Mistletoe!

For her entire stay she’d managed to steer clear of Richard. Till now. Molly’s eyes followed his glance up to the mistletoe in the doorway and she knew she’d been caught.

Before she could move away, Richard kissed her. It wasn’t a friendly peck. No, his kiss was skillful and deep, unlike any she’d experienced. His arms were like iron around her, his aftershave like a love potion drawing her in….

Dangerous, screamed an inner voice, breaking the trance.

Molly pulled back, stuttered out a breathy “G-Good night” and bolted up the stairs as if a bogeyman was after her.

But no bogeyman kissed like Richard Anderson….

JUDY CHRISTENBERRY

This is Judy’s 75th book!

Step into a world where family counts, men are strong and true to their word—and where romance always wins the day!

Judy’s stories are guaranteed to make you feel good!

Judy Christenberry delivers:

“A hero every woman will want, blended with…remarkable storytelling.”

—Romantic Times BOOKclub

Her Christmas Wedding Wish
Judy Christenberry

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Judy Christenberry has been writing romances for fifteen years because she loves happy endings as much as her readers do. A former French teacher, Judy now devotes herself to writing full-time. She hopes readers have as much fun reading her stories as she does writing them. She spends her spare time reading, watching her favorite sports teams and keeping track of her two daughters. Judy’s a native Texan, but now lives in Arizona.

Judy’s next heartwarming romance in our brand-new WESTERN WEDDINGS series,

Rancher and Protector

Only from Harlequin Romance®

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

EPILOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

MOLLY SODERLING hurried back down the hall to the one patient who had been on her mind all through her break. Toby Astin. The eight-year-old had also found his way into her heart, ever since he’d come into the hospital three days ago, the victim of a car crash. The same crash that had killed his parents and two other adults, and had left the boy an orphan. Less than a month before Christmas.

Molly’s heart ached for him. She knew exactly what he was feeling, as she, too, had lost her parents when she was a young child. She remembered how lonely she was the first Christmas without them, and every one since then.

In Toby’s eyes she saw the loss he suffered; in his clinging arms she felt his pain. In the three days he’d been here, no one had come for him. Perhaps after the funerals someone would claim him. She didn’t want Toby to be put into the foster care system as she had been.

As she turned down the pediatric wing, she saw two people clad in black enter his room. Perhaps they were mourners who’d attended the funeral for his parents today. According to his doctor, Toby’s uncle and grandmother had phoned to ask for Toby to attend, but Dr. Bradford had refused.

He was concerned the boy might suffer depression.

Molly had disagreed with the doctor, but he wasn’t going to listen to her. Having had to attend her parents’ funeral when she was seven, she knew how comforting it had been to see others mourning their deaths also.

Molly sighed. Then, forcing a smile on her face, she turned into Toby’s room.

“Molly!” he cried as if she were a lifesaver.

“Hi, Toby. Did you eat your dinner?”

“Yes, but—”

“Are you his nurse?” the man in the black suit asked abruptly, stepping toward her. He looked about thirty, with dark hair and striking blue eyes.

“I’m one of Toby’s nurses.”

“He seems extraordinarily attached to you.”

Was it condemnation she heard in his voice? Her shoulders stiffened. “We’ve become friends,” she said tersely.

Then she turned her attention to Toby. “Can I get you anything, honey?”

“I’d like some ice cream,” he said hesitantly, shooting a look at the man as if he would object.

“Sure. I’ll be right back with it.”

She passed the older woman dressed in a black designer suit, leaning against the wall. She wasn’t sure who the elegant-looking woman was. Maybe a family friend or maybe even the grandmother she’d heard mentioned. But no, she wasn’t acting like a grandmother, at least none Molly had ever imagined.

“Excuse me, Ms. Soderling,” the man called.

How did he know her name? Molly turned around. “Yes, sir?”

“We’re taking Toby with us in the morning.”

Before he could go on, Molly said, “I’m sorry to see him go. I’ll miss him. Are you his guardian?”

“Yes, by default.”

She stared at him, her eyebrows raised. Who would say such a thing, as if the boy was nothing more than a burden to be endured?

“The other couple, who also died in the car with Toby’s parents, were named in their will as guardians. However, my mother and I are his only relatives. I’m an attorney and I filed the papers this morning to be named guardian. They’ve assured me it would be approved. I want to get Toby home so he can begin to heal.”

“Good. He’s been feeling lost since no one had come to claim him.”

“The doctor in charge of Toby says he’s very fond of you.”

Molly frowned. “Yes, I told you we’ve become friends.”

“He’s eight years old. How could you be friends?”

Molly said nothing, turning to continue on her way.

“Wait!”

She didn’t like the order, but she obeyed. No need to irritate the man if he was going away in the morning. “Yes?”

“Dr. Bradford said you didn’t have any family here.”

“Why would Dr. Bradford tell you that?” she asked carefully.

“Because I need someone to come with us to Dallas to take care of Toby and help him settle in.”

“Sir, I’m a pediatric nurse, not a baby-sitter.”

“I know. And I’m willing to pay your going rate, twenty-four hours a day, if you’ll come with us in the morning.”

“For how long?” she asked, startled at his offering.

“For a month. You’ll make more than three times your salary, Ms. Soderling.”

“I don’t know if the hospital—”

“Dr. Bradford assured me he could spare you.”

Molly didn’t know what to think. “I’ll have to talk to Dr. Bradford.”

“He left a note for you at the nurses’ station,” the man said, as if that alone should persuade her.

