Page 9 of A Very Titan Christmas
“There’s a lot to see in Silverberry Ridge. Perfect for your cover article.” Eloise beamed. “We’re so proud of you. I hope you know that.”
“I do.” Rachel reshuffled the papers to the first page. She readmother-daughter cocoa and cookiesas a barista brought over a tray of cookies. Her heart warmed. “I really do.”
“Anything else, Mrs. Porter?” the barista asked.
“There are enough cookies here to feed an army.” The scent of vanilla and brown sugar wafted up. Rachel picked up a warm maple sugar cookie and let the first nibble melt in her mouth. “That’s so good.”
“Fresh out of the oven,” the barista explained.
Eloise swept her gaze around the room. “Nothing for me right now. But will you check back in with us in five minutes?”
“Of course.”
Rachel followed her mother’s gaze. “Is everything okay?”
Batting eyelashes with far too much feigned innocence, Mom fluffed her hair. “Of course.”
Rachel inspected the schedule again. Mom had sounded as honest as a troublemaker writing their Christmas list. She was up to something. Then again, Rachel had noticed a larger-than-normal security presence for her dad patrolling the grounds. A high-ranking meeting was taking place closer to the end of the month. Her mother had promised it was nothing concerning.
Then Rachel saw a man who fit the bill as part of a protective detail. He hovered in the corner of the coffee bar. She nodded toward him. “Is he here for you?”
“Yes, just arrived earlier this morning. That’s Jax.” Eloise gestured vaguely toward the lobby. “There’s another one named Cash who told me he’d melt into the shadows.” She grinned. “And what do you know? Poof. He’s around somewhere.” She shrugged her shoulders. “But I have no idea where.”
Concern raced down Rachel’s spine. “You—not Dad—have a security detail?”
“Yes. There are two more wandering around somewhere. I haven’t met them yet. They’re doing some kind of sweep or check of the grounds.” Mom waved her hand. “No one will find anything wrong on our grounds.”
Rachel’s brows arched. “Mom, what’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“A four-person detailfor you? At home? You’re not telling me something.”
“I’m not at home. This is a public—”
“Mom.”
“Let it be, Rachel.”
“I’ll ask Dad.”
“And he’ll tell you the same thing. Everything is fine.” Eloise pushed her hair behind her ears. “Why don’t you tell me what happened with the nice man you were seeing?”
Rachel sighed. She should have ignored the security detail and avoided all discussions that strayed from their Silverberry Ridge schedule. “I told you. It fizzled.”
“And there’s no one else in the wings?”
“No, I don’t keep a stable of men to trot out when needed.”
Eloise offered a sly smile and a wriggle of her eyebrows. “It couldn’t hurt.” She suddenly plastered on her famous smile. “Gregory!” She waved to a man as he walked toward the coffee bar. “Over here.”
Rachel turned to see a man offering a handsome smile as he headed their way.
Eloise held out her hand, and they shook in a familiar greeting. “Gregory, this is my daughter I was telling you about.”
Telling him about?Eloise liked to overshare, but the lilt in her voice stood out.
Rachel stood and extended her hand. “Rachel Porter.”
