LITMIR.BIZ

      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

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