Page 9 of Leo

Putting the pencil into her mouth, she gnawed on the wood absently as she continued to look around. Leo was right. Aunt Gloria was not just going to cheerfully hand over the money on the announcement of their ‘marriage’. The woman was ornery enough to want to see where they were living. And might even want to attend the wedding.

She would suggest that they take a trip to Vegas or ask Leo if he knew of anyone willing to perform a fake ceremony. The person would have to be discreet of course. After all, Leo Coleman was a particularly important man, and it would not do for it to be leaked to the press that he was involved in something like this.

That was what was bothering her. She could do damage to his reputation. Why in the hell had she asked him? And why had he agreed? Yes, she knew they both had their reasons, but what if something leaked? “Oh Lord.” She whispered. “Am I doing the right thing?”

Chapter 3

Sherrian unconsciously curled her fingers in his palms as she waited for her aunt to say something. She felt a quick jolt to her system when Leo placed a reassuring hand over hers and somehow that steadied her.

“I know your mama,” Gloria’s eyes bored into his as if she was waiting for him to wilt.

“Do you?”

Sherrian had called and told her aunt about the upcoming nuptials. Her aunt had demanded that they present themselves at her home for afternoon tea. She had proceeded to call Leo and caught him just as he was coming out of a meeting.

“I am sorry, but she wants it to be today.”

“I’ll pick you up.”

“I really appreciate this.”

They had made the trip with her regaling him with stories about some of her eccentric customers.

“Yes!” Gloria stared at him closely. “She’s living in the UK now, is that correct?”

“Yes, she is.”

“You keep in touch?”

“We do, yes.” He was amused by the questions and the woman’s relentless expression. They had been escorted into the shabby blue and white salon with the heavy antique furnishings and heavy gold colored drapery. Sherrian had warned him about the state of the place and her aunt’s eccentricity.

“And you met my niece, when?”

“Two years ago.” He felt Sherrian’s fingers digging into his palms and used his own to uncurled hers.

“You knew her when she was engaged to that worthless loser?”

He frankly did not know how to respond to that. “I,…”

“He did.” Sherrian firmed her lips and lifted her chin, making him want to rush to her rescue. He had spent an agonizing night wondering if he was doing the right thing. But this moment, this very moment, he knew he wanted to slay dragons for her.

Gloria waved away the housekeeper who had come in to see if they needed anything else. “And pray tell, why did you choose that - that person over him?” She jerked a head towards Leo.

“Auntie…”

“We met after she was engaged and became friends.” Leo intervened smoothly. He felt the tension in the woman seated next to him and wanted to end this uncomfortable discussion. “The good thing is that we are now, together!”

The woman stared at him for a beat and then nodded. “You’re right of course.” She looked at her niece. “You think I am being a nosy old woman, but the fact is – your father was my brother, and I lost him. He took care of me, when we were growing up with an abusive woman and a miserable drunken father.

That is who your grandfather was. He used his fists more often than he used his words and Milton shielded me as best as he could. I am obligated to take care of his only child.” She waved a hand again and picked up her tea. “The wedding will be held here.”

Leo felt when Sherrian tensed. “We thought we would just go on over to Las Vegas and have a quick ceremony.”

He received a frown for his effort. “You would deprive me from seeing my only relative taking her vows?”

“It was my idea.”

“Young people.” Sherrian was given a disapproving look. “The ceremony will be held here. I have a minister…”

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