Page 13 of To Win a Rebel

There was no point in staring at her blank screen, hoping the book would write itself, because that is not the way anything happened, at least in her world. She gathered her stuff together, closed the house, and then headed out into the hot air.

She spotted several kids wearing bikinis or swim trunks, playing with some water guns, spraying each other. The moment she stepped out, she felt a bead of sweat dribble down her back, and that was not fun.

“It is all going to be fine,” she said, attempting to keep a smile on her face. It was so hot.

According to forecasters, this would be the last heat wave of the year, and by the end of the week, fall was going to officially arrive. After this, she was going to look forward to fall, beingcold, wearing sweaters.

She walked all the way to the garage and Nate was standing outside, dressed in a sleeveless T-shirt. The top of his coveralls was around his waist, where he’d clearly removed it.

There was a woman talking to him, and Molly noticed the other woman was getting closer to him. Nate held onto his clipboard, listening, and then started to move around the car. As he did, Molly was able to get a clear look at the woman. It was Rachael Carter, who had been recently divorced from her cheating husband. The rumor mill had been circulating about her lately. Molly didn’t like listening to gossip, but while she was in line, waiting for her coffee, she wasn’t going to ignore anyone who was willing to talk.

She learned that so far, Rachael had enjoyed at least seven of the single men in town. There had also been a rumor that a certain married man had been caught sneaking out of her bedroom window.

Molly didn’t know if she should believe gossip or not. A few years ago, a rumor circulated that an alien was roaming free, but it had turned out to be a little five-year-old boy in a very authentic-looking costume. She’d liked the outcome of that gossip train. It turned out the boy’s mother had been practicing his Halloween costume, using makeup, and some crafts. Molly had been too busy with work to see the final result, but had gotten the pleasure at Halloween, and she had not been scared. He’d looked amazing, but then, all the kids had looked so cute, coming to get their candy.

Rachael reached out and stroked a hand down Nate’s arm, and Molly decided she had seen enough.

“Hey,” Molly said, drawing their attention to her.

She didn’t like Rachael, they had gone to school together. The other woman was used to being the center of attention. Molly had wondered how Rachael would handle being dumped.It was usually the other way around. Rachael was the one known for doing the dumping.

Now, as she looked at the other woman, she knew she had set her sights on Nate.

She forced a smile to her lips, especially as Nate came to her, putting a hand at her back, and pulling her in close to kiss her.

“Evening, beautiful,” he said.

Molly didn’t look back at Rachael, and instead looked at him. “Is everything okay?” she asked.

“It is now that you’re here.”

****

Nate finished his order and sent the waitress off. He glanced across the table and looked at Molly. He’d never been so happy to see someone. Rachael had arrived just as he was about to close his gates. She refused to stay in her car, and had insisted on getting out, showing him the problem with her car.

The onlyproblemhe saw was that she was a liar. There was nothing wrong with her car, as he’d been the one to service it for her less than a month ago. Actually, he’d gotten his friend Randy to deal with everything as he always tried to avoid Rachael. He didn’t like her. She’d always had a mean streak, and age hadn’t changed that. Nor had a cold marriage and a divorce, so he had no doubt nothing would ever change her.

He wanted to make this work with Molly, and seeing as he didn’t have the greatest reputation to begin with, he knew he had to do a lot. He wanted Molly to trust him.

“Are you okay?” Molly asked.

It was hot as hell outside, and the diner wasn’t much better, but they did have the AC working.

“I’m fine, glad you turned up when you did.”

Molly laughed. “Do you mind if I ask you something?”

“No, and never,” he said.

“You don’t even know what I’m going to ask you.”

He raised his brows. “If I had ever been with Rachael, before or after her divorce. The answer is no.”

“Oh,” Molly said. “You did know.”

“Look, I wasn’t a good man. I get that. I know I’m not the kind of guy women want to bring home to see their parents.” He cringed and ran a hand down his face. “Shit, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it, and besides, my parents did like you,” Molly said.