He expected her to drop everything and go to Dallas for a month, as if it were nothing but a shift reassignment. Not that she had anything holding her here in Florida, especially at holiday time. Still, the man hadn’t even introduced himself! “Excuse me, sir, but who are you exactly?”

“I’m Richard Anderson, Toby’s uncle.” As he spoke, he stood straighter, his shoulders back in a proud gesture. But he made no move to shake her hand.

Neither did Molly. “I’ll go read the note,” she said. And she walked away.

At the nurses’ station, she got the Dixie cup of ice cream for Toby and asked the nurse on duty if Dr. Bradford had left a note for her.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry, Molly. I forgot to give it to you.”

“Thanks, Ellen,” Molly said, taking the note with her as she found a quiet corner of the floor to read it.

Indeed, Dr. Bradford had asked her to go with the Andersons to Dallas. Because of her rapport with little Toby, he thought her best for the job. He’d approved a month’s leave for her if she decided to go. And, she guessed, to make her refusal harder, he added that Mr. Anderson had offered two hundred thousand dollars to the pediatric wing if the hospital could supply a nurse for the boy.

That much money could help the children, Molly knew. And she knew Dr. Bradford was counting on her love of the kids…

But a month in Dallas with the seemingly pompous Richard Anderson? Could she handle it? The assignment would span the holidays, and aside from some volunteer work, she had no Christmas plans. At the very least she wouldn’t have to spend another Christmas alone. She could stand the thought of that. And she’d be with Toby.

Still unsure, she pocketed the note and brought the boy his ice cream. “Your wish is my command,” she joked to Toby as she pulled the lid off the Dixie cup and held it out to him.

Though his arm and collarbone were in casts, he could hold the Dixie cup in his injured hand and eat with his right.

“Thank you, Molly. You’re not going to leave, are you?”

The boy’s sad blue eyes reached right down into her heart. “No, sweetie, I’ll stay for a little while.” She smiled as she pulled up a chair next to the bed. His frown transformed into a broad grin and he dug into his ice cream. How could she leave him? Not just now, but when he went with his uncle and grandmother?

“What’s wrong, Molly?” Toby asked anxiously.

Molly knew her concerns were nothing compared to the tragedy Toby had experienced. She pasted a bright smile on her lips. “Nothing, sweetheart. Hey, would you like me to go with you to Dallas, where your uncle lives?”

“You could do that? And stay forever?” Toby asked, hope in his voice.

“No, but I could go and stay for a few weeks, during Christmas. Wouldn’t that be fun?”

“Oh, yeah,” Toby said, reaching up to hug her neck. With his face buried in her hair, he whispered, “I don’t want to go with them.”

“I know, sweetie, but we’ll be together and I’ll help you.”

“Okay,” Toby agreed as he pulled back to look at her. “You’ll really come with me?”

“Yes, your uncle has asked me to come.” She settled the little boy back in his bed. “Now, eat your ice cream before it melts while I talk to your uncle.”

And just like that, her mind was made up.

She stood and walked over to the man watching them with no sign of emotion. “I’ll take the job, Mr. Anderson. When were you planning on leaving?”

“We have seats on an eleven o’clock flight tomorrow morning. We’ll need to leave for the airport by nine, which means you should be here by eight to get Toby ready.”

“Does Toby have clothes?” The shirt and pants the boy had been wearing had been bloodied and torn.

The man stared at her, as if he hadn’t comprehended her question.

“Toby hasn’t had any clothes since he arrived and we cut off his bloody ones. He’ll need clothes for the trip.”

With a weary sigh, the man said, “Of course. It’ll take a little while because I’ve got to get my mother back to the hotel. But then I’ll go to his house and pack his clothes.”

Molly knew she was a sucker for the weary and downtrodden, but she couldn’t help herself. “If you want, I could meet you there and help you pack up his things. It would save you a trip back to the hospital.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Richard Anderson nodded. “I’ll take that offer. Thank you.” He looked at his watch. “Can you meet me there at eight o’clock?”

“Yes, but I don’t know the address.”

He pulled a card and a pen out of his pocket and wrote an address on the back of the card. “Do you know where this is?”

Molly nodded. The address was actually close to her apartment. How strange. She’d lived just a few blocks from Toby. “Yes, I do.”

“Then I’ll see you there at eight o’clock.”

Molly heard a warning in his voice not to be late. But she was always on time. With a nod, the man took his mother’s arm and left Toby’s room.

That was when Molly realized the older woman had remained in the back of the room the entire time. She hadn’t taken a seat nor uttered a word to her grandson. Instantly Molly felt good about her decision. How could she have let this sweet boy go with these cold-hearted people?

Molly came back to Toby’s side. “Was the ice cream good?”

“Yes. Are you really going to go with me tomorrow?” the little boy asked anxiously.

“Yes, I told you I would. And I’ll be there all through Christmas. I’ve never been to Dallas. Have you?”

“No. I never met my uncle and my grandmother before.”

How could that be? Molly wondered. They were family. But for Toby’s sake, she tried to put a positive spin on it. “Well, you’ll get a chance to know them now.” She grinned. “I have to go if I’m going to be ready to leave in the morning. Ellen will come in and see you before you go to sleep. Okay?”

“Okay. You really are going with me?”

“Yes, Toby. I’ll be here in the morning, I promise.”

Richard Anderson pulled up to his sister’s home in a nice neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida. He dreaded going in the house. He’d missed Susan after her move to Florida. He’d talked to her on the phone some, but it hadn’t been the same.

Nine years ago his father had been furious with his daughter. He’d blown up at her and had refused any consideration of reconciliation. Now it was too late for both of them. James Anderson had been a brilliant man, but when it came to his daughter he had been foolish. He’d lost her because of his anger, long before either of them had died.

