The Summer Getaway: A Novel(32)

Lillian smiled. “A wonderful visual, so thank you for that. You have to remember Harlow’s matured at a different rate from other girls her age. She lost two years of her life to cancer—that would have arrested her emotional growth. She’ll catch up.”

Robyn grabbed Lillian’s hand. “I love you so much. You were raised in such a different time with a worldview I can’t imagine, yet you are providing insight about my children.”

“I do my best.”

Robyn released her and picked up her drink. This was exactly why she’d come here. To hang out with one of her favorite people and know she was loved and cared for. Lillian had always provided wise counsel and a place to recover, whether when Robyn had been eleven and had just lost her mother, or carting her five-and one-year-olds there after she’d learned that Cord had cheated on her.

Robyn heard footsteps and expected to see Salvia with another appetizer. Instead a man, about six feet with short, dark hair, walked onto the patio. She’d never seen him before, yet he moved with an ease that said he was comfortable in his surroundings, only stopping when he saw Robyn.

“I didn’t know you had company,” he said, his voice low with a hint of command.

Lillian waved him forward, holding out her hand as he approached. “Mason, I was hoping you’d stop by.” She smiled up at him.

Robyn did her best to keep her mouth from dropping open. Lillian obviously liked the man. Yes, he was good-looking, and people shouldn’t be alone if they didn’t want to be, but he had to be at least fifty years younger, and was she being judgmental to think some version of ew?

Lillian turned to Robyn. “You two finally get to meet. This is Mason Bishop.”

“Is it?”

Lillian laughed. “I can tell you have no idea who I’m talking about. Darling, this is the man who’s going to inherit the house.”





nine



“ARE YOU SURE?” Robyn asked before she could stop herself. Unexpected resentment mingled with fear and jealousy. “Have you confirmed his identity or spoken with your lawyer?” She turned to Mason. “Any proof that you’re related to Leo?”

Lillian’s eyebrows rose, but she didn’t speak. Mason’s calm expression never changed.

“Nice to meet you, Robyn,” he said with absolutely no edge to his voice. “I saw Lillian’s lawyer a couple of days ago. As for confirming my identity, Lillian reached out to me. Not the other way around.”

“He’s right, I did,” her great-aunt assured her. “Years ago. We’ve been corresponding, me more than him, but you know how men are.” Lillian leaned toward her. “Please don’t be angry. I should have said something. I just thought your meeting would be a lovely surprise.”

Robyn tried to understand. She’d always known the house was going to a relative of Leo’s, but the specifics had been vague at best. Lillian had implied she didn’t know anything, either.

Apparently that wasn’t true. Apparently they’d become good friends, and now he was here.

“You’ve been in touch with him for years, and you never said anything?”

“Oh, dear.” Lillian’s mouth turned down. “I’ve hurt you.”

“I’m not hurt.” Not exactly. The situation was just confusing and not at all what she’d expected, and she didn’t like any part of it. She looked at Mason. “How long have you been living here?”

“Nearly two weeks.”

“What?” Robyn scrambled to her feet and faced her aunt. “You’ve had someone living here for two weeks and didn’t think to tell me?”

Suddenly Harlow’s fury over lies of omission made a lot more sense.

“What else is happening that I don’t know about?” She glared at Mason. “Are you taking advantage of her? Have you stolen money from her?”

“Robyn!” Lillian’s voice was sharp. “You’re being ridiculous. Mason is family, just like you. I invited him. The terms of the will are clear.”

“I don’t care about the house. I care about you.”

Mason stiffened. “I’m not taking advantage of your aunt.”

Robyn wanted to ask how she could possibly believe him—she didn’t know him. She looked at Lillian. “I’m calling the lawyer.”

“Excellent idea.” Lillian rose. “Let me get you his number. The sooner we clear this up, the better.”



* * *



Mason stood in his bedroom, telling himself he didn’t care what Robyn Caldwell thought of him. He was here legitimately, and if she had a bee up her ass about that, she’d have to get over it.

Which sounded great but was total bullshit.

Lillian had mentioned her niece several times, had even hinted they were both single, a fact Mason had ignored. He knew his flaws, and he just wasn’t very good at relationships. When Lillian had told him Robyn was coming for a visit, he’d barely paused to nod. What did he care? No, having her here wasn’t the problem. The problem was that she obviously hated him.

He’d seen it in the way she’d looked at him—as if he were slime on her shoe. She’d wanted him to not exist, or disappear, which would have been no big deal if she hadn’t been so... So...