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“Yes, a girl called Annie.” An idea sprang to mind, and then I was smiling too. I’d hate for Mother to be surprised when Remy kissed me in public. “In fact, Cass, Remy and I have a little game going—we’re pretending to date to make Henry jealous. It’s driving him completely mad.”
My stomach flipped and wriggled at the lie, but my heart was warm at the thought of the truth underneath.
“It’s brilliant. Though couldn’t it have been someone else? Anyone else?”
“It was convenient, that’s all,” I lied, wishing I still had the excuse to sleep in his bed.
“And you say Henry’s gone mad?”
“As a box of frogs.”
She laughed, and I suddenly felt much better. Then I realized her approval had sparked the feeling, which made me feel much worse.
“He even threw a punch at Remy last night.”
“You don’t say.” She leaned in, her eyes wide.
“It’s true. Took several men to hold him back.”
“That is promising. Did Cassidy not know about this Annie girl?”
I sighed. “No, Cass was furious. Annie remains a mystery.”
“How unlike him not to RSVP for her.”
“Neither did you.”
She scoffed.
“I know him as well as I know my own children, and we’ve always known you’re perfect together, darling. It’s only a matter of time until he decides to settle down, and then there you’ll be. Although I appreciate your initiative with the little gambit with the barbarian. Remy. And what does that stand for?”
“Remington.”
“How distinguished for such a creature.”
“He’s been nothing but surprises.” I bit my tongue lest I say more and muck up the whole deal. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”
She reached for my hand, squeezing it as if we were bosom buddies. “I’m so glad. I’ve missed you. Work and social callings aren’t quite the same without you. After all these years of going it alone, I thought I enjoyed myself, but having you as a companion is much more agreeable.” Her smile faltered a little before she looked back out the window as we turned onto a steep incline. “It really can be such a bore. But you make it easier.”
Her candor surprised the words out of my head, just like that.
“But we’re together again, and soon enough you’ll be home and things will be as they should. While we’re here, we’ll attend whatever functions Cassidy has planned. I’ve already told her mother I’ll pay for the catering. It’s the least I could do, arriving unannounced. There will, of course, be the rehearsal dinner and wedding—what else should we plan for?”
“Shit.” I scrambled for my purse, checking the time on my phone.
“Jessamine,” she warned, digging in her own purse for a mirror.
“I’m set to meet Cass at the ba—er, venue in just a bit.”
“Well, where is it?” She cleaned up the edge of her lipstick with a tissue.
“Not terribly far,” I hedged, not wanting to tell her the wedding would be in a barn on a farm. But then I realized she’d find out anyway, and wasn’t it best to tell her where she couldn’t offend everyone in earshot? I cleared my throat. “It’s actually at a farm. In a barn.”
Mother stilled, then looked at me. “A barn.”
“Yes, a barn. I thought you might want to prepare yourself. It’s only used for a venue and has been renovated, of course. And it’s really quite beautiful.”
“How...provincial.” She snapped her mirror shut as we pulled into the drive of a massive home. “Ah, here we are. Take the car down to your...barn. We’ll have supper tonight at eight, at the house, so please be sure you have time to come home and wash the muck off you beforehand.”
