“Yes, Mrs. Penrith.”Witch. Both Nolan and Tyler struck her as decent men. How they’d managed it with a mother like Elizabeth Penrith, Susan didn’t know. Good grief, how much longer would this car ride take? “I enjoyed the gala. Do you know if they raised the amount of money they needed for the computer equipment?”
“Yes, the gala was a big success. Of course, we gambled with the weather. It often rains at this time of the year.”
“What is the next fundraising event? I met the minister of the local church. He said you help raise a lot of money for the various charities and to meet the needs of the community.”
“We’re trying to start an afternoon group for the children to keep them out of trouble. With the school holidays coming up soon, we’re organizing a pilot program of different activities.”
“That’s a great idea,” Susan said. “The school holidays start next week, don’t they? I’d be happy to teach a dance class, if you think some of the kids would be interested.”
Mrs. Penrith gasped, took her eyes off the road. “I hardly think that would be appropriate.”
Chilly silence bloomed, coating the interior of the vehicle with permafrost. Thankfully, five minutes later, Mrs. Penrith jerked the car to a halt in front of a white bungalow.
Nolan opened Susan’s door and waited for her to climb from the car. He took one look at her tight expression and squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Susan said.
“Susan’s bag is in the back,” Mrs. Penrith said. “Nolan, I still don’t think that it’s appropriate for the girls to stay in the house with you alone.”
“Mum, we’re hardly alone. The cameraman will spend a lot of time at the house, and I believe Jennifer’s assistant will be dropping in for a visit.”
“It doesn’t look right.”
“Thank you for giving Susan a lift,” Nolan said.
Mrs. Penrith scowled and looked as if she was winding herself up for a tirade.
“Thank you.” Susan almost choked observing the polite niceties.
“I’ll show you to your room.”
Susan followed him through a wooden gate, past a bed of pink flowers and up a curved path to the three steps leading to the entrance. A verandah wrapped around most of the bungalow—the perfect place to while away lazy afternoons or late summer evenings and savor the views into the valley and beyond, the township of Clare.
“What a gorgeous view,” she said. “Looks as if a storm is coming fast.”
“The forecast predicted rain. You should see the view from my parents’ house. It’s even better.”
Susan bet the frigid atmosphere didn’t extend to this house. It raised curiosity about Tyler’s father. What sort of man ignored one of his sons?
“I’m afraid your room is small. Jasmine and Lucy are sharing the larger room.”
“No problem,” Susan said. “As long as the bed is comfortable.” She peeked through the doorway he indicated. “Oh, you weren’t kidding.”
“Jasmine and Lucy are in the lounge.”
“Sure. I’ll join them once I freshen up. Which way is the bathroom?”
Susan walked into the lounge fifteen minutes later, her hair tied back in a braid. She’d donned a clean T-shirt—pink—and a pair of black leggings, figuring comfort was the way to go. Her phone beeped, and she plucked it from the pocket of the vest she’d pulled on over the long sleeve tee.
I wish you were here.
She’d enjoy a sanctuary with Tyler too.
Not gonna happen. Instead, she did the next best thing. She sent a return text and attached a photo of her in a showgirl costume. This one focused on the beaded bra top, her cleavage. A casual observer wouldn’t recognize her in the photo. Tyler would know since the single freckle on the upper curve of her right breast would give away her identity. He liked to kiss and lick that freckle. A hot swell of lust blasted a path to her pussy and she inhaled sharply.
“Something wrong?” Nolan asked, coming up behind her.
Susan hit send and dropped her phone into the depths of her pocket. “No. Everything’s fine.”
