Paris nodded. “It’s just Mom. She wants to stay with me, so nothing will change her mind.”
“Why don’t you bring her to my house for dinner tonight? I’ll put on the barbecue and cook my world-famous marinated steak with grilled corn salad.”
“I couldn’t do that to you and Jack. Mom can be unpredictable.”
“Because of her drinking?”
“Even when she isn’t drinking, she isn’t the same as most people.”
He wasn’t going to leave Paris with someone she didn’t feel safe with. Even if it was her mother. “Have dinner with us. If your mom’s around other people, it might make her react differently to what you say.”
“Okay, we’ll come. What time would you like us to arrive?”
“Is six-thirty okay? It won’t take long to cook everything.”
“That’s fine. Thanks for inviting us.”
“Don’t worry about your mom. With Jack and Louie to keep her company, she won’t have anything to complain about.”
“I hope you’re right. I’ll see you soon.” Paris waved to Jack as she hurried toward The Welcome Center.
Richard walked toward Jack and Louie. It wasn’t the dinner he’d imagined when he’d bought the steak, but it would be interesting. Paris didn’t talk about her mom. Tonight, he might understand why.
Chapter 19
“It was nice of your friend to invite us to dinner,” Donna said from the passenger seat of Paris’ truck. “You haven’t mentioned his name before.”
“I didn’t get to know Richard until I decided to lease the cottage on Anchor Lane. He managed the construction crew that was doing the work.” Paris stopped outside Richard’s house. “He moved into his new home the same weekend I opened The Flower Cottage. He wants to do some remodeling, but it’s early days yet.”
Donna unbuckled her seatbelt. “Jerry and I have been talking about making some changes to our house but, with everything else that’s happening, we haven’t had a chance to talk to an interior designer.”
Jerry must be earning more money than Paris realized. Interior designers in Los Angeles didn’t come cheap, and her mom had expensive taste. But, even if he was making lots of money on the poker circuit, it wasn’t guaranteed income. With her mom unemployed, they could get themselves into serious debt.
Paris took a box of desserts off the back seat and led her mom through the front gate. “Richard’s son’s name is Jack.”
“Yes, yes, I know. He’s nine years old and has a dog called Louie.”
At least her mom remembered that. She just hoped she remembered to be on her best behavior.
The front door swung open. Jack and Louie bounded down the steps. “Hi, Paris and Paris’ mom,” he said with a grin. “I’m Jack.”
Reaching out, Donna shook Jack’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you and your little dog.”
Paris’ eyebrows rose. Louie was leaning against her mom’s legs, looking blissfully up at her as if she was his best friend.
“You’re a friendly little dog.”
Jack patted Louie’s back. “He only has three legs. There was a bad accident and the doctor had to take one of them off. Just like my dad.”
Donna frowned. “Your dad was in an accident?”
“He was in the Army and a landmine went boom, and he almost died. Do you like corn? It’s my favorite vegetable ’cos it’s not green.”
Instead of being overwhelmed by Jack’s zigzagging mind, Donna simply nodded. “I’m a big fan of corn, too. My mother used to make corn fritters when I was a little girl.”
“We haven’t had those.”
Richard walked onto the veranda and joined them. He shook Donna’s hand. “I’m Richard. It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Haynes.”
