A Family for the Holidays Read Online Free PDF Page B

a beat. “They are children. With thoughts and feelings.”
    â€œWhatever you say. I’ve never been much for children.”
    â€œApparently not.”
    A harried server wearing a stained apron loosely wrapped around her gaunt frame set two cups of coffee before them. The server darted away without a word of greeting. Lily caught a brief glimpse of the spill of gray hair escaping from the bun at the nape of the server’s neck before the kitchen door slammed.
    â€œThank you, Ida.” Regina raised her voice and flicked an irritated glance in the woman’s direction. “I’m almost relieved to discover that you didn’t accompany the children out of the kindness of your heart. Charitable people make me nervous. I always wonder what they’re hiding.”
    â€œWhy would charitable people be hiding something?”
    â€œBecause nothing is free in this life.”
    â€œExcept for the grace of God.”
    â€œI’ll take your word for it.” Regina’s lips twisted and she flicked a crumb from the table. “Tell me again how much you’re getting paid to play nursemaid?”
    â€œIt’s not like that.” Lily’s relief at discovering a familiar face was rapidly waning. “Mrs. Hollingsworth is selling the boardinghouse. When I return to St. Joseph, I’ll have enough money saved for the second half of the down payment.”
    She’d considered all her options and taking over the boardinghouse was the obvious, sensible solution for her future. She’d have a source of income that no one could ever take away from her. She’d never have to depend on anybody for anything. Autonomy was the most sensible choice of all.
    â€œExactly my point.” Regina threw up her hands with a grimace. “I only knew Mrs. Hollingsworth for a few weeks, but I can tell you this—she’ll never sell that place. The old bat is stringing you along. Did you threaten to quit or something? Is that why she suddenly had a change of heart?”
    Not this time. Lily stiffened her jaw. She wasn’t letting Regina’s cynical chatter worm its way into her head. This time was different. The landlady’s rheumatism was growing worse, and she’d been pining over the idea of a small cottage located nearer to where her son lived. Surely people who pined didn’t simply change their mind on a whim.
    â€œHmph.” Regina cupped her well-manicured fingers around her porcelain coffee cup. “I’d need the paperwork in hand before I believed a word of anything that woman said. Surely you have everything in writing.”
    â€œWe have a verbal agreement.”
    â€œYou’re being foolish.” Regina’s gaze flitted over Lily’s faded calico dress with its sad, frayed sleeves. “You’re better off spending the money on a new dress. You can’t bait a trap with moldy cheese.”
    â€œI beg your pardon.”
    Regina waved her hand. “I’m only joking. Don’t look so shocked.”
    â€œI’m not baiting a trap for some hapless male,” Lily snapped. “I’m making a prudent investment in my future.”
    Despite her bluster, the barb stung. Why must the term foolish be used so often in reference to her decisions? Foolish Lily. Naive Lily . She’d worked hard. She’d paid her dues. She’d considered all the alternatives and arrived at the judicious choice. There was absolutely no reason for her to be sitting here defending herself.
    Regina reached out and covered Lily’s hands. “This world is run by men. Men only do business with other men. If you want success beyond that silly little boardinghouse, you’ll need a husband.”
    A sharp pain throbbed behind Lily’s temple. Regina’s solution wasn’t any better. A woman was better off counting on herself. Love was never the sensible choice. Nothing tangible was secure save for the brick and mortar