Read Taking the Fall for Free Online Page B

safety in the world. It was the beacon of Clearwater Falls, and it meant something different to everyone.
    But, in the safety of her own mind, Molly’s opinion of the most beautiful sight wasn’t anything botanical; it was the strong body that was currently on his knees pushing and spreading mulch all around the perimeter of the bandstand. His upper body extended forward working in the earth, leaving his powerful dirt covered jean clad rear on complete display.
    She would know that ass anywhere. Over the years, it hadn’t changed much except for looking even more perfect. Whether it was walking down the sidewalk or gracing the stools at Molly’s, that derriere was a dead giveaway that Hunter Dennison was near. Most days it was covered in suit pants, but it looked just as wonderful in jeans. It always had.
    And just like every time Molly saw Hunter, her body responded the same as when she was fifteen. Regardless that he’d had a relationship with her friend back in college and left town, only to return a handful of years ago; he seemed less than interested in being anything more than acquaintances.
    Didn’t matter what occurred in the last couple of decades, he still made her stomach flip and had a lingering effect even after he was no longer in sight. Molly just learned to chalk it up to how some people could stare at beautiful paintings for a long time, carrying the emotion of the artist and what they were trying to portray. To her, Dr. Hunter Dennison was the canvas and she was trying to figure out his emotions.
    “Mom!”
    Jessica’s shouts ripped Molly back to the present. Gripping the wheel with both hands, she slammed on the brakes. Gratefully so, Molly noticed that she was close to rear-ending a late model Buick in front of her. The sound of the squeal of her brakes brought attention from every direction, including from the god-like body she had been stripping in her mind only moments earlier.
    Hunter’s blue eyes missed nothing and locked onto Molly’s. His face had registered concern before growing into a warm smile that Molly knew by memory. Knowing her cheeks had stained to dark red, Molly gave a goofy little wave before diverting her eyes back to the road and driving off to the school complex.
    They arrived just as the bells were ringing and a subsequent spat with Jess about how Molly had no consideration for their schedules including arriving at school on time. Molly was getting quite used to her daughter putting another notch in the post of how Molly has ruined Jess’ life thus far. Molly drove to the Fall’s footpath at Clearwater Park fifteen minutes later, really wishing she had taken those Tylenol for the headache that was beginning to throb at the base of her skull.
    This was one of Molly’s favorite times of day. Every day for forty-five minutes, it was just her alone with her thoughts, her earbuds, and nature.
    She loved to be outside. She loved feeling her skin just soaking up the Vitamin D. No matter how bad her day or what she had going on, she could always find peace just by stepping outside. It was a dream of hers to open an al fresco section to the restaurant, but sadly, that just hadn’t happened, and she didn’t see it in the near future, either.
    The park opened the footpath up about ten years ago. It is a lovely path, which is tree covered and landscaped as it winds around the ball fields, skate park, and playground. As the years went by, the city added more and more landscaping details, and around each corner potted plants or flowering trees had been placed. Whoever was the brain behind the design was incredible at what they did. Molly couldn’t imagine someone not instantly feeling better just by seeing the time and care that went into this.
    With a smile to a passerby, Molly began her brisk pace. There was a light breeze this morning. The trees were alive with the chirps of birds and a wonderful aroma wafted through the air from the flowers in bloom.
    Molly hated to darken her