“Really?” Piper gasped, perfectly aware of the situation. “Imagine that.”
Somehow, Dara’s posture became more ridged.
“Sarcasm is the refuge of tiny minds, young lady.”
“And the cow jumped over the moon to get away from the spoon.”
“What does that mean?” Dara demanded.
“I don’t know, Mother.” Piper shrugged. “Maybe I feel you should develop a sense of humor?”
“What’s funny about us? Here?” Dara asked.
“Absolutely nothing,” Piper acknowledged. “Why don’t you save us both the added aggravation and get to why you’re here.”
“Your grandmother wants to meet the football player.”
Piper could have reminded her mother that the football player had a name. But what was the point?
“Grandmother hasn’t shown the least bit of interest in Levi before now,” she said. “Why now? What’s changed?”
Dara took a piece of paper from her purse.
“This.”
“A newspaper clipping. How old school,” Piper said as she glanced at the headline proclaiming Levi to be a Knight in Shining Armor. She smiled. “Cute play on words.”
“Seems that your friend has gained a bit of success, Mother thinks he’s suitable husband material.” Dara’s lip curled into a sneer. “An athlete married to an Engels? Please.”
“Aren’t you the one who sent Monte Oliver sniffing around me and my office?” The flicker of annoyance in Dara’s eyes told Piper her hunch was right. “You’ve tossed a lot of losers my way, Mother. But Monte Oliver is scraping the bottom of the barrel, even for you.”
“Your brothers tell me that Mr. Oliver comes from a good family. He’s attractive. Affable.”
“Bingo! We have a winner.” With a sigh, Piper met her mother’s glare head-on. “Affable is Dara speak for easily manipulated.”
Breaking eye contact, Piper’s mother suddenly became fascinated by the state of her manicure.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Dara said.
“Then let me make myself clear.” Piper kept her voice cool and low. “Grandmother’s money isn’t going to you when she dies. Warren and Teddy won’t see a dime. For some reason, she likes me.”
“Mother’s taste has always been questionable.”
“Maybe because I’m the only one of the family who bothers to visit her?” Piper shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. She’s made up her mind. If I marry a man who she likes, I win the jackpot. A few hundred million at last count.”
Dara's breath came out in a shaky wheeze.
“Your idea of my perfect husband begins and ends with someone you can keep under your thumb. A man who will sell his soul to marry a rich wife and will pass a hefty chunk of Grandmother’s riches to you.”
“Don’t be crude,” Dara said. But she didn’t deny the accusation.
“What am I worth these days, mother dear?” Oddly fascinated, Piper crossed her arms. “A quarter of the inheritance? Half? I can’t imagine anyone—even a dolt like Monte Oliver would agree to more.”
“Honestly.” Dara shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The reason you never liked Levi isn’t that he was a second-string quarterback. Or that he’s an athlete,” Piper told her mother.
“Reasons enough,” Dara said.
“When you met the first time, Levi left no doubt that he is not someone you can manipulate or maneuver,” Piper said. “He saw through the fake sugar you threw at him. You’ve hated him ever since.”
“Levi Reynolds is gay. His teammate. Dylan something or other?” Dara attempted to look coy but failed. “I understand they are very close.”
Dara’s out of nowhere declaration left Piper speechless. Should she laugh? Because the idea was outrageous for so many reasons, she didn’t know where to start.
“You were misinformed,” Piper said. Then, she got mad. “But what if he were? Your prejudice is showing, Mother.”
“What makes you think your grandmother is any better?” Dara demanded. “If you brought a homosexual home and tried to pass him off as legitimate husband material, she would cut you out of her will in a heartbeat.”
“Before my head explodes, let’s back up about a million steps.” Piper reminded herself to breathe. “First, I’m not qualified to speak for the LBGT community. Or for Levi. However, since I need to say something, hear this. First? What the fuck, Mother?”
Dara gasped. Piper ignored the false outrage.
“Second, if Levi were gay, he would be out by now. But if he weren’t, that would be his choice. I’d respect his wishes either way.”
“I’ve heard enough,” Dara said. When she stood, Piper did the same.
“One last thing. Levi doesn’t need Grandmother’s money. And he doesn’t need me to be his beard.” Piper held up her hands. “I’m done. Nothing I can say will penetrate your bigoted mind.”
Dara walked down the steps. After the crap she spewed, any decent person would have slunk, but she held her head high with moral indignation. When she stopped and turned.
“What?” Piper asked.
“You’d be wise to work with me rather than against me, Piper,” Dara said with a pitying smile. “Stay with your quarterback and you’ll end up with nothing. Align with me, and for the first time since you were born, we can enjoy a pleasant, prosperous relationship.”
“If I say no?”
“I’ll cut you from my life without a backward glance.”
Piper was amazed that Dara considered her words a threat. For her, they were a gift. A blessing. She didn’t believe her mother for a second. But she could hope.
“I’ll let you know if I change my mind,” Piper said with a wave. “For your sake, for your health, don’t hold your breath.”
Dara held Piper’s gaze for a second longer before she turned and disappeared down the pathway.
“Never to be seen again,” Piper said with a sigh.
“One can only hope.”
Startled, Piper whirled around. She found Levi waiting with a cup of coffee in each hand. Her surprise turned to despair.
“How much did you hear?”
“I came in just after the opening credits,” he said. “I’ll give your mother props for one thing. She knows how to play a scene with gusto.”
“She’s had a lot of practice.”
Piper sank onto the swing. Levi joined her. Placing his arm around her shoulders, he kissed her temple. Immediately, she felt better. Not great. Dara left a hangover effect that wasn’t easy to shake.
“Since I heard everything. I’m not sorry,” he said when Piper winced. “I feel the need to respond.”
“To which part?”