Little Christmas Miracles: Her Christmas Wedding Wish / Christmas Gift: A Family / Christmas on the Children's Ward

“Mommy and Daddy were. And I know Molly believes in Santa. And you do, Grandma, because you asked what Santa should bring me. So that only leaves you, Uncle Richard. If you believe in Santa, he’s sure to come see us.”

“I see. Then I’m sure I believe in Santa, Toby, because I’m sure he’s going to come see you.”

“And you, too, Uncle Richard. I want him to come see all of us, so we’ll all be happy.”

Richard exchanged a look with Molly. He could read the gratitude in her eyes. “That’s very sweet of you, Toby. I’m sure we’ll all receive presents.”

“Good. Grandma, what will he bring you?”

“Oh, probably perfume.”

“What kind do you wear, Grandma?”

“Chanel No 5. It’s terribly expensive, so don’t even think of getting me any,” she said to Toby.

“Okay,” he said with a sigh.

“Is something wrong, dear?”

“No, Grandma. Dinner is really good tonight.”

“I’ll tell Delores you said that, Toby. She’ll be pleased.”

“Grandma and I were talking about some fun things to do for Christmas,” Richard began.

“You mean the horse and buggy ride? We can do that, can’t we?”

“Yes,” Richard replied. “And I thought we should go to the North Park Mall and see the decorations while we shop.”

Molly shot him a look but he ignored it. “We can all go.”

“But how do I buy presents for you guys if you’re all with me?”

“I’ll take you shopping for their presents, Toby,” Molly told the boy, but her eyes never left Richard.

Refusing to back down, Richard said, “We can take turns going with you in the mall, while the others shop. I’d be glad for some all male time.”

Toby’s face lit up. “You mean just you and me?”

Richard smiled, continuing to watch Molly out of the corner of his eye. She seemed a little perturbed about that.

“Okay. We don’t want to go tomorrow because the mall will be jammed on a Saturday. We can go Monday or Tuesday, if you want.”

“That would be great!”

“You know, I think maybe the three of you should go. I might get too tired at the mall,” Elizabeth said suddenly.

Richard frowned. “You’re sure, Mom?”

“Yes, Richard, I’m sure.” She smiled at Molly. “I’m sure the two of you can manage with one little boy.”

“Of course we can, Mom, if you insist.”

Richard looked at Molly. “So is Monday or Tuesday okay with you?”

“Yes, of course, but I can manage with Toby if you have other things to do.”

She even smiled at him, which made Richard suspicious. Suddenly she wanted him to avoid doing anything for Christmas with Toby? Or was it him she was trying to avoid? Either way, she was going. “No, I’m looking forward to shopping with you and Toby.”

“Certainly,” she said, not meeting his glance.

Yep, something was definitely going on.

“Won’t it be fun to go to the mall with Uncle Richard?” Toby asked as he was climbing into bed.

“I guess. But I’ll give you some money beforehand. Don’t spend more than I give you.”

“I couldn’t, could I?”

“Your uncle might offer you some money, but just tell him you have your own.”

“Okay.”

“Good. Now hop into bed so I can kiss you good night.”

“Okay.” After he got into bed, he held up his arms. Molly bent down and hugged him.

As he closed his eyes, Molly turned off the overhead light, leaving just the night-light burning, and hurried into her room. She wanted to finish wrapping the gifts she’d bought today.

She was almost finished when someone knocked on her door.

Immediately she began stowing the bags and packages under her bed. The knock came again. “Just a minute. I have to find my robe,” she called. As soon as she had everything out of sight, she hurried to the door.

Richard was standing there. “Nice robe,” he commented, raking his gaze over her.

Molly realized she’d forgotten to don her robe over her clothes. “Um, I forgot I was dressed.”

Richard looked over her shoulder, but he couldn’t see anything suspicious. “What were you doing?”

“I was reading.”

“I don’t see a book out.”

“I—I just finished it.”

He braced a hand against the doorjamb and leaned in. “You just seem awfully nervous about something.”

“Did you come to my room for a purpose, Richard? Or did you just want to harass me?”

He immediately held up his hands, as if surrendering. “I just wanted to let you know that I told Mom your mother lived in Seattle. She was disappointed that you’d lied to her and Toby.”

Molly closed her eyes. Then she opened them. “Fine. Thanks for letting me know.”

“What was going on at dinner?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do. Toby kept kicking you. And you kept cutting me off.”

