AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Kiera walked past the table into the kitchen. “Sure let me get—”
“These are gorgeous. Who did you get them from?”
Kiera turned around. Her mom stood near the table, examining the roses. When she’d invited her mom inside, she’d forgotten about them on the table.
“No one. They looked pretty, so I bought them myself.” Thank goodness she’d removed the card that had come with them.
“Flowers do brighten up a room.” Her mom leaned in for a closer inspection. “What florist did you get them from? These are exceptional.”
The name of every florist she’d ever seen disappeared. “The grocery store.” The store in Cumberland did sell flowers.
Her mom raised an eyebrow. “You got these at the grocery store? Those florist sections don’t usually have flowers this nice.”
“I got lucky I guess.” Kiera took the vase and put it on the counter. “I’ll make some tea then we can look through that booklet. I bet Dad would love the flight tour to Mount McKinley.”
Her mom didn’t mention the flowers again, but Kiera wasn’t sure she’d bought her excuse. Once or twice her mom had glanced at them and then at Kiera. Each time, Kiera had held her breath and waited for more questions.
“Do you have any nights off this weekend so we can celebrate your dad’s birthday?”
“Tomorrow night and Sunday.” Kiera didn’t want to make any commitments just in case Gray showed up. At the same time, she couldn’t sit around and wait. She did have a life to live. “I have an idea. Bring Dad here tomorrow, and I’ll cook dinner.”
Her mom nodded. “Wonderful idea. Why don’t we invite your grandparents, too?”
“Sounds good.”
“I’m going to use the bathroom. Be right back.
Kiera ran though a list of her dad’s favorite meals, dismissing those she knew her mom didn’t like, which made the list much more manageable. When she heard the knock on her door, her thoughts froze. The last time she got an unexpected knock, it had been Gray. What were the chances it was him now? If it was, how would she explain that one to her mom?
Kiera passed the bathroom door. She could hear the water running on the other side. Her mom would be back out any second.
“Please don’t let it be Gray,” she said under her breath as she opened the do
or.
The sight before her would’ve thrilled her the day before or even that morning, but not so much now. Behind her, the bathroom door opened.
“I had another thought,” her mom said.
Kiera turned and waited.
“What if we—” Her mom’s voice stopped, which meant one thing, her mom was going to want answers. “Gray?”
Her mom glanced from Gray to the roses and then back and her jaw clenched. “I see.”
Did she dare lie now? Her mom suspected but had no proof. “Mom, Gray was—”
Her mom picked up her jacket. “I need to go anyway. You’re father is expecting me.” She gathered up the trip information. “Do you mind walking out with me, so we can discuss your father’s birthday dinner?”
Fudge. How could she refuse that? “Sure.” She grabbed her jacket. “Be right back, Gray.” Kiera followed her mom downstairs and waited for her to speak, but she remained closed-lipped until they got outside.
“Don’t try to deny it. Those roses are from Gray,” her mom said as they walked toward her car.
Kiera nodded.
“You assured me nothing was going on between you two.”
“When I said that, there wasn’t, Mom.” They had kissed, but her mom didn’t need all the particulars.
