“You okay?” Lane asked under his breath.
She glanced up at him as they walked and nodded. “Yeah. Thanks. You make him nervous. That was fun to watch.”
Lane grunted. “He needs to be nervous. I won’t stand by and let him insul
t you again. He needs to watch his manners or he’ll be introduced to the meathead side of me.”
She laughed and bit down on her lip so the sound wouldn’t travel. “You’re not a meathead.”
“I can be if a situation calls for it.”
She didn’t doubt it. Lane could be a gentle soul. It was what made him good with patients. But a guy didn’t survive on the streets like he had without knowing how to intimidate others and protect himself. If Henry had any sense, he’d take heed.
They reached the back of the house and Elle peered out the glass door. As she’d guessed, her mother was on the brick-paved back porch, drinking something from a frosty glass and reading a book. The dog had made it to the backyard and looked to be unsuccessfully stalking a butterfly. Despite her anxiety at seeing her mother, a smile touched Elle’s lips.
Her mom hadn’t been around much when Elle was growing up, but when she did take days off work, this was where she’d always retreat to, no matter what city they were in. The outdoors in the shade with a book. As a child, Elle had often taken the seat beside her and sipped on something colorful so she could feel grown up. Her mom would read to her from whatever book she was reading, quizzing Elle on what some of the bigger words meant.
Her mother had given Elle her work ethic. She’d also given her the love of reading and learning. Unfortunately, she’d skipped a lot of the other stuff in between. And when she’d needed her on her side the most, her mom had let her down.
She opened the back door and stepped out with Lane following behind. Her mother glanced up from her book, as elegant as ever with her white-blond hair in a side-swept bob, and her eyes lit with surprise. “Ellie.”
Elle stepped forward. “Hi, Mom.”
“Nina told me you were coming, but I wasn’t sure I believed her.” Her mom set her book down and swung her legs to the side of the lounge chair to get up. She was moving a little slower than the last time Elle had seen her, but she still looked strong. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
Elle went over to her mother and they shared a quick hug. A knot of emotion clogged Elle’s throat. She didn’t want to accept that her mom was sick. Cassandra McCray was the toughest woman she knew. She was supposed to be invincible. “I’m sorry I never called you back. I was busy and I didn’t realize anything was going on.”
Her mom leaned back, gripping Elle’s hands, and shook her head. “I understand. You’re just like me. Work always comes first. I didn’t want to leave a message and worry you.”
“Mom—”
“And you brought a friend,” she said, peeking over Elle’s shoulder at Lane. “Hello there.”
“Hi, Mrs. McCray.” Lane stepped over and put his hand out. “I’m Lane Cannon.”
Her mom shook Lane’s hand. “Cassandra McCray.” She eyed him up and down. “And you are what to my daughter? Friend? Boyfriend? Bodyguard?”
Elle shifted closer to Lane. “Fiancé.”
Her mom arched a brow, her skeptical face on full throttle. “Right. Your fiancé.” She gave a little laugh, like she was entertained by the idea. “Well, you always were an overachiever, Ellie. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”
Lane’s lips parted and his gaze skated to Elle. “Uh…”
But before Elle could process what her mother meant, her mom turned to her and smirked. “I knew you’d bring someone to drive Henry up the wall, but you didn’t need to go all the way to fiancé.” She patted Lane’s arm. “My daughter doesn’t think I pay attention, but I know her well enough to know she’ll never get married again. Henry and Nina will buy it, though, so it’ll be effective nonetheless.”
Elle stiffened. “I never said I wouldn’t get married again.”
Her mom shrugged. “You didn’t have to. You’re too smart to put yourself in that position twice. Plus, you’re the type of person who does better on her own. I thought that even before you married Henry. I was proven right.”
Elle crossed her arms, suddenly feeling like a petulant child. “So it’s my fault my marriage didn’t make it?”
“That’s not what I said.” She swept a hand out, dismissing the words. “I’m saying you are better on your own and you know that.” She turned to Lane. “So who are you really? Friend? Co-worker?”
“Fiancé,” Lane said smoothly. “And co-worker. And friend. But I understand where you’re coming from, Mrs. McCray.” He turned to Elle with a fond look. “Elle is brilliant, talented, and tough as nails. She definitely doesn’t need a man in her life.” He brushed her hair away from her face with a sweep of his hand, his green eyes holding her gaze without wavering. “But somehow, she’s let me into hers, and I feel like the luckiest guy around because of it. Our engagement is new but if she lets me, I will spend my life making sure she’s as happy as I feel every time I’m in the same room with her.”
The words were a lie delivered by a talented actor. Her brain knew that. But somehow the rest of her body didn’t get the message. Her chest compressed and her throat narrowed with that horrible feeling that preceded crying. No one had ever said something like that to her. Not even her ex when things were good. Tears stung her eyes. She needed to pretend back. That was what she told herself she was doing when she let the tears fall. Oscar-worthy acting. Sure.
“Oh, honey.” She pushed up on her toes and pressed her lips to Lane’s.