Blessings. Lois Richer
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Название: Blessings
Автор: Lois Richer
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Современные любовные романы
isbn: 9781472020871
isbn:
She tried to get out of it up until the moment he turned into his drive.
“I will not change my mind, Dr. Brandt.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake!” Exasperated, she climbed out of the car. “You’ve really got to get over this rigid adherence to rules.” She stomped down his driveway toward Miss Winifred’s.
“Where are you going?”
“To change my clothes. I’ll be back in three minutes. We can eat, and then you’ll be free of me.”
In actual fact, it took Nicole more than five minutes because she made a detour through Winifred Blessing’s kitchen. While it was true that there were no buns or bread hidden away, there was a box with the familiar red Blessing Bakery script. Inside were six featherlight croissants that would have made yummy sandwiches. Nicole snatched the box on her way out.
“Two can play this game, Winifred,” she muttered, retracing her steps across the road.
Ruthie opened the front door before she got there.
“I changed, too.” She scrutinized Nicole’s favorite jeans with a curious look. “You got holes in your pants.”
“I know. It’s because I wear them so often. They’re my favorite. Don’t you have favorite clothes you like to wear?”
The little girl shifted. The door opened wider to reveal her father.
“Don’t ask that,” he warned. One glance took in the disreputable jeans. “Hers aren’t in quite that bad a condition, however.”
Nicole was not in the mood to endure another word of censure. She thrust the box of croissants at him.
“These are for lunch. Compliments of your aunt.” She glanced down as Ruthie’s hand twined into hers.
“Wanna help me set the table?”
“Sure.” It was better than staring at Joshua Darling, Nicole decided. He’d changed, too. The suit and tie replaced by khaki cords and a tan shirt, he looked every inch the respectable family doctor. Not one hair was out of place.
Sheer perversity made Nicole say it. “Are you going to help us with the treasure boxes?”
“Uh—I beg your pardon?” He walked toward the kitchen, as if he could get away from her.
Nicole followed right behind, tugging Ruthie with her.
“You remember, Daddy. We’re going to make treasure boxes so we can keep our special things in them.” Ruthie dragged open a drawer and began hauling out cutlery.
“Oh. Boxes. Yes. Right.” He plopped the croissants onto a plate and set them on the table, then turned to find the butter.
Nicole countered every step he took with her own as she searched for plates, cups, napkins. His impatience at the constant run-ins grew until he finally demanded she sit down and let him work in peace.
“I could make a salad,” she offered, and pulled the ingredients from the fridge.
“I don’t like radishes.” Ruthie frowned, watching carefully as Nicole kept slicing thin red pieces into the lettuce. “An’ me and Rach don’t like those green things, either.”
“You’re kidding?” Nicole slipped a bit of celery into her mouth and crunched on it. “This is my second-favorite food. It’s even better when you put cream cheese on it.”
“Show me.”
Nicole dressed several celery sticks. Ruthie picked up one and let it graze her lips. After a minute she took a bite, nodded and took another one.
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