Page 56 of Smoke Screen
Instead, he looked his brother in the eye. “That’s why she’s in her room.”
10
Maddy followedPhin into a kitchen with a massive island that had to be ten feet long with a waterfall slate countertop. Light gray cabinets ran the length of the room and surrounded a wall oven and a Viking range with another oven.
The chef’s kitchen Mom would die for.
A woman, probably Phin’s mother, with dark wavy hair streaked with silver, stood behind the island putting something into a drawer while another dark-haired and much older woman sat on a barstool.
“Hey, Mom,” Phin said.
She swung her head sideways and upon seeing her son, her lips slipped into a smile that Maddy instantly recognized. Like mother, like son.
“Well,” Mrs. Blackwell said, “would you look what the cat dragged in?”
Walking straight to her, Phin kissed her cheek, then moved around the island, offering the same cheek kiss to the seated woman. “Hi, Grams. Did you miss me?”
“You know I always do,” she said.
Mrs. Blackwell raised her hands palms-up to Maddy. “And this must be Maddy.”
“Yes ma’am,” Phin said. “Maddy, this is my mom. Lynette Blackwell.”
Calling on her good manners, Maddy marched straight for her, scooting around Phin and holding out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Blackwell. Thank you for opening your home to me.”
Mrs. Blackwell clasped her hand, sending a gentle warmth streaming up Maddy’s arm.
This house.
So far, everything about it oozed comfort and safety. No wonder Cilla had suggested it. Had her attorney been here? With Phin?
Between the two of them, they’d be the world’s most beautiful couple. She could see it. Phin and Cilla storming the Charlotte social scene. Even their slick, no-nonsense personalities fit.
A spurt of jealousy—oh, how she hated that nastiness—flooded her mind. What business was it of hers what Phin and Cilla did on their own time?
“It’s Lynette,” Mrs. Blackwell said, bringing Maddy from her mind travel. “And this is my mother-in-law, Johona.”
Maddy reached across the island. “Good evening, ma’am. I’m Maddy. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Lovely to meet you, as well. Phin got you settled into the guest room?”
“Yes ma’am. It’s perfect. I watched the sunset from the patio. Y’all have amazing sunsets here.”
“That we do,” Lynette said. “It’s one of the things I loved about this place. While you’re here, give a holler if there’s anything you need. I’m sorry you got dragged into this chaos with the media.”
“Thank you. I’m hoping it’ll die down and I can get out of your hair. I’m anxious to get back to work.”
Phin smacked his hands together. “Mom, I heard tell you made some wicked barbecue for dinner.”
“You heard right.” She jerked her chin toward the refrigerator. “There’s candied sweet potatoes, corn, and that salad you like with the raspberry vinaigrette.”
Phin rushed to the fridge, pulling the doors open and grabbing containers. “Maddy, I’m telling you, my mama is aces.”
How about that? Phin Blackwell.
Mama’s boy.
“Ha,” Lynette said. “He didn’t feel that way at sixteen when he couldn’t stay out of trouble. Bad enough I was a widow raising five boys. I didn’t need this one running wild.”
