Three Makes a Family--A Clean Romance Cari Webb (short books for teens txt) 📖

“I’ve got really worried mothers out there. If we don’t get you out of here, they’re going to be really mad at me. Upsetting a mom is a really bad thing.”

The dog tilted her head to peer at him, revealing her one pale blue eye and one brown eye. Drew kept his gaze locked on the dog’s and tightened his hand under her rib cage. Praise and prayers issued, one on top of the other, Drew finally lifted the dog into his arms. She whimpered twice, but rested her head on his bicep.

He worked his way out from behind the dumpster and barely missed bumping into Molly.

“You got her.” Relief with a flash of worry creased her face. “She’s so emaciated. Poor, brave mama.”

Drew lifted the exhausted dog into the lowered back seat of the SUV, placing her on a thick blanket beside the puppy basket. He stroked the mother dog between her ears. “Sophie will make sure she recovers and thrives.”

The dog set her paw on Drew’s arm. He stilled.

Beside him, Molly gasped. “Look. It’s like she’s thanking you.”

“That’s exactly what she’s doing.” Sophie sniffled from the front seat. Tears tracked down her cheeks.

Brad handed a box of tissues to his wife. “It’s not the pregnancy bringing on the tears either.”

Ella nodded. “Mom always cries after every rescue. Always.”

Molly leaned in and pulled a tissue from the box. She dabbed at her eyes and shrugged at Drew. “I’ve gotten more emotional since giving birth. I’ve learned to just go with it.”

Drew agreed. There was something very right about Molly displaying her feelings without apology. He took Hazel from Sophie, grabbed Molly’s hand as if that were the most natural thing in the world for him to do and walked to his truck.

“There was something so powerful about this.” Molly blew her nose. “I can’t explain it.”

“A mother’s bond translates across cultures and to the animal kingdom. That’s what Ella tells me anyway.” Drew wiped the drool from Hazel’s mouth. “You understood her need to protect her babies.”

Molly opened the truck door and took Hazel into her arms. “Yes. That I do understand very well.”

The resolve in Molly’s tone caught Drew’s attention. He knew nothing about her ex or her situation. But he suddenly wanted to fight for her too. Drew waited for Molly to settle Hazel in her car seat, climb into the passenger seat and shut her door.

He walked around the front of his truck, trying to outdistance his thoughts. He wasn’t Molly’s champion. She’d never needed one. Hadn’t asked him to rescue her now. He’d never been anyone’s hero. He’d only ever upheld justice.

But the urge to defend Molly followed him into his truck like a dust storm, clouding his vision and his mind. He started the engine, reached for his pinging phone and the immediate distraction. He read the text from his brother and grinned. “What do you want to know about Gina Hahn?”

“What do you have?” Molly unzipped her briefcase and pulled out a legal notepad. “I will work with any lead.”

“We have more than a lead.” Drew handed Molly his cell phone and backed out of the alley. “I’m thinking we’re heading to Girasoli Ristorante for lunch.”

“Your brother is good.” Molly stared at the phone. “He got more information about Gina, specifically that she uses her mother’s maiden name as her last name. And he included her relationship history and current status—single and never married. It’s more than I would’ve known to ask for.”

“Brad is one of the best,” Drew said. “And his people are even better.”

Molly set the phone in the cup holder. “I’m going to keep him on speed dial if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” What he minded was his preoccupation with everything Molly. From her patience with Hazel to the lightness in her smile as she and Ella debated puppy names, even when she was teasing him. Her gentleness couldn’t be ignored. Her kindness and thoughtfulness extended from her family, to his family and friends, to the rescued dogs.

Fortunately Molly spent the entire drive to the Italian restaurant scribbling notes on her legal pad. Hazel napped. And Drew kept his attention on minding the traffic and following the GPS directions to the eatery located north of the city across the Golden Gate Bridge.

If only he could direct his interest in Molly back to the professional and away from the personal.

CHAPTER TEN

MOLLY TOOK STOCK. A mother dog and her puppies successfully rescued—check. Gina Hahn located, thanks to Drew’s brother—check. And Hazel was dozing blissfully in the back seat—check, as well. It all made Molly’s mood optimistic. That was good because she was looking for a solid point of entry into Drew’s case. A place to begin her investigation into the seemingly perfect district attorney. She was hopeful Gina might know something important, even if the former administrative assistant considered the information trivial. The key would be persuading Gina to help them.

The staccato voice of Drew’s navigation system disrupted the silence. Molly rearranged the legal notepad on her lap and made an outline of possible questions. She paused once to take in the beautiful view from the Golden Gate Bridge and to peek at Hazel asleep.

It wasn’t long before the hostess of Girasoli Ristorante led Molly and Drew onto an outdoor covered patio at the back of the restaurant. A busboy carried over a high chair for Hazel. Menus were handed out, and the hostess slipped back inside.

Molly noticed Drew’s focus was fixed on the waitresses walking in and out through the swinging door to the kitchen.

Molly snapped a bib around Hazel’s neck and scattered a handful of toasted cereal onto the high-chair tray. The three of them looked like any other family spending their lunch hour together. But this was work. Dog rescues and family introductions aside, Molly had a job to do and a client counting on her. “Do you recognize anyone?”

“I do.” Drew straightened in his chair and tipped his chin. “Gina is coming to our table now.”

Gina