MOLLY WAS UP TO HER ELBOWS IN A SPINACH AND cheese mixture. Betty grabbed a spare apron so her silk blouse wouldn’t get spattered and watched carefully.
It was late Tuesday afternoon and Betty had left her office early. She had stopped by to pick up some takeout and ended up hanging out back in the kitchen, watching Molly cook. It was her favorite entertainment lately, Molly had noticed.
Molly picked up a shaker of nutmeg and carefully sprinkled it over the large bowl. “My secret ingredient,” she whispered. “Even Sonya doesn’t know.”
“It looks pretty good from here. I bet you can use that filling with a lot of that stuff. Not just the spring rolls.” Molly was going to use the spinach to fill slim, cigar-shaped rolls of crispy pastry, one of her signature hors d’oeuvres.
“I want to try it in miniature ravioli. I just haven’t had the chance to experiment.”
“Things should slow down after Christmas,” Betty predicted. “My office is dead. I’m going to close Christmas week. It’s not worth the bother to stay open, and my staff appreciates the break.”
“What are you doing for the holiday, Betty? Any plans?” Molly knew the topic was a sensitive one for her friend. Betty had been divorced years ago and had a grown son who was now in law school in Chicago. Her ex-husband had remarried and had two small children. Other than that, Betty had no relatives nearby and sometimes spent the holidays with whichever current boyfriend was hanging around. Once in a while, she was entirely alone.
“Good question,” Betty said. “Brian is going to Ted’s house this year,” she said, mentioning her son and ex-husband. “I’ll get him after the holiday, for a few days I hope. I might take one of those last-minute cruises to the Caribbean. I keep seeing great deals online.”
Oh, the giddy freedom of single life. A cruise to sun-drenched, tropical islands. Being waited on day and night. Your every whim satisfied by a snap of your fingers. Massages, pedicures, chocolates on the pillow…
Still, Molly wouldn’t give up her own hectic, crazy, triple-tasking lifestyle for a thousand Caribbean cruises at Christmastime. She admired Betty in so many ways and yet felt sorry for her. It was hard to believe that a woman who was so successful and accomplished had so few strong, emotional connections. Molly knew Betty didn’t want it to be that way. It was just the way her life had turned out and now that she was older, it seemed harder every year to find a long-term relationship.
“Want to come to our house Christmas Eve? I mean, if you don’t do something wonderful and exciting? It’s just family. But we’d love to have you.”
Betty looked a little hesitant. “Your parties are always wonderful—”
“—if you don’t mind being surrounded by the whole, ginormous Morgan clan,” Molly put in. “I do understand that it’s not everyone’s idea of Christmas bliss.”
Betty laughed. “Let me think about it, okay?”
“No problem.” Molly stirred the mixture, carefully scraping the sides of the huge bowl. “Hey, listen to this. Guess who called me this morning and asked if I could do a last-minute New Year’s Day brunch? Madeline Norris.” Molly grinned at Betty. “Guess you handled her just right. I owe you one.”
“Yeah, you do.” Betty nodded. “Listen, why don’t you let me handle that party? I know you’re totally overbooked. It will give me something to do while my office is closed.” A good distraction from Christmas and everyone else being happy and focused on their families, Molly silently translated. Still, could Betty really do a whole party? An emergency flat tire was one thing. But an entire party?
“Gee…I don’t know. These things are more work than they seem. Do you really want to spend your time dealing with that fussbudget Norris?”
“I do,” Betty assured her. “I have some really great ideas, too. I was thinking of having a big party myself this year but never got around to it. It will be fun to pull it all together.”
“Fun? You think this job is fun?” Molly rolled her eyes.
“You used to think it was fun,” Betty reminded her. “Before you started working yourself half to death.”
That was probably true, but Molly didn’t want to get into that discussion right now.
“Come on, Molly. You just said you owed me one. This could be my Christmas present and payback all in one. I know how to handle Madeline Norris. I had her wrapped around my little finger on Sunday.”
Betty was in fine form, a naturally persuasive person, Molly thought. She felt herself starting to crumble, like a chunk of blue cheese.
