LITMIR.BIZ

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      Clearing her head, she sat back down. Then, in an effort to save herself, she picked up a cookie, ate it in two bites and drank half her drink. Anything to avoid Richard.

      “One cookie won’t satisfy Delores.”

      She looked up at him. Was he kidding?

      At her skeptical look, he leaned in close and stage-whis-pered, “Should I call her in here and ask her?”

      Molly leaned back, extending her arm fully to reach another cookie. “Will two satisfy her?” She took a quick bite.

      “Maybe, if you take your time to eat it. But if you jump up and run away, not only will Delores be concerned, but my mother will be also as soon as Delores tells her.”

      Molly closed her eyes. When she opened them she said, “I can’t believe you’d really let Delores tattle on me.”

      “I don’t know why. Delores has been tattling on me for at least twenty years.” Richard kept smiling.

      “Twenty years? Delores has worked here that long?”

      “Sure. She had Louisa’s job for the first ten years. Then she took over the kitchen when our other cook left. She’s been in cahoots with my mom all that time. She thinks she helped raise me.”

      Against her better judgment Molly smiled. “It probably did take two mothers to raise you.”

      “How many mothers did you have?” he asked.

      “Just one,” she said succinctly. Her history had already been discussed that day more than she liked.

      “Where does your mother live?”

      Molly stiffened. Then she said, “Seattle.”

      “And you didn’t plan on going home for Christmas?”

      “No, I didn’t have the money for a plane ticket. Besides, it wouldn’t be worth the trip for just one day.” Molly hoped he wouldn’t mention her lies to either Toby or Elizabeth. But she refused to pour out her history to this man. The truth made her sound pitiful, and she didn’t want Richard’s pity. She’d experienced that response many times in the past. Then she’d had to work hard to be treated normally.

      “Oh, really? That doesn’t sound like a woman filled with the Christmas spirit.”

      “I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

      “Feel free to call your mother, if you want. I won’t charge you for the call.”

      “Thank you. That’s very generous of you.”

      He studied her. “But you don’t intend to take me up on the offer?”

      “I’ll call her on Christmas Day on my cell phone.”

      “I didn’t realize you had a cell phone.”

      “I didn’t know I had to tell you if I did,” she said, her shoulders stiffening.

      “No, it’s not necessary. I’m glad to know you keep in touch with your family.” Then he lifted the plate of cookies and offered her another one.

      “Thank you,” she said, taking her third cookie and eating it slowly, as if she were really enjoying it.

      “You’re welcome.” Finally he sat back, giving Molly room to breathe. “What have you planned for Toby for Christmas?”

      “I was hoping Delores would let us make Christmas cookies. We could decorate them and even hang some on the tree if Toby wants.”

      “He might prefer to eat all of them.”

      “I try to limit his sugar intake. Children tend to get hyper if they have too much sugar.”

      Richard grinned. “Then I approve of that idea. What else?”

      “I had already thought of taking him to the mall.”

      “Good. Anything else?”

      She wasn’t going to mention her other idea. He wouldn’t understand it. “No, that’s all.”

      “Okay. Well, I’m sure Mom will appreciate your help. She’s determined to make this a special Christmas for Toby.”

      “More than you’ll ever know,” Molly muttered, thinking about Elizabeth’s idea of a dog.

      “What did you say?” Richard asked, leaning forward, this time so close she could smell the subtle after-shave that clung to his neck.

      “Nothing,” Molly said quickly. She had to get out of here. “I’ve had three cookies, Richard, so I’ll go upstairs now, if there’s nothing else.”

      “Fine. I won’t hold you. Feel free to leave.”

      She took him at his word.

      After she left, Richard sat there for another few minutes, enjoying another cookie and thinking about her. He had to admit that was about the most enjoyable lunch he’d had in a long time. Then he picked up the two glasses and the plate of remaining cookies and carried them to the kitchen to kiss Delores’s cheek and thank her for the quick lunch.

      “Did the pretty nurse enjoy the cookies, too?” the darkhaired woman asked.

      “She did, but she worries about her weight.”

      “For no reason.”

      Right, Richard thought. Her body was perfect, rounded where it should be, with a slim waist and high breasts.

      Delores continued, “And she’s very pretty.”

      “Yes, she is.” In the right light her red highlights glowed, lighting up her creamy, flawless skin.And those green eyes…

      “And kind to,” Delores added.

      She certainly was, not only to Toby but to his mother. With an easy—He pulled up short. Wait a minute. He knew what was going on here…

      “Delores,” he said in a warning tone. “Don’t be putting any ideas in my mother’s head. I don’t want her pressuring me to marry the nurse.”

      “You are prejudiced against nurses?”

      “Of course not. But I’ve got about all on my plate that I can handle right now.”

      “Richard, you work too hard. You need to relax and enjoy life more.”

      He kissed her cheek again. “Right. As long as I make enough to pay your salary, I guess.”

      “Oh, you!” Delores exclaimed, slapping his arm and laughing.

      Richard laughed too and then escaped the kitchen.

      He knew his social life the past year and a half had left a lot to be desired. Now that things had settled down at the firm, he’d start rectifying that, right after the holidays. He’d find himself a nice woman, pretty and kind. A woman like Molly.

      But the last thing he needed was his mother and Delores playing matchmaker.

      Richard was in his home office working before dinner when the door opened and his mother came in.

      “Do you have time for a little chat, Richard?”

      “Of course, Mom. Are you having any problems?”

      “No, of course not. Everything is lovely.”

      “Good, glad to hear it.”

      “But the subject of the dog did come up.”

      “How?”

      “I told Toby that I thought we should get him a suit for Christmas. Needless to say, like most little boys, Toby was polite but not enthusiastic. I told him he would get other presents, too. He immediately guessed it was a puppy.”

      “Did Molly encourage him?”

      “Not

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