When another car pulled up behind him, Richard automatically checked his watch. Good. The nurse was on time. It would be easier to enter the house with a stranger.

He got out of his car and waited until the nurse joined him. “I appreciate you coming, Ms. Soderling.”

“Please call me Molly, and I’m glad I can be of assistance.”

“My mother would’ve come, but the past few days have been hard on her.”

“Of course. Shall we go in?”

Richard pulled the keys from his pocket. They had been handed to him by the funeral director, along with other items found in the clothing. He selected one that he hoped would open the door.

He’d guessed right. The door swung open and he followed the nurse into the house. He was hit almost at once with a wave of grief. The house showed so much of Susan. It was warm and cozy, a home where a family shared and loved.

He turned to the nurse, hoping to control his grief, and he saw the same reaction on her face. She hadn’t even known Susan.

“Poor Toby,” she muttered.

“Why would you say that?”

“Because I can see what he’s lost,” she said quietly, and he saw the sheen of moisture in her eyes.

Before he could think of anything to say, she said, “We’d better get started. Do you know where Toby’s bedroom is?”

He shook his head. “I’ve never been here.”

“Oh. Then I’ll go look for it.”

Richard decided he should remove any valuables his sister and her husband had before he hired someone to come pack up the house. What would he do with everything? What would Toby want to keep? Hard decisions to make on the spur of the moment.

He entered the master bedroom, neat and tidy, like Susan. And hard for him to enter. He looked in the closet and found his sister’s jewelry box. Then he found a folder of their financial papers on her husband’s side of the closet, and some cuff links and things in a small leather box. He assumed Toby would one day want them.

“Mr. Anderson?”

Molly appeared in the doorway of the bedroom. “Yes? And please, call me Richard.”

“Am I packing everything Toby has or just enough for the trip?”

“Have you found any luggage?”

“Yes, it’s stored in the third bedroom closet.”

“Then please take everything you can, packing the immediate needs in the smallest bag. I’ll be there to help you in a moment.”

After she left the room, Richard realized how extraordinarily kind she had been to come with him and do the grisly task. It was like sorting through the bones. A very personal experience.

As soon as he’d gathered anything valuable, he carried it all to Toby’s room. It was a perfect bedroom for a little boy.

Susan had loved her child. It showed in so many ways.

He stood there, not wanting to enter. Molly was folding clothes and putting them in the bags. He had to force himself to join her. “I need to put these things in one of the larger bags,” he said, nodding down to the articles he held.

“Of course. If it’s anything valuable, you should put them in a carry-on bag so you can keep them safe.”

He frowned. “I guess you’re right.”

She pointed out a small bag he could use. When he got to the hotel, he could transfer it to his own carry-on bag or his mother’s.

By the time he had those things stowed away, Molly had finished packing Toby’s clothes. Then she packed some books from a nearby shelf.

“The packers will get those things,” Richard said.

“I know, but I thought it would help Toby if he had some things of his own with him.”

Richard agreed. Molly was very thoughtful.

“I can’t thank you enough for coming with me to the house, Molly. It was difficult to—to come here.”

“Yes, I know.”

Molly reached for one more thing. A small framed picture of Toby with his parents. It sat on his bedside table.

He watched her but said nothing.

She was an attractive woman, he suddenly realized. Her reddish-brown hair was shoulder length and simply styled. Her green eyes held so much sympathy, he didn’t like to meet her glance. When she smiled, as she had at Toby, her face lit up a room. No wonder the boy was attached to her. She was like a warm fire on a cold night.

He backed away, recognizing a danger there. And he’d invited her to his home for a month. Was he crazy? No, just desperate. He had to protect his mother. Since his father’s death eighteen months ago the not-yet-sixty-year-old had aged. She leaned on him, so needy in many ways. Now she had to deal with her daughter’s death and the regrets she had.

How could she deal with an eight-year-old boy? And the child was frightened, since he didn’t know them. Molly was the answer to both those problems. He’d made the right move hiring her.

“Uh, I really appreciate your help, Molly,” he said again, preparing to set the tone for her visit.

“It’s all right, Richard. I’m glad I could help.”

“Yes. What I wanted to say is my mother is weak. She won’t be able to deal with Toby. I’ll need you to shield her from the boy’s energy, as well as care for Toby. Will that be a problem?”

She seemed taken aback. But she raised her chin and said coolly, “No, that won’t be a problem.”

He’d upset her. Too bad. He had to protect his own. “Good. I work long hours, so I won’t be there to make sure she’s not disturbed, so I will appreciate your help. If there are problems, bring them to me, not my mother.”

“Certainly,” she said, her voice crisp.

“Are we finished?”

“Yes, of course.”

He picked up the two big bags and she grabbed the overnight bag where she packed Toby’s things for tomorrow. She also picked up the bag that held the valuables.

“I can get that,” he hurriedly said.

The sympathy that had prompted her to come with Richard tonight was drying up. Molly glared at him and set the bag on the floor. Did he think she was going to steal something? “Fine.”

She walked back into the living area of the house. The Christmas tree looked forlorn in the darkened room. Suddenly Molly stopped. “The presents. Should we—”

“We don’t have room,” was his clipped response.

Molly forced herself to keep moving to the front door. Every step she took was a betrayal to Toby. She could feel him protesting. The presents under the tree would be something he needed, not for what was in them, but for the memories associated with them.

“When will their belongings arrive in Dallas?” she asked.

“I don’t know. I’ll have to make arrangements tonight.”

