A Convenient Proposal(23)
The subtext to that question came through loud and clear: Did they know about Griff before we knew about you?
“My mother lives in New York.” Arden turned halfway around, so she could see her inquisitor without a direct confrontation. “My dad left when I was five, and we haven’t heard from him since. I don’t have any brothers or sisters, or cousins, that I know of.” No matter how many times she told it, the story never sounded less pitiful.
“I’m sorry,” Mrs. Campbell said. “We’re so used to having lots of family around, I forget that not everyone is so lucky. Do you visit often with your mother? New York to Miami is a long way to travel.”
The usual javelin of anger and pain stabbed through Arden. “We…” She cleared her throat. “We had a—a disagreement about a year ago. I haven’t seen her since.”
For the first time since they’d met, the reserve in Mrs. Campbell’s eyes melted. “That’s terrible. I hope the two of you can resolve your differences soon. I can’t imagine not speaking to one of my daughters for a year—or even a day! I had a hard enough time when Griff vanished. He was out of touch for several months, and I went nearly crazy with worry.”
Arden turned the rest of the way around. “He didn’t tell you he was leaving?”
Griff’s mother nodded. “He did, but no one anticipated that he wouldn’t call or even send an email. It’s not like him to cut himself off from everybody.”
Arden looked across the room, where Griff was playing rock, scissors, paper with the eight children circled around him. “Being betrayed by the person you expected to marry changes you in ways you don’t understand. Or even recognize, at first.”
Mrs. Campbell followed her line of sight. “You sound as if you’ve experienced that kind of pain yourself.”
Having revealed more than she intended, Arden hoped her dismay didn’t show on her face. “Um…I was engaged. Then I discovered he was unfaithful, so I broke it off. But I haven’t mentioned that to Griff. If you wouldn’t mind—”
“No, of course I won’t tell him. But I can promise you that my son wouldn’t hurt a woman.”
“I know.” Somehow, Arden did. Part of Griff’s appeal derived from his courtly behavior. He was a gentleman in every sense of that old-fashioned word. “He’s different from any man I’ve ever known.”
“We’re certainly proud of him.” Rosalie Campbell smiled as she watched him lose the game. “We never again want to see him suffer as he has this last six months.”
“Believe me, the last thing I want is to cause trouble for Griff. Or anyone.”
That meant she couldn’t afford to stay too long or get too close to the family who loved him. Otherwise, there would be pain all around when she returned to her solitary existence on Chaos Key—with, perhaps, a child of her own to cherish.
And these people would hate her for taking that baby away.
So they simply couldn’t find out. She would have to leave before anyone even suspected she might be pregnant, Griff included. Judging by his family, and by what she knew of him so far, he was not a man who would let go of his child.
Unfortunately for them all, Arden had remade herself into a woman who refused to share. Not her child, not her life…and definitely not her heart.
GRIFF GAVE EACH OF the kids a high five hand slap, then looked around in time to see his sisters advancing toward Arden with more questions on their minds. After enduring a chat with his mom, the last thing his fiancée needed was another round with the Campbell interrogation team.
He arrived just in time to head them off. “Nope, no more tonight,” he declared, stepping between the inquisitors and their victim. “Arden and I are taking Igor for a walk and then she’s going to get some rest. It’s been a long couple of days.”
“Why, Griff, whatever do you mean?” Dana fluttered her eyelashes at him in her best Gone with the Wind imitation.
“We just want to make Arden feel at home.” Kathy usually played Melanie to Dana’s Scarlett.
Lauren twirled an imaginary mustache. “And worm her life history out of her.” She finished up with a wicked laugh.
“Tomorrow,” he promised, and put his arm around Arden’s shoulders to guide her toward his parents. “Tomorrow’s another day.”
As they said good-night, his dad held Arden’s hand for a moment. “I didn’t get much of a chance to talk to you, young lady. I’ll look forward to that in the days ahead.”