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

“No, it’s all right. Richard has promised to make it easier for me when we go down, so we might as well eat before we do that.”

“You’re being very brave. Isn’t she, Toby?”

“Yes, but it’s my fault,” Toby said, tears forming in his eyes. “I told her I wouldn’t come without her.”

“Toby, it’s okay,” Molly said, reaching across the table to touch his hand.

Richard looked at the boy. “You need to be more thoughtful of others, Toby.

“Richard, don’t. He’s just a little boy!”

“Yes, but I don’t think he realized how difficult it would be for you.” He stretched his arm around her chair, as he had the night they’d watched the lights together.

“He’s just come through a terrible ordeal. He’ll be more thoughtful in the future.”

“Okay, buddy,” Richard said, reaching over and patting Toby’s arm. “I know you’re just a little boy. But part of growing up is learning to think about others.”

“Okay,” Toby whispered.

“Good, now we need to order,” Elizabeth said. “Toby, what do you think you would like?”

“A cheeseburger,” he replied without hesitation.

“You know what, Toby?” Molly asked. “I’m going to have the same.” She smiled at the little boy.

The waiter came and they placed their orders. He brought their drinks at once and Molly took a sip of her Diet Coke. It helped her feel a little better.

“Uncle Richard, did you look for the amusement park?”

“Not yet. Let’s see, there’s the Trinity River, so we’re facing south right now. When we rotate west, we can look for it.”

“How will we know?” Toby asked.

“There’ll be a sign painted on the wall that says West.”

“Okay, I’ll watch for it.”

Now that Toby’s attention was off her, Molly slumped in her chair.

“You okay?” Richard whispered, leaning closer, his breath warm on her skin.

“Yes, but you shouldn’t have blamed Toby,” Molly returned.

“I won’t have him spoiled by you and my mother. He has to learn to be responsible for his actions.”

“I agree, but it seems a little harsh so soon after he lost his parents.” She should know; she’d experienced that first-hand.

“I didn’t beat him, honey. I just pointed out what he had done. I don’t think that’s too harsh.”

“Well, I do, honey!”

“But you’re not in charge of him. My mother and I are.”

Molly’s gaze fell to the table. She refused to look at him. She knew she wasn’t in charge of Toby, but she cared for the boy. Surely Richard knew that. At the moment, she disliked Richard. And truthfully she didn’t want to leave Toby with him.

“Was that truth too harsh, too?” Richard asked, watching her response.

She nodded, trying to hold back tears. She knew she was too emotionally involved with Toby. Even with Elizabeth and Richard. Especially with Richard if she were honest. It seemed they shared a lot recently. So much for her vow to avoid him. She was used to being alone, and it was going to be difficult to forget her visit to Texas.

He pulled her a little closer to him, but she didn’t rest her head on his shoulder like she wanted to. She didn’t really have that right.

“Uncle Richard, look, it’s here!” Toby exclaimed. “We’re facing West!”

Richard responded to Toby, but Molly didn’t look up. She could tell Toby was doing just fine. Could it be true, what Richard had said? Still, she wasn’t going to admit to him that he was right.

The waiter brought their food. It was all beautifully served and looked great on the plate. Even though a hamburger was the normal American fare, it tasted better than any Molly had ever had. All in all, she had to admit, she enjoyed the lunch at one of Dallas’s main tourist attractions.

Until they had to enter the elevator again.

She was still irritated with Richard, in spite of Toby’s quick recovery. She was determined to manage without his help. But just entering the elevator, facing the windows for that brief walk, was hard.

When she hesitated, Richard took her hand and turned her around. “You can back in. I’ll guide you.”

“Thank you,” she said stiffly.

Once they were in the elevator, she stood close to the door, her gaze fastened on it, waiting for it to open again.

“Need any help?” Richard whispered.

“No, thank you, I’m doing fine.”

“Too bad. I enjoyed our ride to the top.”

She said nothing. With her teeth gritted, she refused to bury her face in Richard’s chest, as she’d done earlier. She wanted to. His warmth had felt good. But she mustn’t take advantage of his goodness.

When the elevator door opened, Molly drew a deep breath of relief, knowing her ordeal was over.

Richard took her hand and led her to the escalator. She tried to pull her hand free, but she would’ve had to make it obvious to do that. With Elizabeth and Toby right behind them, she thought the best thing to do would be to wait until they reached the hotel lobby. He’d have to present their parking ticket to get the car pulled up.

When that happened, she turned back to Elizabeth and Toby. “Elizabeth, do you want me to sit in the back of the car with Toby on the way home?”

“Do you mind, dear? I’m feeling a little sleepy after our lunch. I believe I ate too much.”

Toby took her hand. “Yeah, I’m tired, too.”

“I guess you and Grandma both need your rest, don’t you?” Molly said. “You were up way too late on Saturday night.”

“Yeah, I don’t remember the end of the movie.”