Balancing the baby in one arm, Finn stood to receive his hug. “No need to break my neck, Mum. We’ve only been apart for a few hours.”
“Sorry I was gone so long, but that loo was the bees knees.”
“What did she say?” Laurie asked.
“She means it was the best bathroom ever,” Katie explained.
“So many soaps and lotions to choose from—I had to try them all.” Susan stretched her wrist under Katie’s nose. “This one has a lovely ginger and mint flavor.”
“Nice,” said Katie.
Susan eyed Laurie. “Your dress is simply smashing. I love red.”
“Thank you,” Laurie replied, thinking it was a similar shade to Susan’s hair.
“Who was that couple you were taking to?” asked Katie.
“Bill and Kelly Moore,” said Susan. “We only just met. Had to stop and admire his lovely bowtie. It came from a shop near here. Isn’t that jolly lucky? I’m going to pick one up for your father tomorrow.”
“Does Dad need another bowtie?” Finn asked.
“Maybe not. But a man can never have too many ties, like a woman can’t have too much chocolate.”
Susan didn’t slow her diatribe when the waiter arrived to pass out the menus, simply working him into the ongoing conversation. He struggled to give his description of the daily specials, finally jumping on a brief lull when Susan took a breath.
Laurie enjoyed the rapid, friendly banter, grateful none of the attention was aimed at her. But after giving their dinner orders, Susan soothed her throat—which must’ve been getting raw from overuse—with a swallow of water, then set her glass down and gazed expectantly at Laurie.
“I’m so glad to finally meet you, love. We want you to know you’re a welcome addition to our family.”
“Please excuse my mother, Laurie. She’s insane.” Finn narrowed his eyes at Susan. “This is why I didn’t want to introduce Laurie to my family. I told you we just started dating.”
“It’s true, Mum,” Katie affirmed. “They don’t even know each other well. For instance, Finn didn’t realize Laurie was an accomplished pianist until tonight.”
“Katie…” Finn growled a warning.
Susan gasped, her face alight with pleasure. “A pianist? How marvelous.”
“I’m not that great,” Laurie corrected, embarrassed after learning how talented Finn was.
“I’m sure you’re being modest, Laurie.” Susan clapped her hands together and a let dreamy expression wash over her face. “How perfect! I bet you love playing his Steinway.”
“She’s never played it,” Katie asserted. “He hasn’t even invited her to his place.”
Susan’s mouth dropped open as she gaped at her son. “Why ever not?”
Finn shot Katie a dirty look before answering his mother. “We haven’t had the opportunity yet.”
“We’ll go tonight,” Susan announced with an air of finality. “It’s a shame for that beautiful piano to sit, unused.”
“I still play,” Finn defended, though his mother ignored him.
Laurie was quite certain she wouldn’t be able to swallow a bite of food if she was expected to play the piano after dinner. She’d had terrible stage fright at all her recitals. “I think I’d rather hear Finn play.”
“Then it’s settled,” said Katie. “We’ll all head over to Finn’s as soon as we finish eating, and he can serenade us.” She quickly grabbed her water glass and lifted it to her lips but didn’t succeed in camouflaging her grin.
“My dear sister.” Finn’s voice dripped sarcasm. “I believe there’s a phrase about payback you should keep in mind.”
His rebellious sister added, “And did Finn mention that Laurie was the nanny for Branson Knight’s stepdaughter? The one with CF?”
Susan gasped. “Are you having a laugh?”
“No, Mum. It’s true.”
“I can’t believe it.” Susan blinked her suddenly watery eyes at Laurie. “You’re like a dream come true.”
Finn looked like he wanted to crawl under the table, and Laurie was ready to join him. With his mom and sister ganging up on him, he didn’t stand a chance. Not only did Laurie find herself feeling sorry for him, but she also realized her fate for the night hung in the balance. She had to help Finn prove they weren’t compatible or, before the night was over, someone might be proposing… his mother.
Dinner was served, and Finn reluctantly allowed Katie to tuck Lucy into her carrier, teasing that she was taking his favorite niece away.
“She’s also his only niece,” Katie explained to Laurie. “I’ve got two boys, and my sister has three.”
“But maybe Finn will have daughters someday,” his mum hinted as she tasted her salmon and made an I’ve-died-and-gone-to-Heaven face. “Oh, this is delicious.”
He had to put a stop to her meddling. And as he feared, his sister was hurting his cause, rather than helping as she’d promised. He was surprised Laurie hadn’t already run screaming from the restaurant.
“Let me state, once again, for the record, what I’ve repeatedly told everyone in the family.” He scrunched the napkin in his lap, hating to be this open in front of Laurie. “I’m never getting married, and I’m not having children.”
