A Very Special Delivery

smiled. “Want to come inside for a while? Some hot chocolate might soothe your wounded pride.”
    “Better not.” He hitched his chin toward the back seat. “The boss needs to hit the sack.”
    Molly laid a hand on his jacketed arm. Filled
with an emotion too wonderful for words, she said, “Thank you for this, Ethan. As scared as I was to go to that game, I’m glad you talked me into it. For the first time in two years, I don’t feel like people are saying bad things about me.”
    She realized now that the whispers and exclusion had mostly been in her mind, a part of her own guilt and self-punishment. She just hadn’t been able to recognize the truth until now. If only the rift with Chloe was imaginary, everything would be great. But it wasn’t. Tonight had helped, but her sister still hated her.
    As if he read her thoughts, Ethan pulled her into his arms and said, “The situation with Chloe will improve. We have to keep praying, keep believing and keep being brave.”
    “I’m not all that brave.”
    “Sure you are. You were dynamite tonight. I was so proud of you.”
    “Really? I was proud of you, too.” She’d felt more than pride. She’d felt special when his eyes had found hers during the game and they’d exchange smiles or she’d lift Laney’s hand in a wave.
    “See? We’re great together. A regular team. You and me and Laney.”
    A team. She liked the sound of that.
    “Molly,” he started, then tipped his head back and stared at the truck’s dark ceiling.
    She touched his cheek, drew his face back down so that their eyes met in the faint light. “What?”
    He smoothed her hair back, then bracketed her face with both hands. The look in his eyes sent adrenaline swirling into her bloodstream.
    “Maybe it’s too soon to say this. Maybe I should never say this at all, considering my checkered past.” He closed in so that his face was inches from hers. When he spoke, the words were but a breath of warmth against her lips. “I love you, Molly.”
    Her heart lurched, banging against her rib cage.
    “Oh, Ethan.” She touched his beloved cheek with the tips of her fingers.
    In the next heartbeat, his mouth closed over hers in a kiss so full of sweet emotion that Molly wanted to cry. She loved him, too. Had loved him for a long time.
    He was good for her in so many ways. Too good perhaps. And she wanted desperately to make him happy, to make up for the wrong Twila had done to him and Laney.
    Laney.
    The thought of the child stopped her cold.
    How could Ethan even consider falling in love with someone like her? Wouldn’t he always wonder in the back of his mind if Laney was safe? Wouldn’t she?
    When the kiss ended, his forehead tilted against hers. “I know I’m no prize, and I have baggage that some women wouldn’t want to deal with—”
    “Laney’s not baggage. She’s a treasure.” The very reason why his declaration scared her so much.
    He kissed the tip of her nose. “She’s my treasure. I want her to be yours, too.”
    She already was, but for Laney’s sake, Molly couldn’t say so. All the “what ifs” had begun to roll around inside her head again. What if she had a panic attack? What if something happened to Laney while she was in Molly’s care? Would Ethan still love her then?
    Her hesitation wasn’t lost on Ethan. He backed off a little and asked, “Are you afraid you can’t love another woman’s child? Is that what’s bothering you?”
    “No. Ethan, don’t think that. Don’t ever think that. I love that baby with all my heart.” Almost as if she was the woman who had given birth to Laney.
    “Then what is it? Is it me? Is it because of the things I did before?”
    “None of that. You’re a wonderful man. The problem isn’t you. It’s me.” She swallowed the lump in her throat and admitted, “I’m afraid of failing you.”
    He gripped both of her hands in his. “Are you still worried that something will happen to Laney, and it will be your fault? Is that what this is all about?”
    “Yes,” she whispered, head down, embarrassed but relieved as well to admit the fear.
    “Molly, sweetheart, no one can predict the future. But one thing I know. You would protect my baby girl with your life.” He tapped her chin with a knuckle, lifting it. “Wouldn’t you?”
    “If I could.”
    “Then forget about everything else for a minute and answer me this. Do you care for me? I think you do, but I need you to say it.”
    “You know I do,” she