Through a Magnolia Filter (9 page)

“I might have snatched a few,” Liam said. “They were as good as I remembered.”

“A recipe you didn't have?” Dolley asked, astounded.

“We were talking the other morning, and Abby had never heard of the cookie.” He smiled. “My mum made them at Christmas.”

Then he held up three fingers where only she could see. What was he doing?

She shook her head.

He pointed to his face, smiled and then held up four fingers.

He was counting his smiles. She swallowed. That had been such foolishness at the pub. And he'd remembered.

“There's a few cookies left, but I'm saving them for Christmas.” Abby shook her finger at him. “I heard you snatched more than a few this afternoon.”

It was like Dolley was an outsider with her own family.

“You'll be celebrating Christmas with us, Liam,” Mamma said. “And there won't be any arguments.”

The biggest smile she'd ever witnessed rolled across Liam's face.

Dolley pressed her hand to her stomach. She'd focused on making sure her apprenticeship worked and forgotten Liam was alone for the holiday. Shame heated her face.

“I would be honored to join you.” He swallowed. “You're so kind.”

“As I said earlier, you're almost family.” Mamma held up her glass.
“Sláinte.”

They dug into Abby's fantastic dinner.

And Dolley plotted. Liam had a childhood he wouldn't talk about, he was alone during a holiday when families should be together and Mamma had apparently adopted him.

Maybe she should get on the bandwagon and make this a Christmas for Liam to remember.

She smiled.

Liam looked over at her and held up one finger.

She shook her head. He was counting her smiles, too.

CHAPTER SIX

I hate cameras. They are so much more sure than I am about everything.

John Steinbeck

D
OLLEY
JUGGLED
THE
presents in her arms and headed down the back stairs. Without guests, Fitzgerald House was eerily quiet.

A step creaked behind her. Her arms tightened around the gifts, and paper crinkled.

“Father Christmas is female and a redhead.” Liam's musical voice filled the stairway, his accent as seductive as his cologne. “Who knew?”

All she'd wanted to do was run down and make Christmas morning tea for her sisters. Instead, Liam caught her in her pj's and robe. She took a deep breath before turning. “I'm not applying for Santa's job.”

“It might be fun. Happy Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas,” she mumbled, wishing she could tug the belt of her robe tighter. Sure, it covered most of her body, but, damnation, she was in her robe in front of a guest, in front of her mentor, with bed head and no makeup. Her face had to be the same color as her curls.

Over the last few days Liam had been excruciatingly...proper. No reaching out to touch her cheek, no dancing with her. Exactly what she wanted, so why did she miss the few brief touches?

What made his behavior so strange was Mamma had included him in every meal, treating him like family.

Even at Christmas Eve dinner last night, he'd barely smiled. Okay, four times. Counting his smiles had become habit. Maybe today she could top his five-smile record. Her sisters had loved the idea of giving Liam a Christmas to remember.

“Can I carry something?” he asked, pointing at the pile of packages.

“Nope. I'm just making a pot of tea for my sisters.”

“May I join you?”

She nodded.

He let her lead the way to the kitchen.

“Teapot?” Liam asked.

She pointed to the cupboard. After tucking the presents under the tree, she tightened her belt.

He leaned against the counter as she went through the ritual of warming the pot, adding the tea and then the water. He was so...appealing. Her mouth watered a little. Black jeans hugged his long legs. He wore a blue sweater that shouldn't make her want to stroke his chest.

Hiatus
.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing.” No more mumbling or mooning over him. As the tea steeped, she grabbed a tray. “You're up early.”

“Thought I would take a ramble before breakfast.” He clasped his hands behind his back. “I don't have to impose on your family on Christmas.”

Dolley thought about the presents she'd just set under the tree. “Oh, but you do. I mean—you're not imposing. We expect you to spend the day with us.”

Could she sound more stupid? She tugged on her belt again, hoping he wouldn't see the T-shirt and ratty candy-cane flannel pants she'd worn to bed.

“You're sure?” he asked.

She nodded, grabbing the half-and-half out of the fridge. By the time she'd loaded mugs onto the tray, the pot had steeped. She added cream, and Liam strained tea into the mugs. Their shoulders bumped every now and then. And once when the robe gapped open, he stared at her chest.

Her face went hot.

“Can I carry something?” he asked, taking a sip of his own mug.

“I've got it.” She flexed her muscles, but it was lost in her oversize robe.

He held the door. “I'll see you at nine.”

“We'll eat in the kitchen.”

