Page 74 of Come to Me

“You do that.”

Micki hurried to Patrick’s room and slipped on her shirt and capri pants she’s worn the day before. She was glad she wasn’t in her usual cutoff shorts but had a feeling this outfit wouldn’t impress Patrick’s mother either.

She plastered on a smile as she reentered the living area. "Patrick isn’t here.”

“I know that. I’m here to see you.”

Micki swallowed at the ominous tone the woman spoke to her with. “Oh…well. Can I get you coffee?”

Mrs. Andres waved a dismissive hand, her lips pursed in a thin line. "No. I'm not here for pleasantries, Ms. Kincaid. I'm here to understand exactly what kind of woman my son has become involved with."

Micki blinked, taken aback by the bluntness of the statement. She opened her mouth to respond, but Mrs. Andres held up a hand, silencing her.

"I've heard everything about you and your...family's establishment." The disdain in her voice was palpable. "A dilapidated resort in the middle of nowhere. Tell me, what could you possibly offer my son that would make him abandon his responsibilities?"

Micki felt a spark of indignation flare within her, but she quickly tamped it down, replacing it with a disarming smile. "Mrs. Andres?—”

“Dr. Andres.”

“Sorry…Dr. Andres, I can assure you that I don’t have any intentions.” Okay, so that wasn’t quite true. But Patrick should hear about them before his mother. “As for responsibilities, you must know that Patrick is serious about and committed to his duty to your family and business.”

The older woman's eyes narrowed. “Yes, well, a man like that needs a woman of culture and refinement. Not someone—” Her disapproving gaze swept over Micki again. “Like you.”

Micki’s jaw tightened. “I see.”

“I don’t think you do. Patrick is a good man, too good sometimes. He sees a pretty woman who’s nice to him. He doesn’t see what I do. A woman who thinks Patrick will save her and her family.”

Micki gaped. The woman was calling her a gold digger. Then again, Patrick did at one point too, so maybe she shouldn’t be surprised considering his mother was clearly an elitist snob.

“You arrived with Dr. Preston and her friends, did you not?”

It took a moment for Micki to place Dr. Preston. “It’s Dr. McKenna now.”

Dr. Andres made a face. “It should have been Dr. Andres, did you know that? She should have married my son.” She waved a dismissive hand. “In any case, I’m aware that she brought up two other women who were successful at fooling successful men into marrying them.”

Micki had enough. “Oh please. You clearly haven’t seen Drake and Jagger with?—”

“Don’t be rude.”

Back at you, Micki thought.

“The point is, you won’t get your claws into my son or his money. I won’t allow it.”

The woman's contempt was meant to shake Micki. To make her feel inferior. But it would take more than a snobby rich woman to make Micki feel like she was unworthy. She met the older woman's steely gaze with unwavering composure.

"I can assure you, Dr. Andres, that my interest in your son has nothing to do with his family's wealth or status."

Mrs. Andres scoffed, her manicured brow arching in disdain. "Right. Well, if that’s the case, then you won’t have any problem leaving and never contacting him again.”

“I said my interest isn’t in his money, not that I didn’t have any interest. I care for him.”

“If that’s true, you’ll still leave. He’s a brilliant psychiatrist, poised to take over a thriving pharmaceutical empire. Do you really think a rustic resort in the middle of nowhere is a suitable place for him?"

Micki felt a surge of protectiveness wash over her. "Kincaid Lake is my home. One filled with love and acceptance. Patrick has found peace and fulfillment here, something he clearly wasn't finding here."

The older woman’s lips curled into a sneer. “How dare you suggest he isn’t happy here.” She let out a derisive laugh. “You’re naïve if you think you’re more than a temporary dalliance. You wouldn’t be the first.”

Micki's hands fisted, but she forced a smile. "It’s not really any of your business what Patrick’s and my sexual relation?—”

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