The Guilty Vow by Aida Leonardo

Author:Aida Leonardo [Leonardo, Aida]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Salem Family Ministries
Published: 2022-05-09T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 16

M

Leah

I was surprised to learn that Eli loved gardening. Our gardener didn’t even have to work that much on the weekend because Eli loved mowing and taking care of the garden so much. It turned out he was the one growing the herbs I saw in his penthouse balcony.

I told him I wanted to grow and cook my own vegetables. He was more than happy to teach me. He always wore casual khakis rolled up at the bottom and a thin white shirt that showed off his corded muscles and strong pecs. I loved how sexy Eli was in his gardening attire, but what I loved more was being let into his world.

Not a lot of people got to see it. Maybe I felt married after all.

I was helping Eli water the plants when the house phone rang.

“I’m gonna get it,” I said.

Eli was crouching beside a garden bed. He looked up at me. “Sure.”

I took off my gardening boots before stepping into the living room. I picked up the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hi. Is this Leah?” The voice belonged to an older woman.

“Yes. Who is this?”

“Hi, Leah. I am Martha.” She paused, like she expected me to recognize who she was. When I didn’t respond right away, I heard her sigh. “I’m Eli’s mom.”

“Oh hi, Martha. I’m Leah.”

In the short time since we’d been married, Eli didn’t like talking about his mom. He usually answered questions I had about his mom in a short, clipped tone.

“I have been trying to reach you. I didn’t know when you were moving in.”

“Recently, actually. But, umm, I have been trying to reach you too,” I liked. How was one supposed to talk to a mother in law?

She sighed. “It’s okay, Leah. I know Eli hasn’t told me much about you, or maybe at all.”

“Umm,” I said, “He has been… pretty busy. Do you want to talk to him? He’s home.”

“Oh no. It’s okay. I don’t want to bother him.”

“You won’t. It’s Saturday. He’s out in the garden.”

“I’m sure. I actually want to talk to you.”

“Okay.”

“How are you two doing? How’s married life?” she asked.

“It’s good. You know… it’s early days. But, he’s been sweet and nice.” He really was. He always checked in one me throughout the day. He liked bringing home gifts for me. Chocolate, clothes, books—anything he thought I would like. He rarely came home late, and we always spent our evenings together, even when we were both doing our own things.

“I’m glad to hear that. He’s always been the nicest. I’m glad he has you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. I…” she sounded a bit embarrassed. “I’ve been learning a lot about you, from Ariana. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course not. I’m happy you are interested in me.” I didn’t know what Eli’s problem was with his mom, but I wanted her to like me.

“Of course I am interested in meeting the woman my son loves.”

Her words didn’t sound right in my ears. They just didn’t feel true. I believed she would be interested, but

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