Page 116 of His to Keep
I finallysettleontaking James inside first when a massive shadow in my driveway has meslamming on the brakes.
“What…” Scarlet jerks forward before her seatbelt locks, forcefully jerking her back. “… the hell? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.” I heave out a long-suffering sigh. “We have a visitor.”
“A visitor,”shewhispers, trepidation shiningin her eyes as shewhips around to look at me.
I nod, and she discreetly looks forward. “Is that…” She squints.
“My mother?” I throw the truck in park. “Yes.”
Suddenly she's wide awake. “Did you know she was coming?” she asks, her voice pitching high with panic. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I didn't have a clue, Princess.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Might as well face the music.”
I unbuckle and throw open my door. Scarlet does the same as Momclimbs down from her RV.“I've called youfifteentimes!”
I slide my phone from my pocket and unlock the screen. Sure enough, fifteen missed calls, along with double that in texts. “I'm sorry. I must’ve forgotten to turn my ringer back on after the ceremony.”
Mom’s glare softens. “Was it beautiful?”
“Only thing missing was you,” I tell her, letting the barest hint of disappointment creep into my tone.
She has the decency tolook remorseful. “You know weddings are hard.Lastone I attended was my own. Next one I plan to attend is yours.”
Scarlet chokes but Mom pays her no mind—she’snot finished interrogating me just yet.“Now, what's with the gate?”She eyes with disdain.
“It's a long story,” I start butScarletedges in front of me.
“It’s my fault,Mrs. Wilder.” Scarlet wrings her hands together. “I’m so sorry.”
Momfinally turns, giving Scarlet all of her focus as sheeyes her up and down.“Well, aren't you cute as a button!”
“Um.” Scarlet swallows. “Thank you?”
“You’re welcome. Now, what’s your name?”
“Scarlet.”
“Pretty name for a pretty girl.I’mHeather, but you can call me Mom.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Scarletextends herhand, but instead of shaking it,my mothergrips it and yanks her in for a hug. “None of that,Doll. Wehugaround here.”
Scarlet sends me a pleading look asMom squeezesher tightly, rocking back and forth.
“Okay,” I say intervening. “Let’sbreak it up.It’slate and we need to get?—”
As if he knew I was about to mention him, thesound of James crying from the truckpierces the air.
“Well, why’re you just standing there, El? Let us in.”
Already exasperated, I stalk past her and enter the gate code manually. “Pull to the side of the house,” I remind her as it slides open.
“Yeah,yeah. I know the drill.”She climbs back into her RV.
“Your mom doesn’t think we’re getting married… does she?” Scarlet asks oncewe’reback inside the truck.She’sin theback seat beside James, trying to comfort him with soft whispers.
“Honestly?” I ask, throwing the truck intopark. “She’dlove it. Hell, if I told her we were getting married, she couldprobably havea whole wedding planned by next week.”
