Mom rushes to the car and I fling the door open, ready to welcome her embrace.
“Oh, my handsome son, how I’ve missed you,” she squeals, reaching up to cup my face. She pulls me in for a hug. “Where is that fiancée of yours? I’m dying to meet her.”
Percy opens the door on Ivy’s side and she steps out onto the snow-covered pavement. Her face beams, a hint of a nervous smile tugging at her lips. She steps forward and Mom meets her halfway, ready to welcome her to the family.
I join them, stand near Ivy, one arm bracketing her waist. “Mom, meet Evelyn Bloom, your future daughter-in-law.”
Ivy extends her arm out for a handshake and Mom yanks her close, swooping her into a hug. “Hi, sweetheart, I’m Zia Hunter. I’ve been dying to meet you.” She steps back, hands on Ivy’s shoulders, surveying her from top to bottom, then from bottom to top. “You’re a gorgeous one, welcome to our family.” She flicks her gaze to me. “Well done, son.”
“It’s great to meet you, Mrs. Hunter. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Mom’s face lights up. “Call me Zia, and my, what a fascinating accent you have. I feel like I’m entertaining royalty.” She slaps my shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell me she’s British? I would have brought out the fine China.”
BB barks from inside Ivy’s purse and Mom whirls around, a puzzled set of furrowed brows framing her eyes. “I must be losing my mind. I could have sworn I heard a dog.”
“It’s BB, Mom. Evelyn’s little chihuahua.”
Mom melts when Ivy removes a frantic BB from out of her purse. “Aww, would you look at this little princess?” She takes her from Ivy’s arms and cuddles BB in her own. “You must be cold, little girl. Let’s get you inside where it’s nice and warm, huh?”
Once inside, Mom offers us something to eat, and we both decline, asking to instead unpack and freshen up.
Mom kisses BB, who seems to be lapping up all the attention. “You two lovebirds have the third floor flat all to yourselves.”
I wince.
Ivy’s mouth drops.
“Uh, Mom wouldn’t it be better if Ivy takes one of the guest rooms and I take my old room?”
Mom flashes me one of her looks. All moms have a look; mine happens to have three she tosses around like confetti. “Don’t be silly, I won’t think of separating you two at Christmas. Besides, your room is now a study and the guest rooms will be tied up with, well…guests. I’ve invited company this Christmas. They’ll be in one of the guest rooms. Granny and her male companion will be in the other.”
“Granny and hermalecompanion?”
“Yup.”
Oh, boy.
Granny lost my grandfather about four years ago and has been traveling with a group of friends to keep her mind off things. But, the seventy-two-year-old has also taken up dating as a hobby, and it seems she has a new male companion every six months.
“When’s Granny and her new flame coming?” I ask because, honestly, I need to mentally prepare for who Lyla Hunter may walk through the doors with. Last time she was dating someone who considered himself a cowboy. Problem was, he was born and lived in New York City.
There are no cowboys in the city.
“Tonight. After your father and Maddie pick them up from the train station. They’re out running errands right now. So, why don’t you two go get settled, then Chase, you can show Evelyn around.” She unleashes a barrage of kisses on BB’s forehead. “In the meantime, this little girl can hang out with me.”
