Deafening silence was a bitch, Molly thought unhappily as she watched her mother move wordlessly back and forth between the dining room and kitchen.  Usually chatty and upbeat, her mother was now doing an impressive imitation of a mime on auto-control.  Rinsing another plate underneath the cold water as her momma walked back into the room, Molly stole a glance at her face.

No tears.

That was a good sign.

Her momma was a crier.

Or it could be bad.

No tears could mean rage.  A lot of rage.

She resisted the urge to chew her bottom lip.  It was a horrible habit that she was trying to break, but it was the first thing she started doing whenever she was nervous.  And her mother always complained about it.

Well, it was worth a try.  Purposefully biting her lower lip as her mother carried the last of the dishes in from the dining room, she felt her mother’s eyes narrow on her face.

“Stop that, Margaret Ellinor,” Anne chided automatically with a frown.  “One day you’ll bite that lip straight through.”

A small thrill went through Molly as she recognized that she’d effectively manipulated the other woman into speaking to her.  Sure, it was only to chastise her, albeit lightly, but it was progress.  “Sorry, Momma,” she murmured, sliding the dishrag over the surface of a dirty plate before popping it into the dishwasher.

“Hmmmfff,” Anne huffed, reached for the sponge on the sink to scrub the virtually spotless kitchen counter.  “For what exactly, I wonder, are you sorry?  I loathe secrets, Molly.  Especially where this family is concerned.”

Molly knew that wasn’t exactly true.  Her momma was all for a good secret; the juicier, the better.  What miffed her now was that she hadn’t known about this one.  And what miffed her more was that Nana evidently had known something before she had.  Heaven help the Southern daughter who let her mother be second in line for family gossip. 

“Momma, I wasn’t keeping a secret,” Molly said in defense, rinsing another dish and handing it over into her mother’s waiting hand.  “Honestly, I wasn’t.”

“Hmmm… then why did Devil’s grandmother seem to know all about your relationship with him?  She did know, didn’t she?  You two aren’t going to spring some other surprise on us, are you?”  Anne paused for one long second, then whispered violently, “Dear Lord, Margaret!  You aren’t expecting, too? Are you? Is that what Nana meant when she said that I’d never believe it when you told me?”

“No!” Molly exclaimed, slapping a wet hand over her lips when she realized that she’d yelled at her mother.  “Momma, I swear that I am not expecting anything other than a wedding.”  Although, if she was completely truthful, she didn’t find the idea of producing Devil’s heir apparent nearly as distasteful as she should.  Probably because he’d muddied the waters by giving her a taste of the pleasures the flesh could provide. 

“Well, I suppose that’s something.  I demand to be your first phone call when you find out I’m going to be a grandmother again.  If Nana got to know about your engagement first, I think you owe me that one.”

Molly’s heart grew heavier as she realized that even if she did ever have children – anybody’s children – Nana wouldn’t be with them to see it.  Glancing at her pensive mother, she knew that was the absolute last thing she’d confide today. 

Taking a deep breath, Molly forced herself to soldier on. “It wasn’t even really a secret.  Nana wouldn’t have found out first if things hadn’t happened the way they did.”  That much was true.  Nana would never have known first because Devil would have never asked her to marry him.  Nana’s condition had necessitated a harebrained scheme that had bound them all in a web of lies and deceit.  “When Dev and I got to the hospital, Nana mentioned how worried she was that she’d never see him settled and happy.  Devil jumped the gun – without talking to me first – and told her about us.”  Okay, it was a partial truth, but still honest.  Maybe she could avoid the actual fires of hell and settle for being slightly toasted by the flames.  She was fair-skinned, though...she was fairly certain there would be a burn either way.

“I see,” Anne said softly, taking the glass Molly passed her and settling it in the top shelf of the dishwasher.  “That, however, was Friday.  You were engaged two whole days without telling your momma?” she chided, even though her words were losing their heated edge.

“You and Daddy only got back from Bermuda yesterday,” Molly reasoned quickly.  “We both wanted to tell you in person at the first available chance, which happened to be today.  It was Devil’s idea.” 

‘That’s right, Molly!’ Her Marilyn Monroe like inner voice cheered.  ‘Swim straight through these shark-infested waters and throw the big white whale right under the bus, Ahab!’

“I suppose that’s a reasonable explanation,” Anne offered grudgingly, taking the last plate from Molly’s hands and dropping it inside the dish slot before closing the dishwasher and turning the appliance on to wash.  “I can report that sharing the news with her seems to have given her a new lease on life.  She had more energy in her voice when we spoke than I’ve heard in ages.”

