Page 17 of A Secret Promise

"I promise I won't cause trouble!"

Vixen's heart melted at the girl's earnest response. "I didn't mean it that way. Iknowyou won't cause trouble, Riley. You can try hiding it as hard as you want, but underneath your tough-chick exterior is a beautiful heart."

Riley pretended to gag, but Vixen pretended not to hear this.

"I knew it from the start, too."

"Cringe,Vix. I'm seriouslycringing."

And so the rest of their conversation went throughout the ride, with Vixen teasing Rule's daughter about all of her secretly sweet traits.

By the time they made it to Brook Hall, Vixen's heart was once again at peace, and she privately thanked God for helping her ignore those little whispers of doubts inside of her mind. This time with Riley had been good for both of them. And in turn, this made her feel more hopeful about a possible future between her and Rule.

Or so she felt at that moment...until Riley led her up to the front steps, and the double doors were suddenly opened by a stunningly beautiful woman dressed in nothing but a fluffy white bathrobe.

"Mom?"

The next ten minutes were a blur, and Vixen couldn't even make herself think.

Proverbs 3:5-6, Vix.

For so many years in her life, she had been like everyone else in the way she kept trying to solve problems on her own. She had done it even when the results were never good enough. She had done it because that was what she had been taught to do.

But not anymore.

Vixen struggled to keep her composure when Riley's mother walked back into the living room, hair now perfectly styled in silky waves, and her slim form sheathed in a Chanel dress.

Beatriz joined her on the couch and crossed her legs as she studied Vixen from head to toe. "Vixen, isn't it?"

Vixen managed a smile. "And you must be—-"

The other woman cut her off, asking, "How long have you and Rule been dating?"

Vixen was more startled than offended by the other woman's rudeness. "We're just friends."

"You must be areallygood friend to have permission to drive my daughter home."

"Your daughter and I are friends as well."

"How very smart of you," Beatriz drawled. "Now I understand why Riley likes you so much. She even warnedme,her own mother, not to cause trouble."

Vixen remained silent, knowing there was nothing she could say in return.

"I'm thinking of moving here as well," the other woman declared abruptly.

"I see."

"It seems very peaceful here."

"It is."

Beatriz's lips tightened. "Why don't you just drop the act? We both know you don't really want me to move here."

No, I don't,Vixen thought. But since how she felt didn't matter at all...

"Riley would love to have you around—-"

"Spare me." Beatriz's lip curled. "I didn't believe Rule at first when he told me about you. But I guess you truly are the real deal."

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