He gave her a smile. Number one for the day. She climbed the stairs, hoping her blush would fade before her sisters noticed.

Dolley bumped open the door to the Lady Bird Johnson room. “Merry Christmas, sleepyheads.”

Abby and Bess rolled over and sat up.

“It's too early,” Bess mumbled.

“It's Christmas.” Dolley set the tray down and handed out mugs. “Time to wake up.”

Poor Bess sighed and wiggled upright. She was still heartbroken over that jerk, Daniel.

Dolley and Abby would get Bess through the holiday, but Dolley wanted to hurt Daniel for making her sister unhappy.

She settled at the foot of the bed with her own mug.

Abby pulled her hair back into a ponytail. “Merry Christmas!”

“Yeah. What you said.” Bess took a big gulp of her tea.

Dolley rubbed Bess's foot. “It's okay if I punch Daniel, right?”

“No.” Bess took in a shaky breath. “Just...keep him away from me.”

“We will.” Abby patted Bess's shoulder. “If I'd known Daniel had broken your heart, I wouldn't have invited the Foresters over for Christmas dinner.”

Bess dropped her head on Abby's shoulder. “I wouldn't want Deb worrying over Samuel and a holiday meal. He's so weak from his chemo. Deb says all the right things, but she's exhausted. Having them here is what I want. But...”

Dolley filled in the blank. It was going to hurt to see Daniel. “He won't get near you.”

Now she had two goals. Keep Daniel away from her sister and give Liam a Christmas that would have him smiling more than five times.

After talking and making one more run to the kitchen to refill their mugs, Dolley called out, “Dibs on the first shower.”

“I'm next.” Abby raised her hand. “Unless someone else plans to make breakfast.”

“Go before me.” Dolley wasn't a bad cook, but Abby was a star.

After they'd dressed, Dolley played sous-chef to Abby as they prepped breakfast.

Liam came in the courtyard door, his cheeks rosy from the cold.

“How was your walk?” she asked.

Abby shot her a
how did you know
look. Dolley ignored it.

“Lovely and quiet. Just a few pet owners out and a couple of runners.”

Martin and Mamma pushed through the swinging door. Martin started the fire, and Mamma set the table. Gray came through the door, rushed over and dipped Abby into a dramatic smacking kiss.

Applause broke out in the group.

Liam stared—stunned.

When Gray let Abby up, her sister's eyes were sparkling. An ache spread through Dolley's chest at the love in their eyes.

The family and Liam filled the kitchen for breakfast.

Liam's blue sweater made his bright blue eyes pop. She wanted to take pictures of just his eyes. He watched everyone, always observing. How could she pull him out of his shell?

As they moved dirty dishes to the counter and headed to the tree to open presents, he said, “I'll leave your family to your celebrations.”

Dolley caught his arm as he moved around her. “Stay.”

“But you'll be opening gifts,” he said. “I don't want to impose.”

“I saw a package or two with your name on it.”

“My name?” His eyes went wide and filled with raw longing.

Making the effort to surprise Liam had been the right thing to do. No one should be as alone as he was. “You have to come to the sitting area.”

Chairs were tugged near the fire, and presents were handed out.

“Oh, this is lovely,” Mamma said, opening the gift of a vase Dolley had found at an estate sale.

“It's as elegant as you,” Dolley said.

Martin teared up when he opened the present of the photograph Dolley had taken at their wedding. Her award-winning photo.

“Thank you, Dolley. This is beautiful.” To Mamma, Martin said, “I didn't realize all three of your daughters were so talented.”

As nice as his compliment was, his assumption that she had no creativity made her blink, afraid her eyes would water. Yeah, she was the non-talented baby sister.

“May I see?” Liam asked.

She bit her lower lip. If he critiqued her work in front of her family, the tears would drop.

“This is wonderful. The lighting is perfect.” He looked up at her. “Joy?”

“Joy.” Not that she'd been thinking about emotions when she'd taken it. “It won an award.”

“What?” Abby asked. “You won an award and didn't tell anyone?”

“It was an amateur contest sponsored by
Bridal Party Today
.” Heat filled her cheeks. “The picture and an interview will be in their January issue.”

There was a flurry of hugs and congratulations.

“Next time you tell us.” Mamma hugged her.

Dolley's laugh was tight. “I don't know that I'll enter any more contests.”

“You have a gift. You don't need contests to tell you that,” Liam declared. He handed the picture back to Martin. “You should get it signed. She has real talent.”

Dolley's body shook. “Thanks.”

Her sisters grinned at Liam and her.

