Page 87 of Love Is Brewing

“I’ll behave,” his mother said sweetly. He wasn’t so sure he believed it.

They walked to the kitchen. “Phoebe Kelly, my mother, Aileen Carlisle. Phoebe doesn’t know much about you, other than you’re a breeding machine. She hasn’t researched the family like others do.”

His mother’s jaw dropped. “That’s not a truce.”

“Like I believe you’re going to adhere to one,” he said, staring at her.

“Fine,” his mother said, shrugging. “I’ll behave. I promise. It’s very nice to meet you, Phoebe. I know you’re an attorney and opened an office in Southern Pines. How did you two meet if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Laken didn’t tell you? Nor Braylon or West?”

His mother all but snarled once she realized how many of her kids knew but her.

Shehatedto be kept out of the loop.

“No,” his mother said. “No one said anything. Is it a funny story? It seems as if all my boys have had to save the women in their lives when they first met.”

“I’ve heard about Abby, Lily, and Charlotte. Elias might have had to save himself. I rear-ended him on a snowy day when no one else was on the roads but the two of us.”

“Oh dear,” his mother said. “I hope you weren’t hurt.”

“Only my pride for being an idiot to think I could drive in the snow and not stay home for a few hours until it warmed up.”

“I’ll consider it fate,” his mother said. “You were at the right place at the right time.”

Elias rolled his eyes. “My mother is a big fan of fate,” he said.

“Are you?” his mother asked Phoebe.

“I never thought of it one way or another,” she said. “My mind is a bit more logical.”

He laughed. “She said you’re illogical. That’s great.”

This time Phoebe pursed her lips and marched over to him. He jumped out of the way expecting to get a pinch like his mother often did.

“I didn’t mean it that way,” she argued.

“Ignore my son,” his mother said. “He’s famous for putting his foot in his mouth.”

“He is?” she asked. “I’ve never seen it.”

“He was when he was younger,” his mother said. “Maybe not so much now. I guess everyone matures.”

“You haven’t,” he said.

“Elias,” his mother warned, but she was grinning at him.

“Yes, Mother. You know I’m your favorite.”

“You only say that so you don’t get in trouble,” his mother said.

“I’ve gotten in trouble just as much as everyone else except for Foster and Rowan.”

“No one got in trouble as much as the two of them,” his mother said. She turned to Phoebe. “How do you like this small town?”

“It’s interesting,” she said.

“She’s getting used to the fact she can’t go anywhere without someone bringing my name up.”

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