As the chauffeur began unloading their luggage, the low hum of another engine drifted up the lane behind us.
I turned as a white modest rental car appeared, its tyres crunching apologetically over the gravel behind the line of glossy black SUVs and the vintage Rolls.
Elaine Quinn climbed out, moving with a normality that instantly relaxed the scene. Dressed in a pale cardigan and flowery blue blouse, she seemed more at home in a kitchen smelling of lemon slices and fresh tea than amid a high-society showdown.
There was nothing flashy about her, and that was exactly what made her impossible to overlook.
Elaine’s face lit up the moment she spotted James. Without hesitation, she hurried forward, her arms already opening.
“My darling, I’m so excited for you!” she said, wrapping him in a full, sincere hug that made him grin like a teenager again.
“Thanks, Mum,” he murmured against her shoulder, holding on a moment longer than I think anyone expected.
When she finally pulled back, she turned to Caroline, her face still glowing. “And you, sweetheart, you look radiant.”
I noticed the change immediately. The stiff lines around Caroline’s mouth melted, and her posture eased just a little.
“Thank you, Elaine,” she said gently. For a rare second, she seemed almost like a daughter, not a CEO-in-training.
Elaine reached out and gave her a quick but genuine hug, gentle, restrained, but full of affection.
Behind them, the Harringtons watched. Margaret’s expression was polite, but her eyes told a different story, cool, assessing. She took in everything: the cardigan, the flat shoes, the modest rental car parked behind the gleaming Rolls.
Richard stepped forward and extended a hand. “James’s mother I believe?”
Elaine took it with a steady grip, firm and unpretentious. “Yes, please call me Elaine. It’s lovely to finally meet you both.”
Margaret stepped in next, her expression perfectly composed. “Elaine, welcome. It’s been quite the lead-up, hasn’t it?”
Elaine returned the smile, kind-hearted and gracious. “Yes, but all worth it. I’m just so happy for James and Caroline.”
Margaret gave a small nod, her attention flicking to the rental car before sliding back to Elaine. “You must be relieved to have made the trip from Melbourne on your own. I know travel can be such a hassle these days.”
Elaine held her gaze for half a beat too long. “I’ve had a few years to get used to it now.”
A flicker of recognition crossed Margaret’s face. “Of course.”
Elaine smiled lightly, smoothing invisible dust from her sleeve. “Though to be fair, Alan never enjoyed airports even when he was alive.”
There was a waver, just the smallest twitch, in Margaret’s eyes, but she said nothing more.
Sensing the mood, James touched Elaine’s arm. “Mum, why don’t I show you to your room?”
“Oh, no rush,” she said brightly. “I’d love to take in the view a little longer. It really is stunning here.”
She turned, taking in the sweep of the vineyards with genuine admiration. “It’s hard to believe places like this still exist.”
That was when she noticed Noah, standing slightly behind the group.
“You must be Mr. Langston. My son’s spoken so highly of you,” she said gently.
He gave a small nod, dusting his hands on his jeans before offering a hand. “Just Noah, ma’am. Welcome.”
“Thank you, Noah,” Elaine said easily. “It’s a beautiful place you’ve got here. It feels... peaceful.”
Noah looked over briefly to the vines, then back to her. “Some days, it is.”
I shifted my weight and caught Cleo’s eye. “Cleo, why don’t you double-check the flower arrangements in the hall? Make sure everything matches my notes.”