“I didn’t want you to tell your mother and Toby that I had gone to the mall today.”

“Why?”

“Toby would be reluctant to take his nap if he thinks I’m going out without him. And your mother might think it was rude of me not to tell her I went out.”

“That’s a plausible answer, but I don’t think it’s the real one.”

And he was right. But how could she tell him she didn’t want anyone knowing about their quiet moments alone? Or, more appropriately, her reaction to those moments? “Think what you like, Richard. I’m tired and I’d like to go to bed now.”

Suddenly his roving eyes caught sight of a piece of red material in the floor. “What’s that?” he asked.

She looked over shoulder and then began closing the door. “I need to go to bed now.”

She forced him out of the doorway and closed it in front of him. He thought about pounding on the door until she opened it again, but his mother or Toby might hear him. Slipping his hands in his slacks pockets, he strolled down the hall, looking over his shoulder to see if she’d open the door, but it remained shut.

Finally he gave up and went into his room. He had a lot to think about. The nurse was being very secretive, and he couldn’t figure out why.

Toby told her first thing the next morning that they’d forgotten to decorate the tree last night.

“You’re right, Toby. We’ll ask Elizabeth if we can do it this morning.”

“Oh, good. Let’s go down to breakfast at once.”

“Wait a minute. Isn’t that the shirt you wore yesterday?”

“Yeah, but I wanted to hurry. It was closest.”

“I think you need to change shirts.”

“But, Molly, it’s hard work changing shirts.”

“I’m here to help you.”

The little boy turned back into his room. “Okay,” he said slowly, indicating how little he liked what he had to do.

It actually didn’t take that long, but they were the last ones down for breakfast. Molly hadn’t thought about the fact that Richard would be there. He and Elizabeth were sitting at the breakfast table, enjoying pancakes.

“Good morning, dear,” Elizabeth said at once. “You, too, Molly. How are you today?”

“I’m fine, Elizabeth. I’m sorry if we’re late.”

“Nonsense, there’s no set time for breakfast, especially not on the weekends.”

“Delores?” Richard called. “You’ve got two hungry customers.”

“You want more, Richard?” Delores asked, coming to the door. “Oh, you mean Toby and Molly. I’ll have your plates right out.”

“Thank you, Delores,” Molly called.

“That looks really good,” Toby said, staring at his grandmother’s plate.

When Elizabeth started to offer him a bite, Molly said, “No, Elizabeth, don’t offer him any. He needs to learn to wait for his food. Or maybe he should learn to fix his own breakfast. It would teach him to be patient.”

“Oh, don’t go that far, Molly. If you do, I’ll have to make mine, too. I’d feel spoiled if I didn’t at least do as much as Toby.” Richard smiled at the little boy.

Toby giggled. “That would be funny, wouldn’t it, Uncle Richard?”

“Yes, it definitely would. And Delores would kill us for messing up her kitchen.”

“What are you talking about?” Delores demanded as she came through the door. “Who’s going to mess up my kitchen?”

“I was wondering if maybe we could make Christmas cookies one afternoon, Delores,” Molly hurriedly said. “But I promise we’d clean up after ourselves.”

“Ah, you are a sweet lady, Molly. I guess Toby would like to do that, wouldn’t you?”

“It would be fun. I—I used to do that with my mommy,” Toby said.

Delores smiled at him. “Of course you can make cookies. I’ll help and do the cleaning up myself.”

“Thank you, Delores,” Molly said softly.

Then Delores set two plates on the table, stacked high with pancakes. “Eat up so you can grow to be a big boy like Richard.”

Molly laughed. “But I don’t want to be a big boy, Delores. Why did I get so many?”

“So you can keep up with both of them.” Delores went back to the kitchen, laughing.

“That’ll teach you to challenge Delores,” Richard said. “I learned that lesson long ago.”

“I’m afraid he’s right, dear,” Elizabeth said, smiling. “She rules this house.”

Having taken her first bite of delicious pancakes, Molly said, “I can see why.”

“They’re good, aren’t they?” Richard asked.

“The best I’ve ever tasted. Do you know how she makes them, Elizabeth?”

“No, she won’t tell me. She doesn’t want me in her kitchen cooking breakfast.”

After Molly turned to her pancakes, Toby said, “We forgot to decorate the tree last night.” He looked at his grandmother, as if knowing he’d get support from her.

