Page 32 of We Wish You a Messy Christmas

He was polite enough. And he really seemed to appreciate the time she was spending with Sadie. In fact, she had fallen in love with Sadie and secretly wished she could keep the little dog. So when he informed her that his mother had offered to take over puppy-sitting—just two days before Christmas—she felt slighted and hurt. Oh, sure, it was childish. Sadie wasn’t hers. And obviously, Malcolm wasn’t either. But the thought of losing him—if she’d ever had him—hurt more than she cared to admit. But consequently, she wasn’t in what anyone would describe as a cheery state of mind as she cleaned the kitchen and loaded the dishwasher that evening.

“Are you slamming things around in here for a reason?” Lulu asked from behind her.

“Sorry, was I too noisy?” Olivia rinsed her hands, wiping them on a Santa towel.

“Your mother asked me to check. And she wants tea.” Lulu filled the kettle.

“Is she in any better spirits?” Olivia wasn’t sure she really cared but wanted to sound like a good daughter.

“She’s been very quiet all afternoon and evening.”

“But she came out of her room?”

“Yes. She refuses to use her walker.” Lulu frowned. “That worries me a little. Rob said she’s supposed to move about some to help the hip heal.”

Olivia shrugged. “Well, we can’t really force her.”

“True enough.” Lulu peered closely at Olivia. “Are you okay? You don’t look well to me. I can make you an herbal tea that might perk you up.”

“No, thanks.” Olivia felt herself cracking at this tiny show of pity. “I guess I’m just sad.”

“About Malcolm?”

“About everything. I mean, Mom is a real piece of work, and . . .”

“But this isn’t really about your mother, is it?”

Olivia shrugged. “Well, partly.” She bit her lip.

“You think your mother has scared off Malcolm.”

Olivia grimaced. Was she that obvious?

“And it’s a legitimate worry.”

“Yeah, I know. But there’s not much I can do about it. I mean, I thought maybe our intervention would help, but she seems more stuck than ever. Oh, she’s quieter, but she’s just so stubborn.”

“Might take time.” Lulu measured out loose tea leaves, then put them in the pot. “Old age has taught me to be patient.”

“Something to look forward to . . . when I’m an old spinster lady with a lot of cats to keep me company, since I’m pretty sure Mom will scare off any guy who’s not an uptight perfectionist like her, and thanks, but no thanks.”

Lulu laughed as the teakettle whistled. “Do you want to hear what I think?”

“Of course.” Olivia watched as her grandmother poured steaming water into the teapot.

“I think that Malcolm still likes you—a lot more than you realize.” She set the kettle back on the stove and turned to face Olivia. “I’ve watched him looking at you, Livvie, when you’re not paying attention. I’ve seen the look in his eyes.”

“Seriously?” Olivia felt hopeful for a couple seconds, then let out a defeated sigh. “You’re probably imagining things, but even if you’re right, it doesn’t matter. Malcolm knows how much Mom detests his family. He can see we are not a match made in heaven.” She attempted a sardonic laugh, but it sounded more like a hiccup. “And after my mother ruins his family’s Christmas, which is sure to happen when they come here to celebrate . . . well, that should put a permanent kibosh on the whole thing.”

“Your mother has threatened to stay in her room the whole time Malcolm’s family is here, so maybe it won’t matter.”

“And it won’t seem weird, not to mention inhospitable, for her to hide out?”

“Oh, I don’t know. We can always blame her isolation on her injury, say she’s in too much pain to make an appearance.” Lulu set a strainer on one of Mom’s favorite teacups, slowly filling it. “It’s okay to let some things go.”

“I am letting some things go,” Olivia pointed out. “Mainly any hopes of having a lasting relationship with Malcolm. Grandma, I know he’s avoiding me. And I don’t blame him a bit. I think it’s time for me to move on.”

“Time will tell.” Lulu nodded with a sage expression. “And now I need to take your mother her tea.” She winked. “I was tempted to doctor it up with something to make her relax more, but I don’t want to cause a reaction with her pain meds.” She chuckled as she left the kitchen.