Part 30 (1/2)
”Pomeranian.”
”I have no idea what that is.”
”Purse dog. But she's really adorable.”
”Other than the biting thing,” he added.
”She has little teeth.”
”Anything else?”
”That about covers it.”
”Except for the part about the DNA connection to you.”
She smiled. ”There is that.”
Helene met them at the door, holding Diva in her arms. The dog was wearing a pretty ribbon that was the same hot pink color as her mother's dress.
”You both look beautiful,” Lara said.
”Diva went to the spa yesterday.”
Of course the dog had been to a spa, rather than the groomer.
”Come in, come in.”
Connor closed the door behind them, and Lara kissed her mother's cheek. Diva moved in to add her own kiss. ”See? She's sweet,” Lara said to Connor.
”I a.s.sume you're Connor Donovan,” Helene said, rather than waiting for an introduction.
”Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Bertrand.” He extended his hand.
Not to be ignored, Diva put out her paw.
Lara was surprised to notice that he didn't hesitate. Instead, he stroked behind the dog's ears.
”What a good girl!” Helene approved.
Diva turned her head toward his hand. Lara sympathized with the pooch. She was afraid her response was much the same when he dug his hands into her hair.
”Since it's cool enough and not too windy, let's sit outside.” Helene led the way through the house and out onto her porch.
A pitcher of lemonade sat in the middle of a table, along with three gla.s.ses.
”Fresh squeezed?”
”Your favorite,” Helene replied.
Once Helene set Diva on the slate, the animal wound herself in and out of their legs, yipping and all but dancing in circles.
”Oh, Diva, darling. You'll wear yourself out.” Obviously not having any of that, Helene picked up the pooch and held her close.
Lara poured everyone a gla.s.s of lemonade, and her mother wasted no time with pleasantries.
”So what's this about a wedding?”
Suddenly Lara wished she'd smuggled in one of the mimosas.
”I spoke with Angela Donovan yesterday,” Helene continued. ”She said the two of you are getting married. One might have thought my daughter would have mentioned it herself. At least in pa.s.sing.”
Before she could answer, Connor touched her leg.
”My fault entirely,” he said. ”I wanted to tell you in person. It's been everything Lara could do to keep it secret.”
”How about we skip the bulls.h.i.+t, shall we?”
Lara's mouth fell open.
”This is a scheme you two concocted to get Connor a seat on BHI's board, isn't it?”
”Actually-”
”You're not a good fibber, Lara, so don't even try.”
”Mother!”
”Well, that solves one of our three sticking points,” Connor said. ”Lara said she'd never be able to keep it from you. Something about DNA. We're hoping you'll be agreeable and work as an ally on the board.”
She smiled and readjusted Diva's bow. ”And have the chance to help drag BHI into the twenty-first century? Tell me what you want from me.”
Lara hadn't been sure what her mother's reaction was going to be to the wedding, but other than being slightly miffed that she had not been the first to know, she was rather accepting. Excited, even.
They discussed strategy, and it had been years since Lara had seen her mother so animated. She promised to personally contact the board members and ensure they were in BHI's meeting room at five o'clock on Tuesday afternoon.
”What about Pernell?” Connor asked.
”Oh, he won't have any choice.” She grinned. ”I won't let him know about it until after everything is all arranged. Manipulation is my favorite pastime.”
Connor evidently noticed Lara's lack of feedback.
”Lara?” he prompted.
Even though this was exactly what she wanted, and still believed necessary, part of her couldn't help but think it seemed as if they were plotting a coup. ”I wish we didn't have to do this.”
He touched her leg in rea.s.surance. ”Doubts?”
”Not really. More like...” She trailed off.