He sounded irritated.

Molly mentally shrugged. She’d done her best for Toby. She couldn’t do any more because the man behind her didn’t want her to.

She’d thought perhaps he was sad and exhausted at the hospital. Now he seemed surly and difficult. And she was going to live with him for a month? She must be crazy. At least he would be at work most of the time.

Poor Toby, in a house with a grandmother who needed to be protected from him, and an uncle who was never there. He’d gone from a loving home to what? A museum? She would only be there a month, but she’d do everything she could to make a warm home for Toby.

She squared her shoulders as she marched out to her car. She wasn’t going to worry about the man behind her, carrying most of the luggage. That was his choice.

After putting the small case in her car, she turned to look at Richard Anderson, who was loading the rest of the luggage in the trunk of his car.

“I’ll see you at the hospital in the morning,” she called.

“At nine o’clock. Please be on time. We don’t want to run late getting to the airport.”

With disdain, she replied, “I’m always on time, Richard.”

Then she went back to her car, got in and drove away, leaving him standing there. So what if he didn’t like her abrupt withdrawal. He shouldn’t have been so snippy.

Immediately she felt remorse for her attitude. The evening had to have been difficult for him, even if he hadn’t seen his sister in a while. And it must’ve been a long day, as she’d guessed at the hospital. She chastised herself for not showing more patience.

But Toby was a little boy. The man and his mother hadn’t shown much compassion to him. Richard’s concern had been for his mother.

The next few days would be difficult for Toby. But at least he would have her so he wouldn’t feel alone. Richard might regret his invitation, but he wasn’t going to get rid of her now, even if he wanted to.

She was going to be there for Toby.

For just a little while, and regardless of the heartache when she had to leave, she and Toby would be a family.

Molly was used to getting up early, but apparently her patient was not. She had to practically dress Toby without any assistance from him. “Toby, you’re not helping me, you know.”

“But I don’t want to go,” he said in a low voice. “Mommy and Daddy are—” He cut off on a sob.

Molly put her arms around him. “Sweetie, your mommy and daddy’s bodies are buried here, but they will always be with you, in your heart. You just have to think about them and they’ll come to you in your heart and in your memory.”

“Really?”

“Yes, and one day, when you’re older, you can come back to visit their graves. But they won’t be there, because they’ll be with you, in your heart.”

Toby patted his heart. “Do you think they’re here now?”

“Yes, I do. And they want the best for you.”

“So you think they want me to go with my uncle?”

“Yes, because he’ll take care of you. That’s important.”

“Okay,” Toby agreed with a sigh.

“Good. Let’s get your shirt on. I like it. It matches your eyes.”

“That’s what Mommy said, but I like it because it’s easy to wear.”

Molly smiled. “I see.”

Once she got his shoes on him, she helped Toby get down from his bed. He had a cast on his left collarbone that ended on the upper part of his arm and the cast on his lower arm started just below his elbow. At least he was mobile.

She managed to get him discharged from the hospital and down at the front door five minutes early. She already knew Richard would be irritated if they were late.

Her bags were down by the door. She’d left them with one of the greeters so she wouldn’t have to drag them upstairs and down. She sat Toby down in one of the chairs for visitors and hurried over to get her bags.

“Molly!” Toby cried urgently.

Molly whirled around.

Toby was pointing to his uncle coming through the door.

“I’m coming, Toby,” she called. Gathering her two bags, she rushed across the lobby to meet Richard at Toby’s side. “We’re ready,” she announced.

“Good. Toby, can you walk?”

“Yes,” the little boy said, his eyes big.

“Okay. I’ll get your bag. May I take one of yours, Molly?”

“No, thank you. I can manage.” She followed the two males out the door, keeping an eye on Toby. The boy kept looking over his shoulder at Molly, to be sure she was following.

Toby’s grandmother was sitting in the front seat. Elizabeth Anderson smoothed back her graying hair and turned her blue eyes to Molly. The woman looked rested, Molly thought. She was glad someone was. She had just come off the night shift for the last six months and was still adjusting to working in the daylight.

She got in the back seat with Toby, wondering if his uncle was still irritated with her. Judging by his silence as he loaded the trunk, he probably was. Richard Anderson didn’t appear to be the forgiving kind.

Toby sat very still as Molly put his seat belt on him. “Can she speak?” he whispered, nodding toward his grandmother.

“I don’t know,” Molly returned. After all, she hadn’t heard the woman utter a sound, either.

“Is everything all right?” Richard asked, looking at them in the rearview mirror.

“Yes, Richard.”

Before Molly could stop him, Toby leaned forward and said, “Are you my grandma?”

The woman seemed to freeze.

Richard answered for her. “Yes,” he said in clipped tones.

Molly put a hand on Toby’s good arm, warning him not to speak again. She didn’t believe the woman was as frail as Richard believed, but she was certainly suffering grief at her daughter’s death. That was enough for Molly to cut her some slack. For a while.

There was no conversation in the car. All the way to the airport, Molly held Toby’s hand and squeezed it when he sent her a panicky look.

When they got out at the airport, Richard got a skycap to take care of their luggage. Then he turned to Molly. “Here are the tickets for the three of you. Please take care of my mother and Toby while I return the rental car. I’ll meet you at the gate.”

“All right.” She nodded to the skycap who led them to the check-in line. She discovered they were flying first class, which made it possible to bypass the long line. In no time, she had checked them in.

“My son—” Mrs. Anderson said, looking as panicky as Toby.

“He’ll be joining us at the gate, ma’am. He has to present his own ID, you know. Airport security.”