That made Molly feel better.  If marrying Devil gave his grandmother the least bit of happiness, then whatever heartache she’d eventually endure would be well worth the price.  “That’s good, Momma.  That’s what Devil hoped would happen when he told her about us.  From what you’re saying, he made the right call.”

“I do have some concerns, Molly,” Anne said softly, turning to lean against the counter.  “Why don’t you sit down?” she invited with a nod to the breakfast nook in the corner of the room. 

Turning off the water as she finished rinsing the leftover suds down the sink, Molly nodded.  She’d known this was coming.  Springing an engagement on her mother – even if it was to somebody her family had known all her life – was bound to bring questions and worries.  The fact that Devil was who he was?  Yes, she was certain her momma did have an unlimited number of concerns.

Waiting until her daughter had slowly crossed the room and sank into one of the high backed chairs at the round table, Anne crossed her arms over her chest.  Watching her little girl’s face carefully, she smiled.  “So…Devil Delancy, hmmm?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t love Devil, Momma.  You don’t lie any better than I do,” Molly reminded her mother. 

“I adore Devil.  You, however, are my child.  I only always want what’s best for you,” Anne clarified.

“You don’t think that’s Devil?” Molly asked curiously, propping her chin on her hand as she met her mother’s eyes.  While she still wasn’t sure about the marriage herself, she was certain her mother would have looked on it as a match made in heaven.  “I’m surprised, Momma.  I thought of everyone, you’d be the most thrilled.  He’s everything you’ve always said you wanted in a husband for me.  Handsome, wealthy, affluent,” she recited faithfully, ticking the qualities off on her fingers.

“He’s all those things,” Anne agreed without hesitation.  “He also has been known to have a bit of a wandering…”

“Penis?” Molly supplied helpfully, biting back a grin. 

Leveling her only daughter with a piercing stare, Anne’s lips turned down.  “Margaret, don’t be coarse,” she snapped.  “I was going to say eye.  He’s been known to have a wandering eye.  Everything I’ve seen and read in the paper indicates…well, he gets distracted rather quickly.  If you recall, child, chief among the attributes I had wished for in your future husband were devoted, loyal and faithful.  Those qualities topped my list for you, did they not?  I do not believe you should settle for less than you deserve.”

“Neither do I, Miss Anne,” Devil’s deep voice drawled from the doorway of the kitchen.  “Molly will have all three of those qualities from me in spades.”

“Devil!” Both women yelled in unison as the younger man stepped into the room.

“I know your grandmother taught you better manners than to eavesdrop on a private conversation between mother and daughter,” Anne berated the grinning man irritably. 

“You’re absolutely right, but I swear that wasn’t my intention.  I’d finished my conversation with Walter and was just coming to find my fiancée and my future mother-in-law.”

“Well, wear a bell next time you sneak up on two women talking,” Molly retorted, wrinkling her nose.  “It’s rude to linger in doorways and listen while others chat, even if it wasn’t on purpose.”

Anne’s lips twitched as she listened to her daughter put Devil in his place.  Approval shined in her eyes as she nodded her agreement with Molly’s statement.  “She’s right.”

“She usually is,” Devil conceded, his own grin deepening as Molly rolled her eyes at him.  Turning his full attention to Anne, his expression became serious.  “Miss Anne, I understand your worry.  I had this same conversation with Walter.  I promise you that whatever wandering any of my parts did in the past was done the moment Molly and I became serious.”

Lifting her chin, Anne slowly narrowed her eyes.  “I’m sure Walter told you that we won’t tolerate our daughter being mistreated or used in any capacity, Devil.  I’ll bet he even made a few well-placed threats regarding your continued existence if you harm our little girl in any way, didn’t he?”

“He did, ma’am,” Devil answered truthfully.

Smiling faintly, Anne nodded.  “I know my husband better than anyone on Earth.  So, let me add to his warning, son,” she stated calmly, taking a step closer to where Devil stood.  “Walter would probably be humane and end you with a bullet.  I won’t.  I’ll roast your body over a low, open flame in the middle of Atlanta for the world to see.  It will be a slow, humiliating, painful and extremely excruciating experience.  I might not be the one that brought you into this world, but I assure you that I am more than capable of taking you out of it.  Am I making myself clear?”

“Absolutely, ma’am,” Devil replied instantly.   Of all the foes he had faced in the board room, Anne Ramsey outranked all of them.  He knew from childhood experience that her threats were not idle and that she would not hesitate to deliver him to his Maker fried to a fair fricassee.

“Good.” Anne nodded once, then smiled.  “Hopefully after you two complete marital counseling down at the church, we’ll all feel much more comfortable about things.”

“Counseling?” Molly and Devil echoed together, the word hanging in the air.