She could use the help. She had nearly refused the Norris job because she wasn’t sure she could handle it. Now she had accepted and still didn’t know how she would pull it off.
When she thought about it that way, Betty’s offer looked like a godsend.
“So, what do you say? Do I get the assignment?”
“Okay, you wore me down,” Molly conceded. “But you have to let me pay you.” Betty made a face but Molly continued, “And we have to brainstorm. We need to offer Mrs. Norris some brilliant ideas we can do easily. I don’t have unlimited help and resources around here.”
“I agree. You’re an awesome cook, Molly, but I’m loads more efficient,” Betty pointed out. “Don’t worry, you’ll know about everything that’s going on.”
That made Molly feel a little better. Betty was great at client relationships. And she was efficient, amazingly so. The rest of it could be learned, Molly reasoned.
The phone rang and Molly heard Sonya answer it in the shop. “Molly, it’s for you. It’s Matt,” she shouted back into the kitchen.
“Tell him to hold a sec’…” Molly shoved the bowl in Betty’s direction and handed her a long spoon. “Stir this around awhile, will you? Your first official duty.”
Betty took the bowl and spoon and set to work, looking excited to be given a real job. “Clockwise, right?”
“Either direction would be fine,” Molly said patiently. She washed her hands quickly and then picked up the phone. “Hi, honey, what’s up?”
Her husband rarely had a minute to call and when he did, it was usually something important.
“Great news. Alex Cole is here. We’re going to look around the town for a while, see the sights. Then we can all meet for dinner. I don’t want you to do a thing. We’ll go out—some place nice. Spoon Harbor Inn?” he suggested.
Wow, this was news. Matt’s potential partner had arrived and was checking things out. Molly had her fingers crossed. “That sounds perfect. What time?”
“Oh, something early. Six o’clock. Alex is driving back to Lexington tonight.”
Molly did a quick calculation. She could leave here as soon as she hung up. Do a drive-by, change her clothes, put on makeup, and leave the girls something to eat. They would be fine on their own. “Sounds good,” she said.
“Great. Alex is looking forward to meeting you,” he added.
“Same here,” Molly assured him.
She hung up the phone and practically skipped across the kitchen. “Guess what? Matt’s bringing a partner into the practice so he can have more time with the new baby. He’s asked this old school friend. She came to town today to check things out, and we’re all going out for dinner tonight.”
Betty looked a bit sweaty, a strand of blonde hair plastered across her forehead. She stopped stirring and rubbed the top of her arm. “That’s good news. See, Matt’s really listening to you.”
“Yes, I think he is,” Molly said cheerfully. “It was all his idea, too.”
Molly did feel encouraged by Matt’s looking for a partner. It changed her vision of the future. “I feel a lot better about things,” she admitted. “I’m even starting to remember some of the fun parts of having a baby—decorating the room, buying tiny clothes.”
“They have the cutest baby clothes now,” Betty agreed. “The styles are just adorable. Do you want to find out the baby’s sex in advance, or do you want to be surprised?”
“I want to know. There are enough surprises,�
�� Molly added. “I hope it’s another girl, but I think Matt might want a boy.”
“I’m sure he’ll be happy with either, as long as the baby’s healthy.”
“Yes, you’re right. That’s the way I feel, too.” Molly’s hand unconsciously rested on her stomach in a tender, protective gesture. “We have a long way to go,” she said with a sigh.
“Oh, the time will go quickly. You’ll see. Everything will be fine.”
Betty was unfailingly positive. Molly sometimes teased her about being a former cheerleader in high school. But things were looking up, Molly couldn’t deny it.
She smiled at her friend and checked the contents of the mixing bowl. “You did a very good job. A-plus for stirring.”
“See, I told you I’d be a help around here.”
Molly patted her arm. “Betty, sometimes I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
MOLLY RAN HOME FOR HER QUICK CHANGE, GOT THE girls in order, and reached the restaurant at exactly five after six. She peered into her rearview mirror, whisked on an extra coat of lip gloss and fluffed her hair. Hmm…her face looked fuller. Had she gained weight in her face with the last two pregnancies? She didn’t remember. Well, there was nothing she could do about it now. She gave her hair a final pat and swept into the restaurant.
