Patchwork Family (13 page)

He gave her a disgusted look. “We’re only talking a few blocks, Molly, not a cross-country trek. I’ll drive.”

She didn’t argue. It was a business meeting. He’d stick to business. She’d known that when he’d called. His formality told her he was having second thoughts about what had happened.

He might want to take her to bed, but he didn’t
want the strings that were attached to her. She knew he wouldn’t be handling this chore if Amanda hadn’t had to go out of town.

Marge’s Diner was only half a block off the town square and was frequented by all kinds of people. At any time of the day one could see men in business suits, construction workers, women in jeans or suits.

And it always smelled of fresh coffee and good food.

Molly took a deep breath when she entered. It was nice to eat someone else’s cooking.

A sandy-haired waitress showed them to a booth at the back of the L-shaped diner.

After the waitress left them with menus, Molly tried to cover the awkward silence. “I don’t come in here often, but I don’t remember seeing her before,” she said of the waitress. “She’s very pretty.”

“She’s been here a few months. I think her name is Caroline. She and Jenna both stayed at the Kelseys’ boardinghouse together.”

“Together? You mean they knew each other?”

“No. But they stayed there at the same time before Seth and Jenna got married.” He folded his menu. “Want to know what’s best?”

“Yes, please.”

“The hamburger. It’s big and tastes like a million dollars.”

He actually smiled, a first for the day in Molly’s presence.

“Okay, I’ll have a hamburger,” she said, hoping agreeableness would make the meeting easy.

“Then you have to have a piece of Marge’s apple pie. They’ve even heard of it in Chicago.”

Another smile. Whatever had been bothering
Quinn, it wasn’t her. Since they’d arrived at the diner, he seemed quite at ease.

Caroline returned to their table. “Have you decided?”

“Yes, I have,” Molly said. “Mr. Spencer has convinced me to have a hamburger.”

“Good choice. And you, Mr. Spencer?”

“You know I told you to call me Quinn, Caroline. I’ll have the same. How are things going? You decided to stay in Tyler yet?”

The woman’s cheeks heated up. “I’m still deciding, but I do like it here.”

“Smart woman. I’ll take a cup of coffee right away, too. How about you, Molly? Want to warm up?”

“I’d love some,” she agreed with a smile.

Watching Caroline walk away, Molly muttered, “Her hair is almost the same color as yours.” It reminded her of the male dolls whose hair Sara had painted.

“A lot of people have sandy hair. I think it comes from our Scandinavian forefathers mixing with the heathens.”

Molly wished he’d stop being charming. Since they’d come in and sat down, he’d been relaxed, entertaining. It was a wonder Caroline hadn’t melted at his feet when he offered her that incredible smile.

It made Molly want him even more.

Stop it! she warned herself. Time to talk business.

“So what questions do you think I need to be prepared to answer?”

“Don’t you want to wait until we’ve at least gotten coffee before we talk business?” His question was accompanied by another of those killer smiles.

She looked away. “Um, no, I think we should go ahead.”

“First I’d like to know how Sara’s doing.”

“She’s fine.” She hadn’t meant to sound so curt, but she didn’t want this man to break her little girl’s heart.

“Are you going to get all the quilts in time? You’ve only gotten two, haven’t you?”

Why was he stalling? She would’ve thought he’d be anxious to get rid of her. “I talked to Martha yesterday afternoon. She thinks they will be. I hope the ladies aren’t overdoing it, trying to have them ready by Valentine’s.”

“You’re set on that as your grand opening?”

“Yes.”

She looked up to see Caroline coming with two mugs and a carafe of coffee, steam rising from it.

When Quinn realized the waitress had arrived, he said, “Say, Caroline, you and Molly have something in common.”

“We do?” she asked in surprise, pausing before pouring the coffee. “What?”

“You both like quilts. Jenna told me you have a terrific one.”

Molly was looking at Caroline and saw the shock on her face. Then she was distracted when the carafe of hot coffee hit the floor and shattered, splashing the liquid everywhere.

Caroline and Molly both screamed and Quinn gasped.

Marge came hurrying from the kitchen. “What happened?”

“I—I don’t know. It just slipped out of my hands. I’m so sorry. Are you both okay?” Caroline asked, tears in her eyes.

