Songs of Christmas Read Online Free Page A

replied, lowering her tone. “But it would hardly be polite.”
    “Hardly,” Emily agreed, seeming amused. Lillian resented that look, which was a bit smug. Why did her children find her so awfully entertaining?
    Emily was suddenly called away by her husband, Dan Forbes, and Lillian had no chance to ask her.
    Lillian contented herself with glancing around at the tall windows, strung with garlands of autumn leaves, and the huge fireplace, its mantel decked with white chrysanthemums and golden candles. Molly Willoughby Harding had done very well for herself, now that she was the most famous cook in town, with a thriving business. This was a fine house, even though it was not to Lillian’s taste. A mini-mansion, she supposed you’d have to call it. Molly had married well the second time around, nabbing herself a doctor, even though she had barely finished high school. But she was smart, no doubt about that. She didn’t start her business on his money either—she did it all on her own.
    Who would have imagined she’d get this far way back when? Lillian certainly had not. She knew Molly when she was a cleaning girl . . . her own cleaning girl, in fact.
    People can change. Rarely. But some managed it. Still, Lillian was not that impressed. Some might rave about Molly’s cooking, like her daughters and their husbands. But Molly’s recipes were not for anyone dieting or prone to digestive upset. She, for one, would eat sparingly today, and with care. She hoped Ezra would, too, though she doubted that.
    She caught her husband’s eye as he rounded the appetizer table, drawing him to her side with a glance.
    “Enjoying yourself?” she asked him.
    “Yes, I am. At least one of us has to. What are you doing hiding in the corner, Lily? Do you feel all right?”
    “I might ask you the same. When did you develop such a passion for football?”
    “They call it socializing, dear. You should try it sometime.”
    She shrugged and smoothed her skirt. “I’m too old to learn new tricks. You know that. Do you think they’ll shut off that infernal TV during dinner?”
    “One of the guests has a son playing on a college team, starting lineup. The game is over. The boy’s team won by one point, with a forty-yard field goal. Very exciting.”
    “How interesting . . . rah, rah.” She picked a bit of lint off her sweater.
    Ezra laughed and shook his head, then offered her his hand. “Come along. I think you just need some attention. Did you see the place cards? We’ve been seated next to Sara and Luke,” he added, mentioning her oldest granddaughter, who had once lived with Lillian and maintained a close relationship with her. Sara was married now and lived in Boston, where she worked as a reporter for the Boston Globe . Sara’s visits home were a rare treat, for both of them. “That was very thoughtful of Molly.”
    “Yes,” Lillian had to agree. Molly probably thought Sara and Luke were the only couple who could tolerate my company, she added silently. But it would be nice to visit with her granddaughter. She and Sara loved to talk books and debate politics.
    Lillian took her husband’s arm and allowed him to help her to the table. She actually needed her cane to get around, but hated to be seen using it anywhere outside of her home. Ezra knew that and always obliged without her asking. A true gentleman.
    Dinner was ready, and the other guests were seeking their places as well. Ezra found their seats and pulled out her chair.
    “Thank you, Ezra,” she said as she sat.
    “Not at all.” He pulled out his own chair and sat beside her, gazing around the table with total contentment. “What a lovely table setting, and what a pretty centerpiece. Don’t you think? Everything smells so good. It’s going to be a wonderful dinner.”
    She didn’t reply, but she really didn’t have to. Ezra was pleased enough for the both of them. Pleased as punch. She had once thought him a bit of a fool. Well, more than a bit, to be