Lord of Rain (The Dragon Demigods #5) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,11

Bolt?” She looks so disappointed. I want to find whoever published that damn article and end them.

I go to her and take her hands. “I swear I wasn’t with that young woman. She’s a hostess at a restaurant I went to the day before yesterday for a business lunch. I don’t know who she is, I had never seen her before that moment. It’s this stupid ‘most eligible bachelor’ status I’ve been saddled with.”

“If only you weren’t single. You wouldn’t have to worry about all of this nonsense. Your picture wouldn’t be in the paper every week with a different woman. You need someone special in your life.”

I tell her what she wants to hear. It’s easier than trying to explain how I never want to settle down. How I’m not that kind of person. “I haven’t met the right person yet.” I squeeze her hands. My jaw tightens because it’s a lie and because my mind goes straight to Gabby. The harpy. I hate that her face is all I can see.

My mom smiles. “You will find love. Someone is out there for you, my boy.”

The right woman for me is dead and buried. Hell, the right woman for me wasn’t the right woman at all. It’s that poison talking. My mind is in turmoil. I nod and try to smile at her. What else can I do?

“That’s not the only reason I’m mad with you.” She opens a cupboard and takes out two coffee cups, which she places on a tray. “How many times do I have to tell you not to send strangers to my house?” She closes the cupboard with a light bang.

“I take it you’re talking about the contractors I sent here last week?”

She makes this huffing noise as she pours the coffee.

“The ones you sent away?”

“I don’t want strangers in my house. I’ve told you that.” She pours some milk into both cups, even though I prefer my coffee black.

“Your roof is leaking.” As if on cue, there is a pitter-patter of rain falling on her roof.

She looks up. “Lately, it rains whenever you come over.”

I shrug. “Just a coincidence.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Absolutely fine. I know I haven’t visited in over a week, but…” I squeeze my temples, pushing out a breath.

“Work,” she says.

“Yes.”

“You need to take some time off.”

It’s the last thing I need right now. More time to think. “You’re right, Mom. As soon as things are running smoothly at the company I just took over.”

“Always work with you, Bolt.” She reaches for the tray.

“Let me take that, Mom,” I say.

“You’re my guest,” she says, slapping my hand away. “Next time, you must come for dinner, not just a cup of coffee.”

“I will, Mom.”

“Bring a friend along.” She smiles warmly.

I ignore the jibe. “I see you baked my favorite cookies,” I try to change the subject.

“Any kind of cookie is your favorite,” she laughs. “Let’s go and sit, and you can tell me all about your new venture. I’d better fetch a bucket first.” She looks up at the roof. The storm is in full swing.

“The leak.” I shake my head. “I wish you’d let me help you more.” I take the tray from her, thankful that she lets me.

“I wish you’d take my advice more.” She’s still smiling.

“It’s not the same.”

“It is.”

“Okay, Mom.” I head to the living room.

5

That afternoon…

Ashley

My hands are clammy. Crap! What if he wants to shake hands when I introduce myself? My skin will be damp and icky. I rub them on my skirt. Now I’m worrying that I went with the wrong outfit. I googled which color to wear for an interview and got black, navy, grey, and brown.

It was a relief, since the only suit I own is black. I wear it to funerals. I decided to wear it even though it’s a little frumpy. The skirt comes to just above my knees. The jacket is slightly loose on me, so I must have lost some weight. I guess I have been more stressed than normal with my parent’s business struggling over the last few months. It brings home to me the fact that I need this job really badly…bottom line. I also have a form-fitting light blue dress with a little black belt that cinches below my breasts. It has a high neckline and sleeves to my elbows. Maybe that would have been better. No…it was black or light blue, and every article I read said navy blue. Powder blue is hardly a power color.