Page 6 of Axel

She had rushed from the magazine to her place, so she could get ready and spruce herself up to have dinner with her mother, something she had to force herself to do. And she had deadlines.

An article she was writing needed some finishing touches and she still had to finalize her travel details. She tended to leave everything at the last minute, which almost always got her into trouble.

She hated packing and would end up flinging things into her suitcase without the least bit of care. She had done the research and realized that while September was humid and mostly hot here, it wasn’t the same for River Glades.

The place was full of rivers and mountains, which contributed to the temperature dropping at an alarming rate. She had also read that the rainfall was in the seventy percentile.

“If you are thinking of getting married and having children…“

“I am not!” Pushing the plate away and hoping she would not offend the housekeeper – she liked the woman and applaud her for putting up with her mother - but her appetite was nonexistent. “I think you have done enough for both of us.”

Eleanor’s eyes flared, and her lips tightened. “I don’t need you to sit judgement on me.”

“I wouldn’t be doing so if you would just stop trying to make me into something I am not.” Placing the napkin carefully next to her plate, she pushed back her chair.

“I am sorry, mother, but I have to go. I have a million things to see to before I leave, and I am way behind.”

A cold silence met her sentence and Ellie resigned herself to the fact that she would not receive a phone call in the next week or two.

“I, …I will see you when I get back.”

Blatantly ignoring her, Eleanor turned her attention to the meal in front of her, clearly dismissing her.

Hesitating slightly in case there was some thawing in her demeanor, Ellie stood there for a few seconds before leaving the room. She was halfway to the door when Marge hurried to catch up to her.

“I was hoping you would stay for dessert.” The woman beamed at her fondly as she fetched her light jacket. “I made pudding, just the way you like it.”

“With the treacle on top?”

“And a side of whipped cream.”

“I would have loved a slice, but I have to run.”

Marge gave her an understanding look and shook her head. “She loves you; you know.”

Ellie shrugged, “she does not show it.” Leaning down, she kissed Marge’s weathered cheek. “You have been more of a mother to me than she ever was.”

The housekeeper pressed her against her ample bosom. “Take care of yourself, child.”

Pulling the heavy doors open, she made her escape and went towards her car with a sigh of relief.

*****

“More coffee and fruit cake?” Caitlin hovered at her son’s side with the coffee pot in her hand.

Shaking his head, he patted his stomach ruefully. “I am going to have to spend an extra thirty minutes on the treadmill when I get home.” Taking the pot from her, he placed it on the snowy white tablecloth and took her hand. “If you continue to feed me like this, I am going to be twice my size.”

Her eyes went moist as she stared at him. He had done her proud, exceeded every expectation and given her and his sister every creature comfort imaginable. She was still getting used to having maids on hand and insisted on doing the cooking herself.

Placing a kiss on his brow, she brushed back a lock of coffee brown hair that had drifted to his forehead. “You need a wife.”

“When I find one that matches your attributes, I am going to jump all over it,” he grinned at her.

Patting his shoulder, she moved away to go and put the coffee pot down. “Okay, you two, shoo and let us clear the table.”

Pushing back his chair, Axel went around to pull out the one his sister was sitting on.

“Take the rest of the wine with you. The patio is lovely at this time of night,” their mother instructed.

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