Page 110 of Brides and Brothers
Chapter 44
Camille
“Hey, Mom.” Camille’s enthusiasm waslost in her nervous smile. Terry Klinger could be intimidating in her ultrafeminine business suits and her elegant blonde French twists. Always put together perfectly, she possessed an air of confidence Camille had never quite achieved.
“Camille, you look terrible! Have you lost weight? When was the last time you had a facial?” Her mother marched through the doorway and took a visual inventory of the house.
Standing there, holding the door open, Camille wondered, not for the first time, if staying in the same house was such a good idea. “Would you like a tour?”
Her mother peeked into the study and appraised the furniture with the eye of a hawk. “That won’t be necessary.”
Bemoaning her agreement to host her mother, Camille closed the front door and followed her to the formal dining and living room.
Her mother sucked in her breath. “I had no idea you married into money! I’m surprised, of course. Most religious fanatics prefer humble surroundings. Abe must not be very devout.”
Camille rolled her eyes. “His name is Aiden, and he is religious.”
Her mother crossed the room to the fireplace mantel. “The accents are very chic. Show me the rest.”
The sudden change of mind about the house tour annoyed Camille. “Okay,” she said under her breath. She knew her mother would be disappointed with the rest of the house. It paled in comparison to these two rooms. Her mother pranced past her, leaving her unofficial tour guide behind.
“This kitchen is too dark. The layout has potential. The size of the table is perfect for parties—not that you’re into that sort of thing. I would change out the light fixtures to something more modern.”
Camille gripped a chair tightly. She’d never dealt with depression before, but the suffocating feeling inside her was overwhelming. Her mother’s presence was like a match to a dry haystack. Camille glanced in the direction of her bedroom. It would be nice if she could sleep through the next week. It was more appealing than dealing with an absent spouse and a crazy, disapproving mother.
“Are you listening?”
Camille whipped her head to face her mother. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”
“I was asking when Alex will be home.”
“Alex?” Camille’s confusion cleared after a second. “You mean Aiden. He’s out of town on business.” There was no way she was fueling her mother’s poor opinion by giving her any more information than necessary.
Her mother smiled tightly. “That’s where the money is coming from. No one could make a decent living in such a small, rural town.”
Camille didn’t argue. It wasn’t worth her breath.
“Are you sick or something?” her mother asked. “You don’t look well. Maybe I should make you some soup. Leek? Portage? Loaded potato? Cream of tomato? Do you even have ingredients for any of those?”
“I know we have potatoes, so potato soup sounds great. Why don’t you go put your feet up while I get something started.”
Her mother was affronted. “It’s my profession, Camille. I cook. And I’m good at it.”
Camille made a face. “Mom, I know you’re a good cook, but this is my house. I cook in my house.”
Her mother folded her arms and tapped her foot a few times. She did it in a way that looked completely professional when anyone else would look like a child making demands. “All right. If you don’t want me to be here, I can leave.”
Camille rolled her eyes again. “Don’t be like that. If it would make you happy to cook, then please, cook.”
Her mother sucked in her cheeks. “Thank you. I’m always happiest when I’m cooking.”
Camille squeezed her eyes shut and nodded. “Yes, of course. I don’t know what I was thinking. And if you’re taking orders, I could use a chocolate croissant.”
“A chocolate croi—” Her mother looked at her sideways. “Camille Kelly, are you pregnant?”
Camille’s eyes widened.
“You are!What are you thinking? You’re too young to try to be a mother. Your career is completely unstable, your husband is a religious fanatic, and you live in a frozen tundra. Babies can’t survive in this sort of weather!”
