Forget Prince Charming by Natalie Stenzel

Author:Natalie Stenzel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

7

THE DOORBELL RANG.

Frustrated at the interruption, Haley looked away from the sweet sincerity in Rick’s eyes and went to answer the door.

“Mom! What are you doing here?”

The older woman pulled Haley into her arms for an exuberant hug.

After a moment, they drew apart to look at each other, always an unsettling experience for Haley. Looking at her mother was like looking at herself in twenty or so years. Same build, similar features, same hair color—or it used to be. Her mother’s reddish brown was turning a coppery color with age and she kept those shiny locks short and sleek. She also dressed more smartly than Haley—professional dress, always camera ready.

“Oh, honey, I know I should have called before dropping in like this, but I wanted to surprise you. As a birthday present to myself.”

Haley rolled her eyes and laughed. “Your birthday’s not till next month, Mom. And you’re always dropping by unexpectedly.”

The older woman ignored the last observation. “My birthday wish was to drop in and surprise my daughter and it wouldn’t have been a surprise if I’d dropped in on the day of my birthday, would it?” Her voice was eminently reasonable.

Haley just shook her head, smiling. She stepped back so her mother could enter.

The older woman’s gaze landed on Rick. “Oh, my. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” She turned bright eyes on her daughter, undoubtedly hoping there was something substantial to interrupt.

Gritting her teeth with the effort, Haley managed to keep an even smile on her face. Her mother was nothing if not obvious. “Mom, I’d like you to meet my neighbor, Rick Samuels. Rick, this is my mother, Clara Watson. You might have seen her on TV lately. She’s—”

“—hostess of that local morning talk show. The Show Me Show, right? Yeah, I know all about it.” Rick’s eyes were narrowed, his jaw tight. “Watson-Watson. I can’t believe I never put the two of you together before.”

Clara smiled broadly. “You watch my show? Oh, how wonderful.”

“Oh, I’ve seen it. So has most of the city, from what I understand.”

Surprised by the sarcastic edge to his voice, Haley glanced at Rick. He seemed actually hostile.

Oblivious, the older woman clapped her hands together. “Oh, I just knew it would be a success. Everything’s just going so well. My career is taking off, my daughter is obviously seeing men again.” She smiled broadly at the two of them.

“Mom!”

“Oh, Haley. Be practical. Now, Rick, I’m so happy to meet you.”

“Mrs. Watson—”

“Oh, please, call me Clara. And what is Rick short for? Richard?”

He paused, obviously torn about something. “It’s Maverick, actually, but—”

“How dashing. Haley, you’re neighbors with a Maverick Samuels. Doesn’t that just sound like an exciting name?”

Haley slid a curious glance at her neighbor. “Oh, very. But, Mom—”

Clara’s eyes widened and she held up a hand for silence. “Maverick Samuels. Maverick Samuels. Oh, Haley, I’m so proud. I just knew you wouldn’t let me down, but I had no idea you’d be this ambitious when you started seeing men again.”

“I haven’t exactly been in a convent, Mother.

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