“Oh, yes. Do you—do you know where our gate is?”

“Yes, ma’am. If you’ll come with Toby and me, I have our tickets and I can find the gate. It’s right over here.”

Molly led the other two to the gate where their plane waited. She checked her watch. Richard had about thirty minutes to get there before their plane took off.

“Will my son get here in time?” Mrs. Anderson asked, her voice trembling.

“Yes, I’m sure he will. He seems to be very efficient.”

“Oh, yes, he is.”

Molly’s words seemed to have settled down Toby’s grandmother. She relaxed in her seat, but Molly suspected if Richard didn’t get there quickly, she would start worrying all over again.

Toby leaned in against Molly. “Is he going to go with us?”

“Yes, Toby, he is.”

Mrs. Anderson looked at Toby. “How old are you?”

Molly stared at her, her mouth agape. Toby seemed to be taken aback, too. His grandmother didn’t know how old he was?

“I’m eight,” Toby finally said.

“Oh, you were born a year after your mother married.”

Toby looked at her curiously. “Did you know my mommy?”

The woman suddenly burst into tears.

For the first time since she met him, Molly discovered a desire for Richard’s presence.

CHAPTER TWO

MOLLY discovered her desire for Richard’s arrival wasn’t a good thing.

“What have you done to my mother?” he demanded roughly as soon as he reached them.

“I didn’t do anything to your mother. Toby asked an innocent question, that’s all.”

She regretted that comment, too, because the man immediately turned to glare at the boy.

When they announced the boarding of the first-class passengers, Molly immediately stood and returned Mrs. Anderson’s ticket to her son. “Toby and I will go ahead and board.”

After they were seated on the plane, Toby by the window, he leaned over and asked in a whisper, “Did I make her cry?”

“Not really, sweetie. I guess she’s still emotional about your mommy. After all, your mommy was her little girl.”

“Oh.”

Toby tensed and Molly looked up to see Richard and his mother entering the plane. Their seats, it appeared, were across the aisle from her and Toby.

Richard nodded in her direction, but she said nothing. Perhaps he would continue to blame her for his mother’s tears. She didn’t know, but she didn’t see how she could be expected to have realized Toby’s question would’ve brought that intense reaction.

There was no more conversation between them. Toby, much to Molly’s relief, fell asleep after the first hour. Molly pulled out a novel she’d been reading and passed the time that way. When the pilot announced their approach to the airport, she woke Toby.

“The plane is landing. Don’t you want to see where you’re going to live?”

“Can you see it from the airplane?” Toby asked in surprise.

Molly chuckled. She’d already discovered Toby was very literal. “No, honey, I just meant you could see the area. You’ll see your new home later.”

“I miss my old home,” Toby said sadly.

Molly hugged him to her, as much as the seat belts allowed. “I know you do. But you’ll like this one, too, I’m sure.” She hoped she wasn’t lying.

“Okay,” Toby whispered.

She held his hand while the plane landed and then taxied to the gate. Since he’d brought nothing on board with him, they were ready to exit the plane at once. When Richard indicated they should go ahead, Molly led Toby off the plane and to their baggage claim. She was sure the Andersons were right behind them, but she didn’t turn to look for them, not wanting to give Richard that satisfaction.

Then that deep voice came over her shoulder. “If you’ll point out your bags, Molly, I’ll get them off the carousel.”

“Thank you. They haven’t come by yet.”

When she saw her bags, along with Toby’s, she pointed them out. A skycap loaded them on his pushcart.

“Molly, will you keep an eye on Toby and my mother while I go get my car?”

She heard the words not said. “And please don’t make my mother cry.”

“Yes, of course,” she replied.

Molly led them to a bench where they could sit until Richard arrived with the car.

Much to her surprise, he pulled up in a medium-size SUV and got out, opening the back for the luggage. She had assumed he’d drive a Mercedes or a Lexus, since he was supposed to be rich. After she got Mrs. Anderson and Toby settled, she followed him into the back seat.

“Thank you for getting them loaded,” Richard said as he slid behind the wheel.

“Thank you for loading the luggage.” It seemed the only polite thing to say in response to his remark. Had he thought she’d remain standing on the sidewalk, unable to move without his guidance?

He flashed her a look in the rearview mirror. She smiled, determined to let him know she wasn’t bothered by his attitude.

She turned her attention to the sights outside her window, pointing out interesting things to Toby.

“Where’s the ocean?” Toby whispered.

“Um, I don’t think there is an ocean nearby, Toby.”

Toby appeared startled. “They don’t have an ocean?”

“Actually, we do,” Richard said over his shoulder, “but it’s on the southern part of the state, which is about five or six hours away.”

“Oh,” Toby said softly.

“Did you go to the ocean a lot?” his uncle asked.

“Yes, with Mommy,” Toby said.

“Susan always liked the ocean,” Mrs. Anderson said, surprising everyone.

“Yes, Mom, she did.”

No one spoke after that exchange.

When they got off the freeway, they turned into a neighborhood with large houses and big trees. The house whose driveway they pulled into was the biggest of them all. Both Molly and Toby stared at it in surprise.

Richard looked over his shoulder. “You can get out now. We’re home.”

Toby turned to look at Molly, panic on his face.

Molly squeezed his hand. “It’s all right,” she whispered, but she wasn’t sure she believed it herself. The house was huge, but the stone façade made it look cold and unwelcoming. The air, too, was cold and windy, furthering the impression.

Molly was going to have to buy a coat. Good thing she was earning a lot of money on this job.

Pasting a smile on her face, she said, “Come on, Toby. It’ll be fun. We can explore.”

