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“Oh, there’s something happening. Prepare yourself, Molly Parsons.”

“Prepare myself for what?”

“For the greatest fashion show on earth,” Mateo announced with as much flair as he could muster. Which, in his pink silk robe and fluffy slippers, was quite a lot.

“Okay, I’m lost?” Molly laughed. The kids all looked giddy with excitement, and Carmen looked exasperated.

“The old queen wants to put on a fashion show in the front yard,” Carmen replied, flipping the two pancakes.

“Damn right the old queen does!” Mateo shouted. “It’s going to be spectacular.”

“Um…” Molly wasn’t sure how to respond.

“Don’t try to understand it. Just go along for the ride,” Carmen chuckled. “He’s got all the kids involved.”

“Well, I wouldn’t want to stand in the way of the greatest fashion show on earth,” Molly deadpanned. That Mateo was doing something for all the kids was heartwarming. Over the past few days, he’d spent time with each of them, chatting about everything and nothing. Sometimes something as simple as giving the teens just a bit of time and focus was more precious than gold. They’d spent too long feeling isolated and unheard, misunderstood.

“Yeah, he’s a good one, I suppose,” Carmen muttered low enough so Mateo wouldn’t hear her. “Come on, let’s feed the horde.”

How did Carmen and Mateo fit in so easily? Molly stood watching for a second. Carmen arranged the pancakes on the table. Mateo psyching up the kids about the upcoming fashion show. Bessie caught Molly’s eye from the other end of the kitchen and gave her a wink.

With the worries and memories of last night’s drama soothed and stored a little further back in her mind, Molly sat down and enjoyed a rather loud and excitable breakfast.

Mateo apparently had raided everyone’s closets, including Molly’s, to prepare for the show. Courtney, Lisa and Faith were models. Liam mumbled something about music management and Micah boasted about being Mateo’s beauty apprentice.

“As fun as this is,” Bessie interrupted, “We need to crack on with the chores if we want to enjoy the show later on.”

“Indeed,” Molly agreed, shuffling from the table, depositing her dishes in the sink. “You guys can get this place cleaned, please.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Micah answered, corralling the others to move from the table. They must be excited. I’ve never seen them so enthusiastic about cleaning up.

“I can help you with the ranch chores, if you like?” Carmen said to Molly quietly. The closeness of Carmen’s body reminded Molly of last night. Stop it.

“Um, sure, if you want. That would be great.”

Suppressing the little shiver that coursed through her panties, Molly willed herself to calm the hell down. What was happening? She’d shared several conversations and a bit of cuddling. Surely that wasn’t enough to elicit such reactions. The second shiver in her lower regions begged to differ. You just need to get laid. It’s nothing more than pent-up frustration.

???

The excitement was palpable in the front yard. Molly laughed out loud in amazement when she saw the fashion show setup. Where the hell had Mateo found a red carpet? There were several chairs lined up on either side of the runway—an enormous set of curtains hanging off a makeshift frame and a desk to the side that had a Bluetooth speaker on it.

“This is very…” Molly waved her hands about trying to come up with the best descriptors for what lay in front of her.

“Over the top?” Carmen laughed.

“No, it’s brilliant. I can’t believe Mateo pulled it off.”

“Give that man enough time. He can turn anything into a runway.”

“But I bet he’s never made one in front of a ranch next to a field of sunflowers before, huh?”

Carmen laughed. “Nope, it’s a first.”

Sitting down, they sat silently until Enid and Bessie strolled up arm-in-arm. “Those two are dangerous together,” Molly muttered out the side of her mouth so only Carmen could hear.

“You’re telling me,” she replied, laughing.

“Hello, you two. Isn’t this a lovely sight?” Enid clapped enthusiastically. Molly rolled her eyes.