Page 42 of Darla's Christmas Knight
Darla shot to her feet. “I am not—”
Her mother cut her off. “It is all over town.”
She squared her shoulders, waiting for the remainder of the rant. Her mother ranted the way she preached — delivering sound bites with loaded intervals.
“That you are fornicating withthat man.”
The last two words were spoken with such vitriol Darla recoiled.
“Three nights in a row his truck has been parked outside—”
“Enough!” Darla snapped.
“Donotinterrupt me, Darla.”
“This ismyplace of work, Momma.” Darla rounded her desk and stretched her arm to the open door. “Keep your preaching toyourplace of work.”
“You are my daughter. I will talk—”
“I love you, Momma, truly, I do, but you need to leave before we both cross a line.”
“I willnotstand by and watch my baby’s heart get broken again.”
Darla dropped her arm at her mother’s whispered words. “Oh, Momma.”
“He made youcry, baby girl,” she added, still whispering.
“It’s different this time.”
Her mother folded her arms. “How can you be sure of that?”
“Because there are no secrets between us now.”
“Humph.Just because he’s got some fancy title now doesn’tmake him worthy of my daughter.”
“He’s wooing me, Momma,” she said, giving her mom a synopsis of Bobby’s notes and gifts.
It took a beat for her mom to reply. “In my day, courting boys didn’t stay the night,” she snipped.
“Hmm.”A smile tugged at Darla’s lips. “Guess Will was born premature.”
Norma Miller’s chin lifted. “Your father and I were alreadyengagedbefore we shared a bed.”
“Bed? I heard it was the back of Pop’s Ford Fairlane?”
“Darla!” Her mom looked around. “Do not speak of such things. People will hear.”
Darla lifted her brows. “Yetyoucame in here, ranting about—”
Lifting her left arm, her mom said, “Look at the time. I have a meeting.” She marched past Darla, chin in the air.
“Momma,” Darla called out, and her mom turned in the doorway. “Thanks for caring, but itisdifferent this time.”
“We’ll see.” The woman gave a disdainful sniff. “Just make sure he gives you a big diamond,” she added before disappearing out the door.
*
Everyday Darla was gorgeous. Gussied-up Darla … spectacular. Her hair was pulled back off her face and her makeup more dramatic than usual — not that Darla needed to cover up any blemishes because she had none. She wore a long-sleeved dress in a rich burgundy with a draped neckline and tucked pleats hugging her torso. It was demure in style but looked breathtaking on her. The hem skimmed her knees and high-heeled gold shoes added several inches to her height.