She helped the little boy out of the vehicle and shivered as a cold wind blew.

“Hurry inside so you’ll be warm,” Richard said.

Since they parked in the driveway beside the side entrance, Molly assumed he meant that door. She opened the door and led Toby inside. They were standing in a small entryway next to the kitchen.

Suddenly there was a flurry of movement as three people rushed forward. Toby pressed against Molly, but the male and two female strangers passed them by and greeted the Andersons.

The younger woman took Mrs. Anderson by the arm and led her away. The man, tall and wiry, was sent to the vehicle to bring in the luggage. Richard consulted with the other woman.

Molly and Toby stood there, not sure what they were supposed to do.

Richard stepped toward them. “I’ll show you your rooms if you’ll follow me.”

Molly nodded and followed him, Toby clinging tightly to her hand. No wonder. He had sounded as remote as a hotel employee. They went up a grand stairway to the second floor. He turned left and led them down the hall to two rooms side by side.

“These rooms are actually connected by a door inside. I thought you might want to leave the door open the first few nights Toby is here, Molly, if you don’t mind.”

“No, I don’t. That’s a good idea, right, Toby?”

Richard opened a door. “This will be your room, Toby.”

Molly walked into the room with the little boy. “This is great, isn’t it, Toby? You have a lot of windows and you can look at the garden behind the house. When it’s warmer, you may be able to play there.”

The man nodded. “Of course.” Then he crossed to another door and opened it. “This will be your room, Molly.”

It was beautiful, not what she expected. She laughed to herself as she realized nannies were housed in the attic only in gothic novels.

“Thank you, it’s lovely, Richard.”

He frowned, as if she’d said something wrong. What could it have been? She’d smiled at him, trying to be gracious.

“Yes, well, I need to see about my mother. If you need anything, please ask Delores or Louisa. They’ll be glad to help you.”

So they’d already been handed off to the staff. Molly nodded in response, but she didn’t say anything. If she’d spoken, she might’ve said the wrong thing. The man had been kind to Toby when he’d shown him the room, but it was clear he was going about his business as usual.

One thing was certain: Richard Anderson did not have a kind heart.

One thing was certain: Richard was irritated with Molly. Condemnation fairly glowed in her green eyes. He had a lot of things on his plate. He’d brought her here to help Toby settle in okay. That was her job. And he wasn’t going to be chastised for doing his job by someone he’d hired.

He shook his head as he went to the other end of the house where his mother’s suite was located. Tapping lightly on the door, he stood waiting for it to open.

Louisa came to the door.

“I’d like to see my mother. Is she asleep?” he asked.

“No, sir.” Louisa stepped aside and swung the door wide. Then she silently made her way out.

Richard took the chair opposite his mother, in a sitting room professionally done in southwestern decor. He noticed she looked tired, drawn, much the same as she’d looked for the past year and a half. The depression had taken its toll on her. And now, the funeral.

Before he could speak, she said, “You know, Richard, ever since the incident between Susan and your father, I’ve regretted her leaving. But never like I regret it now.” She looked up and there were tears in her eyes. “She ran away because of your father—but I had nine years to make it right and never did. I was too afraid to cross him.” The tears spilled down her cheeks now as she said, “And after he died, I was too distraught and depressed to make the move. I thought I had more time…”

Richard reached out and took her hands in his, rubbing the tops of her hands with his thumb. Her skin was soft and firm, and he realized as he looked at her just how lovely a woman she was. Elizabeth Anderson had once been in the Dallas social scene, a benefactor, an organizer, a supporter of the arts. She had a closet full of designer gowns and suits for the variety of functions she’d attended and chaired. But in the last eighteen months she’d spent most of her time right here in this room. Had he done enough to help her through her hard time?

He could certainly help now.

“You know, Mom, the incident had nothing to do with you.” Funny, he thought, how they referred to it—“the incident.” As if giving it a generic name made it more ephemeral, less real. But the day Susan walked out couldn’t have been more real. He remembered it as if it were yesterday, though it was almost a decade ago. It was the day everything changed.

Susan and their father, James, had always butted heads. He was an autocrat and Susan a free spirit—a doomed combination. When James laid down a law, he expected it enacted, but his sister had a hard time conforming; she was confident and eager and resented her father’s strict hand. But that didn’t deter James. He tried to control everything: her clothes, her friends, her studies. But the day he’d tried to control her heart was the end. He’d found out she was seeing a young man behind his back, a young man from a working-class family who was studying to become a teacher. Kevin Astin was far from the rich, privileged, connected man James had wanted for Susan. He gave her an ultimatum: ditch him or get out.

Susan opted for the latter. In an hour she’d packed her bags and left Highland Park for good. In nine years she hadn’t ever been back.

She moved to Florida with Kevin, whom she married almost immediately. And a year later they had Toby. The nephew Richard had never seen until yesterday.

In the intervening years he’d spoken to Susan twice, and his mother never, both fearful of James Anderson’s wrath. Not that he’d ever been physical with them; but his disapproval took other forms, equally distasteful. Somehow it had just seemed easier to agree with him, or at least conform to him.

Richard realized he was equally to blame. Nothing, no one, should have kept him from his sister, kept Elizabeth from her daughter. But there was nothing either of them could do now, except pray for forgiveness. And care for Toby.

He told his mother all that, and she listened to him. After a while her tears stopped, her sobs turned into steady, even breathing. She held his hand and almost mystically he could feel her pain exiting. He knew nothing could ever erase the agony she’d suffered, but Elizabeth was on the way to recovery.

