“Only if they’re drunk.” My smile stayed fixed on my lips, even as his heavy boots hits the stairs, and he disappeared from sight.
Then the doorbell rang.
It was almost nine. Who would be visiting now?
After a cautious peek out the stained glass insert in the door, shock nearly sent me to the floor.
No.
No, no, no!
I rubbed my eyes and peered again, hoping when I looked again, I’d find a different nocturnal visitor.
But it was not to be. The door creaked loudly as it opened, as if it, too, wanted to register a protest. “Mother?”
There on Holden’s front porch, amidst the vintage glider and the chipped painted rockers stood Ellery Bristow. She wore a black Chanel coat and her usual expression of mild tolerance.
“Annie, darling.” She kissed one cheek, then the other.
“What are you doing here?”
She barged inside, leaving her bags on the porch. “Visiting.”
“Why?”
“Do I need a reason to visit my daughter?”
“Yes.” I closed the door, but the bitter wind seemed to have followed us inside anyway. I hadn’t seen my mom in over a year. She was a busy woman, her time gobbled up by her work, her travels, or her lengthy lectures to her two daughters. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. I simply wanted to see you. Can’t I surprise my oldest daughter with a visit?”
“So either you have a meeting nearby or you have terrible news that couldn’t be delivered over the phone.”
“How crass. Though I do have a meeting. Your quaint little museum wants to feature some of my paintings on a touring exhibit and invited me here.” Her hawkish gaze took in every detail of the foyer. I was suddenly aware of a gossamer cobweb in the chandelier above us and the faint sheen of dust on the wood floor. Maybe I could write HELP in the dirt if things got bad.
“Come on in,” I said as if she already hadn’t. “You said my boss invited you?” A primal scream began a slow climb up my throat.
“Yes. He sounds like a dear man.”
“You don’t visit small town museums.” What was going on here?
“You said yours was impressive, so I wanted to see for myself.” Her cerulean blue eyes roamed the entryway as she resettled a shock of hair that had the escaped her signature platinum bob. “Is this where you live?”
It was one thing for me to feel that initial revulsion to the house, but quite another when it came from her. “Yes. Holden’s been working hard on the place, and it’s coming along beautifully.”
Her pained facial expression argued otherwise. “So you’re still doing this marriage thing?”
I could live in five different realities, three time dimensions, and another universe, and the one consistent thing would be the audacious snobbery of my mother. “Yes. We’re madly in love. In fact, here he comes,” I said, grateful to hear Holden’s approaching footfalls. “Please don’t be offended if I unintentionally tune you out and make-out with my husband like a teenager. It just comes over me, and our passion will not be denied.”
Mother’s pearly teeth bit her bottom lip. “Thanks for the warning.”
“Annie?” Holden called.
“In here, lover.” I watched him tense as he approached, like a solider getting that first sniff he’d stepped into enemy territory. “Look who came all the way from New York to see us. At night. Unannounced.”
“Ellery, what a nice surprise.”
My mom stiffly accepted Holden’s hug, only to quickly pull away. “You’re lying, but I appreciate that at least one of you can feign some enthusiasm for my arrival.”
“It’s just that we didn’t expect you,” I said. “I assume Mr. Strickland arranged a hotel for you?”
“You assume wrong. He offered, but I told him I’d be staying with my daughter.” She sashayed into the dining room, her silk pants swishing and her stiletto heels making loud stabs on the wood floor. “I didn’t know you were remodeling.” Mom’s delicate sneeze echoed in the dining room. “Is that sawdust in the air?”
“You probably don’t want to stay in such compromised air quality.” My tone sounded more hopeful than concerned.
“My bags are outside.” She aimed that statement toward Holden like he was hotel staff on the verge of earning a nice tip. “Would you please get them before they suffer permafrost?”
I blew my husband a pouty-lipped kiss. “But hurry back, sweetheart.”
Holden returned in no time balancing enough suitcases for a summer abroad. “Traveling light this time?”
My mother did not find that amusing. “Sorry to drop in unannounced, but imagine my surprise when I learned every hotel and bed and breakfast is booked. I mean, it’s Sugar Creek, Arkansas. Who’d ever imagine it would be a destination hot spot?”
“It is during the holidays” I said defensively. “People come from all over the country to see it at Christmas.”
“Hmmm. Well, until something opens up, looks like you’re blessed with my presence for the next few days.”
“Oh. Good.” I turned to Holden and gave him my best come hither look. “I was telling Mother that we make-out. A lot.”
His expression remained impassive. “Do we, now?”
“Yes. I can’t keep my hands off of you. So she’ll probably see lots of affectionate displays. Because we’re married. And I’m crazy about you and all.”
He smiled. “So crazy.”
I reached for his hand and batted my eye lashes toward him like a besotted fool.
His brows dropped as he frowned. “Are you having one of your headaches? Annie suffered a serious concussion last week.”
“Don’t worry,” Mom said. “I’m here for work, and I fully intend to stay out of your way.” She moved into the living room and allowed her critical gaze to sweep over the space. “Anyway, can someone show me to my bedroom? I do so hope there’s an en suite. I’m in dire need of a bath after that horrible little plane I had to take to get here.”
“My head is fine, by the way, Mom.”
“Oh, for heaven sakes, Annie.” She rolled her eyes. “Of course I’m concerned. But you appear fine, right? We’re a tough lot.”
“The head injury is pretty serious.” Holden swatted away my hand roaming across his chest. “Annie’s suffered some memory issues, and she’s been referred to a neurologist.”
“Apparently she’s forgotten to stay in touch with her mother. Because the only updates I’ve had in the last week have been from you, Holden.”
“He’s taken very good care of me.” I hugged Holden to my side and attempted to kiss him, but his lack of readiness and my missed aim meant he got an open mouthed assault to his ear. “He can hardly let me out of his sight.” I patted Holden’s bum. And that went so well I did it again. “Not that I mind.”
“How utterly…precious.” Mom sighed, and for the first time I did notice the fatigue. “Now if you can quit mauling your husband for a moment, please show me to my bedroom.”
“We don’t have a spare one, Mom.”