Читать книгу Little Christmas Miracles: Her Christmas Wedding Wish / Christmas Gift: A Family / Christmas on the Children's Ward - Carol Marinelli - Страница 12

“OH,I’M so sorry. I didn’t mean to say that out loud!” Molly said, her voice filled with anguish. “You’ve both been so good to me, treating me like family, and I have no reason—”

Richard reached over and touched her hand. “It’s okay, Molly. Mom didn’t think about the fact that you might not be able to afford the shops around here.”

“I don’t have to be able to afford them. I’m not shopping for anything. I shouldn’t have been so rude.”

Elizabeth smiled at her. “Don’t worry about that, Molly. I’m very fortunate and sometimes I forget that others don’t live like I do. It’s a good reminder to me.”

“But I shouldn’t have reminded you of that, Elizabeth.”

“Let’s call it quits on that subject, dear. Toby is ready for his ice cream and I’m going to choose my pie. What kind do you want?”

“I love apple, especially if it has a scoop of ice cream on it,” Molly said, smiling.

“Hey, I didn’t volunteer to pay for ice cream for you, young lady,” Richard said, laughing at her.

“Richard!” Elizabeth exclaimed.

“Just teasing, Mom. I’ll even pay for you to have ice cream. It’s all Toby’s fault, of course. He’s the one who mentioned ice cream first.”

“But I didn’t want pie!” Toby protested.

They all burst into laughter, which confused both Toby and their waiter.

“Come along, everyone. We don’t want to be late for lunch at Antares,” Elizabeth called.

Molly looked at Toby, dressed in some of his new clothes. “You look very nice, honey, but I think I’m going to stay home today.”

“No, Molly, I don’t want to go without you.”

“You’ll be fine. Richard will be there.”

“No. I won’t go if you don’t.”

Molly swallowed. She’d gotten ready for the lunch trip to downtown Dallas, but at the last minute, she didn’t think she could go. “Toby—”

“Molly, Toby, come on. Richard is waiting.”

“Come on, Molly,” Toby said, pulling her hand as he headed toward the door of his bedroom. “We’ve got to hurry.”

Molly gave up and followed him into the hallway. They reached the head of the stairs when Elizabeth came into view.

“Oh, there you are! Richard is waiting in the car. It’s much warmer today than it was, but still, we don’t want him to get impatient.”

“No, of course not,” Molly said, trying to forget their destination.

They hurried outside and got into Richard’s SUV.

“I was beginning to think I was going by myself,” Richard said as he backed out of the driveway.

Molly, sitting in the front seat, said nothing.

Elizabeth said, “Toby wasn’t quite ready.”

“I wasn’t?” Toby asked.

“Actually, I was the slow one,” Molly said in a hurry.

Richard looked at Molly. “No problem. It won’t take us long to get there.”

“Oh, good,” she said faintly.

“You’ll just love the restaurant, Molly. It’s part of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Very stylish,” Elizabeth commented.

“I’m sure it’s lovely, Elizabeth.”

“Can we see our house from there, Uncle Richard?”

“With all the trees, probably not. But we can see the American Airlines Center where our pro basketball team plays. And we’ll see the Trinity River, and the rest of downtown. We might even be able to see Six Flags Over Texas. I can’t remember ever looking for it, but we’ll try today.”

“What is Six Flags Over Texas?”

“It’s an amusement park, Toby,” Elizabeth explained.

“Can we go there, too?” he asked.

“It’s closed during the winter. You might get to go next summer.”

“Molly, will you want to go, too?” Toby asked.

“No, probably not, Toby.”

“Why not?”

Molly pasted on a smile as she looked over her shoulder. “Because I’ll be back in Florida by then, Toby.”

“Uncle Richard, does Molly have to go back?”

“Toby!” Molly exclaimed before Richard could answer. “I have to go back. There will be other children who are hurt and need me.”

“But I need you.”

“No, you have Richard and your grandmother, Toby. Remember?”

“Yeah, I guess so,” he said sadly.

“Your grandma has planned a nice day for you, Toby. Don’t ruin it for her,” Molly said gently.

“No, I won’t. Thank you, Grandma.”

“Toby, look, there’s where we’re going,” Richard said, pointing out a large ball up in the air, sitting on concrete pillars.

“Do we have to walk up there, Uncle Richard?”

