Patchwork Family (14 page)

“But one won’t be enough,” Sara said, frowning, clearly worrying about their tree, which was a lot better than worrying about a daddy.

“We have some ornaments from other years, and I thought we’d go shopping for a special ornament for this year, too. Every year we’ll each choose an ornament to hang on the tree.”

“Can I get a Santa Claus one?” Sara asked eagerly.

“Whatever kind you want,” Molly assured her. “Now, eat your dinner, because I made some cupcakes for dessert, but you can’t have them until you’ve finished your stew.”

“Bribery,” Kaitlin muttered under her breath.

“You betcha,” Molly agreed, “and I made enough cupcakes for your classes tomorrow as a treat. Is the bribe working?”

“You betcha,” Kaitlin agreed with a grin, then joined Molly in laughter.

They were enjoying their meal a few minutes later when the doorbell rang. Sara had just spilled some of her milk and Molly was cleaning it up, so Kaitlin jumped to her feet.

“I’ll see who it is.”

Molly was grateful for the help, but she frowned
as Kaitlin left the kitchen. Who could it be? Everyone knew the hearing was this evening.

She finished wiping up the milk and turned to the sink to rinse out the cloth when she heard the kitchen door opening behind her.

“Who was—?” she began as she turned around. Then she stopped her question because Quinn Spencer was standing in the doorway behind Kaitlin.

“Mr. Spencer!” Sara shrieked, and dashed off her chair to hug his legs.

“Hi, sweetheart,” Quinn responded, swinging her up into his arms so she could hug his neck. “How are you?”

“I’m staying with Miss Kaitlin while Mommy goes to a meeting. Can you stay with me, too?”

“No, I can’t, baby. I have to go with your mommy to help her.”

Molly stared at him. “I believe I can find my own way to the meeting.”

Her inhospitable tone made Kaitlin stare at her as if she were a stranger. But what was Quinn Spencer doing here?

“I’m sure you could,” he replied, “but I was worried about the storm that’s supposed to come in tonight. Driving home might be rough, so I thought I’d do the driving for you.” He gave her that easy, charming smile that always served him well.

She managed to produce a tight smile. “There’s no need. I grew up in Chicago. I’m used to driving in the snow.”

“Maybe so, but you shouldn’t be out alone in a storm.”

Kaitlin stepped forward. “You really should go with Quinn, Molly. Since he’s already here.”

Molly was boxed in, and she knew it. If she didn’t make nice, Kaitlin was going to think she was horrible. “We’ll see. Would you like a cup of coffee to warm you up?”

Quinn drew a deep breath. “I’d love one. And if you have any of that stew left over, I wouldn’t mind it, either. I had an emergency at the office and missed dinner.”

“Oh, you poor dear,” Kaitlin said, taking his arm to urge him to the table. “You must be starved.”

Molly would’ve held up a white flag if she’d had one. The man had done it again.

“There’s plenty,” she muttered. She always made a big pot of stew and then reheated it for lunches later. Now, she took down another bowl and filled it. Then she cut up a salad for her unexpected guest.

“Thanks, Molly. Now I’ll have to take you to the meeting just to pay you back.” He smiled again.

She thought about dumping the stew in his lap, but she didn’t. Instead she gritted her teeth and said nothing.

“Mommy made cupcakes,” Sara whispered. “If you eat your stew, you can have one.” Then she giggled, pleasure all over her face.

Kaitlin, Sara and Quinn chatted through the rest of the meal, but Molly sat in silence. Only Sara’s request for her cupcake drew Molly from her determined withdrawal.

“Yes, sweetie, you did a good job on your stew. You can have your cupcake now.”

“Me, too?” Quinn asked, holding up his bowl as Sara had. His behavior drew a giggle from Sara, but not Molly.

She got up and put some cupcakes on a plate and
set them in the center of the table. Then she gave Kaitlin, Sara and Quinn each a saucer.

“Aren’t you having any?” Quinn asked.

“No. I want to get the dishes cleaned before I—we leave.”

“I’ll do the dishes after you’ve gone,” Kaitlin said. “Come have a cupcake.”

Molly managed a smile but shook her head.

“I think you should. You may need the extra energy some sugar would give you,” Quinn said.

