His Convenient Fiancee by Barbara McMahon

Author:Barbara McMahon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

SOMETIME later the phone startled her. She rarely got calls on Saturday—most of her friends knew her only-day-to-really-paint. If it were a telemarketer, she’d really be annoyed, she thought as she put down the brush and went to answer.

“Hello?”

“Molly, Ellen Bailey. I hope I’m not calling at a bad time.” The voice sounded stronger through the phone than it had the other evening.

“Now is fine. How are you?”

“Much better, thank you. I know it’s short notice, but I am feeling strong enough to have company for lunch. Would you join me? It will give us a chance to get to know each other—without worrying about Nick.”

“Worrying about Nick?”

Ellen laughed softly. “Well, we can’t really talk about everything we want if he’s sitting here with us, now can we?”

Molly became intrigued. “And what would we be wanting to talk about without him?”

“How he was as a little boy, for one. I have some albums if you are interested in seeing some old family photographs.”

Molly glanced at the painting. It was finished, she was merely holding on to it because she always hated to finish a project. Until she was consumed by a new project, she felt let down, at loose ends.

“If you have other plans, I’d understand,” Ellen said with dignity.

Molly didn’t have other plans, or any real reason to refuse, except she didn’t wish to become more involved. But the loneliness in the woman’s tone touched her. How much would it take to spend a couple of hours with Ellen Bailey?

“No, I have no other plans. What time shall I come?”

“Twelve-thirty would be fine.” She gave Molly directions, then hung up.

Molly hesitated a moment, then tried to call Nick at the hotel. She was mildly surprised to discover he didn’t work on Saturdays. And there was no one there to tell her where he might be.

“The least he could have done was given me his cell phone number, or even his home number,” she grumbled, as she tried in vain to find a listing in the phone book. Another thing to discuss. This being engaged was growing more complex.

She worried about how Nick would react when he discovered Molly and his mother had shared a meal without him.

“Probably suspect me of trying to con her out of his inheritance,” she thought, picturing his annoyance.

“Oh well, that’ll teach him to keep his fiancée in the dark!”

Molly was shown into Ellen’s bedroom upon arrival. The older woman was wearing a lacy champagne colored peignoir and propped up on a dozen pillows. She beamed a warm welcoming smile when Molly entered. Even in such a short time, Molly could see improvement.

“I’m so glad you came, Molly. Forgive me for not getting up. I tried it, and it was so much of a strain, I decided it would be better to rest and devote my energy to our visit, rather than sitting in a chair, or taking the stairs.”

“This is fine. If my being here tires you out, let me know and I’ll leave.

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