“No, there’s an elevator.” He pulled the car into the driveway of the Hyatt Regency Hotel and stopped. “We’re doing valet parking, so hop out, everyone.”

Molly got out, but she didn’t want to. She wanted to offer to drive around the block a couple hundred times until they came back down, but she knew Richard wouldn’t allow that.

He led the way down a long escalator and Molly wondered why they were going down when the restaurant was up on top. But then they reached a bank of elevators. When the doors opened, Richard led them in.

Molly faced forward, prepared to close her eyes until they reached their destination. Behind her, Toby was chatting with Elizabeth.

Suddenly he said, “Look, Molly!”

Immediately Molly turned around only to see that what she’d thought would be the back of the elevator was actually a bank of windows that looked down on the quickly disappearing ground.

Just as her knees buckled, Richard’s arms went around her and he pressed her face into his chest. “Don’t look, Molly. Just stay here with me. We’ll be there in a minute.”

“I’m sorry to be such a coward,” she whispered, on the verge of tears.

“It’s not a problem. Toby doesn’t understand. Neither does Mom.”

“Why do you?”

“I’ve had an illogical fear or two. My dad insisted I get over them. As much as I tried, I couldn’t.”

“No, it’s not something you can control.”

“I was watching you, afraid you’d get upset, so I knew at once when you turned around, you weren’t going to make it.”

“Can I go back down?”

“Not now. We have to eat first. But don’t worry, you won’t have to sit by the window. I’ll sit there, and I’ll keep you safe.”

“Thank you.” Just as she said that, she heard the elevator door open. She raised her head and looked over her shoulder just as he eased her forward and out the elevator door.

Richard gave their name to the hostess who took them to their table. Richard held Molly back and let his mother and Toby go first.

When they stepped down on the lower level of the restaurant floor, Richard kept his arm around her and he steadied her with his other hand when she realized the floor was moving.

“Easy,” he whispered. “We’ll be at the table in a minute.”

When they reached the table, Richard went in first so he had the window seat opposite Toby, and he pulled out the chair next to him for Molly.

“Richard, you should give Molly the window seat. She’ll want to see everything,” Elizabeth told him.

“Mom, Molly is afraid of heights. She’ll be all right in the chair she’s in. If she wants to see anything closer, all she has to do is tell me.”

“Oh, Molly, why didn’t you say anything?”

“I—I didn’t want to spoil everyone’s fun,” Molly said.

“Poor dear. Do you want us to leave now?”

“No, it’s all right. Richard has promised to make it easier for me when we go down, so we might as well eat before we do that.”

“You’re being very brave. Isn’t she, Toby?”

“Yes, but it’s my fault,” Toby said, tears forming in his eyes. “I told her I wouldn’t come without her.”

“Toby, it’s okay,” Molly said, reaching across the table to touch his hand.

Richard looked at the boy. “You need to be more thoughtful of others, Toby.

“Richard, don’t. He’s just a little boy!”

“Yes, but I don’t think he realized how difficult it would be for you.” He stretched his arm around her chair, as he had the night they’d watched the lights together.

“He’s just come through a terrible ordeal. He’ll be more thoughtful in the future.”

“Okay, buddy,” Richard said, reaching over and patting Toby’s arm. “I know you’re just a little boy. But part of growing up is learning to think about others.”

“Okay,” Toby whispered.

“Good, now we need to order,” Elizabeth said. “Toby, what do you think you would like?”

“A cheeseburger,” he replied without hesitation.

“You know what, Toby?” Molly asked. “I’m going to have the same.” She smiled at the little boy.

The waiter came and they placed their orders. He brought their drinks at once and Molly took a sip of her Diet Coke. It helped her feel a little better.

“Uncle Richard, did you look for the amusement park?”

“Not yet. Let’s see, there’s the Trinity River, so we’re facing south right now. When we rotate west, we can look for it.”

“How will we know?” Toby asked.

“There’ll be a sign painted on the wall that says West.”

“Okay, I’ll watch for it.”

Now that Toby’s attention was off her, Molly slumped in her chair.

“You okay?” Richard whispered, leaning closer, his breath warm on her skin.

“Yes, but you shouldn’t have blamed Toby,” Molly returned.

“I won’t have him spoiled by you and my mother. He has to learn to be responsible for his actions.”

