Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Molly hadn't really planned that far ahead, but her mom, Coleen, was already laying out the future.

"Thinking about having kids? That's way down the line for me."

Coleen chuckled, "Don't be so sure. Once you're married, if you're not careful, babies come along quicker than you'd think. You might not even realize it until it's too late."

Molly reclined in the passenger seat, absorbing her mom's mystical advice. It reminded her of her friend Mia, who had also found herself unexpectedly pregnant shortly after tying the knot.

Resting a hand on her stomach, Molly remembered how confidently she once believed she wouldn't be caught off guard. Now, she wasn't so sure.

"Mom, is the morning-after pill still effective if you take it more than 24 hours later?"

Coleen just sighed.

Their conversation meandered to lighter topics after that, the kind of easy, pleasant chat that felt like basking in the simple joys of life.

When the topic of how many kids she might want came up, Molly found herself surprisingly open to the idea.

It was as if Mia's words had unlocked something in her. "Once you've crossed that bridge, everything else just falls into place naturally."

marriage and children made Molly shy and uncomfortable, as if it was all too intimate. But now, with everything out in the open, having children seemed like a

one. Kids are adorable in small doses. You think they're the cutest thing ever until you're the one dealing with their tantrums every day. My nephew's a prime example. Mia sometimes loses her patience

as if the troubles of the world were someone else's concern. After their chat, Coleen drove Molly around, taking in

only responsible for keeping her mom's spirits up; whatever drama was

gone and called the dynamic duo, now shopping at the market, and

the aftermath of an earlier commotion was

the local police and community officers gone, and Juliana's family whereabouts unknown, Grandma Aubree and Grandpa Elmer looked visibly upset, while Molly and Coleen seemed detached

the yard, Grandpa Elmer tended to the vegetable garden, and Coleen cooked dinner. Molly, less helpful in the kitchen, was sent

you, why don't we go to town and get

dear. I'll just buy

and Grandpa pack up and move to the city with us? You've always refused because you didn't want to impose, but we've been getting along so well. Plus,

Aubree seemed unconvinced,

I know this incident

least she didn't steal from someone else and end up in jail. It's just a local scandal, nothing more. Things will blow over." Despite her grandmother's skepticism, Molly kept up

causing more trouble? That's why moving to the city makes sense. I'll be

outside, and Kendrick, about to enter the room, were both roped into Molly's plan

persuasion. It was a big decision, leaving a lifetime of memories behind, but Molly was determined to make her

of six gathered in the backyard to enjoy the meal. During dinner, Coleen suggested they should consider moving back home soon, to tidy up and