“Right. And in the meantime, I’m the only one in town not getting laid, whereas you’ve been back for a month and you’ve landed one of the hottest guys in Hope.”

“Why didn’t you ever date Carter? Or did you?”

“He’s not my type. He’s too nice.”

Molly laughed. “So you don’t want a nice guy?”

“I like nice guys just fine.”

Molly shook her head. Chelsea was confusing as hell. Maybe Chelsea didn’t know what kind of man she wanted. Or maybe her standards were too high.

Because as she looked across the table at Carter, she realized there wasn’t much wrong with him. He was hot, sexy, funny, had a great job, and was a good person. Any woman would consider herself lucky to have someone like him to settle down with.

“Ready to get started?” Carter asked.

Everyone took their seats, and Carter began the meeting.

Not that she wanted to settle down with Carter—or any man. But if she was looking for a potential partner in life, she couldn’t find much fault with Carter.

He had great leadership abilities. As he led the meeting, she noticed he got things back on track when someone strayed off topic, and he refereed any disagreements like a diplomat.

One day some woman was going to get lucky.

When she had the floor, his gaze met hers and he smiled at her. Her stomach tightened.

She’d be long gone by the time a woman married Carter. Made beautiful, dark-haired, green-eyed babies with him.

It wouldn’t matter. He’d be happy, and she’d be content, moving on with her life.

Somewhere.

She almost lost focus just thinking about it, but rallied her brain in time to sound like she knew what she was talking about.

They got through the meeting with a minimum of fuss, which was good. Even Mavis seemed to be in a good mood, and didn’t argue with their suggestions, including Molly’s idea to erect a playground near the square. The cost would be a minimal addition, and everyone approved. She was happy about that, and could already envision children playing in the square.

The project was moving along, and Molly was excited about the way things were going. Every time she drove through town she saw progress, making her want to see the finished product, especially in the spring and summer when it would really be used by the people of Hope.

Of course, next spring and summer she wouldn’t be here to see the new town square in action.

She was going to miss out on a lot, because she was leaving as soon as her mother was capable of taking care of herself again.

That kind of sucked, but it was the life she’d chosen, and she wasn’t going to deviate from it. Staying here in Hope just wasn’t an option for her.

If she started caring about everything that was happening around here or about the people—she looked across the table at Carter—she might feel like staying.

And that just wouldn’t do.

It was much easier to stick with the plan. Stay only long enough to get Mom right again, then take off.

She liked her life the way it was. That was a life she was used to, one she could manage.

A life that couldn’t hurt her.

Right now she was having fun. It was light and easy and she was enjoying spending time with her family again. She was enjoying this newfound sex with no strings with Carter. And as long as she kept it a temporary thing, she could handle it.

Making it any more than that would only lead to heartbreak. She’d faced heartbreak once, and it had nearly brought her to her knees. She’d never do it again.

“That wasn’t too painful, was it?” Carter asked as they got out of their seats and grabbed another cup of coffee.

“No, actually, it went better than I expected. Especially the playground part.”

Carter lifted the cup to his lips, took a drink, then nodded. “Me, too. I thought for sure Mavis would balk. But she didn’t. In fact, she agreed it was a good idea.”

Molly turned and leaned against the sink. “I wonder what’s up with that.”

“I wonder what’s up with her. Usually she stays and endlessly gossips ’til everyone does their best to make an escape, but she’s already grabbing her coat and leaving.”

“Hmm. Maybe she has a boyfriend.”

Carter studied Mavis’s escape. “She has been divorced for several years, but I can’t imagine who’d be willing to put up with her.”

Molly laughed. “There’s someone for everyone out there, you know. Even for Mavis.”

“I guess you’re right.” He pushed off the wall. “How about we go get something to eat.”

“I ate dinner before the meeting.”

“Okay, then. How about you come with me and watch me eat something? You can get coffee and dessert?”

“I had all those cookies.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m trying to ask you out, Molly. Are you trying to tell me you’d just like to go home?”

Why was she being so difficult? Maybe she’d spent too much time thinking during the meeting tonight. And too much time pondering her relationship with Carter—and all the things that couldn’t happen between them.

But that was the future, and this was the present, and she wasn’t going to let anything stand between spending time with him right now.

“No, of course not. I’d love to watch you eat.”

He laughed. “All right, then. Let’s go.

Chapter 23

ON THE DRIVE over to Bert’s, on his own because Molly told him she didn’t want to leave her car at the community center, Carter pondered her strange mood.

He chalked it up to her being a woman, and they got moody sometimes. He intended to keep that thought to himself so he didn’t get into any trouble. His mother told him if he had a stupid thought about a woman, it was best to just shut up about it.

Good advice. His mom was pretty smart.

He pulled into the lot, Molly right behind him, taking the spot next to his. Though they’d fixed George’s immediate problems, he still didn’t like the way the car sounded.

“You’re frowning,” she said as she got out.

“George shudders. Coughs. Sounds like he’s in death throes.”

“He’s old. Cut him some slack.” She pocketed her keys and started into the restaurant, giving him no choice but to follow. He gave George a long look, but the car didn’t make any more sounds, so he headed inside.