Just for Christmas - Emily Harvale Page 0,9

upright and fixed it back in place.

She regaled him with the story while he gathered up the broken ornaments and placed them in the hearth. Molly rearranged the ribbons and bows and with Chance’s help they rehung the lights. By the time she had finished her tale, having gone into detail about her drive here, seeing Miracle, catching him and getting him to Asher’s and how many calls Asher had made once they discovered the dog wasn’t microchipped, the tree didn’t look that bad. All things considered.

‘It’s another miracle,’ Molly said, smiling at Chance.

She felt guilty but oddly proud that they had managed to salvage the gorgeous tree, even though it didn’t look quite as gorgeous now. But there was something in the way Chance was looking at her that made her tummy do a somersault.

‘You’re right,’ he said, a hint of wonderment in his voice. ‘It is a miracle. And a miracle is just what I needed. You want to find your dog a place to stay, and I want you. How do you feel about coming to stay with me?’

‘W-what?’

Now this really was a miracle. Had Chance just said he wanted her? Had he just asked if she wanted to go and stay with him? This was a dream come true.

‘Oh my God, Chance! Yes! I’d love to.’

He seemed a bit surprised that she was so effusive. Had he just taken a small step back or did she imagine that?

‘Er. I should warn you, there are strings attached.’

‘That’s fine. I don’t mind strings. Wait. As long as it’s nothing kinky. I’m not into that.’

‘Kinky? No. Why would you think that? Just modern. Top of the range. Price is no object.’

‘Price? What … what do you mean by price?’

Was he offering to pay her? And what the hell was “top of the range”? He wasn’t asking her to have sex with him on top of his cooker, was he?

‘I mean you can spend as much as you like. I want to bring the pages of one of those posh magazines to life. Especially in the bedroom. And I’m sure you’re an expert in your field. Terry and Sarah sing your praises, as does Mum. I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me. But it was actually Mum who suggested you’d be perfect.’

Molly closed her eyes for a second and shook her head. Perhaps her tumble into the tree had addled her brain.

‘I think I might be missing something. I’m a little confused. When you said you wanted me, what exactly did you mean?’

He looked perplexed for a second before his brows shot up. ‘Oh. Er. I didn’t mean…’ He gave a nervous laugh. ‘I’ve just bought a cottage that I’m doing up. I’m fine with all the building work but when it comes to the interior decoration, I’m at a total loss. You’re an interior designer. I could really use your expertise.’

‘My expertise? To design the interior of your cottage? That’s it?’

‘Yes.’

‘I see.’ She forced a small chuckle and a smile. ‘Of course that’s it. I knew that’s what you meant. I was teasing.’ She bit down her disappointment.

‘Don’t worry, Molly. You’ll be perfectly safe with me. I know it’s a lot to ask. And I’m on a time limit too. My girlfriend’s joining me here on New Year’s Eve. I haven’t told anyone this, apart from Mum, but I’m planning a surprise proposal so I need to have the cottage finished before she arrives. I’m hoping she’ll want to stay for good. What do you say, Molly? Will you help me out in return for a place for you and Miracle to stay for Christmas? I’ll even look after him while you come back here to spend time with Terry and Sarah. I think this could be the perfect solution for us all.’

Four

It certainly seemed to be the perfect solution as far as Terry was concerned. And no doubt Sarah, although as she was sneezing, coughing and wheezing upstairs in her bed when Molly broke the news to Terry, Molly couldn’t ask her.

‘You know I love you, sis,’ Terry said, an expression of pure joy and utter relief brightening his face, ‘but this does seem like a perfect plan for everyone. We’ll still get to spend Christmas together – without the dog – and Chance will get his cottage finished in time for New Year’s Eve.’

Molly glanced at Chance and, as if he read her mind, he gave a slight shake of his head. He hadn’t told

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