They talked about Susan, about what they remembered, about what they’d heard of her recent life at the funeral. Richard realized this felt more like a funeral than what they’d endured in Florida. This was a memorial to Susan Anderson Astin, who would live forever in their hearts, where she belonged.

Elizabeth smiled faintly. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Richard. But I do know what I intend to do.” She stood up and looked around. “I intend to get out of the prison I’ve made of this room and start living again. The way Susan would want me to. And I intend to care for her son.”

“That’s the Elizabeth Anderson I know.” Richard hugged her and she held him tight, conveying her gratitude in the maternal embrace.

“Now, Mom, I have to get to the office. I’ll try my best to get home in time for dinner.” For the first time in over a year, when he closed her bedroom door he knew his mother would be okay.

And so would he.

He walked back downstairs to the kitchen, where their cook, Delores, ruled. Now nearing fifty, the Mexican-American woman had worked for the Andersons for decades, as had her husband, Albert.

“Delores, I’m going to the office for a couple of hours. If the nurse or the child needs anything, please take care of them.”

“Yes, sir, Richard.”

Richard’s law firm was located downtown, very close to their neighborhood, Highland Park, an exclusive area. It only took a few minutes to reach the parking garage connected to the building where the law firm had offices.

As expected, he found a pile of messages and mail on his desk that his secretary had sorted and opened for him. After dealing with those matters, he asked his secretary to gather the partners in his office for a quick briefing. Then there was a list of phone calls to be returned. By the time he’d finished half the calls, he put aside the rest of them for the morning and packed up to go home.

He’d probably already missed dinner. Normally he made it home for dinner at least three nights a week, or else his mother ate her meal upstairs in her suite.

Tonight, when he got home, he found the dinner table set for four. “No one’s eaten yet?” he asked Delores as he came in.

“Your mother requested we wait for you.”

“The boy didn’t get too hungry?”

“No, sir. I gave Toby and Molly a snack about five.”

“Thanks, Delores. Please call them down to dinner.”

He carried his briefcase to his office, stepped into the connecting bath and washed his hands. Then he came back to the dining room.

Molly and Toby were standing there, seemingly unsure of where they should sit.

“Good evening. I hope your afternoon was relaxing?”

Molly nudged the boy. He said, “Yes, sir.”

“Good, Toby. And you, Molly? Did you have a pleasant afternoon?” He was determined to show no prejudice to her.

“Yes, I did, Richard, thank you. We’re all unpacked and we’ve familiarized ourselves with the house and your staff. They’re all very nice.”

“Yes, we’re most fortunate,” Richard said with a smile. “But it doesn’t sound like your afternoon was very restful.”

Molly raised her gaze to his. “Neither of us needed rest. Toby was curious about his new home. Albert even gave us a tour of the backyard after we unpacked.”

“Weren’t you cold? I noticed you didn’t wear a coat on the trip.”

“No, neither of us has a coat because it didn’t get that cold in Florida. But Albert promised to drive us to a store to buy coats tomorrow.”

“Good. I’ll be glad to pay for them.”

“If you insist, you can pay for Toby’s. I’ll pay for mine.”

Richard frowned. He wasn’t used to such resistance.

“Richard?” His mother stood at the door of the dining room.

He crossed over to take her hand and lead her to the table after kissing her cheek. “Hello, Mother. It was kind of you to wait for me to get home.”

“I wanted our first meal to be a family one,” Elizabeth Anderson said.

“Then let’s all sit down,” he suggested. He showed his mother to the seat at the head of the table. He indicated Toby and Molly should take the two seats to her left. As they did so, he sat in the chair to his mother’s right.

Once they were seated, Elizabeth rang the small bell sitting beside her plate. Almost immediately, the kitchen door opened and Louisa entered with a tray. She carefully set a bowl of soup in front of each of them.

Toby leaned over to Molly and whispered, “What is this?”

Richard, hiding a grin, said, “It’s broccoli cheese soup, Toby, one of my mother’s favorites.” He was feeling relieved that things were going so well. He’d gone to the office and his mother had rested, and the nurse had taken care of the boy, as he’d planned.

“Oh. Uh, it looks good.”

“Very nice manners, Toby. Your mother would be proud of you,” Richard said softly. He didn’t want to upset his mother, but Susan deserved her due.

Instead of bursting into tears as she normally would have done upon mention of Susan, his mother smiled faintly. Their talk had indeed helped her. “Yes, I believe she did a good job teaching Toby proper behavior.”

“I agree, Mrs. Anderson,” Molly chimed in. “I can’t wait to try the soup. I haven’t gotten used to this cold weather yet.”

Richard laughed. “It doesn’t get that cold here, Molly. Now in Colorado, this would be late spring weather.”

“Where is Colorado?” Toby asked.

“It’s a state north of here where a lot of Texans go to ski.”

“Water-ski?” Toby asked.

“No, Toby, snow skiing.”

“With real snow? I’ve never seen snow, except on TV,” the boy confessed.

“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 closed-up box.”

Once again tears formed in Toby’s eyes. “But my mommy promised me a puppy for Christmas!”

Molly automatically put her arm around Toby. “Richard isn’t saying your mommy wasn’t getting you a puppy. He’s just saying it wasn’t wrapped up. She’d probably made arrangements for picking up the puppy on Christmas Eve.”

“So I’ll still get my puppy?”

Molly looked at Richard. She figured he should be the one to answer that question. She couldn’t imagine a dog in their elegant home.

“Uh, no, I don’t think so. We don’t know where she’d purchased a dog.”

Toby slumped back in his chair, devastation on his face.

