Read Online The Greatest Gift by Diana Palmer - Free Book Online

asked.
    “Just for one lady I work for,” she said. “She’s very rich and very old, and traditional. When I work for everybody else, I just wear jeans and a T-shirt.”
    “Amazing,” he mused.
    “Look, Mom, there’s that movie Bob wants to see!” Ann enthused, pointing at the small television screen.
    It was a promo for a fantasy film with elves and other fascinating creatures.
    “I want to see that one, myself,” Matt commented. “Say, you don’t work Sunday, do you?” he asked Mary.
    “Well, no, but there’s still food to pick up and deliver—”
    “There are matinees,” he interrupted. “Suppose we all go?”
    Mouths dropped open. None of them had been to a movie in years.
    “I guess I could ask Tammy to keep John…” Mary thought out loud.
    “Wowee!” Bob exclaimed. “That would be radical!”
    “Sweet!” Ann echoed.
    “I need a dictionary of modern slang,” Matt groaned.
    “We mean, it would be very nice,” Ann translated. “We’d like very much to go, if it wouldn’t be an imposition.”
    Matt glanced at her and then at Mary. “We don’t need a translator,” he pointed out.
    They all laughed.
    “Then, that’s settled. I’ll find out what time the matinee is and call Al and have him tell you when I’ll be here. Okay?”
    “Okay,” Mary said breathlessly.
    Matt winked at her and she felt suddenly lighter than air. Worse, she blushed.
    “She likes him!” Bob said in a stage whisper.
    “Think he likes her, too?” Ann whispered back, gleefully.
    “Yes, he likes her, too,” Matt answered for them. “See you all Sunday.”
    “I’ll walk you out,” Mary said quickly, with a warning look at her kids, who suddenly assumed angelic expressions.
    On the sidewalk, Mary wrapped her arms around her chest. It was cold. “Matt, thanks so much, for everything. Especially tonight.”
    He paused at the door of his car and looked back at her. “I like your kids,” he said. “I really like them. They’re smart and kindhearted and they’re real troopers. Under the circumstances, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were sad and miserable. But they’re so cheerful. Like you.”
    She smiled. “We’ve been very lucky, the way things have worked out for us,” she explained. “But the kids have always been like this. They get depressed sometimes. Everybody does. But they’re mostly upbeat. I’m crazy about them.”
    “I can see why.” He gave her a long, quiet look. “You’re one special lady.”
    She stared back at him with a racing heart and breathlessness that she hadn’t felt since her teens.
    He bent, hesitantly, giving her plenty of time to back away if she wanted to. But she didn’t. He brushed his mouth tenderly across her lips and heard her soft sigh. He lifted his head, smiling. He felt as if he could float. “Dessert,” he whispered wickedly.
    She laughed and blushed, again. He touched her cheek with just the tips of his fingers, and the smile was still there.
    “I’ll look forward to Sunday,” he said after a minute, and grinned as he got into his car. “Don’t forget,” he called before he started the engine.
    “As if I could,” she murmured to herself.
    She stood and watched him drive away. He waved when he got to the street.
    Mary walked back into the room. Three pair of curious eyes were staring at her.
    “He’s just my friend,” she said defensively.
    “He’s nice,” Bob said. “And we like him. So it’s okay if you like him, too. Right?” he asked Ann.
    “Right!” she echoed enthusiastically.
    Mary laughed as she took little John from Ann, who was holding him. She cuddled the little boy and kissed his chubby little cheek.
    “I’m glad you like him,” was all she said. “Now, let’s see if we can get our things ready for tomorrow, okay?”

CHAPTER FOUR
    M ARY FELT LIKE A NEW WOMAN as she went to her job the next day. It was too soon to become romantically involved with any man, at the moment. But Matt was a wonderful person and she was