Braxton by Olivia Sands

Author:Olivia Sands [Sands, Olivia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Olivia Sands

Chapter 20

Dinner went well, and Taylor was more focused on the moment than worrying about the future. Braxton seem to be his best, most charming self, and she was amused at his relief that none of his family was present at the diner.

“You know what’s troubling?” he asked. “That now I’m starting to worry that something’s gone terribly wrong, and— …”

He stopped mid-sentence and shook his head in mock despair as the restaurant door opened.

“I should have known better than to say that. I jinxed myself!”

Taylor laughed and turned around to look in the same direction.

An older couple had entered the diner and was approaching their table.

“Hey Ma, Pa,” Braxton said. “What are you guys doing here?”

“Your father and I are having a date night.”

The woman’s gaze moved to Taylor, and she resisted the urge to squirm under the penetrating stare. It wasn’t unfriendly. Not really. It just made her feel like she was being evaluated. She sat up a little straighter and looked the woman right back in the eyes. Why was it she wanted to make a good impression on his mother? Well, because that was the sort of person she was. She never wanted to fail any evaluation.

So, she held out her hand and smiled as Braxton introduced them.

“Taylor, these are my parents, Landon and Julia Green. Mom, Dad, this is Taylor. She’s Etta’s granddaughter.”

Julia’s handshake was firm, and yet somehow nurturing.

Landon’s came across as restrained power.

“Taylor,” Julia said with an ear to ear smile. “I’ve been dying to meet you.”

Taylor frowned. “How did you even hear about me?”

Braxton chuckled at the same time as his father.

She frowned. “What’s so funny?”

“Word of you being here probably spread as you crossed the county line,” Landon explained. “Elm Ridge is a small town, and news travels like lightning around here.”

“Also, I’ve known about you all your life,” Julia added. “Your grandmother is not just our neighbor, she is a very dear friend of mine too.”

Taylor relaxed as she understood. She hadn’t done anything wrong. They were simply curious about her because of who she was.

“You’ve been the talk of the town since you arrived,” Julia added.

“Ma might know something about that by hanging around the beauty shop,” Braxton commented, casting a side glance at his mom.

Julia sniffed at her son. “I don’t know what you mean. I’ve never engaged in gossip in my life.”

Understanding that Julia was feigning offense, Taylor giggled, and Landon chuckled until Julia gently elbowed him in the ribs. His expression changed, and he appeared more serious—except for his twitching lips.

“Well, we’ll leave you two alone since we have our own date to go to, right?” Julia said elbowing her husband again. “But since you’re here, I have to confess that I would like to get to know you better, Taylor.”

Taylor blushed, not sure what to answer.

“I’ll call your grandmother tonight and make plans. You and Etta will come by my place for tea sometime this week.”

Taylor dutifully nodded. “I’ll be sure to mention it to my grandmother.

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