Mom moved her arm farther to her lap, turning her attention back to me. “You’re dating someone from the humane society? Randall, really. What are you thinking? Surely you can do better than that.”
“The humane society was good enough for you to twist all your friends’ wallets for money.” Why couldn’t I keep my mouth shut? I sent another glare in Kayla’s direction.
She had the presence of mind to give a grimace, at least.
Mom wasn’t done. “Randall, I would think it perfectly obvious that if someone is in need of fund-raising, they probably aren’t dating you for love, dear. It’s all about the Morgan name.”
I nearly reminded her that I no longer had any claim to the Morgan fortune, and that in so doing, she and Dad no longer had any strings to pull over my life, romantic or otherwise. Beside me, Bailey was happily coloring pink hair onto a yellow flying pony. This time I did bite my tongue. They had a stronger string to pull than they ever had before.
Maybe a different tactic. “Did you not realize who Noah was?”
Mom grimaced. “Goodness no. Why would I have any idea who that man was? Granted, he was very charming and handsome, and he knows how to work a crowd, I’ll give him that. But no. I most definitely don’t know the likes of him.”
Another glance at Bailey saved me from reminding Mom of her past life as my father’s secretary. And how pedestrian and cliché the whole thing was. “Don’t you remember Simon and Ruth Carroll?”
Mom’s brows knit in concentration, then quickly smoothed out. I was certain she realized what her plastic surgeon would say about making such an expression. “No. I don’t think I do.”
“From church?”
“Oh!” Her eyes lit up. “Well, of course. The church’s missionary family to that little country.”
“Haiti?” I couldn’t keep the judgment out of my tone.
She waved me off. “Right. Haiti. Goodness, I haven’t thought about them in years. In fact….” She paused, thinking. “I think I heard Pastor Carroll died. Forever ago.”
“Yeah. He did.” I stared at her. How had she known that and not told me? The thought was ridiculous, of course. She’d not known about Noah’s and my kiss. Though she knew we were friends.
Her eyes widened once more as the puzzle pieces connected. “Noah is their son? You’re dating the missionaries’ son?”
“We’ve only been on one date, but, yes. Kinda.”
“Well, that can’t be. I’m certain I remember reading in one of the church’s newsletters that they were doing a fund-raiser to help Pastor Carroll’s son pay to go to seminary.”
Seminary? Noah went to seminary? To be a preacher? Maybe he still was that good Christian boy underneath it all. That memory of his kiss, the power of his body pressed up against me, seemed to negate the thought. I had no idea what to say to Mom.
Kayla looked back and forth between us. I noticed just in time when she opened her mouth, certain she was trying to rescue the situation. “Randall also got a book deal this week.” She beamed.
I guess I didn’t notice in time.
She flinched at my expression, and her smile faltered.
From over in the corner, Dad piped up. “What’s this, Randall? You are getting a book deal? Something published?”
I tried to read his tone or expression before I answered, but I couldn’t. “Yeah. Nothing big. My agent found a publisher that wants to do an art book. A coffee-table-type thing. We haven’t gotten the contract yet.”
“Really?” He gave a slow nod. “A book of your kid fantasy work? The cards and stuff you sell?”
I nodded, still not certain what was about to come out of his mouth, but preparing to bite my tongue hard enough to make it bleed.
“Very impressive.”
I was fairly certain my jaw dropped. “Thank you, Dad. I hope it works out.”
My brother had a similar expression on his face as he looked between my father and me. His blue eyes hardened. “Sounds like you owe my daughter quite a bit of gratitude. You wouldn’t have this so-called career if it weren’t for her.”
I glanced at Bailey. She didn’t say anything. I was certain she could feel the tension as clearly as I could. I smiled at her, then looked back at Dustin. “I sure do. I’m going to dedicate the book to her.”
He scowled. “Just a dedication, huh? I’d think a good percentage of the royalties would be more in order.”
