A Wish for Christmas by Kinkade Thomas & Spencer Katherine

Author:Kinkade, Thomas & Spencer, Katherine [Kinkade, Thomas & Spencer, Katherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Religious, Fiction
ISBN: 9780515150094
Publisher: Jove
Published: 2009-11-03T13:39:16+00:00

THE NEXT MORNING, WHEN THE DOOR CHIMES SOUNDED AT A QUARTER past nine, Lillian realized that her daughter Emily was on time for once in her life. Ahead of schedule, in fact. For this visit of all things. It figured.

Lillian had showered and dressed and even made herself some tea, heating water in the microwave. But she hadn’t fixed her hair properly or applied her requisite swipe of lipstick. She positively felt faded without it and hated to meet the new home companion feeling less than her imposing, well-groomed best.

But there they stood, her daughter and the stranger, side by side on the front porch. Lillian took a peek from the parlor window. The woman who stood beside Emily in a dark coat and muffler didn’t look so bad. A bit young, wasn’t she? So much the better. Easier to intimidate.

The door chimes sounded again. Lillian sighed and made her way to the foyer. “Let the games begin,” she whispered under her breath.

The helper’s name was Alyssa … or Alicia? Or maybe it was Melissa. Lillian hadn’t paid much attention to the introductions. She appeared to be in her late twenties. Something in her dress and manner suggested there would be requests for soap opera viewing. And secret calls on the cell phone, when she thought Lillian wasn’t aware. Lillian just got that feeling.

Emily made the introductions, then showed the girl around the house, finally ending up in the kitchen. She briefly explained about the fire, without too many incriminating remarks, Lillian was relieved to hear.

The girl was assigned the task of cleaning up the kitchen. An appliance man was coming tomorrow, to see if the stove could be repaired or needed to be replaced.

Next, Emily showed the woman a list of household chores and another of important phone numbers. How organized she was. Lillian was impressed. Had her daughter just whipped out these lovely lists on her laptop this morning? Or had she been saving them for months, preparing for this big day? The thought was thoroughly depressing.

“That’s it I guess,” Emily said to the helper. “If you have any questions, just call my office or the cell.” She turned to her mother. “I’ve got to run now, Mother. I’ll call you a little later to see how things are going.”

Lillian was surprised. She had expected Emily to stay longer, long enough to see if it was even safe to be left alone with this … person.

What did they know about this Alexis anyway? She looked harmless enough. But that didn’t mean anything.

“Must you go so soon, Emily?” Lillian blurted out.

The girl smiled. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Warwick. We’ll be just fine. Your daughter has to get back to work now. After all, she is the mayor.”

Lillian tried not to snap at the girl, but she couldn’t help it. “Of course, I know she’s the mayor. You don’t need to speak to me as if I’m a child, being dropped off at preschool.”

“Mother, please!”

“Her tone was very condescending, very demeaning, Emily.

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