“I know, Toby. I realized it last night as I got into bed. But it was too late then. Is this morning all right?”

“Sure. Want to go now?”

“I think you should finish your breakfast first,” Richard said, enjoying his second cup of coffee.

“Oh. I don’t think I can finish all of them.”

“Well, Molly has to finish hers.” He shot her a twinkling look. “If she wants to keep up with us.”

“Be careful, Richard,” Elizabeth called as she stared at her son on the top of a stepladder. Toby and Molly were holding their breaths, too, as Richard put the angel on top of the nine-foot tree.

“I’m fine, Mom. Don’t worry. Albert, is that straight?”

“Yes, sir, it sure is. Good job.”

“Thanks. I’d rather you be up here instead of me, but Toby insisted.”

“Yes, sir, I slipped him a fiver,” Albert said with a laugh.

“What’s a fiver, Molly?” Toby asked.

“He’s teasing, sweetie. He’s saying he gave you money to get Richard up on the top of the ladder instead of him.”

“But I don’t have any money—” Toby said.

Molly hushed him at once. “He’s just teasing.”

“But—”

Clearly the explanation wasn’t working, so Molly tried a diversion. “Have you picked out the first ornament you want to hang, Toby?”

That distracted him, and Molly breathed a sigh of relief. The boy immediately turned to the table with all the decorations. She held her breath, wondering which he would choose. The last Christmas she shared with her parents was the only one she remembered. She’d hung the first ornament, a clear glass ball with the manger scene on it.

Toby had chosen one remarkably like it.

When he picked up that particular ornament, Molly sank her teeth in her lips to keep control of her emotion. Twenty years later and she still got emotional about the holidays.

“You might as well hand me some of the ornaments, Molly, before I get down off this ladder,” Richard said.

“All right.” She picked up several balls and handed them to Richard.

“One at a time, Molly,” Richard said, handing back one of the ornaments.

Which meant she was stuck handing balls to him. Elizabeth and Toby were handling the rest of the tree. Molly said nothing, doing as Richard asked. But she’d hoped to do some decorating herself. She wanted ownership in this tree, too. It had been so long since she’d celebrated a Christmas so gloriously.

“Richard, that’s enough balls up there. Come down off the ladder and let Molly hang some of the ornaments, too.”

“Sorry, Molly, I didn’t think. I would’ve been glad to trade places with you.”

“No, thank you,” she hurriedly said, adding in a low voice, “I’m afraid of heights.”

“Really?” Richard asked in surprise.

“Yes, really.”

“Here, I’ll hand you ornaments, how about that?”

“It’s not necessary, Richard. Toby’s the one who needs to decorate the tree.” She didn’t want anyone to know how important decorating the tree was to her. Several years, she’d considered buying a big tree just because she’d enjoy decorating it, but she’d talked herself out of it. Money hadn’t been plentiful, and in the past couple of years, she’d found other ways of celebrating Christmas. But this year—

“But we want you to have a good Christmas, too. After all, you’re not going home for Christmas, either,” Richard said casually.

Molly quickly looked at Toby, but he was busy putting an ornament on the other side of the tree. “Please don’t say that in front of Toby.”

“Oh, sorry, I forgot. That’s the problem when you start telling stories.”

“The story I told was to you!” she snapped. “I didn’t want to tell you my situation. I knew you would make fun of me!”

Richard narrowed his eyes. “You’re not serious, are you?”

“Yes, I am!”

“Okay. So hang some ornaments on the tree!”

“Thank you, I will.” She blinked rapidly, trying to handle the sudden tears as she helped decorate the beautiful tree.

When they finished decorating, they all stood together, staring at the huge tree.

“It will look even better when we turn the lights on tonight,” Elizabeth said. “It will look magical in the dark.”

“I think it looks wonderful now,” Toby said.

“Me, too,” Molly agreed in an awed voice.

For the first time, Richard believed Molly’s statement that she’d lied to him, not Toby. He thought the tree was nice, but he’d had big trees as a boy every year. His mother had seen to that. His father hadn’t participated in decorating the tree, but his mother and whoever the chauffeur was at the time had helped him and Susan with the tree.

He fought the urge to put his arms around Molly. He’d be crazy if he did such a thing. She’d probably slap his face. His mother would order the wedding invitations.

“Now, Albert, you can put up the other decorations,” Elizabeth said in a soft voice, as if she didn’t want anyone to notice.