Molly squeezed his shoulder and said softly, “Finish your dinner like a big boy, Toby.”

He sat up straighter and looked at Molly for approval. She managed a smile for him, hoping he wouldn’t realize how much she sympathized with him. It would only make him weaker.

“I’m sure Santa will bring you some wonderful presents, Toby,” Elizabeth assured him.

Toby managed a smile for his grandmother.

Elizabeth immediately rang the bell. When Louisa entered, she said, “We’re ready for dessert now, Louisa, please.”

Richard looked at his mother in surprise. “We are?”

“Yes, I believe Toby has finished his meal and dessert will make him feel better.” Again she smiled at Toby, ignoring Richard’s half-filled plate.

With a sigh and a regretful look as Louisa collected his plate, Richard said, “Dessert must be good tonight, Toby. We don’t always get any dessert.”

“Me, neither. But I like dessert,” Toby added, again managing a smile for his grandmother.

Molly hid her smile, afraid Richard would guess she was laughing inside about his consternation as his plate was taken from him. But he was being a good sport about it, which earned him marks in her book, in spite of his lack of warmth toward her.

Dessert was chocolate cake with chocolate ice cream—Toby’s favorite. Molly ate some of it, but she didn’t clean her plate like the two males did.

Elizabeth didn’t touch hers, seeming more engrossed in Toby’s enjoyment of the dessert.

After dinner was over, Molly suggested Toby tell his relatives good-night and she’d take him up to bed. Since saying good-night at home had included kisses and hugs for his parents, Toby hugged his grandmother, much to her delight, and kissed her cheek. Then he moved on to Richard and did the same.

To Molly’s relief, both of them appeared grateful for Toby’s nightly ritual. Molly took the boy’s hand and led him up the stairs to his room.

“You did really well tonight, Toby,” Molly told him as he was preparing for his bath. She’d already run the bath-water as soon as they’d reached his room.

He raised his head to stare at her. “What do you mean?”

“Well, you used good table manners, and you behaved very well when you realized you might not get a dog for Christmas.”

“Yeah. I want a puppy so much. But I guess a dog wouldn’t do so well in this big house. He might get lost.”

“Yes, he might. After you have a bath, I’ll read you a story,” Molly said, trying to recall the books she’d packed. “I don’t know which books I packed. Is there one you want me to read?”

“Any of the Berenstain Bear books. They’re a lot of fun. And I can read them myself.”

“Ah. Good. Then I’ll let you read one to me tonight. And I might buy a copy of Charlotte’s Web. Have you ever read that book?”

“No, but my mommy was going to read it to me if Santa brought me it.”

“Okay. Well, tonight, we’ll stick to the Berenstain Bears. Go hop in and take your bath. I’ll go see if your uncle will loan you a T-shirt for the night. We should be able to get one of his over your casts.”

“Do you think he’ll mind?” Toby asked hesitantly.

“Why do you ask that?” She was afraid her attitude toward Richard might have been passed on to Toby without her realizing it.

“He—he scares me a little bit.”

“I think that’s just because you don’t know him well yet. I’ll be right back.” Molly smiled at Toby and left his room. She didn’t know how to avoid speaking to Richard. She wished she did. But she couldn’t make a big deal about it. Otherwise, she might think about him like Toby did. As the enemy.

She ran downstairs, but she didn’t find Richard in the dining room. She went into the kitchen and asked Louisa if she knew where Richard had gone.

“Yes, ma’am,” said the Mexican woman about her own age. “He went upstairs to his room.”

She got directions from Louisa and ran back up the stairs, turning to the right until she reached the bedroom opposite Elizabeth’s. She tapped softly on the door and waited. But she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was like Daniel about to enter the lion’s den.

Richard settled in a comfortable chair in front of his fireplace, warmed by the fire. He had some legal reading to catch up on.

But his mind was filled with the evening he’d just spent downstairs. There was no question that Toby’s arrival had changed the dynamics of the household. He was rethinking his plan of turning the little boy over to his nurse and continuing on with his life. After all, he had just about completed his reworking of his father’s law firm. Instead of personal injury cases, he had changed the focus to corporate law.

He thought he’d finally be able to return to the pleasant life he’d always led. For the past eighteen months, he’d dealt with the law firm and with his mother. While he and his father had not agreed in many things, he had truly mourned his death. And feared he’d soon lose his mother. Tonight, as she’d focused all her attention on Toby, she appeared to have grown younger before Richard’s very eyes.

He wondered if Molly had come to that same conclusion. He’d noticed how closely she’d watched his mother. It would be nice to be able to talk to her about his mother. After all, she was a nurse.

He shouldn’t be thinking about Molly as a friend. He was paying her salary. That would be like asking Delores for advice. Of course, he’d done that. After all, Delores had been with them for more than twenty years. And Molly didn’t look anything like the plump, dark-haired Delores, either. He immediately shut that thought away.

But thoughts of Molly persisted in spite of his efforts to concentrate on other things. Her hair had glinted in the light from the chandelier in the dining room, sparking more red tonight than he’d noticed before. Concern had filled her green eyes when Toby had made his statement about the puppy he was expecting. Richard had been tempted to laugh until he’d seen Molly’s reaction.

With a sigh, he tried again to put away all thoughts of Molly. As beautiful as she was, she had no place in his life. Unfortunately, for the last eighteen months no woman had had a place in his life, except his mother.

Prior to his father’s death, he’d enjoyed a nice social life. However, with his father’s death had come the opportunity to change the law firm’s focus, which demanded most of his time. His mother had demanded the rest of it.

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