Read Online Patchwork Family by Judy Christenberry - Free Book Online Page B

simply accepted his words for their good intentions, she wouldn’t be in such an awkward position.
    “You didn’t say anything wrong, Mr. Spencer,” she assured him quietly, keeping a tight rein on her emotions. “I overreacted.”
    “To what?”
    “Your comment about Christopher.” She headed toward the coatrack to get his overcoat. Surely her reasonableness would speed him on his way.
    “But all I said was Christopher would be proud—”
    “I know. As I said, a perfectly lovely sentiment.” She held out the coat to him. He ignored it.
    “I didn’t realize your grief would still be so raw,” he said, concern on his face, making her feel even worse.
    The weight of the overcoat made it necessary to lower it against her body. “There is no grief.”
    She’d shocked him. He stared at her, saying nothing.
    “I’m sorry. I know this is Christopher’s hometown, and I’ve tried not to offend anyone. I’d appreciate it if you’d keep my remarks to yourself.”
    “But even if you and Christopher didn’t— Sara was his daughter. Wasn’t she?”
    Molly stiffened. “Are you asking me if I was faithful to my husband?”
    “No! No, I wouldn’t— It’s none of my business!”
    “Sara is Christopher’s daughter. But surely you don’t find his attitude difficult to understand. I heard you explaining why you’d never have children.”
    Now he appeared as upset as her. Great. She’d turned a molehill into a mountain. Then she’d turned it into the Alps.
    “My choices are irrelevant, Mrs. Blake. But surely, once Sara arrived—”
    “Christopher ignored both of us. This is a pointless discussion, particularly after you’ve been so helpful.” In a desperate attempt to make nice, she added, “Let me wrap up some of the muffins. You can have them for breakfast tomorrow.”
    She hurriedly put two of each type of muffin in a plastic bag and handed it to Quinn. Then she handed him his overcoat and led the way to the front door, praying he’d follow.
    The sound of his heavy tread reassured her. She opened the front door and turned to face him. “Thank you again for your assistance.”
    “Thank you for a delicious lunch.”
    She nodded, anxious to have him on the other side of her closed door. Before she could make any more mistakes.
    “Tell Sara goodbye for me.”
    That only made her feel even more guilty. He wasbeing very polite. “Of course. Thank you for your patience with her.”
    He nodded, but he didn’t move.
    She didn’t know what else to say. Licking her suddenly dry lips, she ventured a look at him.
    He smiled. “If we get any more polite, I’ll have to bow before I leave.”
    Some of the tension left her shoulders. “I’m sorry. I don’t seem to behave well around you, Mr. Spencer. But since Amanda is coming back to town, I shouldn’t have to bother you again.” There. That should satisfy him.
    “I’ll miss the muffins,” he said with another smile.
    She returned his smile, but she didn’t make any offer to keep him supplied. Better to cut all ties.
    Once again he told her goodbye and left the house.
    She could finally shut him out of her life.
    So why did she feel so empty?
     
    Q UINN DIDN’T RETURN to the office. He decided everything on his desk could wait until Monday. Instead, he went home.
    He frowned. He was living with his father, in the family home. When he’d come back to Tyler, he’d been like a bird with a broken wing. He’d needed to heal. Having finally gotten his courage to risk his heart, he’d found it tossed back into his lap, rejected. Marietta, the woman he’d thought he loved, had had a bigger target. She’d met an Englishman with a title.
    While he’d told himself it was his pride, more than anything, that had been hurt, he’d found himself reliving the rejection he’d felt in his childhood, when his mother had disappeared from his life.
    And he’d vowed never again to risk his heart.
    It took too much energy to care about where he lived, so he’d