Molly was dabbing at the brown stains on her suit but she stopped to assure Caroline she was fine. “It was an accident,” she hurriedly assured Marge. “It’s our fault, actually. We were talking to her, distracting her from her job.”

Quinn nodded slightly at Molly’s pleading look. “Sorry, Marge. We didn’t mean to cause a problem.”

“These things happen. Send me the cleaning bill for your clothes and lunch is on me,” Marge said. “Caroline, go sit down for a few minutes and send Jimmy out with a broom and mop.”

“Oh, no, I don’t need to rest, Marge. It was my fault.”

Marge ignored her protest as Caroline knelt to pick up pieces of glass. She motioned to the man peeking
out of the kitchen, then turned back to Quinn and Molly. “Your lunch will be right here, and Alice will put you in a new booth and get you some coffee.” Then she took Caroline by the arm and walked her back to the kitchen.

After they were reseated, Molly asked anxiously, “She won’t fire her, will she?”

“Marge? Nope, she’s a big softy. Besides, she knows it was an accident. Did it ruin your suit?”

Molly shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve had it a long time.”

Quinn gave her a crooked smile as he thought about how Clarisse would have reacted.

“Sorry about that, folks,” Alice, an older waitress, said as she set down two mugs of coffee. “Didn’t bring the pot with me. Thought it might make you nervous. But you need any refills, you just let me know. Marge said you get whatever you want.”

“Thanks, Alice,” Quinn said. “How’s Caroline?”

“She’ll be okay. Marge is making her eat some lunch and take a rest.”

Quinn shot Molly a look that said “I told you so.”

The cook called to Alice.

“I bet that’s your order. I’ll be right back.”

Quinn grinned at Molly. “You’re a cheap date, Molly Blake. I haven’t bought you a meal yet, but you’ve fed me several times. Sunday night my dad paid, and today it’s on the house.”

The relaxed air, brought on by her concern for Caroline, disappeared and she turned rigid. “It isn’t a date.”

Quinn pressed his lips tightly together. Whatever charm had ever been attributed to him before, it had deserted him today.

Before he could find another way to put his foot in his mouth, Alice returned with their hamburgers. “Eat up, folks. You’ve got hot apple pie a` la mode waiting for you.”

“Thanks, Alice,” Quinn replied. Molly never looked up.

As soon as Alice left the table, Molly, without touching her hamburger, said, “What do we need to cover for the hearing?”

“I’ll start listing some things you need to think about if you’ll start eating.”

She shot him a stubborn look, but he continued to hold her gaze, not backing down. Slowly she picked up the hamburger and took a bite.

“Parking is sure to be a question that will come up. How many guests, on average, and where they’ll park.” He stopped and stared at her because she’d only taken the one bite.

With a huff of resentment, she took another bite.

“They’ll probably ask about noise level, late-night revelry, music.” He paused again.

Shooting daggers at him with her eyes, she picked up the hamburger.

“Since you added that card about baked goods, I’m sure there’ll be questions about how much traffic that will incur, and whether or not you’re licensed to sell baked goods.”

“I assumed I’d be covered since I’m serving food to my guests.”

“I would assume so, too, but I’ll double-check that.”

She frowned down at the table, not moving.

“How’s the hamburger?”

She glared at him. “I’m eating! Is there anything
else?” she asked as she lifted the hamburger to her mouth.

“There might be questions about advertising. And someone might be concerned about any competition you’ll give the Santoris. They’re very popular around Tyler.”

“Anything else?”

“Nothing that I can think of. You have any questions?”

“When are you going to eat
your
hamburger?”

He leaned forward, smiling, eager to smell her scent. “You concerned about my health?”

If he’d ever imagined any softness in her gaze, it definitely disappeared. “No, but I can’t go back home until you finish eating.”

“You’re a cruel woman, Molly.”

She never smiled, only nodded.

With a shrug, he took a bite of his hamburger. After chewing, he said, “I have something to ask you.”

He didn’t know what she expected, but her eyes rounded in surprise.

“It’s really my dad. He—he was very taken with you and Sara. He’s inviting Lydia to Christmas dinner this year and he wondered if you and Sara would come, too.”

He saw a flash of pleasure in her face, but it quickly disappeared.

