The emotion in her tone surprises me. “He needs to leave you alone.”
“It’s not like that. Gabriel contacted me. Elijah was furious when he found out.”
“Gabriel should know better.”
Her eyes finally clash with mine. I’m shocked by the anger I see there.
“Hey,” I say, stepping forward and gripping her upper arms. “What’s going on? I thought you liked Elijah?”
Her eyes moisten, and she shakes her head.
“I do. I like him a lot. It’s nothing. Forget I said anything. It’s just me being a protective mother bear.”
She laughs, but the sound is hollow.
“Talk to me. Tell me what you mean.”
“You’ve finally moved on, settled down. I know what I said before, but I know Elijah Frazer broke your heart, and now you’re finally,fifteenyears later, opening your heart to someone else, and he or his brother has you flying back across the water to do his bidding.”
“It’s not like that. Elijah isn’t the reason I’ve stayed single. Is that what you think?”
At least he’s not the only reason.
My other job made it impossible to invest time in a relationship. Finding such a man, one not intimidated by my success or secrets, has been another difficulty.
Mum shrugs again, and I tilt my head, making her look at me.
“I promise. There’s nothing between Elijah and me. Until Caleb and April’s wedding, we’ve barely spoken since Robert’s death. I really am only here to help him, and then I’ll be returning to Kris and continuing with our wedding plans. Nothing is going to derail that.”
“Okay,” Mum says, cupping my cheek. “I just worry. A mother’s prerogative.”
I tilt my head into her hand. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Well, I’ll leave you to get sorted. I’m only next door if you need me.”
“We’ll be working,” I repeat.
She looks sceptical. Her problem, not mine.
I need to get ready. Elijah and I have work to do.
CHAPTER 14
ELIJAH
Ipull up at the enormous wooden gates shielding Pen’s driveway from the outside world. A combination of high fences and laurel hedges surrounds her land. It’s clear she values her privacy as much as my family does.
I pick up the gate fob from the centre console and watch as the gates swing open.
Hitting the accelerator, I drive up the tree-lined driveway towards the impressive house at the end.
I pull up at the base of her front steps, only to find Pen waiting for me.
She moves to the driver’s window, pointing to the side of the house.
“Park it in the garage,” she says.
I move in the direction she tells me, towards the enormous door linked to the side of the house.