“What decorations, Mother?”

“I got Albert to get some lights to go around the room at the top of the wall. They’ll blink like the Christmas tree.”

“Oh, that will be lovely, Elizabeth,” Molly said.

“Don’t you want me to put up these, too?” Albert asked.

He held up some greenery.

Richard recognized it at once as mistletoe.

“Mother!” he exclaimed.

Chapter Seven

IN SPITE of Richard’s protest, the mistletoe went up all over the downstairs.

Molly made a mental note not to linger in any doorways. She didn’t expect Richard to want to kiss her, but she didn’t want to tempt fate. Not that she wasn’t attracted to the man. That was part of the problem. She was. But she had no place in their world. Once Toby was settled in, she’d be back in Florida.

She released an unconscious sigh, thinking about the time she had to leave.

“Molly? Is anything wrong?” Richard asked.

They were all having lunch together, again in the breakfast room. Louisa was off for the day to be with her family, and it made things easier for Delores and Albert if they ate there.

“No, what made you think that?”

“You sighed,” he said, watching her closely.

“Oh, I was thinking about a friend back home,” she hurriedly said.

“A boyfriend?”

Molly shot him a puzzled look. “No.”

“No boyfriend waiting for you in Florida? I find that hard to believe.”

“A nurse doesn’t have a lot of free time, or the energy to do much when she does,” Molly said. She took a sip of tea, hoping that would end this ridiculous conversation.

“That sounds like my life. Since my dad died, I’ve been reworking our law firm, trying to bring it up-to-date and get back on top of the legal world in Dallas. I don’t have much free time, and no energy when I do.”

“Dear, I knew you were working long hours, but I didn’t realize how hard it was for you,” Elizabeth said. “I should’ve paid more attention.”

“No, Mom, I’m fine. We’re about to get to the point where I can take it a little easier.”

“You should take a vacation as soon as you can,” Elizabeth said. “I’ll be here with Toby, so we’ll manage just fine.”

“I’m not sure, Mom. You might need me.”

“Maybe we could get Molly to come back for a couple of weeks,” Elizabeth suggested, looking at Molly expectantly.

“I doubt I’ll get any more time off once I get back. My vacation is scheduled for July.”

“Oh, dear, that’s a long time away. You’re not having any fun at all during Christmas,” Elizabeth said.

“Yes, I am, Elizabeth. I’m enjoying myself immensely, I promise.” Molly gave the woman her best smile. She couldn’t let her think she was suffering. In truth, she wasn’t. She was getting to do things she’d always wanted to do. Most of all, she was getting to spend time with Toby and know she was helping him adjust to his new family.

“All right, dear. Oh, I know what we should do, Richard. We should all go to lunch at Antares, in the ball.”

“Mom is talking about the restaurant located in the ball on the Dallas skyline. You can see the entire area because the restaurant rotates while you’re eating.”

Molly swallowed. Her fear of heights made that prospect turn her stomach.

“Mom, I’m not sure—” Richard began.

Toby, however, was excited. “That sounds neat. Can we go, Grandma?”

“Yes, dear. I think we could do that Monday and then you three could do your shopping on Tuesday. Yes, that’s what we’ll do.”

Molly said nothing, hoping either she would work up enough nerve to go, or she could plead a temporary illness that would keep her at home.

Richard caught her eye, silently asking if she wanted him to halt the plans. She shook her head. She’d deal with it on Monday.

“I think you need to take Toby to buy a suit today, Richard. Maybe they have something that would fit him, with his casts on. We can have it tailored after he gets his casts off.”

Richard agreed. “What are you and Molly going to do?”

“Oh, we’ll make some plans, organize our shopping, that kind of thing. We might even go to some stores, if you’re not taking Albert.”

“No, I’ll drive my car. Is that okay with you, Toby?”

“Yeah. I like your car.”

“Okay. Then, if you’ve finished your lunch, let’s head out.”

Molly and Elizabeth sat there in silence for several minutes. Then Elizabeth said, “It’s a lot quieter when they’re both gone, isn’t it?”

Molly laughed. “It is, but honestly I miss the noise. Richard is being very good to Toby.”

“I think he loves him very much. He loved his sister and missed her when she…left the family. I know they talked once or twice, but he hated his father’s behavior. In Florida, you didn’t see him at his best. He was mourning Susan’s death and trying to take care of me. I’m afraid I’d become quite a burden.”

