“Me, too,” Molly agreed in an awed voice.
For the first time, Richard believed Molly’s statement that she’d lied to him, not Toby. He thought the tree was nice, but he’d had big trees as a boy every year. His mother had seen to that. His father hadn’t participated in decorating the tree, but his mother and whoever the chauffeur was at the time had helped him and Susan with the tree.
He fought the urge to put his arms around Molly. He’d be crazy if he did such a thing. She’d probably slap his face. His mother would order the wedding invitations.
“Now, Albert, you can put up the other decorations,” Elizabeth said in a soft voice, as if she didn’t want anyone to notice.
“What decorations, Mother?”
“I got Albert to get some lights to go around the room at the top of the wall. They’ll blink like the Christmas tree.”
“Oh, that will be lovely, Elizabeth,” Molly said.
“Don’t you want me to put up these, too?” Albert asked.
He held up some greenery.
Richard recognized it at once as mistletoe.
“Mother!” he exclaimed.
Chapter Seven
IN SPITE of Richard’s protest, the mistletoe went up all over the downstairs.
Molly made a mental note not to linger in any doorways. She didn’t expect Richard to want to kiss her, but she didn’t want to tempt fate. Not that she wasn’t attracted to the man. That was part of the problem. She was. But she had no place in their world. Once Toby was settled in, she’d be back in Florida.
She released an unconscious sigh, thinking about the time she had to leave.
“Molly? Is anything wrong?” Richard asked.
They were all having lunch together, again in the breakfast room. Louisa was off for the day to be with her family, and it made things easier for Delores and Albert if they ate there.
“No, what made you think that?”
“You sighed,” he said, watching her closely.
“Oh, I was thinking about a friend back home,” she hurriedly said.
“A boyfriend?”
Molly shot him a puzzled look. “No.”
“No boyfriend waiting for you in Florida? I find that hard to believe.”
“A nurse doesn’t have a lot of free time, or the energy to do much when she does,” Molly said. She took a sip of tea, hoping that would end this ridiculous conversation.
“That sounds like my life. Since my dad died, I’ve been reworking our law firm, trying to bring it up-to-date and get back on top of the legal world in Dallas. I don’t have much free time, and no energy when I do.”
“Dear, I knew you were working long hours, but I didn’t realize how hard it was for you,” Elizabeth said. “I should’ve paid more attention.”
“No, Mom, I’m fine. We’re about to get to the point where I can take it a little easier.”
“You should take a vacation as soon as you can,” Elizabeth said. “I’ll be here with Toby, so we’ll manage just fine.”
“I’m not sure, Mom. You might need me.”
“Maybe we could get Molly to come back for a couple of weeks,” Elizabeth suggested, looking at Molly expectantly.
“I doubt I’ll get any more time off once I get back. My vacation is scheduled for July.”
“Oh, dear, that’s a long time away. You’re not having any fun at all during Christmas,” Elizabeth said.
“Yes, I am, Elizabeth. I’m enjoying myself immensely, I promise.” Molly gave the woman her best smile. She couldn’t let her think she was suffering. In truth, she wasn’t. She was getting to do things she’d always wanted to do. Most of all, she was getting to spend time with Toby and know she was helping him adjust to his new family.
“All right, dear. Oh, I know what we should do, Richard. We should all go to lunch at Antares, in the ball.”
“Mom is talking about the restaurant located in the ball on the Dallas skyline. You can see the entire area because the restaurant rotates while you’re eating.”
Molly swallowed. Her fear of heights made that prospect turn her stomach.
“Mom, I’m not sure—” Richard began.
Toby, however, was excited. “That sounds neat. Can we go, Grandma?”
“Yes, dear. I think we could do that Monday and then you three could do your shopping on Tuesday. Yes, that’s what we’ll do.”
Molly said nothing, hoping either she would work up enough nerve to go, or she could plead a temporary illness that would keep her at home.
Richard caught her eye, silently asking if she wanted him to halt the plans. She shook her head. She’d deal with it on Monday.
“I think you need to take Toby to buy a suit today, Richard. Maybe they have something that would fit him, with his casts on. We can have it tailored after he gets his casts off.”
Richard agreed. “What are you and Molly going to do?”
“Oh, we’ll make some plans, organize our shopping, that kind of thing. We might even go to some stores, if you’re not taking Albert.”
“No, I’ll drive my car. Is that okay with you, Toby?”
“Yeah. I like your car.”
“Okay. Then, if you’ve finished your lunch, let’s head out.”
Molly and Elizabeth sat there in silence for several minutes. Then Elizabeth said, “It’s a lot quieter when they’re both gone, isn’t it?”
Molly laughed. “It is, but honestly I miss the noise. Richard is being very good to Toby.”
“I think he loves him very much. He loved his sister and missed her when she…left the family. I know they talked once or twice, but he hated his father’s behavior. In Florida, you didn’t see him at his best. He was mourning Susan’s death and trying to take care of me. I’m afraid I’d become quite a burden.”
“But you seem to be doing very well now,” Molly said, not sure what had brought on the change.
“Yes, I changed my attitude. I had something to live for. Toby needs me. Richard didn’t need me, even though he would say differently, but I knew better.”
“Then, in spite of the tragedy, I’m glad Toby has come to you and Richard. I know he’s going to be happy here with you.”
“I hope so. But you’ve made a big difference, easing him into a role in our home. I know Richard is paying you a lot, but what you’ve given Toby is priceless.”
“Thank you, Elizabeth. Now, you need to rest for a while so I won’t have to lie to Richard when he returns.”
“I think I will, if you don’t mind.”
Molly stood as Elizabeth left the room. Then she gathered their dishes and took them to the kitchen so Delores wouldn’t have to come get them. She made several trips, before Delores returned to the kitchen.
“What are you doing, child?” the cook demanded.
“I’m helping out. I’m going to load the dishwasher so you have time to do other things.”
“Bless you, Molly. With Louisa not here, I’ll admit it’s a little difficult.”