Mom smiles at him, stroking the side of his face. “You’ve become much more handsome than when I left. The video chats haven’t done you justice.”
“I’ll ask Murphy to arrange the helicopter to bring Dad home,” Ash suggests eagerly.
Mom touches his arm, and her smile twitches. “No, don’t do that. I have to get going again.”
His nostrils flare, and outrage fires in his eyes. “You’re leaving?”
Mom chuckles. “Just for a meeting. Don’t worry, darling. I don’t plan on leaving Victoria Falls anytime soon.”
Tension leaves Ash’s shoulders, and he exhales gradually.
My skepticism radar pings, and I stare down Mom. “So this meanssomeoneknew you were coming home.”
Mom taps her index finger against her painted lips. “Not exactly.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’m not done with my surprises,” she replies. “I’ve emailed the society ladies about a menu tasting at the country club. Chef Renaldo wants their opinions, and I can’t wait to see the looks on his and the ladies’ faces when I’m there in person.”
Keeping them behind my back, my hands ball into fists. “You want to have a catering meeting? Today?”
A sparkle glints in her eye. “This mother and daughter team is back together at last.”
“What if I’m unavailable today?”
Mom pats her pinned hair, looking down her nose at me. “Considering your only task for the immediate future is planning the gala, I’d say whatever’s on your schedule can be moved around this.”
I suck in a breath to steal some composure. “Even a volunteer shift at the hospital?”
“I’m sure one of your peers can take your shift. You did have a number of them sign-up, didn’t you?”
I look away before she sees the lies in my eyes. “Fine, I’ll move things around. Is the menu tasting soon?”
“Yes. I expect you to get ready.” She then smiles at my brother. “I need to freshen up, dear. I’ll see you at dinner, okay?”
Ash hugs our mother. “I still can’t believe you’re home.”
She smooths a hand down the back of his head. “I’m so sorry I left you for so long. But it was for the best. I hope you know that.”
He doesn’t reply. Instead, leaves the hug with a smile and disappears down the hallway.
“Okay, Vanessa, get changed,” Mom orders. “I need you well-styled for my debut back on the Victoria Falls social scene.”
My jaw clenches, hiding my dismay. “Yes, Mother.”
Twenty
Mymotherbabblesforthe entire drive to the country club. I take as much notice as when she was on the phone, because I know she doesn’t want my input. Knot twists in my back with every mile closer to our destination. I can’t believe she’s back and organized a meeting the moment she returned.
I should be biding my time to meet up with Dax at the hospital. I have no idea how I’ll escape my mother’s plans and get back to my own.
Roger slows the car in front of the country club, and we exit after he opens the door for us.
From the foyer, I spy Sylvie and Hope standing off to the side, whispering.
My mother speaks first. “Good afternoon, girls. You’re both looking as lovely as ever.”
They both reply with toothy grins. “Hello Mrs. Ashworth. Welcome back.”