“Thank your father for the invitation, but I don’t think we can make it.”

“Having hordes of family in for the holidays?” he taunted, knowing she had no family. Damn it, he should just accept her answer, but he’d seen that look in her eyes. He knew how much she wanted family
for her little girl. He wasn’t going to allow her to deny Sara this treat.

She calmly took a sip of coffee. After setting down her mug, she said, “Is there anything else?”

“Yes. Dad wants Sara to come, and you know she would enjoy it.” He almost pounded a fist on the table for emphasis, but they’d had too much excitement already with the exploding coffeepot.

“No.”

“He wants to get used to having kids around because of Seth and Jenna’s baby. He says he needs to practice. And it would be a lot of fun for Sara.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea. We’re not part of your family.”

“I know that. But we’re having other people who aren’t members of our family. Lydia certainly isn’t. If we don’t invite some other people, Jenna will be the only woman. Dad thinks that would make it difficult for her.”

“Jenna isn’t exactly a shy person, Quinn. I’m sure she’ll be fine, and Lydia will be there.” She paused, then asked, “Are you ready to go?”

“Not without my pie and ice cream. You can’t go without tasting Marge’s apple pie. She’ll think you’re a snob about baked goods, that no one can bake as well as you.” Okay, so he was exaggerating, but as soon as they left the café, his connection to Molly would be ended. He could see it in her body language.

Alarm leaped into Molly’s gaze, and he felt like a rat for making her worry about Marge. But it worked. “I’ll have a small piece.”

He waved his hand toward Alice and she hurried over.

“Ready for that dessert?”

“Just a small piece, please,” Molly hurriedly said. “The hamburger was so large, I don’t have much room for pie,” she said with a smile.

Quinn grinned at Alice. “I’ll have a piece, too. Marge’s pie is too good to pass up.”

Alice gave an enthusiastic nod and hurried to the kitchen.

Quinn was ready to start again on the invitation, determined to wear Molly down, when a big hand landed on his shoulder.

Elias Spencer said, “Didn’t know you were eating at Marge’s today, son. Hello, Molly. Good to see you again.”

Lydia, standing beside him, greeted both Molly and Quinn with a smile.

Quinn slid out of the booth and stood. “Molly and I had some business to discuss, so we’re combining work with lunch.”

“Mind if we join you?” Elias asked. “We’re just stopping by for a piece of pie.”

Pleased at the opportunity to get closer to Molly, Quinn agreed immediately, sliding over to Molly’s side of the booth. “No, we don’t mind. Do we, Molly?”

“No, of course not,” Molly agreed, as he’d known she would, but she pressed herself against the wall, getting as far from him as she could. It occurred to him that she’d be less likely to turn down his father’s invitation for Christmas dinner, too.

Alice hurried back to greet the newcomers and take their order. When she disappeared again, Quinn took his chance. “I was just trying to convince Molly to accept your invitation for Christmas dinner, Dad.”

“Oh, good,” Elias boomed with a smile. “I’m looking forward to having friends join us this year. You and Sara will certainly brighten up the day. Does Sara still believe in Santa Claus? I was thinking of having one of the boys dress up in a Santa suit. Couldn’t you do that, Quinn?”

Quinn blinked several times, surprised by his father’s question. Even more surprising, Molly came to his rescue.

“I don’t think that’s necessary just for Sara. Besides, Santa will have already come to see her, and I certainly don’t want an early start on next year.”

Since she added a grin, Elias didn’t seem upset. And Quinn wouldn’t have to wear a Santa suit.

“Ah, you’re right. That’s why I need you to come, so I’ll know what I need to do next year when we have a child in the family.”

“Elias, the baby won’t even be a year old,” Lydia pointed out.

“Well, it’ll be fun to have Sara there, anyway,” Elias said. “What does she want Santa to bring her?”

“A doll and some storybooks. But Mr. Spencer, I—”

“Make it Elias, Molly. There’s no need to be formal.”

“Okay, Elias, I don’t think Sara and I should intrude on your family Christmas.”

“Bah! What intrusion? You’ll be charming company. Lydia, especially, was excited when I told her you were coming. Weren’t you, honey?”

Elias smiled at Lydia, so Quinn hoped he’d hidden his surprise at his father’s pet name for Lydia by the time Elias looked at Molly again.