“Yes, counseling.  It’s a requirement to be married inside our church, dear,” Anne declared with a shrug, then assured the shocked pair, “Don’t worry.  It’s only three one-hour sessions.”

“Who exactly would counsel us?” Devil asked carefully.

“I suppose any pastor affiliated with our church.  I know both Pastor Higgins and Pastor Davis both have spoken with couples in the past.”

“Pastor Davis?  The man that ate lunch with us?” Devil asked tonelessly.

“Yes,” Anne replied with a nod.  “Couples just rave about him.  He’s shown a real initiative since the deacons hired him.”

“I bet he has,” Devil muttered, instinctively dropping his hand on Molly’s waist.

Shooting him a dirty look, Molly looked at her mother.  “Momma, I’m not sure that Travis would be the ideal candidate to counsel us.  The poor man came here this afternoon expecting to date me, and I announced I was getting married.  To say he was a little shocked would be a huge understatement.  We certainly can’t expect anything.  Besides, I’m not even sure we’ll have a church wedding.”

“Of course you will,” Anne retorted, glaring at her offspring in horror.  “You’re going to be married in the eyes of God and our church.  And the only way for that to happen is to go through the church counseling.”

“But Devil’s a Catholic,” Molly argued quickly, gesturing at her quiet fiancé.  The fact that the man was not currently practicing his religion was not helpful at that particular moment.  And as far as Molly was concerned, what he did on his Sundays was between him and whatever saint he needed to get in touch with that day.

“Yes, that’s unfortunate,” Anne sniffed.  “But this won’t be the first marriage that’s occurred in our church where both parties aren’t of the same faith.”

“Miss Anne, we worship the same God.”

“Devil Delancy, you do not worship at all,” Anne replied evenly, arching one brow.  “I believe it would be more accurate to say that you’re a lapsed Catholic.”

“Which means your soul is up for grabs as far as the Baptists are concerned,” Molly warned under her breath.

“Margaret Ellinor!” Anne hissed, shaking her head in wonderment at her daughter.  “I don’t care what church Devil worships with as long as he believes.”

“I believe, Miss Anne.  And if marital counseling is what it takes to have Molly walk down the aisle with me, then I’ll happily do it with whichever pastor is available.  I’ll even contact my priest and see if he would like to come along.”

This time, it was Molly herself who hissed.  Like mother, like daughter.  “Are you nuts?”

“No, Margaret Ellinor,” Devil replied, drawing out her Christian name with no small amount of humor, “I’m devoted to ensuring our happiness.”  Leaning closer, he whispered in her ear, “And if you get your union rep, then I want mine there as well.”

Unaware of the small by-play, Molly’s mother beamed.  “Wonderful! Now, that’s settled.  When were you two thinking you’d be married?  Next spring?  Or maybe a summer wedding?”

“No,” Devil denied, shaking his head.  “I’d like for Molly and me to be married by Christmas.”

“Oh, we’ll have a whole year to plan.  That’s wonderful!” Anne said, obviously relieved.

“No, Miss Anne.  You’ve got a month to plan.  I want to marry Molly by this Christmas,” Devil clarified, wrapping his arm around Molly’s waist and pulling her closer. 

Anne’s eyes widened dramatically as she shifted her gaze back to her daughter, who was apparently avoiding her gaze.  “Are you positive you aren’t expecting?  This sounds awfully rushed to me.”

“I promise, Momma!  I’m n-not pregnant,” Molly swore quickly, silently cursing Devil’s wicked grin as she fumbled her words to her mother.  “D-Devil just…”

“When I make a decision, I don’t believe in waiting,” he interrupted smoothly. 

“But, Devil, surely you see that what you’re asking is impossible.  Why, there’s the invitations, the dress, the church….  There are entirely too many details to be taken care of to have a wedding by Christmas.”

“Miss Anne, I will put an army at your disposal, but I’ve got to insist that Christmas is the deadline.  I want to start the New Year as a married man.  I want Molly for my wife by Christmas.”

Pressing her lips together, Anne looked at her future son for a long, tension fraught minute.  Finally, she squared her shoulders and nodded her head once.  “Don’t blame me when I bankrupt you making this happen.”

“There’s little worry about that, ma’am.  I’ve got all the money I could ever need in life.  What I need is someone to share that life.  Molly is that woman for me.  She’s the only woman for me.”

While Molly listened to him allay her mother’s obvious fears, she felt something weighty shift inside her.  He almost had her half convinced his feelings were genuine.

Damn, he was good.

And that was bad.  Very, very bad.

Because allowing herself to believe – even for a moment – that this was something other than an act on his part would destroy her.