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Chapter Twenty
Richard
“Richard, you look so nervous. Why?” my father David asked.
Standing on the far side of my mother’s prized award-winning roses, I responded, “I have no idea what I was thinking, inviting her parents to come, too. Mother is going overboard as though the Pope was coming. This is just supposed to be Sunday brunch.”
He laughed. “She does it every time one of you brings a young lady home to meet the family.”
It was possible, but I’d never paid much attention. Usually, I was talking with my brothers and looking for the first opportunity to bolt out of there. Today, I was stuck for the duration, and with any luck, Joyelle and her parents wouldn’t want to stay all that long, either.
Phillip walked over and joined us. “What are you two discussing so seriously?”
Mother had set rules about us not discussing business while we were here, but that never prevented us from doing so. We usually just were more discreet. I was sure that’s what brought Phillip over.
Not this time.
“Your brothers concerned about his guests,” my father stated.
“I’m not worried about them, more for them. I might not have had a chance to set Joyelle’s expectations.”
I kept meaning to tell her, but I feared she might change her mind if I did. Phillip had convinced me that our parents, mostly our mother, weren’t as bad as we made them out to be. I still couldn’t believe Mother had gone through Lizzy to obtain Joyelle’s phone number. Perfectly in character and manipulation at its finest.
“I believe you’re the one who invited her parents,” Phillip said. “You can’t be that worried.”
“Don’t remind me how stupid I am,” I grumbled.
“Your Mother has learned how to…control her inquisitive mind,” my father responded. “Isn’t that correct Phillip?”
Phillip coughed and then replied, “Sure.”
We both knew that was bull. But we were glad our father believed it.
“Would you like some good news?” my father asked. I nodded. “Your guests have already arrived, and your mother is chatting with them. So far, everyone is smiling.”
I spun around and even from across the yard, my eyes locked with Joyelle’s. She looked nervous, but beautiful as hell in a red and white striped dress.
“Excuse me.” I walked away, leaving Phillip and my father to talk about me while I rescued my guests. “I’m sorry, I meant to greet you at the door,” I said as I approached. I leaned over and kissed her briefly on the cheek, then added, “Let me introduce you. Joyelle, this is my mother, Marcy.” My father strode over to join us. “And my father, David.”
“Nice to meet you both,” Joyelle said. “This is my father, Giles, and my mother, Lorraine,” Joyelle said.
Everyone exchanged handshakes, but my mother pulled Joyelle in for a hug. “I’m so happy to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Not from me.The only person who had met Joyelle was Clark. The only reason he’d talk to Mother about Joyelle was to keep the focus off himself. Since he hadn’t arrived yet, I had a feeling he would sneak in late to avoid talking to me out of guilt.
“It was really kind of you to invite me,” Joyelle said.
“And thank you for extending the invitation to us as well,” Lorraine said.
“Come with me and let me introduce you to the rest of the family,” Mother said.
Joyelle’s parents nodded and were swept away into the crowd of welcoming Hearts. I wasn’t worried about them. It was Joyelle I was concerned would be overwhelmed.
“How are you doing?” I asked softly.
“I’m fine…I think.” She looked around and smiled. “Your parents’ home is more like…like a mansion.”
“Be careful. If you mention the house to her, she’ll take you on an hour-long guided tour and you’ll never get to eat.” I was exaggerating, but not by much.
