“Maybe after you get your casts off, we can fly to Colorado and try some snow skiing,” Richard suggested.
“I’d like that!” Toby said in excitement. “Would you like that, Molly?”
“I’m sure it would be fun, Toby, but I’ll probably be back at work by then.”
Richard watched the enthusiasm fade from the little boy’s face.
“But you could send me pictures of you skiing. That would be wonderful. You might even build a snowman for me.”
“Could we do that?” Toby asked, looking at Richard.
“Sure, Toby, we could do that.”
“Right now, though, you need to eat your soup before it gets cold,” Molly said with a smile.
Richard watched her. While some people would have been overwhelmed by the quick transition, the gamut of emotions and personalities, Molly kept her composure. And she was wonderful with Toby. Now she not only offered a way for Toby to share his excitement with her, but she’d reminded him of his behavior.
The boy at once picked up his spoon and tried the soup. Then he looked at his grandmother. “The soup is very good.”
“Yes, it is, isn’t it? We’ll have to tell Delores what a good job she’s done,” Elizabeth said, smiling at Toby.
“Am I supposed to call you Grandma?” Toby asked.
“Yes, I think that’s what you should call me. Do you mind?” Elizabeth asked with more energy than she’d shown in months.
Richard stared at his mother. She looked better already, a gleam in her blue eyes he hadn’t seen in a long time. He knew it would take time for her to regain her old self, but she was on her way. After all, she’d barely recovered from his father’s death eighteen months ago, when she’d learned of Susan’s death. Somehow, when he’d expected her to give up on life, she seemed to have found a new lease on it. Still, he’d have to keep a close watch on her to make sure she didn’t overdo it.
When they finished their soup, Elizabeth rang her bell again and Louisa came in to remove their bowls. Albert followed with a large serving tray.
Richard drew in a deep breath of roast beef perfectly cooked with attending vegetables. He smiled at Louisa. It was his favorite meal. “Thank Delores for me, Louisa.”
“Yes, sir,” Louisa said with a grin.
They were all enjoying their meal when Toby asked a question that got their attention. “Don’t you have a Christmas tree?”
Elizabeth assured him they did. It was in the living room.
“But I didn’t see it today.”
“You may have missed the living room, dear. It’s the room by the front door. Some people call it a parlor.”
“I don’t think we went in that room, Toby,” Molly said softly.
“You would remember it if you saw it, Toby,” Elizabeth continued. “It’s silver with gold balls on it. It’s quite striking.”
“No, Grandma, Christmas trees are green, not silver.”
“Toby, some trees aren’t real,” Molly hurriedly explained. “They’re made out of other things.”
Toby looked puzzled. “Why?”
Molly looked at Richard, a clear plea for assistance.
“Real trees are messy, Toby. Plus, if you have an artificial tree, you can reuse it every year.”
“Is that good, Molly?” Toby asked.
“For some people it is.”
“I like green trees,” Toby asserted. Then tears glistened in his eyes as he continued, “Me and Mommy and Daddy decorated our tree with all our favorite ornaments.”
Molly leaned over and whispered something in Toby’s ear and the little boy tried to wipe away the tears.
“Mrs. Anderson,” Molly asked, “would there be a room where Toby could have a green tree this year? As a sort of memorial to his parents?”
Richard spoke up. “My mother can’t—”
“Yes, I think we could do that,” Elizabeth said at the same time.
“Mother, I don’t think you can take on that task. It will be too much for you.”
“It wouldn’t be, Richard, if you’d help.”
The other two were sitting quietly, watching the conversation between him and his mother. Richard almost groaned aloud. He had too much to do as it was. But he could tell his mother wanted to make the effort for her grandson.
“All right, Mother. In what room would you like to put the green tree?”
“I think my sitting room would do. Then we could enjoy it all day long.”
“Of course you could, if you want an eight-year-old running in and out.”
Molly spoke up. “Toby and I came across a garden room with a tiled floor and some pretty durable furniture in it. Wouldn’t that be a good room for a real tree, so the pine needles won’t stick in the carpet?” She looked at Richard.
“We don’t use that room often in the winter. Do you think that would be a good idea, Richard?” Elizabeth asked her son.
“I’m sure it would be fine, Mom. Albert can take Molly and Toby out to find a tree tomorrow, if they want.”
Toby frowned. “But the daddy always comes to carry the tree and tie it on the roof of the car.”
Richard smiled. “We don’t have a daddy here, Toby. I promise Albert can carry the tree for you. He’s very strong.”
“No, I think Toby is right,” Elizabeth spoke with more authority than Richard had heard from her since he was a small boy himself.
“Right about what, Mom?” he asked.
“I think we should go as a family. That’s what we did when you were a little boy. When you get home tomorrow evening, we’ll go find a tree.” She nodded, as if to punctuate her statement.
“I’m not sure when I’ll be able to get home, Mom. I missed two days of work.”
“Richard, I don’t think you should miss buying the tree. This will be Toby’s first Christmas with us. It’s important.”
Richard sighed, thinking of all the work he had piled up for him when he got to the office in the morning. And now he’d have to get home at a decent hour tomorrow night to go buy a blasted Christmas tree!
“And when will the presents get here?” Toby asked.
“Why, I suppose Santa will bring them Christmas Day,” Elizabeth assured him with a smile.
“No, I mean the presents that were under our tree at home.” Toby turned to Molly. “They will come, won’t they?”
“I don’t know, honey. I’m sure they’ll get here sometime, but it might not be before Christmas.”
“But they have to! I think Mommy wrapped up my puppy!”
Chapter Three
ALL three adults stared at the little boy.
“What?” Molly asked, not sure she’d heard correctly.
“Oh, no!” Elizabeth said, covering her mouth with her hand.
Richard drew a deep breath. “Toby, I don’t think that would’ve been possible. Puppies can’t live in a closedup box.”
Once