Page 12 of Axel
“Absolutely not.” Caitlin assured her with a smile. “My son is the same way; he speaks his mind. You are due to meet with him tomorrow?”
“Not until the afternoon. I am going to take the opportunity to explore the town. Get a feel of what people are saying about the renovations going on. From what I read, your son is a local hero,but there are some people who are resistant to the changes going on.”
She saw when Cathy’s mouth tightened and mentally made a note of it.
“Those are in the very minority. Most of the residents of River Glades are grateful for what my brother is bringing to the town.”
“I am sure.’
“You will be meeting with us as well?”
Ellie smiled at Caitlin. “Whenever is convenient to you.”
“The afternoon is better for us because my daughter has to go to work. We will have dinner as soon as you decide when you need us. Well…,” Slapping her hands on her thighs, she rose. “Ms. Logan…“
“Oh, please call me Ellie.”
“And we are Caitlin and Cathy.”
Ellie walked them to the front door and closed the door behind them before walking back into the living room to peek into the basket. What she saw there had her laughing and reaching for her phone to call her friends.
*****
“She seems nice.” Cathy drove out of the driveway and made her way towards the main road that would take them home.
“She is exceptionally beautiful.” Caitlin murmured thoughtfully. Adjusting her seatbelt, she stretched her legs out.
“And her skin is to die for,” Cathy sighed softly, “she looks like a teenager, when in fact, her bio puts her at twenty-eight.”
“I think she will be very fair to Axel.”
Caitlin glanced at her mother quickly, before making the turn that would take them to the private road leading to the house. “You had doubts?”
Her mother shrugged. “Some people think he is ruthless and intimidating.”
Cathy laughed as she drove into the driveway. “He is ruthless and intimidating. It is what makes him so successful. He had to be in order to be where he is today mom.”
“We know a different side of him,” she insisted as she opened her door.
“We do.” Deciding to leave the vehicle in the middle of the driveway, Cathy hopped out, pulling the jacket closer to her as the wind whipped through the trees.
“I worry about him,” Cathy admitted.
Linking her hand through her mother’s arm, she slowed to accommodate her shorter legs. “Why?”
“He is lonely.”
To her surprise, Cathy did not disagree. Stopping just in front of the wide double doors, Cathy turned to look at her. “He would not agree with you.”
“I happen to know my son. That woman broke his heart.”
“He is getting over it.” Cathy pushed the doors open and waited for her mother to precede her.
“Is he?” Shrugging out of the jacket, Caitlin hung it on the coat tree neatly, brushing at the fine cashmere material. “How about some tea?”
“Sounds lovely. I am just going to run upstairs and get out of these clothes, and I will be right back.”
Caitlin watched her daughter hurry out of the foyer before turning towards the kitchen. A smile touched her lips as she took in the immaculate room that was mostly her domain.