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“And you really believe you can accomplish this before the first of the year?”
He nodded resolutely. “I have Cameron Brady working on it. He’s a family-law attorney. I have every confidence in him that he will rise to the challenge and find a good place for them.”
She followed Cullen’s gaze to where the kids were inside the booth, helping Sydney and A.J. arrange the loaves they’d already brought in.
“They are great kids,” he said. “They deserve so much more than I can give them. Besides, you make it so that all I have to do is show up. You’re not always going to be here.”
His voice faltered and he cleared his throat. “I mean you won’t always be around, making everything so…right.”
Her impulse was to say, I can stay. All you have to do is ask me. But she knew the real meaning behind the urge. She bit the insides of her cheeks to keep from blurting it out. She had a career of her own. And if she—the ex-wife—moved back in…
He was right about these kids needing stability. They needed a traditional home like what they were used to, where they felt comfortable and welcomed and loved. Even though no one could ever replace their mother and father, they needed the safety and sanctuary of a home with a man and a woman who loved each other. The girls needed a mom, and George, poor George… He was in such desperate need of a father figure.
“They told me you taught them about making donations,” Cullen said. “You’re the one who is setting the good example. They said you told them about a big festival in Germany where they sell baked goods to raise money for charity. The donation was their idea, but you planted the seed.”
“Well, I think you underestimate how good you are with them—”
“Yoo-hoo! Yoo-hoo!” The voice came from behind them. When they turned around they saw the woman who had helped George pick up the bread rushing toward them.
“I’m so happy I caught you before you left,” she said.
“We weren’t leaving,” Cullen said. “We were just going to get the final load of bread.”
She smiled as she shook her head. “Parents’ work is never done, is it? This world needs more families like you. Responsible, community-minded, raising your kids to be good citizens, too. Oh! How could I be so rude? I didn’t even introduce myself. My name is Joan Cotton. I’m the chairwoman of the Jingle Bell Ball. Have you heard of it?”
“Cullen Dunlevy,” he said. “And this is Lily.”
It didn’t escape Lily that Cullen hadn’t said her last name. Was he purposely preserving the illusion that they were married? But they’d just talked about his ex-wife.
That put things into perspective.
“Of course I’ve heard of it,” said Cullen. “The ball raises money for the New Harvest Food Bank. I’ve been to your event in the past.”
Joan clapped her hands. “Yes! Are you going this year?”
“I must confess, it’s been so hectic lately that I haven’t purchased tickets.”
Joan nodded. “As chairwoman of the ball, I like to give tickets to a handful of deserving couples. I would love for you to be my guest this year.”
She held out an envelope to Cullen, but he hesitated.
“I’m happy to purchase the tickets.” He frowned.
Lily took a step back. She’d just started to suggest that they continue on to the booth and not only lay down their load of stollen, but also relieve Sydney from child-care duties, when Joan jumped in.
“Giving away the tickets serves double duty. Not only does it raise awareness of New Harvest, but it gives a lovely, deserving couple like you a night out away from the kids. It’s just something I like to do during the holidays. Of course, if you’d rather purchase them, I’m happy to carry your check back to the offices.”
Lily saw what the woman was doing. She thought they were married. She was getting the wife’s hopes up about attending the ball and putting the husband in a position where he couldn’t refuse. This was guerrilla salesmanship at its finest. Ticket sales must have been low this year.
Lily braced herself for Cullen to politely refuse Joan. The best way for him to get out of this was to simply tell the woman that they not only weren’t married, but weren’t a couple, and they’d have no use for the tickets.
