A car pulled up at the security gates, and Edwina groaned.Her grandmother.Again.Periodically, her grandmother visited Edwina to order her to return home and cease her childish behavior.At her age, she should have a husband.How could she afford to stay at this place?It was expensive.
Edwina rose and hit the button on her remote to open the gate.From the moment Valerie McClintock climbed from behind the driver’s side, her glasses lenses glinting in the sun, Edwina vibrated with tension.She respected her grandmother, she did, but sometimes she hated her.
“I’ve arranged an outing,” her grandmother said, her chin jutting with determination.A wave of familiar lavender perfume drifted to Edwina.“Todd Fisher will pick you up at six for dinner.”
Edwina silently counted to five.“He can try to collect me, but I won’t be here at six.”
“Why not?”her grandmother demanded.“Never mind.Make tea and tell me in a civilized fashion.”
Civilized.Wow!Her grandmother had a cheek.She was the one who’d barged in without an invitation.
“I’ve run out of milk,” Edwina said with petty glee.Oh, she was bad.“It will have to be black tea.”
Her grandmother winced.“I suppose lemon will do.”
“Sorry, no lemon either,” Edwina said, not even bothering to suggest she run to the office and ask for milk.
“You’re older now,” her grandmother said in a strident voice.“And should prepare for all civilities.You require a job and a husband.”
Same old.Same old.“Grandmother, please call Todd and tell him I’m not available.Not tonight, and not any night.I have other plans, which I would’ve told you about if you’d bothered to ask.”
“You’re wasting your life.Since you arrived home from the gathering, you’ve stayed here.How can you afford it?All you do is play your stupid guitar.”
Edwina sucked in a breath.“That is not all I do.I’ve started an online music degree.Coursework and assignments take time.Sometimes, I help Emily at the café and babysit for Isabella.”
“You should have your own children,” her grandmother fretted.
Edwina preferred to wait, spend quality time with Mikhail, complete her music degree, and enjoy life first.Not that she’d discuss this with her grandmother.Children were a topic for her and Mikhail.Her grandmother’s input was unnecessary.She reminded herself to visit Gavin in his clinic for another contraception shot.
“You haven’t visited your parents,” her grandmother said.
Because Edwina was still angry at them for acceding to her grandmother’s wishes.She pressed her lips together and gripped her temper.
Her grandmother frowned.“You said you didn’t meet anyone at the gathering.Suzie met a billionaire.”
She’d met someone too but couldn’t tell her grandmother he was working on a hazardous project, and she’d come home to spare Mikhail worry over her safety.
“I know,” Edwina said.“Suzie and I speak with each other most days.”
“He’s a bear,” her grandmother said.
“I’m looking forward to meeting Suzie’s husband in person.We’ve spoken via video calls.”
Her grandmother pinched her lips together, and Edwina almost smiled at the telltale thud of her forefingers against her plaid skirt.Suzie had a billionaire husband—a successful businessman—while Edwina was hiding in this cabin and babysitting other people’s children.
As always, she sent silent prayers skyward for Mikhail’s safety.He was doing this to keep his employees safe and people like Clarice and her son.
“Edwina!Are you listening to me?”
Edwina started and blinked.Mikhail had to survive.“Sorry, I was wondering about my assignment.”
“Music of all things.It’s not even useful.You can’t sail through life with your head in the clouds.”
“Yes, Grandmother,” Edwina said, tired of the verbal game.She wanted to complete her assignment and check the lyrics Suzie had emailed.
“I’ll expect you at the family dinner on Sunday,” her grandmother said in her no-nonsense voice.
“Yes, Grandmother.”
