Free The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans Page B

she said cordially. "I am MaryAnne Parkin. I'm happy that you have come. Please have a seat." We sat around the table, our attention drawn to the beauty and wealth of the room.
    "Would you care for some peppermint tea?" she offered. In front of her sat an embossed, silver-plated tea service. The teapot was pear-shaped, with decorative bird feathers etched into the sterling body. The spout emulated the graceful curves of a crane's neck and ended in a bird's beak.
    "No, thank you," I replied.
    "I'd like some," said Keri.
    She handed Keri a cup and poure d i t to the brim. Keri thanked her.
    "Are you from the city?" the woma n a sked. "I was born and raised here," I replied. "But we've just recentl y m oved up from California."
    "My husband was from California,"
    she said. "The Santa Rosa area." Sh e s tudied our eyes for a spark of recognition. "Anyway, he's gone now. H e p assed away some fourteen year s a go."
    "We're sorry to hear that," Keri sai d p olitely.
    "It's quite all right," she said. "Fourteen years is a long time. I've grow n q uite accustomed to being alone."
    She set down her cup and straightened herself up in the plush wingbac k c hair.
    "Before we begin the interview I would like to discuss the nature of th e a rrangement. There are a few item s t hat you will find I am rather insistent about. I need someone to provide meals. You have a family, I assume you can cook." Keri nodded. "I don't eat breakfast, but I expect brunch to be served at eleven and dinner at six. My washing should be done twice a week, preferably Tuesday and Friday, and the beddings should be washed at least once a week. You are welcome to use the laundry facilities to do your own washing any time you find convenient. As for the exterior," she said, looking at me, "the lawn needs to be cut once a week, except when there is snow, at which time the walks, driveway, and back porch need to be shoveled and salted as the climate dictates. The other landscaping and home maintenance I hire out and would not require your assistance. In exchange for your service you will have the entire east wing in which t o r eside. I will pay the heating and ligh t b ills and any other household expenses. All that is required of you i s a ttention to the matters we have discussed. If this arrangement sound s s atisfactory to you, then we may proceed."
    We both nodded in agreement.
    "Good. Now if you don't mind, I have a few questions I'd like to ask."
    "No, not at all," Keri said.
    "Then we'll begin at the top." Sh e d onned a pair of silver-framed bifocals, lifted from the table a smal l h andwritten list, and began the interrogation.
    "Do either of you smoke?"
    "No," said Keri.
    "Good. I don't allow it in the home.
    It spoils the draperies. Drink t o e xcess?" She glanced over to me.
    "No," I replied.
    "Do you have children?"
    "Yes, we have one. She's almost four years old," said Keri.
    "Wonderful. She's welcome anywhere in the house except this room. I would worry too much about my porcelains," she said, smiling warmly. Behind her I could see a black walnut etagere with five steps, each supporting a porcelain figurine. She continued. "Have you a fondness for loud music?" Again she looked my way.
    "No," I answered correctly. I took this more as a warning than a prerequisite for cohabitation.
    "And what is your current situation in life?"
    "I'm a recent college graduate with a degree in business. We moved to Salt Lake City to start a formal-wear rental business."
    "Such as dinner jackets and tuxedos?" she asked.
    "That's right," I said.
    She took mental note of this an d n odded approvingly.
    "And references." She glanced u p o ver her bifocals. "Have you references?"
    "Yes. You may contact these people,"
    said Keri, handing her a scrawled-ou t l ist of past landlords and employers.
    She meticulously studied the list, the n l aid it down on the end table, seemingly impressed with the preparation.
    She looked up and smiled.
    "Very well. If your references ar e s