CHAPTER FIVE
By the time they reached the gravel driveway leading to the Griffin’s Vermont home, Anna knew Skylar’s favorite color was blue; his favorite movie wasScarface; he liked to sleep in on Saturdays, read the paper in bed, and have a huge breakfast; he never missed a Patriots’ game, and he jogged five miles in the evenings. They had also gone over specifics for their first date and the proposal.
The trees parted to reveal a Colonial-style home with its perfect symmetry and clean lines. White siding gleamed in the bright sunlight, and cobalt blue shutters framed large rectangular windows. Max jumped around in the backseat and barked, eager to get out. He obviously recognized the place. Anna wished she could be that excited about the ominous weekend looming over her.
Two women hurried out the door to greet them. Anna recognized the one with reddish hair from a photograph on John Griffin’s desk. She was Skylar’s mother, the woman Anna most dreaded meeting. Fooling the woman might be more difficult than winning the Jensen case.
She grabbed onto Skylar’s arm after he turned off the engine and reached for the door handle. “I can’t,” she said in a voice that lacked strength. She couldn’t seem to catch her breath. “I can’t do it.” Her body turned to quivering Jello. “I just can’t pull this off.”
“Yes, you can.” He grinned at her. “Pretend you’re in court trying to save a life.” He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Or just follow my lead and trust me.”
Before she could stop him, he climbed out with the dog right behind him. His mother hugged him while he kissed her on the cheek. Her eyes were on his occupied car the whole time. She gestured to it as Anna reluctantly got out. “What is wrong with you?” she asked her son. “Why didn’t you open the door for her? I know I raised you better than that.”
Anna pasted on a smile she prayed looked genuine and approached them with a greeting on her lips.
Skylar met her halfway. He slid an arm around her waist and walked her to his mother. Good thing, since she could barely feel her legs. “Anna is an independent woman,” he said. “On our first date, I made the mistake of opening a door for her. She thought it was old-fashioned and patronizing. Lesson learned.” He placed an affectionate kiss on her temple. “You know I like a woman who speaks her mind.”
Anna blinked at him, mouth agape. He lied so effortlessly. The details he added to their fictitious story were good enough to fool her...if she didn’t know they were made up.
He made quick introductions to both his mother and grandmother. The grandmother waved to her from the porch. Anna tried to pay close attention even though her mind was reeling. She focused on remembering their names: Joann Griffin and Dottie Mills. They both gazed at Skylar with such warmth that it made Anna’s heart ache for what was missing in her life. Her dream of having a family was shattered years ago when she was taken from people ready to adopt her and placed in yet another foster home.
He squeezed her tightly to his side as she extended a hand to his mother. “It is so nice to meet you, Mrs. Griffin.”
“Don’t give me that,” the woman said.
The blood drained from Anna’s face.
Had his mother seen through the lie already?
Joann pulled Anna into an embrace and spoke near her ear. “I am a hugger, sweetie, and I am over the moon to meet you. I was beginning to think Sky would never take a chance on love again.”
“Stop making me sound crazy, Mother,” he said with a forced chuckle.
Joann stepped back and gave them enough room so that he could anchor Anna to his side again. Although Anna would never admit it out loud, she felt safe with his strong arm around her. His mother gushed over the diamond ring on Anna’s left hand until Max pawed at her leg to get her attention. Joann bent over to stroke the dog’s fur. Anna started sneezing again, and her eyes began to water. The medication was wearing off. She needed another dose. The women both eyed her, suspicious.
Skylar explained, “She’s allergic.”
Dottie came to the edge of the porch. “She’s allergic to dogs? But you said you’d never date a woman that didn’t love dogs as much as you do.”
“She does love dogs,” he said. “Anna can’t help she’s allergic. She still got into the car with Max to come up here for our family Thanksgiving celebration. She’s trying to be a good sport. Give her a break.”
Anna glowed on the inside from the faint praise and the arm that remained around her. “It’s no big deal. I took allergy pills, and I was fine.” She pulled the bottle out of her purse. “But I do need another dose.”
“Come with me, dear,” Dottie motioned for Anna to follow her into the house. “I’ll get you a glass of water while Skylar takes your luggage up to his room.”
Hisroom? Her shocked gaze went to Skylar.
The grandmother didn’t seem to miss a thing. Raising an eyebrow, she asked, “Is something wrong, dear?”
Skylar answered before she could. “Anna and I discussed sleeping arrangements on our way up here. We decided it would be more respectful if we had separate rooms considering this isn’t our home.”
“Aren’t you sharing an apartment?” Dottie asked.
“Living in sin?” Skylar made a face. “Not me.”
“The living part isn’t where you get into trouble,” Dottie said. “Are you trying to say you’re celibate?” She laughed. “I think we know you better than that.”
Joann held up her hands to silence them. She spoke directly to Anna. Her eyes held an amused warmth. “Don’t worry about us. Our son is an adult, and the two of you are getting married soon. I want you to feel at home here. The room has already been aired out and the sheets changed. It’s on the other side of the house from our bedrooms, so you’ll have privacy.”