“I agree, but it seems a little harsh so soon after he lost his parents.” She should know; she’d experienced that first-hand.

“I didn’t beat him, honey. I just pointed out what he had done. I don’t think that’s too harsh.”

“Well, I do, honey!”

“But you’re not in charge of him. My mother and I are.”

Molly’s gaze fell to the table. She refused to look at him. She knew she wasn’t in charge of Toby, but she cared for the boy. Surely Richard knew that. At the moment, she disliked Richard. And truthfully she didn’t want to leave Toby with him.

“Was that truth too harsh, too?” Richard asked, watching her response.

She nodded, trying to hold back tears. She knew she was too emotionally involved with Toby. Even with Elizabeth and Richard. Especially with Richard if she were honest. It seemed they shared a lot recently. So much for her vow to avoid him. She was used to being alone, and it was going to be difficult to forget her visit to Texas.

He pulled her a little closer to him, but she didn’t rest her head on his shoulder like she wanted to. She didn’t really have that right.

“Uncle Richard, look, it’s here!” Toby exclaimed. “We’re facing West!”

Richard responded to Toby, but Molly didn’t look up. She could tell Toby was doing just fine. Could it be true, what Richard had said? Still, she wasn’t going to admit to him that he was right.

The waiter brought their food. It was all beautifully served and looked great on the plate. Even though a hamburger was the normal American fare, it tasted better than any Molly had ever had. All in all, she had to admit, she enjoyed the lunch at one of Dallas’s main tourist attractions.

Until they had to enter the elevator again.

She was still irritated with Richard, in spite of Toby’s quick recovery. She was determined to manage without his help. But just entering the elevator, facing the windows for that brief walk, was hard.

When she hesitated, Richard took her hand and turned her around. “You can back in. I’ll guide you.”

“Thank you,” she said stiffly.

Once they were in the elevator, she stood close to the door, her gaze fastened on it, waiting for it to open again.

“Need any help?” Richard whispered.

“No, thank you, I’m doing fine.”

“Too bad. I enjoyed our ride to the top.”

She said nothing. With her teeth gritted, she refused to bury her face in Richard’s chest, as she’d done earlier. She wanted to. His warmth had felt good. But she mustn’t take advantage of his goodness.

When the elevator door opened, Molly drew a deep breath of relief, knowing her ordeal was over.

Richard took her hand and led her to the escalator. She tried to pull her hand free, but she would’ve had to make it obvious to do that. With Elizabeth and Toby right behind them, she thought the best thing to do would be to wait until they reached the hotel lobby. He’d have to present their parking ticket to get the car pulled up.

When that happened, she turned back to Elizabeth and Toby. “Elizabeth, do you want me to sit in the back of the car with Toby on the way home?”

“Do you mind, dear? I’m feeling a little sleepy after our lunch. I believe I ate too much.”

Toby took her hand. “Yeah, I’m tired, too.”

“I guess you and Grandma both need your rest, don’t you?” Molly said. “You were up way too late on Saturday night.”

“Yeah, I don’t remember the end of the movie.”

“That’s because you fell asleep. Richard carried you to bed.”

“I didn’t know that. He must be very strong,” Toby said, a touch of awe in his voice.

“I suppose,” Molly agreed, but she knew how strong he was. She’d felt his arms around her, too.

Not only did she remember the rock-hard wall of his chest, but she recalled his warmth, the security he provided her in the circle of his arms, the smell of his citrus aftershave. All things she should not be remembering now. Shaking off the thoughts, she got in the car and put her head back, willing them not to invade her mind again.

After a few minutes, her roving eyes betrayed her, landing on the rearview mirror where she studied Richard’s reflection. His jaw was square, his dark hair perfectly groomed, his blue eyes focused on the road ahead. Say what you will, she thought, but he was one handsome man.

As if feeling her gaze on him, he looked up into the mirror and their eyes met in reflection. “You okay back there?” he asked.

“Y-yes,” she stammered, feeling as if she were caught doing something illegal. “I’m fine. Toby’s just a little tired.”

“We’ll be home in a few minutes.”

When they got home, Molly roused a sleeping Toby and led him in, holding his hand all the way up to his room. Elizabeth accompanied them upstairs.

A few minutes later, Molly slipped back down. The door to Richard’s study was closed. Even so, she tiptoed past the door. When she reached the kitchen, she found Albert sitting at the table having a cup of coffee.