The hostess greeted her with a menu in hand. “I’m meeting my husband,” Molly said quickly. She looked around and spotted Matt at a table in the rear. “There he is. I’ll just go on back.”
Wearing her best “Welcome to the neighborhood” smile, Molly sailed toward Matt. She glanced across the table, eager to meet his friend and soon to be—she hoped—partner.
She wasn’t exactly sure how she had pictured Alex Cole, but the woman sitting across from Matt was not even close to anything she had imagined. Alex was slim and attractive with shiny, shoulder-length dark brown hair and big brown eyes. She was quite pretty and very well-dressed, in a pale gray wool suit with a pink sweater underneath. Tasteful pearl earrings brought out her fair complexion.
Okay, so she’s pretty, Molly admitted to herself. I can deal with that.
Matt stood up as Molly reached the table. He leaned over and kissed her hello. “Hi, honey. We were just talking about you.”
“Only good things, I hope,” Molly said. “Hi, I’m Molly.” She stuck out her hand and Alex shook it, smiling warmly.
When she smiled, Molly realized, she was a complete knockout. Not almost. Not partial. But complete.
“We passed the shop today and wanted to stop in,” Matt explained. “But I figured you were too busy to talk, and we didn’t want to bother you.”
“It’s a beautiful shop,” Alex said. “Looks like you have a great business there.”
“Yes, we’re very busy. Especially with the holidays.” Molly heard her voice as if from far away. Why should it bother her if Matt’s partner was gorgeous? It was just this pregnancy getting her down again. She had been feeling fat and dowdy for weeks and meeting Alex Cole suddenly seemed to intensify all those feelings.
Alex was talking about Cape Light, how she found the town so pretty and charming. “Then we went out to the beach. It was cold, but just breathtaking. You’re so lucky to live here. It’s such a perfect spot.”
“Oh, you guys went out to the beach today, too? It must have been windy.” Molly forced a smile. “Sounds like you were out all day. Who stuck around to see the patients?”
Matt laughed. “I had a few cancellations and got Amy to switch around a few appointments. I wouldn’t be a very good salesman if I let Alex wander around town by herself.”
Molly snapped open her menu and stared at it blindly. Normally, she loved this restaurant. Tonight everything on the menu seemed overly rich and fattening. By the end of the meal, she would probably weigh twice as much as Alex. She felt as though she was in the recap of a bad sitcom: Matt’s gorgeous new partner meets his wife, the Blimp.
Molly knew she was being ridiculous. She was pregnant, not fat. And Alex was here to help them. It was time to stop acting like an insecure teenager. Be welcoming, Molly told herself.
Molly put her menu down and looked across the table at Alex. “So, how did he do, Alex? Are you sold?”
Alex looked over at Matt with a glowing expression. “Well, I really was thinking of a job right in Boston.…But this town is so incredibly lovely. And the people seem so nice, and relaxed. And the city is less than two hours away,” she added. “What more could you ask for?”
Matt glanced at Molly curiously. “Are you feeling okay, honey?”
“I’m just dandy,” Molly murmured.
“Molly’s expecting,” he announced happily. “She’s been having some bad morning sickness, though, and not just in the morning…”
Molly felt herself flush red with embarrassment. “I’m fine,” she said. “It was just one time. Basically, I’m just great. So…” she said, wanting to change the subject, “how did you two get in touch again? The college alumni newsletter?” Molly picked up a roll, tore it in half, then slathered it with butter. She felt like a whale anyway, and at the moment, she needed a bit of comfort.
“Yes, that’s right,” Alex said. “Matt had a posting about an opening in his practice. I felt a little awkward at first, getting back in touch with an old boyfriend. You know how that is…”
Molly felt something cold and clammy seize hold of her heart. “You two dated?” she managed to say. “You never told me about that, Matt.”
