Page 72 of Just Add Mistletoe

“That would be difficult,” Mrs. Harding mused. Then she turned her attention to Lori and started asking about the shop.

Her questions were certainly persistent, and she seemed interested in every little detail. But Malcom decided he liked Lori’s parents. They were comfortable together, and they seemed genuinely affectionate toward each other, giving one another the respect and space to talk. They teased each other and laughed together. It was interesting to watch a couple who’d been married for decades. He wondered what it would be like to be around his newly-reunited parents.

There was a time when they’d hardly speak to each other, but over the years, they seemed to have created a peace treaty and were at least civil. But now . . . had stranger things ever happened in any other family?

Malcom and Lori insisted they were on cleanup duty, although her parents still stuck around and helped. Malcom only excused himself when his mom called.

“Oh, thank goodness you’re coming,” she said through the phone. “We can finally be a family again. I don’t like you and Bronson fighting.”

Malcom was trying to catch up to her change of topic from his dad’s life-threatening condition when she said, “Oh, and Bronson told me you’re bringing a woman. I didn’t know you had a girlfriend. Who is this person?”

“Mom,” he said. “How’s Dad?”

“He’s sleeping, again.” She sighed. “I don’t know why he had to do this right before Thanksgiving. The hospital cafeteria isn’t all that good, and all the food I bought for dinner is sitting at home.”

Malcom would have laughed if they weren’t talking about his dad’s emergency surgery. “Well, there’s always next Thanksgiving to make a turkey. Maybe a neighbor will take it off your hands.”

“Turkey?” his mom said. “I didn’tbuya turkey to bake. I ordered a to-go turkey dinner that was delivered to our house. All we have to do is warm it up. I was really looking forward to trying it out.”

Malcom really had no response to that. Maybe worrying over an uneaten dinner was his mom’s coping mechanism for extreme stress? “I’m sure the hospital will serve a special Thanksgiving meal. Otherwise, it will be great to see you and Dad.”

“Yes, yes,” his mom said. “What time do you arrive?”

Malcom gave her the time.

“We’ll see you then. I just hope this Lori woman is worth it. I don’t understand why you and Penny didn’t work out. I had a wonderful talk with her about an hour ago.”

His mom had talked toPenny?Why?

She hung up before Malcom could ask her why in the world she would think that he’d ever want to date Penny. What had Bronson been telling his mom? Maybe Malcom didn’t want to know, but it sure chased away any of the progress he’d felt he and Bronson had made in the last several hours.

Malcom pocketed his phone and returned to helping clean up the kitchen. Lori asked him if everything was okay, and he didn’t offer much up. He didn’t want to drag her into his new worries.

Once the kitchen was tidied and the food stored away, they all congregated at the kitchen table again with a bunch of board games. Malcom quickly learned that everyone in the Harding family was very competitive, and he really stood no chance. Luck gave him a couple of wins, but the overall winner was Mrs. Harding, who had no trouble gloating over the fact.

When Lori’s parents finally went to bed, she hugged them both good night. It was kind of sweet.

“Don’t stay up too late,” Mr. Harding said, laying a hand on his shoulder and squeezing quite firmly.

“No, sir, we won’t.”

After her parents headed upstairs for the night, Lori turned to him. “You called my dadsir?”

“It seemed only fitting when he had my shoulder in a death grip.”

Lori laughed. “He did not.”

“Want to see the bruise?” He tugged at his collar.

“Stop.” She stood from her chair and grabbed his hand to tug him upward. “Come on, let’s watch TV or something on the couch. I’m tired, but not ready to abandon you yet.”

Malcom walked with her willingly into the next room. “What’s thesomething?”

A line appeared between her brows.

“You said let’s watch TV orsomething.”

“We’re in my parents’ house,” she said pointedly.