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“You own the farm.”
“Ah, right.” She ran a hand through her hair.
“I’m not trying to say youwoulddo anything, but you have the power here.”
“Right, which I’m not used to having.” She bit her lip as she considered it. “I mean, be honest, does this really feel like I’m your boss? We both tend to make decisions.”
“It doesn’t change the facts, princess.”
“What I’m trying to say is, Papa Bennie hired you. So you’re a part of this. I’m not interested in dismantling anything he had a part in. Even if ... even if this doesn’t work out. Emotions”—she gestured between us— “have nothing to do with whether or not you have a job.”
It was hard to take her at her word, just like it would be with anyone else.
But her word carried weight. I’d already seen the offer thrown into the trash. She’d done everything she said she would since her arrival.
And if I was doingthiswith her? I needed to trust her.
Even if I felt like things were too good to be true.
“Okay,” I said. “That makes me feel better.”
“Oh! I have an idea to make it even better.” She ran out of the room, coming back in with a piece of paper and a pencil. She leaned on the counter, scribbling something down. She then turned and handed it to me. “Here’s a contract of employment. As long as you want it, you have at least five years at the farm. I can’t rescind it unless there’s fraud.”
I read the words, which matched what she’d said. “Is this legally binding? It’s written in pencil.”
“It still counts. I’ll file it away with everything else. If I break my end of the deal, you can take me to court.”
“I’ve got enough court dates coming up.”
“Still, it gives you recourse. Which I think you need.”
A knot loosened in my chest. She was right. “Thank you, Mollie.”
She smiled. “Sometimes I have good ideas.”
“You have them a lot of the time.” I took the paper from her and signed my name. “They just come with a lot of work.”
“Well, at least I’m willing to get my hands dirty.”
“That you are,” I replied.
“So, now that all of the legal shit is out of the way ...” She took the paper and set it on the kitchen counter. “Can I finally kiss you?”
“You feel the need to ask?”
“Eric was awake earlier, and I don’t wanna make you have to explain anything you’re not ready to.” Dammit. She was thinking way ahead of me. It only made me like her more. “And I wanted to be sure all of this was cleared up before making a move. So, now I’m making a move.”
She looked through her lashes at me and I couldn’t take it anymore. I pulled her to me and kissed her.
A giggle escaped her as I did, and her hands slid up my chest and around my neck.
As her sweet scent invaded my nose, I had to remind myself that there was no rush. We could do this whenever we wanted to. This kiss was simple, gentle brushes over her lips, just like the ones in the truck had been.
It was an intimacy that I didn’t usually allow myself. I kept emotions and longing away from anyone, not willing to be let down in the end. But there was something about Mollie that made me want to try.
There was no one else that I would kiss in the kitchen of myhome. No one else I would let get so close to Eric. No one else that I’d opened up to. I was bad at words, so I tried to convey all of my thoughts in the slow and steady kisses we shared in our quiet intimacy.
“Come back to my room,” I murmured into her lips. We didn’t have to sleep together. We didn’t have to do anything. I just didn’t want to let her go.