Page 15 of Last Chance Seduction
Still though, it felt a bit odd.
Or maybe I was just seeing too much considering I had just read a thriller book the night before.
Nonetheless, I finished my shopping quickly and kept an eye out for him on my way out.But I didn’t see him again.
“You’re losing your mind, Mercy,” I whispered to myself.
I drove home, pushing the odd experience out of my mind, because it was just me seeing things after all, and pulled into my driveway soon after.The construction crew seemed to be done for the day, and only Lex’s truck and another SUV I didn’t recognize sat in the driveway.I quickly pulled my groceries out of my SUV and brought everything inside.Mr.Darcy meowed angrily at me because I wasn’t going to let him outside yet, considering the temperature was beginning to drop quite quickly, and I immediately put everything away.The doorbell rang soon after I was finished, and I frowned, wondering who that could be.
When I checked the app on my phone, I blinked, seeing a familiar face.
I went to the door, opened it, and smiled at the woman who had done her best to bring joy into my childhood.“Mrs.Montgomery.Oh.Hi.”
Eliza Wilder-Montgomery smiled brightly at me and opened her arms.“Mercy.Lexington said you were back.”I immediately hugged her, and she enveloped me in her arms, that familiar mother’s touch nearly bringing tears to my eyes.
“It’s so good to see you,” I whispered, my voice breaking.
“Same here, baby girl.Well, let me get a look at you.”She pulled back and studied my face.I didn’t know what she saw there, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.“It’s good to have you home, darling.”
Tears pricked at my eyelids, and I blinked them away, wondering at the odd reaction.
I had grown up with the Montgomerys and run wild with them.Then I had run away to the best hospital in the world for my sister and then continued to run to save myself.
And in the end, I had left everybody behind.
And I was only just now realizing that.
“I didn’t realize that you guys live so close.”Of course, I shouldn’t have been surprised.The Montgomerys had always been a tight family.They might not live on top of one another, but there always seemed to be one nearby.Case in point: my neighbor.
“Oh, I’m just here to annoy my son.But he said you moved next door, and I had to say hello.”She squeezed my hand and I relaxed.
“Well I’m glad that you’re here.”
Her smile brightened her face, and though I knew she wasn’t Lex’s biological mom, she looked so much like him then, I couldn’t help but smile back.“Me too.And I’m inviting you to the Montgomery Christmas party at my house in Fort Collins.It’s coming up soon, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
I blinked, suddenly unsure.“Oh.I don’t know.”
“I told you I’m not taking no for an answer.You used to come to them when you were younger, and now you’re doing it again.Lex can drive you if you want, because we don’t know about the roads, however, I just want you to know that you are required to come.I’m sorry, it’s a mother’s prerogative.”
I blinked, wondering if there was a way out of this invitation, but from the determined look on her face, I didn’t think there would be.
“Oh…Mrs.Montgomery.”
She waved me off.“Call me Eliza.There are way too many Montgomerys out there.You know that.”
“I don’t think I can call you Eliza,” I teased.“My mother would shake her head at me from above.”
Her eyes warmed at the mention of my mother, and she sighed.“You’re home now.And that means the Montgomerys are here to make you one of our own.We tend to do that.Believe me, I wasn’t born a Montgomery.”
“Mom, are you annoying Mercy?”Lex called out.
“You are not too old for me to wash your mouth out with soap.Don’t be mean to your mother.”
“I’m just saying, Mercy has to get to work.It’s finally quiet over here.”
“Mrs.Montgomery.Eliza,” I corrected at her look.“You don’t need to invite me.”
She winked.“I just did.And Lexington will take you.You don’t need to bring anything, just yourself.I want to stuff you full of cheese, and joy.Even for a few hours, okay?Let me do that.”
