Wanted: Christmas Mommy by Judy Christenberry

Author:Judy Christenberry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 1995-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

“DADDY, DID YOU HIRE Steve?” Gareth asked just before he took a big bite of chicken casserole.

Doug let his gaze flash to Leslie’s face, seeing the interest there in his answer. Why did she care? Had she been attracted to the man? Jealousy flared full-size in his stomach.

“Yes, I hired him.”

“He liked our cookies,” Justin said, filling an awkward silence.

“Me, too. Are we having them for dessert?”

“No,” both boys exclaimed. “Those are for Christmas presents.”

“Well, I hope I’m going to be included on the present list, because they looked delicious,” Doug assured his sons. Their beaming smiles were his reward.

“I made chocolate cake for dessert.” Leslie rose abruptly to clear the table.

“My favorite.” He spoke without looking at her. It amazed him that she’d had time, knowing she’d been busy with the Christmas cookies and the house and kids.

“Good. I’d like to ask a favor.” Leslie had turned back to the table from the sink and wasn’t looking at him, either.

“Sure. I probably owe you at least half a dozen for all you’ve done.” He wondered what she had in mind.

“Would you keep an eye on the twins while I run into town? I shouldn’t be gone more than a couple of hours.”

“But it’s almost dark now,” he protested automatically, his gaze going to the window over the kitchen sink.

“I know, but the weather’s clear, and I’ll be back before nine.”

In spite of his resistance to the idea, he agreed. He even held back the questions that flooded his mind. Was she going into town to party? To have a drink with the cowboys? To meet someone he didn’t know? He had no right to ask those questions, particularly after his words this morning.

“Thanks,” she said, wiping her hands on a tea towel. “I’ll just go get my coat and purse. Boys, be good for your daddy tonight. I’ll be back in time to tuck you in.”

“You are coming back, aren’t you, Leslie?” Justin asked.

Leslie seemed to take Justin’s concern seriously. “Of course I am. I wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye, and I’m leaving all my belongings upstairs. Okay?”

“Okay.” Justin seemed satisfied with her explanation.

She kissed his cheek and Gareth’s before going out the door.

A stillness settled over the house, as if its life spark had died away. Doug shook himself from such a ridiculous thought. It was the quietness that had made him think such a thing.

“Well, boys, how shall we spend the evening?” he asked with false heartiness, trying to dispel the sudden loneliness.

“I think we’d better ask you our question,” Gareth said, looking at his brother.

“Yeah, ‘cause usually Leslie’s here,” Justin added.

“Okay, what question?” Doug asked, waiting. In his enjoyment of the evening meal, he’d forgotten their interrupted conversation.

“We wanted to ask you about Santa Claus,” Justin explained.

Doug cocked one eyebrow and looked at his children. Were they going to ask him if Santa was real? What was he supposed to answer? He couldn’t remember when his parents had told him the man in the red suit was a fantasy.

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