“Oh, that’s because it’s ancient history.” Matt put his arm around the back of Molly’s chair in husbandly fashion. “We dated for a while in med school. We both knew it wasn’t right, but we managed to stay good friends. Right, Alex?”
Alex nodded. “Right. That’s it exactly.”
Her tone was reassuring, but why did there seem to be a special light in her chocolate-brown eyes as she glanced at Matt? Was she regretting the road not taken? Wanting to backtrack and try again? Molly’s eyes scanned Alex’s hands for a ring—nothing, no diamond, not even a friendship ring. The gorgeous doctor was definitely not taken.
“So, Molly, tell me about your girls. Matt says you have a houseful. It must be very challenging, running your business and taking care of everyone. And now you have a new baby on the way,” Alex added. She leaned forward, looking interested and charming.
Give her a chance, Molly told herself. Just because she’s beautiful and single doesn’t mean she’s after Matt.
Molly answered Alex’s questions but was mostly quiet for the rest of the dinner.
Alex and Matt didn’t seem to notice, she realized. They were too busy discussing Matt’s practice and the logistics of having Alex join him and move to Cape Light.
Finally, the waiter brought the check and Matt pulled out a credit card. “It shouldn’t be too hard to find a nice place in town,” he told Alex. “Molly’s best friend is a real estate broker. She’ll help you, right, Molly?”
Molly nodded. “Absolutely. Just say the word and Betty will take you out anytime.”
“Gee, thanks. You guys are great. It’s so nice to know I’ll already have friends here,” Alex said brightly as she slipped on her coat.
Molly felt a prickle of guilt. Some friend she was turning out to be. I’ll do better, Molly promised herself.
Finally, they said good-byes in the parking lot. Molly felt herself stiffen when Alex hugged her and then hugged Matt. Still, she managed a wave and yet one more smile as Alex’s car left the parking lot.
She was quiet as she led Matt to her own car and opened the door.
“Give me the keys, honey. I’ll drive. You look a little tired,” Matt said.
“That’s not tired. It’s…I don’t know what it is,” she admitted. She got in on the driver’s side and slipped behind the wheel. Matt got in the passenger’s side and fastened his belt, all the while looking at her with a puzzled expression.
She started the engine, but he turned off the key. “I don’t think you should drive right now. You
seem…upset.”
“Okay, maybe I’m upset,” she admitted. “Mildly upset. Why didn’t you tell me Alex was so…so…attractive? And an ex-girlfriend? And don’t say it doesn’t matter, because it does.”
“Molly…come on…” He shook his head, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “I’m sorry, but does it really matter? She’s a good doctor and a very nice person. I think if you weren’t so…hormonal right now, you would actually like her.”
Molly’s eyes narrowed. “It’s not my hormones, okay? You should have been up-front and told me what was going on.”
“What was going on? I told you I was trying to bring someone into the practice, an old friend. We only dated a few weeks in med school. Alex broke up with me…and it all seems like a hundred years ago. She saw my name on some alumni newsletter, so she called. End of story. You’re not really jealous, are you?” He seemed amused and even flattered.
“No, of course I’m not jealous. By the way, George Clooney called me this morning. He wants to be my new chef. The kitchen in the shop will be close quarters, but I think I can stand it.”
Matt laughed. “Okay, I get the point, though I think you’re being silly. But before I tell Alex to stay in Lexington, I have to tell you that I’m not sure who else I’m going to find willing to come out here. This town is great, but it is an acquired taste. I didn’t get one other response to that ad, and I really want to off-load some of my work so I can spend more time at home. Helping you,” he reminded her. “Alex has agreed to come in as a partner. I don’t think I should just do an about-face on her. I may not have another opportunity like this for a long time.”
Molly knew what he said was true. And she did want Matt to have more time for her and the kids, especially the new baby. More time for himself, too.
She knew she would be acting selfish if she asked him not to take Alex as a partner. It would feel so childish and petty to object to her just because she was an old girlfriend. And smart and pretty. And sweet…and thin.
Molly sighed and looked over at her husband. “All right. I’m sorry if I was being a nut. Besides, it’s your practice and your choice, after all.”
A Christmas Visitor Page 17