Page 38 of Obsessed Heir

If her son’s foul temper rivals that of her late husband, I shudder to think how much worse it could be. Swallowing hard, I force myself to keep my tone neutral.

“We’d better get a move on, then.”

“In my defense, those pills the doctor gave me to relax were a little stronger than I expected.” She huffs. “I feel like I’ve been asleep for days.”

I shoot her an envious glance as I stifle a yawn. “I’m relieved you got some rest.”

“You didn’t sleep well?” Her brow furrows with motherly concern. She’s always been very perceptive. While I tried to smother my yawn, she caught on.

“No, not really,” I confess. “When I close my eyes, I feel the ship moving, and it messed with my sleep.” Gripping the handles, I wheel her out to the hallway.

The aroma of fresh coffee and savory breakfast foods greets us. Holly stands at the table, already pouring a steaming mug. “Good morning, ladies.”

“Good morning,” we both reply as we move to join her.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I’ll be joining you for breakfast,” she says with a warm smile.

Miss Opal returns the expression wholeheartedly. “Not at all. We’d love to have you.”

Holly uncovers two plates laden with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage links, and mini pancakes. The third, in front of her, has half a grapefruit and a boiled egg.

The only thing missing is a fourth place setting. Though, of course, why would she assume the hired help would be dining with them?

“Do you need anything before I head out to the dining room?” I steel myself against the pang of rejection as I bring her chair to the table.

“You won’t be having breakfast with us?” Holly asks, disappointed. “I ordered some of everything, since I wasn’t sure what you’d like.”

“And Barron?” Words I never expected to utter.

“He’s sleeping in,” she says, as if dismissing my concern.

Which means the third place setting is for me. “In that case, I certainly will.”

It makes things easier because I won’t have to rush back.

“I’m so glad.” She moves the covers aside. “I told him I’d keep you both company before Mrs. McClelland’s spa appointment.”

Miss Opal sighs wistfully as I pull out the chair between the women. “I suppose he’s changed. He was always such an early riser when he was younger.”

“I’m sure he got that from you,” I say, settling in between them. If Holly noticed I’m wearing the same thing I had on yesterday, she’s polite enough not to comment on it.

Holly’s body language shifts, her shoulders stiffening almost imperceptibly. “Oh, he’s still up early most days. But with it being the first night aboard, we had a lot of ground to cover if we want things to go as planned.”

From the way she’s acting, I’d say something didn’t go quite right. I pour Miss Opal’s coffee then mine as I wait for Miss Opal to ask the question that will inevitably spring up.

“Are you all right, dear?” Miss Opal addresses Holly, whose attention is somewhere else.

Holly blinks, looking at Miss Opal then at me, as if she just realized she has a spotlight on her. “Me?”

“Yes.” Miss Opal picks up a piece of toast from her plate. “You seemed rather perturbed,” she points out, slathering butter over her toast. “I wondered if something is wrong. I know my son can be quite the taskmaster.”

“I’m fine, but I suppose I do have a lot on my mind.” She reaches for her coffee, taking a long sip, clearly hoping that’s the end of the discussion. “And how are you doing this morning?”

I dig into the fluffy eggs to hide my amusement. Does Holly actually think she’s off the hook simply by changing the subject? Does she not realize how tenacious both mother and son are? Maybe it’s just funnier when it’s happening to someone else.

“I’m relaxing, as the doctor required,” she says, ending in a resigned expression. “But I must say that it isn’t as fulfilling as he and Barron expected it to be.”

“I apologize,” Holly says, turning from Miss Opal to me then back. “I didn’t consider the fact Barron would be tied up so much during this first trip.”

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