For the first time, Molly realized Quinn might have had another reason for coming.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

Damn. He hadn’t meant to worry her. But he’d heard that Ursula was out persuading any influential person she knew to come tonight to be a roadblock to Molly’s success. He’d decided to do a little persuading of his own.

He’d also decided it wouldn’t hurt to use his family name for Molly, too. That was why he was escorting her. And why he’d persuaded his father and brothers to be in attendance.

“Ursula’s not going down without a fight. I think you should be prepared,” he said.

Molly fell back into the chair she’d occupied during dinner. “Do we have a chance?” she asked, her lips trembling.

He wanted to pull her into his arms and warm those lips. So much so that he forgot her question. “Um, what?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

“I asked, do we have a chance?” she repeated, leaning forward.

“Oh, yeah,” he replied, then cleared his throat. “We’re going to win, Molly, I promise, but it may take a little effort. I’ve tried to make sure you’ve got
a lot of support tonight, to counterbalance Ursula’s crowd.”

Her amazing blue eyes filled with tears. “That’s very kind of you.”

He nodded. “Amanda will be there, of course, and will speak for you. She’s the best, so don’t worry.”

Sara slipped out of her chair and ran around the table to her mother’s side. “I’ll help, Mommy. Don’t cry.”

Molly hugged her little girl. “I’m not crying, sweetie, and you always help me. You’re the best.”

“So are you,” Kaitlin said fiercely. “If that woman—”

Quinn pasted on a smile. “Everything’s going to be all right, ladies, I promise.” He hoped he was right. Who knew what Ursula Wilson would have come up with?

At least Molly was acting more friendly now. It wouldn’t help for him to escort her if she wasn’t speaking to him.

“Eat a cupcake, sweetheart, and then we’ll—” He realized his mistake at once. So much for friendliness.

“Don’t call me that!”

“Uh, it was an accident,” he hurriedly assured her, hoping the storminess in her gaze would fade.

“Here’s a cupcake, Mommy,” Sara said, pulling the plate closer to her mother. “Take this one. It’s the biggest.”

Looking for a new subject to distract Molly, Quinn turned to Sara. “Did your mom tell you you’re coming to Christmas dinner at my house?”

Sara’s face lit up with excitement. “Really? Will we have a big turkey and everything?”

Quinn wasn’t sure what “everything” included, but he determined they would definitely have it. He wanted the day to be perfect for Sara.

Then he looked at Molly. And realized he’d made another mistake. Clearly Molly hadn’t wanted Sara to know about the treat in store for her.

Because she’d been planning to cancel, he realized.

Which made him glad he’d told Sara.

“How lovely,” Kaitlin said, her gaze traveling back and forth between him and Molly.

Sara ran around the table, back to her seat beside Quinn, still unaware of her mother’s displeasure. “Will there be a big tree, too? With lights?”

“Of course there will. You don’t have your tree yet?” he asked, looking around the room.

“Mommy said we’ll go shopping for our tree Saturday morning. I can’t wait! You want to come?”

“I’d love to,” Quinn immediately accepted, knowing Molly would retract the invitation if she could.

“Sara!” Molly protested.

“What, Mommy?”

Quinn watched Molly stare at her daughter. It was easy to understand her dilemma. He wasn’t Sara’s father, but he wanted the best for the little girl. He had a hard time denying her anything. Molly loved Sara more than he did. How could she wipe the sunshine from that beautiful face?

“Mr. Spencer is probably very busy this weekend. He won’t have time to— He probably has to go to Chicago to see…someone.”

“Nope, I’m free,” he assured her, beaming almost as much as Sara.

“We may not be able to go because of the weather.”

Quinn shrugged his shoulders. “I’ll check with you Saturday morning.” He couldn’t hold back a grin at the frustration on her face. “Better eat your cupcake. We need to leave soon.”

He watched her, concentrating on lips even more enticing than the cupcake, as she followed his suggestion.

T
HEY DIDN’T HAVE FAR TO GO
to the meeting, and Molly kept silent in his car. She needed to put aside her frustration in dealing with this man and concentrate on the meeting.

But it wasn’t easy. He found ways around every roadblock she put up. And Sara didn’t help matters. She thought Quinn was wonderful.

