Kevin rested one of his strong hands on her back.

Wyatt went on. “Your knowledge and care are a miracle straight from God. I feel like the worst kind of sinner to have done something to drive you away.”

To say he hadn’t driven her away would make Kevin blame himself. To say he had driven her away would make Wyatt feel awful. Falcon just kept chewing, eating fast as if he knew they’d have to leave soon and wanted to fill his belly.

He swallowed and said, “Don’t blame me. I didn’t do nothing wrong.”

Molly narrowed her eyes and uncharitably wished he’d choke on a turnip.

Instead of choking, he said, “Come back home with us, Miss Molly. Monday is near a full week away. Come home and spend the days before your job starts with your family. We may try and get you to want to stay, but in the end, it’s your life, and as a self-supporting, intelligent, adult woman, it’s a decision you get to make. But we’re sure enough gonna miss you at the RHR and no denyin’ it.”

Molly was beat. She could feel her will crumbling. Not from Kevin’s worry or Wyatt’s anger. Those only made her more determined to stay away. But Falcon, blast him. And his guiltless invitation. He was making it impossible to stay here.

It was going to take a lot of doing to escape her family. But she was up to the job of escaping more than she was up to the job of taking care of this thankless pack of almost-kin.

“I’ve got five days until school starts.” Molly slammed her napkin on the table and stood. Disgusted with herself. “During that time, I’m going to teach someone in that family to cook. If I do, none of you will ever notice I’m gone.”

Wyatt’s eyes flashed. Kevin’s brow furrowed.

Falcon grinned. “It ain’t gonna be me. Though, I could cook a possum over an open fire for us once a week.”

Molly flinched. She turned to Mrs. Brownley. “I’ll leave my things here, if it’s all right with you. I’ll be back next Sunday. I believe I’ll stay after church.”

“We’ll look forward to it.”

Molly got her coat and stuffed a satchel with her nightgown and a few things she’d need for a stay at the ranch. She wasn’t going to think of it as home ever again.

Seven

Molly wasn’t quite sure how she found herself cooking breakfast alone the next morning. It was odd really. Like yesterday, her escape, her job, her new future, had never happened.