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“Like home?” Bessie finished.

“Exactly. For now, I just want to concentrate on this place. I promise I’m not shutting myself away.”

“Well, alright then. I’ll stop harassing you about Chelsea, but I can’t promise that I won’t interfere if someone comes along who could be yours forever.”

Molly rounded the table, so she was standing behind Bessie. Bending down, Molly wrapped her arms around Bessie’s shoulders and squeezed. “Shall we get breakfast started?”

The rest of the morning went by without Bessie bringing up Molly’s love life again. Micah, Courtney, Liam and Lisa demolished their food before scurrying back to their rooms. Molly caught up on a few chores before Courtney came back down, ready to start work outside.

“How is it going, Court?” Molly asked as they walked through the fields inspecting the sunflowers.

Courtney shrugged. “I’m fine.” The lack of enthusiasm worried Molly.

“Hey, come on now, you know better than that. Talk to me.”

Courtney stopped and sighed heavily. “I’m totally crushing on Lisa.”

That wasn’t where Molly thought Courtney was going to go. “Okay, and so why do you look like someone just ate the last double stuffed Oreo? Having a crush is supposed to be a good thing, Court.”

“Yeah, if the object of that crush felt the same way,” Courtney mumbled.

“Lisa doesn’t feel the same way?”

“I don’t think so.”

“You haven’t talked to her?”

“Are you nuts? I’m not going to tell her just for her to say she doesn’t like me back.”

Molly knew Courtney found rejection hard, just like most people, but for these kids, the act of rejection was deeper than most. Understandably, they shielded themselves from further hurt, but often that led them to reject others first.

“You’ve written her off before even giving her a choice,” Molly began softly. “I understand your worry. You know I do.” Molly was always upfront with people about her past. When kids came to the ranch, they needed to know the people helping them understood what they were going through.

“I know,” Courtney whispered.

“She might not feel the same way, and yeah, that would suck, but on the flip side, she could be interested. Court, sweetheart, if you never take the risk, you could end up losing out on something wonderful. That is the same with everything in life, honey.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

Molly knew the conversation was over and Courtney needed the space to process. “Come on, let’s go grab a lemonade. It’s hot as hell out here.”

They ambled back to the ranch slowly. Courtney dropped on to the porch bench while Molly fetched them a pitcher of ice-cold lemonade. Sometimes, sitting in silence, looking out over the sunflower fields was all the therapy needed. Courtney did better when given the room to work through her thoughts, but she also needed to feel she had support close by. Sitting on the porch watching the world go by was the perfect compromise.

“Hey, who’s that?” Courtney asked a few minutes later. Molly had been in her own world and hadn’t noticed the car which wound its way up towards the house.

“No idea. Maybe someone is lost?” Molly commented. They weren’t due to have another house guest, and it wasn’t Bessie’s car. Micah had only just left, so it wasn’t him, either.

Standing from the bench, Molly made her way down the steps. The car came to a stop a few meters away. Molly’s eyes locked with a young woman sitting in the front passenger seat. Eyes that were so similar to her own, Molly stumbled back. The passenger door opened slowly, and the girl stepped out. Molly froze. With long honey-colored hair, blue eyes and the same dimples as her, Molly knew she was looking at Alan’s daughter.

“Hi,” the girl breathed. “I’m Faith. Um… I’m your niece.”

Chapter 12

Faith

Faith felt sick the entire drive to Yolo County. After another disappointing trip, she didn’t know what she would do if Molly wasn’t in California anymore. Carmen, Mateo and Enid had done their level best to keep the atmosphere positive, but Faith knew that, until she laid eyes on her aunt, nothing would make her feel better.

As they traveled dirt roads, sunflower fields flanking either side, a feeling wound itself around Faith’s heart. A sixth sense, which told Faith that she was finally going to find Molly Parsons. When the large ranch house came into view, Faith’s gaze met that of a woman Faith knew instantly. Yes, her hair was slightly darker than Faith’s, but her face… well, it was like staring into a mirror.