“That’s very kind of you,” Molly began.

Quinn could hear a “but” coming, but apparently his father couldn’t.

“Good. But I’ll tell you something. If it will make you feel better, we’d love to have you supply some dessert. Lydia is going to help Jenna prepare the meal, but I suspect Jenna won’t be that much help. She’s not domesticated like most women. They might not have time for dessert, too.”

“We’d manage,” Lydia protested, but then she smiled at Molly. “But it probably wouldn’t taste as good as whatever you fixed.”

“Of course I’d be glad—”

“Good. It’s all settled then. Come around noon. We’ll start with some appetizers and eat around one or so.” He winked. “It depends on the football schedule,” he joked with a grin.

“Elias Spencer,” Lydia scolded, lightly slapping his arm. “Shame on you. Talking football on Christmas.”

Quinn didn’t care what they talked about on Christmas. But he was pleased that his father and Lydia had railroaded Molly into accepting the invitation.

T
HURSDAY EVENING
, Molly had a few butterflies in her stomach at the prospect of attending the hearing. She’d been sleeping a little better, at least, because she’d been working herself to death, painting the other three suites until midnight the past few nights.

She wanted to have the rooms completely ready when the quilting ladies finished the quilts. With her intention of opening February 14 to emphasize the
romantic nature of her Breakfast Inn Bed, it was important that she have everything done in time.

How ironic that she was making her living by promoting romance.

She immediately slammed shut that thought. Quinn must not be allowed to intrude into her thoughts tonight. She had to be on her toes.

“Mommy, Miss Kaitlin’s here,” Sara called up the stairs, excitement in her voice.

Kaitlin had volunteered to stay with Sara while Molly attended the hearing. To thank her, Molly had prepared dinner for the three of them. She hurried down the stairs.

She’d left Sara watching out the front window with instructions to call her when she saw her teacher arrive. “Thank you, sweetie. You did a good job.”

Sara beamed at her. “I like Miss Kaitlin.”

“I know you do. Did you finish setting the table?”

“Yes, Mommy.”

She opened the door to Kaitlin. The air was cold, as usual, but the wind seemed to be blowing harder. She was glad she wore her wool slacks and heavy sweater.

“Ooh! I think it’s getting a lot colder,” Kaitlin said as she dashed inside. “I guess it’s the snow.”

Molly looked outside. “What snow? I don’t see any snow.”

“Didn’t you listen to the weather report?” Kaitlin asked. “Oh, I guess you’d already picked up Sara, but Pam, when she came for Jeremy, said they’d warned them at school that there’s a big storm coming tonight.”

“What time tonight? Will we be able to hold the meeting?” She didn’t want to have the meeting post
poned. She’d been dreading it ever since Quinn had called.

“I think so. Attendance might be down a little, but they really don’t think it will hit until late.”

“Oh, good. Let’s go to the kitchen. Dinner should be ready.”

She’d prepared a savory stew, with hot rolls and salad. It didn’t take long to put everything on the table.

“Mmm,” Kaitlin said, sniffing the air as she sat down to dinner. “They should bottle that smell and sell it. It would attract a lot more men than perfume does.”

Molly raised her brows. “Are you wanting to attract anyone in particular?”

Kaitlin grinned. “Who, me? They do make life a little more interesting, don’t you think?”

“I think I’d rather have boring. Sara and I have already had our share of interesting because of a man.”

“I’d like a daddy,” Sara announced, proving she’d been listening to their conversation.

Kaitlin stared at Molly, leaving it to her to answer her daughter.

“Sweetie, we’ve talked about this. We’re a team, you and me. We’re not looking for a daddy.” She added a bright smile and turned to pour a glass of milk for her daughter.

“But, Mommy—” Sara protested.

“Sara, we’re not going to discuss this anymore right now.”

Sara fell silent, but she had a stubborn look on her face that Molly recognized with dread.

“Sorry,” Kaitlin said quietly.

“Don’t worry about it. How was school today? Sara loved making her ornament, didn’t you, sweetie?” Molly asked, trying to distract her daughter.

“But we don’t have a tree yet,” Sara reminded her.

“I know, but if the weather’s not too bad, we’ll get one Saturday, okay? Then you’ll be able to put your ornament on it.”