Shrugging again, Molly paused, as if wondering where to start.

I was six and my sister was four when our parents were killed in a car accident.”

I’m sorry.” He caressed her hand. “Was there no other family to take you?”

She shook her head.

Were you unhappy?” He watched the expression in her eyes. A gleam converted the sadness.

Surprising as it may seem, I wasn’t. I mean there were unhappy times, times when we thought we might be adopted and then had our hopes dashed. But the sisters were good to us, and we were together.” She smiled. “The orphanage wasn’t like a Dickens’ novel. We had lots of food. The nuns loved to cook and see us with our bellies full.”

Was there anyone special?’

The smile widened.

Yes, Gladys. I still keep in touch with her. She had been an orphan and understood what it was like. She took me and my sister under her wing.”

What about your sister?”

Lani is great.” Molly raised her eyebrows and grinned. “There was a time, though. She was pretty rebellious as a teenager.”

And now?” Pearce asked.

Molly laughed. “Now, Lani has a wonderful life. An adoring husband, a nice house, and she’s having a baby in a couple of months.”

Pearce caressed her hand and asked, “And what does Molly want out of life?

I guess I’m like most women. I want a man to love me, I want a family, I want a home to call my own.” Molly shrugged and looked out the night-darkened window. “I’m just cynical and don’t think it will be for me.”

Why not? Your sister found it.”

She was always lucky.”

Pearce saw the muscles in her cheek tighten and thought he detected a harshness in her tone. His voice softened. “And you aren’t.”

Molly continued to stare out the window. “Not really.”

Has life been hard for you?”

She laughed, but her tone didn’t convey the lightness he thought she’d intended.

Pearce stretched out his arm and rubbed her shoulder. She pulled away, then used her shirtsleeve to wipe at the tears streaking down her cheek. “I’m so sorry. I don’t usually go on like this. I don’t really feel sorry for myself. I’m just over tired.”

He pressed a finger to her lips. “It’s okay. I’ve thrown you into something, haven’t I?”

Molly wiped away the last of the tears and smiled at Pearce. “Certainly not what I was expecting when I was driving by that night.”

Tell me about Gladys.”

Pearce heard the tenderness in her voice as she talked about the woman who’d become her mother figure. It seemed that Gladys had provided the stability that had molded Molly into the person she was today. As he listened, he wished he’d had someone in his life like Gladys. He thought of his own parents and their austere and old-fashioned beliefs on childcare. Too often he’d been left to the mercy of uncaring nannies. He was determined that wouldn’t happen to Gracie. He wanted to be there for his daughter. He wanted to make sure she never had to live such a lonely childhood.

Molly glanced at her watch. “Look at the time. It’s been a long day, and you’re due for your antibiotic. I think I better get you settled for the night.” She yawned. “And me, too.”

As Molly got him comfortable in bed and ran his antibiotics, Pearce thought how lucky he was to have her here. Unable to keep his eyes open, his last thoughts were of his red-haired angel.