Page 99 of Mail Order Surprise (Hawthorne Billionaire 3)

“Can we just not have any serious discussions right now?” I asked. “I promise sometime this weekend we will talk, when we don’t have an extra pair of ears listening.”

“I can agree to that, but we’ll talk.”

* * *

A few dayslater I was better. Parker had said it was viral and would pass in a few days and he was right. It was Friday before Mother’s Day and we’d just arrived at the Manor early afternoon to spend, as Sophie would tell you, some much needed time with Grandma Victoria.

“Grandma! We’re here,” Sophie called out as she ran to Victoria’s office.

“I hope Victoria doesn’t figure out what we’re up to,” Mia said. “She’s hard to surprise.”

“She seems pretty wrapped up in Sophie, so she may not figure it out,” I said.

Parker and Mia had decided they wanted to get Victoria a puppy from the same breeder they got Amoeba, so they used Sophie’s desire to play at her new grandma’s house as a reason for arriving Friday afternoon. The plan was for us to all to go pick out a puppy on Saturday when Parker and Trey arrived. They had a plan to trick Victoria because they could all see she was in love with Amoeba, more than she would admit.

“Grandma, where are you?” Sophie squealed when Victoria jumped out from behind a door. “You scared me. Were you playing hide-and-seek?”

Mia and I exchanged a look. “I’ve never seen Victoria like this, at least not since I’ve known her,” Mia laughed.

“You should give her a real grandbaby,” I said to Mia. “I mean, you’ve always wanted kids and you were a great mom to me.”

“That might be a possibility,” Mia said quietly. Then she clammed up.

“A possibility? Or a reality?” I asked suspiciously. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“I’m not saying anything about me until you tell me what’s going on with you.” Mia turned and walked away.

“That’s not right,” I said, following behind her. “Spill, Mia.”

“I never said there was something to spill. I just said I’m not talking unless you do.”

“Girls, are you arguing out here?” Victoria asked, carrying Sophie past us. “Dinner is ready, come along.”

The evening passed quickly, ending for Sophie with moo juice and fresh chocolate chip cookies. Victoria had offered to read a bedtime story from a few books she had bought for her.

“You girls relax, but when I come back, I want to talk to you about which bride I picked for Trey. I would love to get your opinions,” Victoria said.

“I’m going up to get in my trekkie,” I said to Mia. “You coming up too?”

“Nah, I’ll be in the kitchen nook. Hurry up.” Mia waved and turned toward the kitchen.

I changed into my comfy clothes and stood quietly, watching Sophie eat up the attention from Victoria. My heart hurt thinking about having to leave.

“Goodnight, sweet pea.” I kissed Sophie on the forehead. “I love you a million kisses.”

“Good night Mummy, I love you a million storybooks,” Sophie said, then snuggled closer to Victoria.

I went down to find Mia. “That was pretty quick. Was Victoria still reading?”

“Yep, they looked real cozy too.” I sighed and sat next to Mia. “She’s going to miss this whole family, especially Victoria.”

“You could stay, you know.” Mia pulled me to her side for a hug.

“No, I can’t, Mia, but I wish I could.” I closed my eyes so she wouldn’t see the tears threatening.

“You’ve said that more than once, but I don’t understand why you think you have to go back.” Mia turned to look right at me. “Explain yourself.”

I was saved from explaining the truth to Mia when Victoria walked into the kitchen.

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