She sneaked a look at him as he drove. Unfortunately, he
was
wonderful. Unless you wanted him to be a daddy, a family man, a man who stayed for the long haul. Then he was a disaster.

“We’re here,” Quinn announced as he turned into the parking lot.

She bowed her head. So much for concentrating on the meeting.

When he killed the motor, instead of opening his door, Quinn turned to face her.

“Yes?” she asked, wondering what he was going to say.

“Molly, I know you’re upset with me, but it’s important that we present a united front. The Spencer name counts for something, and I want everyone to know the Spencers are on your side.”

She swallowed and lifted her chin. “I appreciate that.”

“So can we put everything aside and act like friends?”

How could she throw his offer back in his face? It was very generous, particularly since he knew she was angry with him.

“Yes. I’m grateful for your support.”

He grinned and leaned toward her. “No problem.”

Molly opened the door and slid out into the cold before he could come any closer. She feared he intended to kiss her, and her composure would be shattered if that happened.

When she reached the door to the building, he was beside her, holding it open. Inside, she removed her coat and gloves and hung everything on one of the hooks lining the wall. Then she jerked in surprise as Quinn took one of her hands in his.

“Friends, remember?” he whispered in her ear, sending shivers through her body.

“Oh, good, you’re here,” Amanda Trask called. She was standing at the entrance to the chamber where the meeting would be held. “I’ve saved some seats down front.”

Quinn led her to Amanda’s side. “Everything look all right?”

Amanda gave them a calm smile that eased the flutters in Molly’s stomach. “There are a lot of people here, even with the storm on its way. It will be a lively meeting. But I think we’re prepared.” She drew a deep breath, then turned to Molly. “Your job is to look relaxed and happy. Are you prepared to answer questions?”

She nodded, afraid to try to speak. Quinn squeezed
her hand which, in spite of her anger with him, made her feel good. She wasn’t standing alone tonight. These two were with her. It was a nice feeling.

Quinn whispered again. “All right, Molly my girl, paste on a smile and let’s get this show on the road.” Then he led her into the room, still holding her hand.

Amanda was right. There was a crowd. And when she and Quinn appeared, there seemed to be a lot of whispering. Whether that was because of the zoning change or Quinn holding her hand, she didn’t know.

The first part of the meeting was boring, with committee reports and administrative things that didn’t apply to Molly’s business. But Quinn continued to hold her hand, and she focused on the warmth that came from his touch. She lost track of time until Amanda rose and walked to the microphone to speak to the council.

She presented Molly’s request for the zoning change as if she had every confidence in the world that it would be accepted.

Then Ursula Wilson went into action.

She had a list of difficulties. When Amanda tried to answer the first on the list, the question of parking, Ursula suggested Molly answer, rather than hide behind a lawyer. There was a smattering of applause for her demand.

Again Amanda exhibited confidence, only it was confidence in Molly, not herself.

A momentary panic kept Molly silent until Quinn squeezed her hand again. With a grateful smile in his direction, she stood and walked over to the mike.

With a smile that she hoped emulated Amanda’s confident one, she said, “Certainly, Mrs. Wilson. I’ll be glad to respond to your objections.”

After she’d explained the provisions she’d made for parking, Ursula wanted to discuss the possibility of noise that might disturb the peace of Ivy Lane, as Quinn had foreseen.

Molly relaxed just a little. “You see, Breakfast Inn Bed is intended to be a romantic retreat, a place where couples can escape the frantic pace of their lives to concentrate on each other.” With a wide smile, she added, “Frankly, I don’t expect to see a great deal of my guests, nor do I expect them to want a disco in the living room. I believe their pursuits will be…private.”

Amusement ran through the audience at her inference.

“Well, how absolutely disgusting!” Ursula exclaimed. “Are you going to guarantee that these people have a marriage license?”

Molly hadn’t been prepared for that question, but she answered it honestly. “No more than any other hotel or inn. As long as both guests are of legal age, I don’t feel it is my duty to guide their morals.”

When Ursula appeared ready to debate the matter, the president of the council requested that she move on and present any other concerns about their ruling.

