branches of a family tree were very important to Charlotte. So was public perception. Which made Sophie wonder how her mother had stood so stanchly by her husband when the news of his London love child had hit the rumor mill in Austin.
“Oh, Mother, I hardly need to know the size of Thom’s wallet before I go on a date with him.”
Her spine ramrod straight, Charlotte scooted to the edge of the chair. “I am not talking about money. As a Robinson you have a social standing to uphold and—”
“A Fortune Robinson,” Sophie interrupted dourly. “Surely you haven’t forgotten I have an extra name now. But then, I suppose as a Fortune, I have an equally important reputation to uphold.”
Her hands clasped tightly together in her lap, Charlotte said stiffly, “The added name is a fact I don’t care to ponder on.”
“That’s perfectly understandable,” Sophie said gently. She walked over and sank onto the dressing bench facing her mother. “Ever since Keaton has come into the family I’ve been wondering about you, Mother.”
A shutter fell across Charlotte’s face, making her features unreadable. “There’s no reason for you to be wondering about me. I’m fine. And I’ll remain fine.”
Not wanting to add to her mother’s suffering, Sophie chose her next words carefully.
“Actually, I’ve watched the way you’ve conducted yourself through this whole scandal, Mother, and I’ve been amazed. I couldn’t have been nearly as strong and steadfast as you’ve been.”
The rigidness of Charlotte’s face eased a fraction as her glance returned to Sophie. “It’s not been a picnic for me by any means. But I understand your father completely. Actually, I understand him better than anyone,” she said. “And sometimes a wife just has to put on a brave face and look the other way.”
The other way? Sophie was incredulous, but she carefully hid the reaction from her mother. Charlotte had grown up in a past era, where women had different roles in life. Especially when it came to men and marriage.
“Maybe so, Mother. And I know a person is supposed to be forgiving. But I happen to think you deserve better from Dad. For the life of me, I can’t imagine why you stay married to him.”
Her mother shot her a stern look of warning. “Your father and I have a complicated relationship. It’s also unbreakable. I can assure you of that.”
Unbreakable because her mother refused to let go of a cold marriage? Or maybe it was her father who kept his wife bound to his side for purposes other than love?
“Anything can break, Mother, with enough pressure.”
“Gerald has provided me, you and everyone in his family with a wonderful life. Not one of you children has a thing to complain about. So don’t.”
The firm tone of Charlotte’s voice told Sophie not to push the issue, so she would honor her mother’s wishes and let the subject drop. But that didn’t mean Sophie would stop speculating and wondering if there could be more to her mother’s loyal devotion to her cheating husband.
Smiling, she focused on her upcoming date instead, standing and holding up a pale pink mini dress with black accents. “What do you think about this for dinner and a movie?”
“Dinner and a movie? You’re calling that a special date?”
Sophie’s laugh tinkled through the bedroom. “It’s the man that’s making it special. Not where we’re going.”
Clasping the dress to her, Sophie waltzed over the plush carpet, while her mother eyed her with speculation.
“Sophie, you always were an impulsive, dreamy child. I’d hoped that by the time you graduated college you’d be more realistic and settled. But it’s clear you’re still flittering around like a butterfly, believing life is nothing more than a rose garden. One of these days you’re going to have to face the real world.”
Pausing in front of Charlotte’s chair, Sophie fought hard not to roll her eyes. If it wasn’t so sad, her mother’s comment would be laughable. Did she think pretending to have a loving, caring husband wasn’t delusional?
“I crammed four years of college into three and I’ve held down a demanding job ever since,” she said stiffly. “I’d call that very real, Mother.”
Charlotte’s features softened somewhat. “Oh, Sophie darling, there’s no sense in you getting all defensive. I only meant—well, you’re a romantic soul. You believe life is full of hearts and flowers and kisses. And I suppose there’s nothing wrong with that—in small doses. But you also need to be firmly grounded.”
When Sophie came home sporting an engagement ring, then her mother would see her butterfly daughter was perfectly capable of landing safely on her feet.
Determined not to let anything spoil her evening ahead, Sophie dropped a kiss on her mother’s smooth cheek. “Don’t worry, Mother. I promise not to let Thom sweep me off my feet tonight.”
But I’m sure as heck going to try to sweep him off his.
Several hours later, a bored Sophie stared at the theater screen while fighting back a yawn. She’d never been into action movies and this one, with its ridiculous, computerized explosions and car chases, was hardly enough to hold her attention.
When Thom had asked her what movie she’d like to see tonight, Sophie had generously insisted he choose, with hopes he’d view her as easy to please. She’d hardly expected him to take her to see Road Devils: The Final Battle. So far there hadn’t been one meaningful exchange of dialogue. But that hadn’t seemed to bother Thom; he appeared to be enthralled with the story. For the past hour and a half, he’d rarely glanced in her direction.
So much for taking pains with her hair and makeup, she thought wryly, as she sipped her diet soda and darted a glance over at Thom. At the moment, he was munching on butter-drenched popcorn, his gaze fixated on the gun battle on the screen. Even though he’d not been all that attentive, she had to admit he looked devilishly handsome tonight in close-fitting brown trousers and a black shirt. But was gazing at a good-looking face all she wanted?
The question had barely had time to roll through her mind when suddenly, for no unexplainable reason, Mason popped into her thoughts. Would he have brought her to this sort of juvenile flick?
Are you going crazy, Sophie? You’ve been bragging to everyone how you’re going to snag Thom. Now you’re finally out with him and you start thinking about Mason Montgomery! He’s just a friend at work. He’s not the man of your dreams!
The scolding voice in her head was correct. This was hardly the time for her thoughts to be straying to Mason. Yet this was the second time in the past few hours that a vision of the other man had appeared to her.
Earlier, when she and Thom had been sitting in a restaurant eating a simple meal of fish and French fries, a dish she’d learned was Thom’s favorite, the image of Mason cutting into a rare steak and sipping red wine had popped into her mind. It was ridiculous! She had no idea whether Mason liked to eat such a masculine meal. Besides, Thom was the he-man of the two.
