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This was definitely not the reaction she was expecting from a scientist. Weren’t they supposed to be a little more mild-mannered? A little more cerebral?

“You don’t have to worry about me. I’m used to it,” she smiled.

“Well, get un-used to it. And you’re damned right I’m going, and no you’re not paying for me. I’ve got my own damned money. Let’s not stay at Cherry Bud Walk. Let’s stay at one of the hotels.”

Lainey giggled. “It’s Magnolia Run, and you know it. We have to stay there; it will be expected. All the family will be there, except maybe my sister. She’s pregnant and currently on bed rest.”

“Oh. I didn’t know that. Is she okay?”

She enjoyed hearing the concern in his voice. But then again, what didn’t she like? Strike that. What didn’t she adore about this man?

“Don’t worry, her doctor said she’s just fine. It was Bennett’s idea to go on bed rest. And speaking of bed. I’m tired of talking about my family. I think it’s time to go to bed. What do you think?”

“I’m all in,” Matt grinned.

21

“Lainey, there’s a valet in front of your house.” Mateo laughed.

“Yeah, well, you’re the one who somehow had a Mercedes coupe waiting for us at the airport to rent.”

Mateo smirked. He thought that had been a pretty smooth move. “You told me I needed to make a good impression. I figured that was a good way to start.”

“You’re right,” Lainey mumbled as she shrank down in her seat. “I can’t believe Mother has people arriving so early. She told me they weren’t coming in until tomorrow.”

“Guess she lied.” Mateo got the feeling that Lainey was going to be in for a lot of surprises this weekend, and none of them good. He really didn’t like any damn thing he’d heard about her family so far.

They didn’t have to wait for anyone in front of them, they just drove up to the valet. He opened Lainey’s door and helped her out of the Mercedes, and it rubbed Mateo wrong. That was his job. He got out and popped the trunk. Before he had a chance to get his hand on any of their luggage, somebody appeared.

“I’ve got that, sir.”

Mateo took out his wallet and grabbed two ten-dollar bills. As he got to where Lainey and the valet were standing, he slid his keys into the man’s hand as well as one of the bills. The man took the keys and the bill and smiled. “What name should I put with this?” he asked.

“Agular.”

“I’ll take good care of your baby,” he promised.

“Miss Simpson, your mother has put the two of you in your old room,” the man with their bags said.

“Thank you, Fortnum.” Lainey smiled. It wasn’t one of her genuine smiles, it was a resigned smile. The man preceded them into the house, where a young woman stood beside the open door. Fortnum set their luggage down on a massive marble floor that covered the foyer. Obviously, someone at a lower level was going to take their luggage upstairs. Mateo shoved his other ten-dollar bill back in his pocket. He figured Fortnum would turn his nose up at a tip.

“Let’s go upstairs, Matt,” Lainey said as she turned to him.

Fortnum cleared his throat. “Your mother expects you in the blue room as soon as you arrive.”

“I want to freshen up first,” Lainey said, with hardly any trace of an accent.

“She was sitting near the window facing the drive,” the old guy told her.

“Fortnum,” Lainey said through gritted teeth, “I want to go to my room first.”

“You know your mother likes things done a certain way.”

Mateo watched the exchange, and he was done. He picked up their bags before the crypt keeper could say another word. “Come on Corazón, show me the way to your room.”

She gave him a grateful smile. “Follow me.” She started up the grand staircase and at the top, she went to the right, down a long hall past five doors, before taking a left. Her bedroom was at the end of the hall. At least they were going to have some privacy.

When she opened the door to a room that looked like it had been designed by Pepto Bismol, he laughed.