With a triumphant look, she assured the council she was concerned for the lack of loyalty to one of the most beloved couples in Tyler, the Santoris. She felt it was the duty of the citizens of Tyler to support their own.

Both Amanda and Molly stepped forward to respond to her claim, but before they could speak, Joe Santori stood.

“I believe I would be the best person to respond to Mrs. Wilson’s words.”

The president of the council nodded, and Joe, with a warm smile for Molly, stepped forward. “Molly’s been in Tyler almost a year now, and I feel she’s one of us. Even more important, when she first came to town, she visited with us to find out how we’d feel about competition.”

He turned and looked at Molly with a big grin. “I don’t think most prospective businesses would do that. We appreciated her thoughtfulness. We have to turn down a lot of business because we’re a small operation. The Kelseys, who Molly also visited, do, too. It will be nice to have another outlet for the business. Instead of discouraging people from visiting Tyler, Molly’s Breakfast Inn Bed will increase the economic opportunities for all the businesses in our city.”

There was a lot of applause.

Johnny Kelsey stood and seconded Joe’s words.

The knots in Molly’s stomach began to ease. Ursula brought up several more complaints, but they were easily dismissed. Then several people, including Elias Spencer, spoke in favor of Molly’s business.

Finally Molly’s request was approved unanimously.

Afterward, with tears in her eyes, she tried to express gratitude to those who had supported her, saying how much she appreciated being made to feel a part of Tyler.

“We only told the truth,” Joe Santori assured her. “But it was Quinn here who called to remind us that we needed to show up. So thank him, too.”

Molly smiled tremulously and tried to think of what to say.

“She’s already thanked me,” Quinn assured everyone with a laugh. “I got another home-cooked meal tonight.”

There were several comments about Molly trying to trap Quinn into domesticity. Molly kept a smile on her lips, dismissing their words as if they were a huge joke.

“We really appreciate everyone coming out,” Quinn said, interrupting the teasing, “but, with the storm coming, I think we’d all better cut things short. I heard on the radio we may get over a foot of snow.”

“Looks like the snow season is starting off with a bang,” Joe said. “If you’re putting pictures in your brochure, get some while the snow is clean and white, Molly. Makes everything look really romantic.”

“Thanks for the advice. I will.”

“Thanks again,” Quinn called as he took Molly’s hand and pulled her after him to the door.

“We’ll see you Christmas Day, if not before,” Elias said.

Quinn noted Molly’s acquiescent smile, feeling sure now she and Sara would come, since Sara was so enthusiastic about the celebration. Molly wouldn’t let her personal feelings hurt her child.

After putting on their coats, Quinn pushed open the door to discover that the storm had arrived. The flakes weren’t the large, fluttery kind. They were small and spitting at everything in the storm’s path. Already the ground was completely white.

Quinn wrapped an arm around Molly and rushed her toward his car. This time she didn’t protest the protection he afforded her. She owed him a lot.

Once they were in the vehicle, sheltered from the storm, Quinn started the car but left it in Neutral. “We’d better give it a minute to warm up.” She nodded and he ducked his head to see her expression. “Are you relieved?”

She offered him a smile. “Yes, thank you. I realize how much I owe you for your support.”

“Enough to let me join you Saturday morning?”

She didn’t say anything.

“Molly?”

She looked at him again. “I only wanted to protect Sara. She doesn’t understand— What if she— Never mind. Yes, of course, if your idea of fun is to go out in the cold and look at trees, you’re welcome to join us. And I’ll fix lunch for us, too.”

“Lady, that’s an offer I’d never refuse.” He eased the car into gear and headed for Ivy Lane.

T
HE STORM WAS STILL RAGING
the next morning. Kaity’s Kids was closed, much to Sara’s chagrin.

“But, Mommy, we could have snowball fights!” Sara complained.

“You can have them when the storm stops.”

“Really?”

“Yes. And I have an idea. How about if I call Jeremy’s mother and see if he can go with us tomorrow to find our Christmas tree and then have lunch? Would you like that?”

Sara began jumping up and down, clapping for her mother’s suggestion. Suddenly she stopped. “But Mr. Spencer will still come, won’t he?”

Molly sighed. “Yes, unless something comes up.” After a moment, she added, “He’s a very busy man, you know, but he’s welcome to come.”