A rich flush rose to her cheeks. “Hunter, if you think you can distract me with nonsense, you’re sadly mistaken.”
“Me? Think I can distract you when you’re on a mission? Never.” He met her gaze with a direct, serious one of his own. “I completely understand your need to be in on this. I respect it even.”
It was a conclusion he’d already come to accept. He just thought he’d have some more time before they began to work together in earnest.
“Really?” Molly tipped her head to one side and narrowed her gaze.
“Really. Are you going to the senior center today?” he asked.
“Actually, I was hoping we could go by the center. It’s in the middle of town, on the way to anyplace you need to go.” She raised her eyebrows hopefully.
“I have to read through the paperwork my office sent over. I’m not as familiar with the players and the people around here as I need to be. I need evidence to back up the motion to dismiss the charges, and since the police aren’t going to do any more digging, I’m going to have to.”
She nodded. “That’s exactly what I thought, too. Other suspects. We can do it together. I just want to bring a cake by the center for Lucinda Forest’s birthday party. She’s the commander’s best friend and her family’s coming all the way from California. She and her granddaughter share the same birthday and the little girl is coming to celebrate with her. I baked Lucinda’s favorite cake. She’s counting on me to be there.”
“That’s nice. You should go. You can meet me at the library afterward.”
“Come with me and then we’ll go to the library together. I can answer any questions you have about the people around here and you’ll get your thoughts together that much quicker. Deal?” She clasped her hands behind her back and turned her body from side to side, her long, flirty skirt twirling around her ankles.
Once again he noted the subdued colors she wore, an earthy-brown skirt and black shirt, but before he could question her, she tugged on his belt loop, capturing his attention.
“Please?” she asked, still twirling the skirt as she moved.
Hunter could easily imagine lifting the flowing material, cupping his hands around her bottom and sinking inside her, sating the need he’d had for her for what seemed like forever.
His desire to be with her was at war with his emotions, which begged him to stay away from the senior center and any birthday party. “I’m not good with old people,” he hedged, hoping she’d take the hint and stop asking.
Molly let out a laugh. “Liar! I’ve seen you in town with your clients and I’ve watched you charm my old landlady more than once.”
“Anna Marie was easy. And fun.” He realized his mistake as soon as the words escaped.
“And Lucinda’s even more fun. You’ll see.” She reached out and enfolded his hand inside hers.
Her heated touch seared through his body. His heart pounded harder in his chest and he burned for her in a way that was becoming harder and harder to deny. More so since after last night’s kiss, he’d realized she wasn’t going to stop him from going further. If anything, she’d gone into full flirtation mode.
But there was the difficulty of what she was asking of him. “I’d rather not go to some stranger’s family party.”
He could go. After all, he was a grown man and his past was behind him. But he’d skip the event if he could. She stepped closer and met his gaze.
“Why not?”
Hunter hated admitting weakness, but what choice did he have except to explain?
He swallowed hard and found himself unloading on Molly. Again. “When I was in foster care, the families would celebrate the birthdays of their biological kids.” A cake, presents, all things never given to him. He remembered the parties, yet he couldn’t remember even being included in their celebrations. Strangers’ birthdays still made him uneasy.
So did the fact that he’d admitted this to Molly.
Her expression softened. “I understand, but I’ll be with you and you won’t feel like an outsider looking in. Besides, I make a mean chocolate cake.”
“Is that what you were doing in here last night?”
She nodded. “So will you come with me? Pretty please?”
He groaned. Why was it every time he wanted to say no, he found himself saying, “Yes,” instead?
***
MOLLY DROVE THEM to the senior center since there was no way to transport the cake on Hunter’s motorcycle. She’d tossed out the idea of him going with her in order to prevent him from leaving her out of her father’s case, which, judging by his packed bag, she was afraid he’d been determined to do.
Surprisingly she hadn’t had to do much to convince him to accept her help. If anything, he seemed to understand her driving need. He understood her.
The more she learned about his time in foster care, the better she understood him, too. He normally kept his pain hidden, but Lucinda’s party had let him confide in her for a moment. Long enough to stab her in the heart.
Her mission for the day was to show him what being included in a family really meant. She had to admit, the notion was new for her, as well. But Hunter deserved to feel the warmth family could provide. She’d begin with Lucinda and her friends and maybe then he’d be more open to Molly and her family.
She gave herself an almost violent mental shake. Do not go there, she warned herself. Just take one day—make that one moment—at a time. And the coming ones had the potential to be pretty good.
She parked in the spot closest to the entrance and together they gathered her things and headed inside, Hunter holding the cake. She led him through the cheery lobby, decorated with light floral photographs on the white walls, passed by the arts-and-crafts display table with projects made by the seniors and headed straight for the party room on the main floor next to the dining room.
Molly walked in first, Hunter by her side. The party had already begun and all the residents of the home were gathered by the punch bowl. In fact, a line had formed around the room.
“I hope Mr. Trosky didn’t spike the punch,” Molly muttered half to herself. She gestured to Hunter, nodding her head toward the table in the corner.
“Why does Lucinda live here?” Hunter asked. “Isn’t she young to be in a home?”
“Alzheimer’s,” Molly explained.
Nothing more needed to be said. They unloaded their packages with the rest of the gifts and she placed the cake on the food-laden table before turning back to him. “It doesn’t look like Lucinda’s family is here yet since everyone in this room is obviously a member of the AARP.” Everywhere she looked, Molly saw gray hair.