“But you seem to be doing very well now,” Molly said, not sure what had brought on the change.

“Yes, I changed my attitude. I had something to live for. Toby needs me. Richard didn’t need me, even though he would say differently, but I knew better.”

“Then, in spite of the tragedy, I’m glad Toby has come to you and Richard. I know he’s going to be happy here with you.”

“I hope so. But you’ve made a big difference, easing him into a role in our home. I know Richard is paying you a lot, but what you’ve given Toby is priceless.”

“Thank you, Elizabeth. Now, you need to rest for a while so I won’t have to lie to Richard when he returns.”

“I think I will, if you don’t mind.”

Molly stood as Elizabeth left the room. Then she gathered their dishes and took them to the kitchen so Delores wouldn’t have to come get them. She made several trips, before Delores returned to the kitchen.

“What are you doing, child?” the cook demanded.

“I’m helping out. I’m going to load the dishwasher so you have time to do other things.”

“Bless you, Molly. With Louisa not here, I’ll admit it’s a little difficult.”

“Well, Elizabeth sent the two men to get Toby a suit and she’s gone up to lie down, so I’m free. I’ll do anything I can to help you.”

“In exchange, I’ll give you my recipe for pancakes.”

“That’s a deal, Delores. I’ll be the belle of the ball in Florida if they taste your pancakes.”

The rest of the afternoon, Molly worked in the kitchen alongside Delores, helping her prepare dinner for that evening. When Richard and Toby came in, they discovered Molly sharing a cup of coffee with Delores, laughing together at some of the cook’s stories about Richard and Susan as children.

“What’s going on here?” Richard asked.

Molly smiled at him. “I’m getting some good blackmail material from Delores.”

“Delores, you wouldn’t betray me, would you?”

“This little girl worked with me all afternoon. I’m giving her my pancake recipe!”

“You wouldn’t give it to Mom, but you’re giving it to Molly? And what do you mean, she worked in here all afternoon?”

“You know it’s hard with Louisa gone. Molly helped me out.”

“I thought you were going to make lists with Mom. What happened to that plan?”

“I sent her up to have a nap, and she hasn’t come down. Maybe I should go check on her.”

As if on cue, Elizabeth asked from the doorway, “What’s everyone doing in the kitchen?”

“I was just coming to check on you,” Molly said.

“No need. I’m here. But I didn’t expect to find all of you in the kitchen.”

“You’re right, Elizabeth. I can’t work with a crowd in here,” Delores said.

“My fault. I was hoping I could learn some cooking tricks from Delores. Thanks for letting me visit with you, Delores,” Molly said and slipped from the room. “Toby,” she called over her shoulder, “come show me and your grandma what you bought.”

That quickly cleared the kitchen, except for Richard. He looked at Delores. “She was helping you?”

“Yes. She said she had the afternoon free and knew Louisa was gone. She did the lunch dishes and then helped with the preparation for dinner.”

“That was nice of her.”

“Nice? That was really sweet of her. You can’t find a sweeter person than Molly. Richard, you shouldn’t let her get away!”

“Now, Delores, you know I’m kind of busy right now.”

“Yes, but that’s not important. Molly is what’s important.”

Richard just smiled and shook his head. Then he excused himself to find the ladies and get their compliments on his job of shopping with Toby. He’d gotten the boy a couple of pairs of slacks, a belt and several dress shirts to go with his suit. And he’d bought him his first tie, and a sweater to wear until his cast was off. It looked better than a jacket that was too big for him.

“Molly, can you tie a man’s tie?” Richard asked.

“No, I can’t. You’ll have to teach Toby that particular skill,” she told him.

Richard nodded. “I can do that. When he gets dressed in the morning, I’ll tie his tie after breakfast.”

“All right. Is he wearing his suit in the morning?”

“We’re going to church in the morning. He’ll wear his sweater, dress shirt and tie, with one of his new pairs of slacks. Will you join us?”

“Yes, I’d like that.”

Richard smiled at her. “Good.”

“Would anyone like to go to the movies tonight?” Elizabeth asked. “They’re showing a film I’d like to see.”

“What is it, Elizabeth?” Molly asked.

She named a current movie. “It’s supposed to be quite funny and romantic.”

Toby made a face that made Richard laugh. “Sometimes, buddy, we have to go to movies we aren’t crazy about to keep the ladies happy. But we can always eat a lot of popcorn.”