Chapter Fifty

Molly figured it would probably be best if she didn't hang around too long once they'd gotten back and had brushed down the horses. Beth made her promise to take her up on her offer to use her as an excuse to come over, though she'd obviously like it if they did actually get to spend some time together. 

"I'll try," Molly promised before she and Jake headed outside to say goodbye to each other. They headed out the kitchen door, but before she could set off towards the front and her house, he pulled her along to the barn. As soon as they were inside and out of sight, he pulled her in to kiss her. She was taken a little by surprise by how intense he felt, but she didn't mind. "I'm still not gonna take a roll in the hay with ye, cowboy," she said in between kisses, her actions belying her words. He merely chuckled this time as he continued to kiss her, pushing her up against the wall. Jake wasn't planning on going that far, but he couldn't let her leave today without kissing her, maybe a little more. And it seemed like she couldn't leave without doing the same. Molly could feel his hands on her hips, pulling her closer to him. In response she ran her hands along his back and abs, feeling a little tingle run down her spine when she felt his body respond to her touch. His mind may not want to go beyond a certain point just yet, but his body certainly did. She could feel her head starting to spin as she breathed him in, his tongue teasing hers. His thumbs started teasing the edge of her shirt up, brushing against her skin as one went high enough to brush the edge of her bra, before lifting her up against the wall. She wrapped her legs around his waist, still kissing him, her arms moving around his neck to hang on. Jake let his hands enjoy the feel of her legs and bum, pressing himself against her. Molly moaned into his mouth, tilting her hips a little. It wasn't long before he slowed their kisses down. He knew he'd started this and it was unfair to cut it short now, but the situation was still the same; his father and sister were still nearby and he didn't want their relationship to conform to the country stereotype by doing it in a barn, a field or a truck. 

Molly sighed into their kiss when she felt him pulling back. "Yer such… a tease," she accused him, kissing him one more time. 

He chuckled as he kissed her back. "Sorry honey," he apologized. "I know it's frustratin', but…I can't help myself… 'N those pretty li'l Daisy Dukes ye wear don't help," Jake teased, his fingers squeezing her thighs to make it obvious why. 

"That's one of the reasons I like 'em," she teased back, kissing him again. 

He kissed her back before leaning his forehead against hers. "I just don't want us to be a cliché," he told her, putting her down slowly. 

She ran her fingers through his hair and cupped his cheek. "It's not a cliché if it's what we both want," Molly said, taking in his brown eyes as he looked at her. She wasn't entirely sure, as she'd never experienced this before, but she thought he looked like someone who was falling in love. 

He smiled as he gently went thought her hair, thinking the same thing about her. He'd seen it before in other girls, but it always put him off because he didn't feel the same for them. Not now though. This girl was different. She was worth it. She was his. He just needed to find a way, a place, a time, to show her that, in a way that he was comfortable with as well. "I do… just not here, in this way," Jake said softly, thinking she deserved much better than a quickie in his barn, especially for their first time together. "Yer too special for that," he added, leaning in to kiss her gently. Molly felt like she might melt as she kissed back, how could she disagree with that sentiment? He made her feel unlike she ever had. 

It was almost dinner time by the time Molly made it home. Jennifer was already getting dinner ready in the kitchen but seemed to perk up when she saw her sister walk in. It had been a long day waiting by herself to see whether or not Molly would be home early or not, as she was keen to get their relationship back on track. 

"Hey there you are. Had fun last night?" Jennifer called out as she turned the stove on to start cooking. 

Her sister dragged herself into the kitchen, not sure how to respond. She was still a little annoyed that she and Jake were having to sneak around because her sister had some unresolved issue with his cousin. But she also missed having a normal conversation with her. "Yeah it was good. Hannah got smashed, so I drove her home," Molly answered as she plopped down on one of the chairs. 

"You drove her home?" her older sister asked, trying not to laugh. The last time she'd driven her truck anywhere had been stop-start with a constant burning of the clutch. 

"Yes. I'm gettin' better at it 'n there wasn't much traffic around," she responded a little defensively. "Anyway, she threw up once we got back so I didn't want to just leave her by herself. She wasn't back to anywhere near normal 'til like an hour ago, so we just hung out 'n vegged out in front of the TV," she continued.

"Sounds good though, minus Hannah throwing up," Jennifer said now, turning her back on the stove when she was certain it was going to simmer okay. "So I know that means today is out of the window but would you like to do something tomorrow? I think there's a farmer's market next town over," she suggested. She'd seen a sign on her way home from work yesterday and thought it might be a nice and neutral activity for them to do. 

"Yeah that sounds like fun," Molly nodded now. "I wanna take a quick shower, do I have tahm?" she asked, nodding towards the stove. 

Her sister glanced back. "A very quick shower, but yes," she nodded. 

"Great. Be right back," she said as she got up and headed over to her room. She was worried that she smelled of horses and Jake, so rather than risk her sister smelling it on her when they were both sat at the table or in front of the TV, she'd rather take a quick shower. 

They had a good evening together just chatting over dinner and a film, and the farmer's market on Sunday was really nice. It felt good to do something together that didn't involve lying or pretending. It did mean that Molly didn't get to see Jake, but for some miracle she got some phone signal so she was able to text him that she was out and about. She felt a little awkward texting him as that wasn't really something they'd done before. She just hoped that he had signal to receive it. She sent him an email as well, just in case he was doing his coursework on the computer. 

Jake was surprised to hear his inbox beep to tell him that he had a new email. Hardly anyone here used emails, unless it was to do with course work. They usually just rang or used text, if they got signal. But he was pleased to see it was from Molly, even if it was just to let him know that she wouldn't get a chance to sneak out today. He didn't mind as he did really need to finish this assignment. And he knew how much it would mean to her to rebuild her relationship with her sister. They would get another chance to see each other during the week when Jennifer was back at work, but Molly may not get many more chances to hang out with her without having to lie at every turn. Jake quickly sent her a few lines back and sighed as he settled back in to finish listening to the lecture and work on the accompanying assignment. 

Molly managed to sneak a peek at his response as her sister paid for a bunch of flowers. She smiled at herself when he wished her fun and asked her to pity him for having to sit through another hour of his professor's lecture online. She wasn't going to pity him, as he'd chosen to do this and it was important for him and the ranch's future, but she did send him a response that just had lots of kisses in to cheer him up.