The rest of the gift opening was a blur. She'd given Abby and Gray a picture of them dancing at Mamma's wedding that everyone said they loved.

Finally Dolley pointed at Liam's packages. “You need to start unwrapping.”

He blinked. “I...”

“Open something,” Bess called.

He pried the tape off the first package as if he were at a bridal shower and planned to save the wrapping paper. Opening the box, he grinned, his blue eyes shining with delight. “A book on Savannah!”

Dolley handed him another.

This time he wasn't as careful. He tore into the rest of his presents. “This is fantastic.”

His smile made her insides puddle a little. Why was she so mushy today?

“Thank you, all of you.” He stared at Dolley.

“You're welcome,” she said. The gifts had been simple books on Savannah, but it was like they'd given him Hemmingway first editions.

“I'd like to do something for you and your family.” Liam scrubbed his hands over his face. “Could I at least take a...a family portrait?”

“A Liam Delaney picture?” Dolley exclaimed. “Absolutely.”

He folded a small piece of the wrapping paper and stuck it in a book, then gathered everything into his arms. “I'll be right back.”

Paper was thrown. Bags and bows were saved.

“I've something for your family,” Liam said as he walked back into the kitchen. He stopped in front of Mamma. “My godfather found these. Before he died, he wanted to connect with your family, but he was too ill. He thought you might enjoy having these copies.”

Mamma's forehead wrinkled as she opened the clasp on the manila envelope. She slid out papers, her eyes scanning the pages. “Oh, my.”

“What is it?” Dolley asked.

“Letters. From James to Michael FitzGerald.”

Mamma read—

Greetings my family,

I have settled in Savannah. It is an amazing town and bustling port. I am hopeful my shipping interests will thrive here. The colonies, I mean America, rely on water transportation. This should be good for my interests.

I have started to build warehouse space and once that is complete, will begin the search to build a home for you, dear Fiona, for I miss you madly.

Dolley and her sisters sat at Mamma's feet as she read the letters and passed them around.

Mamma wrapped Liam in a hug. “Thank you so much.”

His mouth dropped open for a moment, then he closed his eyes and hugged Mamma back.

She cupped his face. “Young man, wherever you travel, you are welcome to spend the holidays with us.”

Mamma kissed first one and then the next cheek. “I mean that.”

Liam's eyes sparkled, and he pulled Mamma into another hug.

Dolley's jaw dropped, too.
Liam here for holidays for the rest of their lives?
What was Mamma thinking?

But this might work to her benefit. Liam being indebted to her family wasn't a bad thing. She bit her nail. But it could backfire. What if he stopped mentoring her?

“I just might take you up on that offer.” He wore a massive smile. “There's something about Savannah—or maybe it's just Fitzgerald House—that feels like home. Let's take that family portrait.” He lined them up, all business.

No one had makeup on, but Dolley thought they looked pretty good for a Christmas morning.

After he'd taken several, Abby asked, “Does that camera have a timer?”

He nodded.

“Then set it and join us,” Bess said.

“Me?” Liam's expression held so much yearning, Dolley wanted to give him a hug.

“Come on,” she called. It was like he'd never been included in a group picture.

He fiddled with the timer, his head down. “Okay?”

Everyone called out, “Yes.”

He scurried back, his eyes bright, and knelt on the floor next to Dolley. “Happy Christmas, everyone.”

The prelim flash went off. She held her smile for the second flash.

“Once more,” he called, resetting the camera.

This time he set his hand on Dolley's shoulder.

A small shiver jolted through her body. He must be doing it to balance the picture. Not to touch her. Gray's hand was on Abby's shoulder on the other side of the group.

After Liam approved the photo, she and her sisters shooed away Mamma and all the men. They had the kitchen to themselves.

“Did you see Liam's face when he opened the first book?” Dolley couldn't keep the excitement from her voice.

“Hasn't he ever had a true Christmas?” Abby tucked stuffing into a mammoth turkey.

“It doesn't seem like it.” Dolley added chopped oranges to the chutney she was prepping. “Is this enough?”

Abby peered into the bowl that included cranberries and pecans. “One more.”

“I'm glad we picked up gifts for Liam.” Bess peeled potatoes, her face too solemn. “That was a nice thing you did for him.”

“Maybe Dolley's looking for tutoring on more than just photography.” Abby winked.

Bess didn't smile. “If you are, be careful. Working with someone after you've broken up is horrible.”

And Bess's history with Daniel was another great reason to ignore all the pings and zings that filled her when she was close to Liam. Bess and Daniel still worked together on Carleton House, and her sister was miserable.