His Secret Temptation

“I’ll be there by two-thirty,” Elizabeth continued. “We have to find those white napkins.”

Simon’s mother navigated Savannah traffic with the same task management style she used on every aspect of her life, by doing three things at once. Watching her multitask through making breakfast and organizing everyone’s schedule for the day, Caroline admired her technique for coping with her sons’ constant one-upmanship and guiding her husband away from the pancakes and toward the healthy cereal, all the while keeping Caroline engaged by explaining the background of the black-and-white gala.

Caroline caught her breath as the stoplight in front of them changed from yellow to red and Elizabeth showed no signs of slowing down.

“No. I don’t know where they are. That was your job. I handled almost everything else.”

Their car sped through the intersection, causing motorists on a perpendicular course to slam on their breaks. A horn sounded, long and impatient.

Elizabeth snapped her phone closed with an exasperated snort. “Sorry about that. I swear this is the most inept committee I’ve ever had the displeasure of working with.” She wheeled the car around a corner and fastened a sharp blue gaze on Caroline. “Now, where were we?”

As much as Caroline didn’t want to distract Elizabeth from her driving, she sensed the woman wouldn’t have reached the age of fifty-five if she didn’t have an angel riding shotgun whenever she got behind the wheel.

“Something about letting me in on a little secret.”

“Oh yes.” Elizabeth changed lanes and shifted topics with the same finesse. “Don’t think badly of me, but when Simon first mentioned he was bringing someone home, I thought he’d created a girlfriend to keep me from setting him up with all my friends’ eligible daughters.”

If Caroline had been drinking she would have choked. As it was, she gaped at Elizabeth, wondering if the woman read minds or just knew her son extremely well.

“Why would you think Simon would do that?” Caroline forced light amusement into her tone, a happily engaged woman probing to see if her future mother-in-law was crazy. “Bring home a fake girlfriend, I mean.”

“He’s done nothing but complain about how busy I keep him during the holidays. Surely he told you that?” Elizabeth didn’t wait for Caroline’s response. “I suppose I have interfered a little, but it’s been years since he was serious about a woman. I was beginning to lose hope that I’d ever see him get married.”

“He told me he dated quite frequently before we met. Surely he would have found the right girl eventually.”

“Don’t you mean, obviously he found the right girl eventually?” Elizabeth countered.

Caroline could feel the color rise in her cheeks and wished her skin wasn’t so set on betraying her. “Of course.”

“Until you showed up I really thought you were a ploy to get me to change all the plans for the holidays. And now that you’re here, I can see that my son is truly in love for the first time in his life.”

Caroline’s stomach flip flopped. She couldn’t put any stock in Elizabeth’s observations, but a foolish part of her enjoyed pretending the fantasy was true.

“How?” The question was irresistible.

“It’s the way his gaze follows you wherever you go.”

That was nothing more than Simon acting the part of love-struck fiancé to perfection. Of course, the fight they’d had last night over Dane’s interest in her had felt real.

“Charles used to look at me like that.” Elizabeth’s expression softened. Even after thirty-five years of marriage she was still very much a woman in love.

Caroline hoped she’d have the same luck someday. “He still does.”

Elizabeth eyebrows lifted. She looked pleased by Caroline’s comment. “Yes. I do believe you’re right.”

They crossed the Savannah River, and Caroline saw a sign for Hutchinson Island. A resort had been developed here that boasted shops, pubs and restaurants, all with views of the river and the spectacular Historic District.

It became immediately apparent that Elizabeth had wanted her along for the sole purpose of showing her off. She introduced Caroline to her three friends, emphasizing her law school education, her attractiveness, and how much Simon adored her. Cheeks blazing, Caroline somehow bore it all with a polite smile, but felt more deeply mired in muck with each lie that passed her lips.

After lunch they browsed the shops, giving Caroline the chance to buy Christmas presents for Simon’s family. She explained to Elizabeth that Simon had sprung the trip on her so fast that she hadn’t had an opportunity to do much shopping.

They left the island at around one so Elizabeth could drop Caroline off and get to the country club where that night’s black-and-white gala would take place. As animated as Simon’s mother had been all day, as she turned the car toward home, she wore a pensive expression.

“I’m glad Simon found you,” Elizabeth said, her announcement making Caroline’s heart ache. “I think you are just the woman to get him to settle down.”

Settle down? What woman could possibly convince him to trade thrills for domestic bliss?

“I don’t think settling down is something Simon will ever do.”