“Albert, could you take me shopping for a few minutes?”

“Sure I can, Molly. You have more Christmas shopping to do?”

“Yes, just a little bit that I can’t do at the mall tomorrow.”

“No problem. Are you ready to go?”

“Yes. Can we go without asking Richard?”

Albert grinned. “Sure. He doesn’t ever need me.”

About an hour later, Molly hurried back up the stairs. She heard a door open as she reached the top of the stairs, but she didn’t turn around to see if Richard had come out of his office.

She didn’t want to know.

Richard watched Molly’s rapid ascent up the stairs, carrying a package. With a frown, he walked to the kitchen.

“Albert, did you take Molly out?”

Albert, sitting at the table with a fresh cup of coffee looked up in surprise. “Yes, sir, I did. Did you need me?”

“No, I was just curious. We’re going shopping tomorrow.”

“I know, but she had some shopping to do that she couldn’t do in the mall.”

Richard stood there staring into space.

“Want a cup of coffee, Richard?” Delores offered.

“Yeah, that would be great.”

She poured him a cup of coffee, but instead of leaving, Richard sat down beside Albert. “Where did you take her?”

“To a camera store.”

“She’s buying a camera?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t go in the store with her. She told me she wouldn’t be long, and she was right.”

“It seems to me she has a lot of secrets.”

Delores chuckled. “Of course she does. It’s Christmas. Are you telling everyone what you’re doing every moment of the day?”

Delores had a point.

“She’s such a nice lady,” the cook continued. “I wish she didn’t have to leave.”

“Toby feels the same way, Delores.”

“So why don’t you do something about it, Richard?”

“What do you want me to do? Hire a nurse as a nanny to Toby? He’s not that small.”

“I don’t know. I just know I’ll miss her when she’s gone.”

“When is she supposed to leave?” Albert asked.

“Mid-January,” Richard muttered and took a sip of coffee. The longer she was here, the more he was dreading the date. But he couldn’t admit that to Delores and Albert.

“She sure is pretty,” Albert said.

“You got a crush on her?” Richard teased.

“Of course not. I’m old enough to be her father, but I like her. She’s kind to everyone.”

“Yeah, she is.”

“And she’s not a snob, like some people you know,” Albert added.

“Okay, I get the picture. You both want Molly to stay. But I’m not able to take that on. I’m still working nonstop on office stuff, except for when I have to take Mom, Toby and Molly to do something for Christmas.”

“It’s about time you slow down. You don’t want to be like your daddy,” Delores said.

“No, I don’t. But I have an obligation to the law firm. A lot of people depend on our success, not to mention the two of you. It would be hard if Mom had to start doing the cooking!”

“Well, you’re right, but she could do more. It would probably be good for her. Toby is good for her,” Delores pointed out.

“I know. I’m trying to keep him from being spoiled with two women fawning over him.”

Delores grinned. “That’s a hard job.”

“I know. I upset Molly today. She hasn’t forgiven me yet, but she will.”

“How do you know that?” Delores wanted to know.

“Because Molly can’t hold a grudge. It goes against her very nature. You know that.”

“Yes, but I don’t want you taking advantage of her!”

“So you want Toby spoiled?” Richard demanded.

“No. He’s a fine little boy. Susan did a good job.”

“Yes, she did. But it would be easy for him to get spoiled in this house.”

Delores sighed. “I suppose you’re right, but try not to offend Molly. I don’t want her to leave.”

“I know. Toby and Mom say the same thing. But none of you has come up with a way for Molly to stay.”

“I have,” Delores said. “You just marry her!”

“Don’t be—” He stopped as he heard footsteps behind him. He spun around and saw Molly entering the kitchen. “Molly!” Had she heard Delores’s comment? He searched her face and saw no reaction. Feigning innocence, he asked, “What are you up to?”

“I thought I might see if Delores needs any help again today.”

The cook smiled. “No, I don’t, but I appreciate the thought. Louisa should be here at two o’clock to help prepare dinner.”

“She had a long weekend, didn’t she?” Molly said with a smile.

“Yes. Her sister got married yesterday.”

“How nice.”

“Yes, it is. Do you like weddings?”

“Yes. I’ve only been to a couple, but they always fill me with optimism. You can see the hope on everyone’s face.”

“Half the marriages today end in divorce,” Richard said.