Page 14 of Ravish

“Ten, if that’s okay.”

“I’ll be ready.” The line went dead, and Colby smiled. His mother was perfectly capable of taking care of herself, high blood pressure or not. She was only sixty. But she’d had a hard life, and it was catching up with her. His father left when Colby was still a baby, and his mother raised him alone. He didn’t want her to worry about anything.

He wondered about Lara’s family. While she said she couldn’t afford the duplex she lived in, her aunt certainly could. But he didn’t assume anything. Too many people had done that to him over the years just because he’d grown up on the poor side of town. Heck, he still lived on the edge of the area. His mother refused to move too far from their old neighborhood.

He carried his cup to the sink and then went to dress.

A little bit later, he folded his big body into his mother’s compact car. She’d refused something bigger. He drove them to the farmers’ market. His mother loved the market. He wandered around, keeping an eye on his mother. Then he saw someone familiar.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he said softly, coming up behind her.

Lara turned her head. “Colby.” Her smile widened. “What are you doing here?”

“My mother loves the market on Sundays. What about you?”

“My aunt loves it too.” She glanced at an older woman talking with a florist, then the woman turned and walked over to them, a bouquet of carnations in her arms.

“Fresh flowers,” her aunt said, walking up to them. “Lara, introduce me to your young man.”

Lara rolled her eyes, and Colby almost laughed.

“Colby, this is my aunt, Tammy Meyer. Aunt Tammy, Colby Durham. He owns the leather store down the street from my café.”

“Very nice to meet you,” Colby said, holding out his hand.

“A man with manners.” She placed her hand in his.

“Aunt Tammy,” Lara started.

“Colby, honey.” He turned to see his mother. “Mom.” He took the bag from her, frowning at the weight. “Did you buy out the fruit stand?”

His mother’s laugh made heads turn. “Where are my manners? I’m Martha Durham, Colby’s mother.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Tammy Meyer, Lara’s aunt. Don’t you just love the market?”

“Oh yes.” His mother smiled, then glanced at Lara and back at him. “About time.”

Before Colby could ask her what she meant, his mother turned back to Tammy. “Why don’t we let these two young ones do whatever it is they do and go have some coffee?”

“I’d like that.” Tammy handed Lara the flowers.

“What just happened?” Colby asked, watching the retreating figures of his mother and her aunt.

“I’m not sure.” Lara looked as confused as he felt. “Should we follow them?”

“They just went into the makeshift coffee place.”

“Let’s join them. I could use another cup of coffee.” She put her free hand over her mouth as she yawned. “Aren’t you tired this morning?”

“For some reason, I woke refreshed,” he said, cupping her elbow. Together, they made their way where their relatives sat at a table for four.

“I’m assuming coffee all around,” Colby said as he pulled out a chair for Lara.

“Oh yes, please,” his mother said.

“That would be very nice, and can you grab me a cinnamon roll?” Tammy said.

“I’ll have the same,” Lara said.

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