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

To have faith in us when we lost it in ourselves. And to always be our foundation.”

“No matter what, your family is always there for you,” Brad added. “Your family is your safe place if you let them be there for you.”

Brad meant if Drew opened his heart and let them in. If Drew only trusted. In love and in himself. “I have you guys.”

His mother walked over and grabbed his hand. “And you always will. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for more.”

Molly and Hazel. Could he trust his heart? Could he risk? “Okay. I got it. Now I need to analyze some case files. Really.”

“Then my purpose for being here is done.” His mother kissed his cheek. “I’m off to pick up supplies at The Pampered Pooch and deliver more welcome gifts.”

“Welcome gifts for who?” Brad asked.

“Molly found a new office space. Delightful historic spot a few blocks from the pet store. Lots of character. Good bones.” His mother smiled. “She and Gina are moving in today.”

“Gina Hahn?” Drew was confused.

“That’s the only Gina I know.” His mother waved from the doorway. “I know that young woman is going to be a terrific legal assistant for Molly.”

With that final prediction, his mother disappeared down the hallway. Drew glanced at Brad.

His brother shrugged. “I’ve been busy with the twins. They really do need me. I have to get home.”

Brad slipped out of the office as silently as he’d arrived. Except his family had left behind more than a gift bag and a good-morning greeting.

Drew picked up the colorful bag from his mother and pulled out a tabletop fountain shaped like a wishing well. On a card attached to the box, she’d written, Wishes are good. But the real joy and the true fun is in the wishing. In the living. Don’t ever forget to live.

The fun at the park, tossing pennies into the fountain with Hazel and Molly, hadn’t come from the many wishes made that afternoon. The joy had been simply being there with them. Spending time, not on his phone and checking emails, but rather being fully present in the moment with Molly and Hazel. The fun had been the volleyball games, the s’mores eating and the laughter.

The living had been sharing time with Molly. Sharing pizza, sharing a bottle of wine and sharing secrets. The same as they’d done that Thanksgiving week so long ago. It had always been Molly.

His heart had always known. His past relationships hadn’t worked out, not because he couldn’t love but because he already loved. Loved Molly McKinney.

Always had. Always would.

And that fear—the one that urged him to hide in his work—shifted directions like a weather vane in a gust of wind. He’d spent years running, believing love was only a burden to bear. Now he wanted to run to Molly. And not spend another day without her beside him.

Because love...love was a gift. It needed to be treasured and valued...and celebrated.

Drew grabbed his suit coat and rushed from his office. His assistant stopped him on his way to the elevators. She smiled. “You’re in a hurry. Late for an important meeting?”

“Yes.” He was late getting his life started. Late embracing his feelings. But he hoped he wasn’t too late to change Molly’s mind. He grinned at his assistant. “I’m going to get my family back.”

Her eyebrows pulled together, and confusion wavered across her smile. “I feel like I should wish you good luck then.”

Drew and Molly had never wished each other good luck. Good luck implied there was something beyond hard work and diligence that controlled their achievements. They both believed in making their own luck through persistence, dedication and devotion.

Yet, Drew readily accepted his assistant’s wish for good luck.

And then he gave a silent plea for every unseen force in the universe to be on his side. For the first time ever, Drew needed love to win.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

LATE MONDAY MORNING and Molly sat on the stairs inside her new law office. Her laptop perched on her legs and her legal assistant bustling around her. Today was move-in day. Or more precisely, delivery day. A couch and carpet would arrive within the hour for the upstairs break room/playroom.

Molly had chosen the two-story office space for its versatility. There were two offices, a small conference room and reception space on the first floor. On the second, there was a large open space Gina and Molly had designated for personal use. Whether Hazel or Gina’s daughter was there to play, or Gina wanted to practice yoga on her break, the room would be ready and available.

“You need to go home.” Gina eased around her on the stairs.

“We have too much going on today.” Furniture deliveries from four different retail stores. Internet and phone service installers, a plumber and an electrician had appointments scheduled too. If no unforeseen problems popped up, Molly’s new office would be open and fully functional on Wednesday. State filings had already been processed and her new practice was registered with the State Bar. “I should be here to help.”

“You should be at home preparing for your custody hearing tomorrow.” Gina wrote Molly’s office supplies in a black marker across the top of the box and reached for another. “I can handle this.”

“What if you have questions?” Molly asked.

“I have a phone to call you.” Gina tapped the marker against the box. “And we already mapped out where we want the furniture. Where we need more outlets and what we envision for the kitchenette upstairs.”

Gina had recreated the entire office layout on paper and included room dimensions. Then she’d added cutout paper furniture with exact dimensions to create a full visual for Molly. It took the women less than half a day to arrange the paper cutouts to their satisfaction. “You’re very good at design.”

“My mother and my aunt studied the art of feng shui for the restaurant and their houses.” Gina shrugged. “I got to tag along on their shopping trips, and I paid attention.”

“I can