Page 34 of Secret Billionaire

“Don’t be. My mom is the best and she’s going to love you.”

They walked up the weathered wooden stairs and entered through a screened in porch that wrapped around in an L shape. The back of the porch was ocean view with native sea grasses and dune swells leading to the white sandy shoreline. They had a large inground pool with inviting umbrellas and lounge chairs tempting one to pour a cocktail and chill.

“This is spectacular!” Faye enthused.

“Yeah it is. It’s not where we grew up, that was inland, but I built this for mom and dad after I started making some serious cash.”

She felt an ache in her chest and brought his hand to her lips and kissed the back of it. “Jesse, that is so sweet.”

“It was nothing compared to what they did for us, raising four boys like they did and paying for and insisting that we all go to college.”

“That is impressive. Where are you in the birth order?”

“Third in line. We didn’t have much of a choice about college. Even if we didn’t know what the hell we were going to do when we grew up, we were going to get an education. Pops was adamant. He worked construction his whole life and provided for his family just fine, but he wanted us to have options.”

Faye squeezed his hand and said softly, “And you followed in his footsteps.”

“Yep. He taught me everything he knew. I worked for him every summer through high school and college. I tried but I knew I wasn’t cut out for an inside job sitting at a desk. I have to work with my hands. That’s just who I am.”

They walked inside with Jesse calling out, “Mom?”

“Coming!”

His mom came rushing out from the back of the house with a wide smile and a hug for her son. “Hi honey. I was doing laundry.” She turned to Faye, eyes dancing. “And you must be Faye. We’ve heard so much about you. It’s good to finally put a face to a name.”

“It’s so nice to meet you Mrs. Carlisle.” Faye held out her hand, but his mom ignored it and gave her a hug instead.

“I’m a hugger. I hope you don’t mind, and please call me Ruby. Mrs. Carlisle makes me feel old. Good lord and heaven forbid!” Her laughter was so free and infectious that Faye found herself laughing along, already half in love with Jesse’s mom. She could see why he was so special. It made her think of her own mother, so self-centered and always poised and in control. More concerned with how she looked than how others felt in her presence, just the opposite of Ruby.

“I’d be honored,” Faye said.

“How about a glass of sweet tea before you two go off on your date?”

“I’d love that,” Faye said.

“Great, Jesse darling, take your beautiful date on out to the porch and I’ll bring out the tea.”

“Are you sure we can’t help?” Faye asked.

Jesse snorted, “Don’t even try Faye. My mom will cut off your hands and feed them to the alligators if you lift a finger. That southern hospitality don’t ya know,” he said, as he exaggerated his southern drawl for effect.

“Git you two!” Ruby swatted Jesse’s butt as she shooed them out the screen door.

“I love her!” Faye said the minute they sat down.

“I told you.”

“You’re so lucky. She is like the quintessential perfect mom.”

“I know, it doesn’t suck.”

Ruby joined them with a pitcher of iced tea and three glasses. “I’ll be right back.” She left then returned with a soft cooler which she placed by Jesse’s feet.

He grabbed the pitcher and poured their tea, his eyes twinkling as they met Faye’s. “Aren’t you curious about the cooler?”

“Yes.”

“That’s our lunch. Nobody can beat Mom’s cooking.”

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