Free Her Mistletoe Husband by Renee Roszel Page A

secretary of state during both of their terms of office.”
    â€œYou’ll be in a home with a lot of people who think they’re Napoleon,” Jack laughed.
    Elissa eyed him with pretended affront. “Jack Gallagher, do not rain on my presidential parade. I know leadership potential when I see it.” She waved a hand at Gilly, gnawing on the doll’s leg. “That young lady has presidential timber written all over her.”
    â€œShe looks more like she has cannibalistic timber to me,” Alex interjected.
    Elissa looked at him, her features stiffening. “That’s not amusing.”
    Gilly yawned, tossing down her doll. Pushing up, she toddled over to Alex and without preamble slid a knee onto the seat, grabbed a wad of Alex’s sweater, and heaved herself into his lap. Before he could react, she’d plopped her head on his chest. With a handful of cashmere gathered into one little fist, she poked her thumb into her mouth.
    â€œApparently Madam President is going to take a nap,” Jack said through a chuckle.
    Elissa watched Alex’s flummoxed expression as his personal space was invaded by an alien being. He was plainly troubled, but no more so than she. A stab of envy went through her at the sight of her little Gilly snuggling on his lap. It was clear he didn’t want the child. Why had her beloved little namesake chosen her arch enemy’s lap over her own?
    â€œWhat do I do?” Alex asked in a whisper as though afraid if he moved the coiled little creature on his belly would strike.
    â€œDon’t worry,” Jack whispered. “I felt that way the first time I held one of the girls. You get used to it. It’s nice, really. Having somebody so tiny and helpless trust you like that.” He squeezed Lucy’s hand again, glancing her way. “I can’t wait for our own.”
    Jack’s reminder that they’d been talking about Lucy’s pregnancy brought another question to Elissa’s mind. “Does Helen know?”
    Lucy laughed. “Oh, yes. After Alex dragged—” She paused and pursed her lips. “I mean, after you and Alex left the table that morning, Helen ran upstairs after me. There wasn’t much point in putting off telling her the truth, I couldn’t hide my being sick.”
    Elissa was sorry she’d been so preoccupied with her own troubles that she’d neglected to confirm the wonderful news before now. She tried to smile. “Well, it’s the greatest Christmas gift you could give me— ugh! ” She was suddenly the recipient of a second little body, lumbering into her lap. Big gray eyes gazed up into her own.
    â€œAuntie Lissi?” Glory asked, looking serious.
    â€œYes, sweetie?”
    â€œGotta go potty.”
    â€œAh,” She took Glory’s hands and helped her to the floor. “Well, honey-button, let’s go.”
    As she swept by Alex with her niece in tow, he whispered, “What do I do if this one has to go?”
    She eyed him with disdain. “Dial Emergency 911.”
    When Elissa and Glory returned to the parlor, Lucy and Jack were gathering up a limp little Gilly from Alex’s lap.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” Elissa asked.
    â€œWe decided to take a walk with the twins,” Lucy said. “I don’t think Helen wants Gilly taking a nap now and then staying up until all hours.”
    Elissa nodded. “Good thinking.” She bent to talk to Glory. “Honey, you and Auntie Lucy and Uncle Jack are going for a walk. Will you bring me back some pinecones for a centerpiece?”
    Glory’s expressive little face screwed up. “Piecone?”
    Lucy took her hand. “Sure, sweetie. You have them at mommy’s and daddy’s house. I’ll show you what they are, to remind you. We’ll get a sack in the kitchen.”
    â€œTheir coats are in the closet under the stairs.”
    â€œCheck,” Jack called as he