Page 79 of Just Add Mistletoe

“I do.” He released a slow breath. “I haven’t exactly told her yet, so please don’t spill the beans. We’re taking things slowly.”

His mother’s lips had pursed, and he could only guess her opinion. Which was ridiculous that she’dhavean opinion—she hadn’t even met Lori.

Malcom pulled out onto the neighborhood street, then drove the couple of blocks to where the house was. The lights were on, and it seemed that Lori had added more Christmas lights to the bushes out front. Malcom had to smile at that. “By the way,” he said, “Lori loves holidays—it’s kind of her thing.”

“Is that why she opened a holiday shop?” Dad asked.

“Yep.”

Mom still hadn’t said anything, and Malcom decided that her attitude was on her.

He parked and turned off the engine, then he unloaded their luggage. They’d stay at the house on the bed he’d bought. He’d use an air mattress in the second bedroom. Before he reached the front door, he could already smell the dinner Lori had made. He’d told her to not go to too much trouble, to order something from the deli. But when he opened the door, he could see the kitchen table spread with a feast.

Lori came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a Christmas-themed hand towel. Her face was flushed, which told him she had gone to a lot of trouble. Her green long-sleeved shirt saidNaughty or Nice, and her earrings were dangling redornaments. Her hair was down, but held back by a headband decorated with mistletoe. Classic Lori.

“Hello,” she said with a smile that Malcom could tell was nervous.

He quickly introduced everyone, and he was happy his mom said, “It’s great to finally meet you,” in a voice that sounded perfectly pleasant.

Who cared if she was more quiet than usual—that might be a good thing, right?

Dad asked Lori a bunch of questions as they gathered around the table, and she cheerfully answered.

“I didn’t know what you like to eat,” she said as they all sat down. “I looked up heart-healthy dishes, so you can eat everything here without worry, Mr. Graves. But I made plenty extra, so you can have leftovers throughout your stay if you want to relax after some of our activities.”

Malcom saw his mom’s appraising gaze as she set a napkin in her lap. She didn’t crack a smile though, keeping her expression impassive.

It was quite amusing, really, to see how much of a chatterbox his dad became when his mom went sullen.

Dad asked all kinds of questions about the shop, and Lori happily answered them. “Oh, I almost forgot.” She rose from the table and fetched a small, wrapped box from the counter. “This is for you,” she told Malcom’s mom.

Mom looked like she was about to swallow her tongue as she took the box. “Oh? What’s this about?”

“Just a small welcoming gift,” Lori said. “It reminded me of you.”

Mom’s eyes narrowed, but she continued removing the wrapping. She revealed a jewelry box, then opened it. Inside was a set of turquoise jewelry.

“It’s beautiful,” she said, lifting her gaze. “I wasn’t expecting a gift.”

Lori shrugged. “Malcom told me you love turquoise jewelry, and I saw this in one of my vendors’ catalogs. It’s all custom, so I kind of took a shot in the dark of what to have designed for you.”

Mom lifted out the necklace, then the earrings. “This is a custom design?” Lori nodded. “It’s lovely.” She examined it for a few moments. “I don’t know what to say. It’s beautiful.”

Lori only smiled, and Malcom reached for her hand and squeezed it.

“We should head over to the shop soon,” she said. “If you’d like to be a judge, Mr. Graves, I’m sure they could use another one. Malcom has already been roped in.”

Dad chuckled. “I would if I didn’t have to watch my sugar intake.”

“Fair enough,” Lori said. “Why don’t the two of you get settled into the bedroom, and Malcom and I will clean up the meal.”

ONCE HIS PARENTS DISAPPEARED DOWN the hall, Malcom drew Lori into his arms. “You’re amazing, do you know that?”

Lori lifted her chin and met his hazel eyes. She brushed a finger across his jaw, enjoying the bristles. “I like your parents. And your mom’s bite is more like a nip.”

“She’s hardly spoken a word,” he said.

“She doesn’t need to. I’m pretty sure I know what she wants to say.”

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