Just as he managed to focus on his reading, he heard a knock. With a frown, he rose and went to the door. Delores or Albert must have a problem. Normally they didn’t disturb him after he’d gone upstairs.
Swinging open the door, he discovered his caller to be the woman he’d had on his mind. He could only think of one reason she would be there, and it wasn’t one he was willing to cooperate with. At least not here.
“Molly?” he said, frowning at her.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Richard, but I have a favor to ask.”
“I don’t think I’ll be willing to grant that favor, Molly. It would be rather improper with my mother across the hall.”
Her green eyes widened in shock as she took in his meaning, which made him realize he’d made a mistake.
“What do you want?” he asked, hoping she’d forget what he’d implied.
“I wanted to borrow a T-shirt from you for Toby. I’ll buy him a couple tomorrow, but his shirts are too small to fit comfortably over his casts.”
Her stiffened demeanor told him she hadn’t forgiven him for the beginning of their conversation.
“Yes, of course, I’ll get one for you,” he said, leaving the door open. As he crossed the room to open a drawer, he tried to figure out how to apologize for his initial words without admitting what he’d actually thought. Or how his pulse had raced.
When he got back to the door, a white T-shirt in his hand, he said, “I’m sorry I, uh, reacted in the, uh, wrong way.” He thought he sounded like a teenager speaking to a teacher.
“I can assure you I won’t bother you in the evenings again, Richard.”
Her words were cool, distant, and told him his apology hadn’t gotten him very far.
“I’m glad to be of assistance, Molly.”
She took the T-shirt from him and walked away with a muttered thanks. He watched her until she entered Toby’s bedroom.
Damn, he’d messed up big time. He’d have to make it up to Molly tomorrow.
But how?
Molly and Toby came to breakfast after Richard had left for work. Elizabeth came down just a couple of minutes after them and they all enjoyed breakfast in a small room off the kitchen. It was a cozy room to eat in, and both Molly and Toby were more relaxed.
“Mrs. Anderson, can—”
“Please, dear, you must call me Elizabeth.”
“Oh, thank you, Elizabeth. I wanted to ask if Albert could take me and Toby to a store to buy coats this morning, and maybe to a Christmas store to buy some ornaments for the tree?”
“Of course he can, and I’ll go with you. Richard gave me strict instructions to pay for all your purchases today.”
“Oh, surely not all of them. I’ll pay for my own coat and anything else I buy for myself.”
“He was quite clear in his instructions.”
“Well, we’ll see. Not having bought a coat before, I’m not sure what they cost.”
“Are you thinking about a fur coat?” Elizabeth asked.
Molly stared at her. “Fur? Oh, no, not at all!”
“But a fur coat will last longer than a cloth coat. I’ve had a mink coat my husband bought me thirty years ago, and it still looks good even now.”
Molly smiled. “But I’m going back to Florida. I wouldn’t have any use for a fur coat. Nor could I afford it. I thought we’d go to Target and find reasonably priced coats.”
“I usually go to Neiman’s for clothes.”
“I don’t think Neiman’s would have what we need, Elizabeth, but you don’t have to accompany us. We’ll be fine.”
“Oh, but I want to go with you. It’ll be fun. Richard left you a note to explain everything. I put it in the pocket of my robe so I wouldn’t forget it. Here it is.”
Molly unfolded the note. In it, Richard assured her, as his mother had done, that they would pay for whatever she wanted. He also cautioned her not to let his mother get too tired.
She could definitely follow that caution, but Molly didn’t think she could let him pay for all her purchases if they were for her. She’d find a way around that order.
“Well, if you’re going with us, plan on leaving at ten. Isn’t that when the stores open?”
“I believe so,” Elizabeth said. “That gives us almost an hour to get ready.”
Molly smiled in agreement, though she didn’t think an hour would be necessary for either Toby or herself.
When they met downstairs at the assigned time, Elizabeth was dressed in a chic wool suit that shouted designer. Molly was in slacks with a cotton sweater. They were the warmest clothes she owned. Toby was in jeans and a knit shirt that would fit over his casts.
“Albert promised to have the car warmed up so you two wouldn’t freeze to death before we can get you coats.”
“I’ll have to thank him,” Molly said, turning to the garage.
Elizabeth redirected her out the front door. “Albert has pulled the car around.”
As Elizabeth had said, the car was warm and they barely felt the north wind that chilled the air. All three of them sat in the back seat while Albert drove the car.
When they reached Target, Albert let them out at the front door and promised to wait in the parking lot for them.
“This makes shopping easy, doesn’t it?” Molly commented.
“Yes, it does. Albert is a dear.” Elizabeth took Toby’s hand. “You must hold my hand, Toby, so we won’t get lost.”
“Yes, Grandma. I won’t let you get lost.”
Molly wasn’t sure who was protecting whom, but that was okay with her. They went to the children’s department first and found a ski-jacket for Toby. They bought it a little large to fit over his casts. Elizabeth added some sweaters and long sleeve polo shirts to the pile, too. Then they went to the men’s department to buy him some large T-shirts. Molly explained to Elizabeth about them borrowing one of Richard’s the night before.
“Then we should get at least four T-shirts,” Elizabeth said. She put that many in their basket. When they reached the women’s department, Elizabeth thought Molly should buy a good wool coat that would last for many years. Molly didn’t remind her that she would be returning to Florida in a month.
Since the wool coat was navy and would go with almost anything, Molly was pleased with it. She added a couple of sweaters to the basket for her, too.
“Now, shall we look at the Christmas tree ornaments?” she asked.
“Oh, not here. There’s a lovely Christmas store that I’ve been to before. They have all kinds of specialty ornaments. Let’s go there,” Elizabeth insisted.
Molly agreed. She managed to convince Elizabeth that she should pay for her purchases.
Albert sped them away to the store Elizabeth had chosen. Inside, everything shimmered and glowed as the ornaments were displayed beautifully. Toby was thrilled, especially when his grandmother told him he should pick all the ornaments. He raced around the store, not wanting to miss anything. But he made very thoughtful choices.
“He reminds me so much of Susan,” Elizabeth said softly as she watched him make his selections.
“He is a terrific little boy, but you mustn’t spoil