Page 68 of Sensing Selma
I’d seen Keely’s face, as well as those of Ayra and Abbie. They were all impressed and pleased, adding to my sense of pride.
When I wheeled Mother backstage, I didn’t know which Holly we would find. Would her ego be inflated to an unreasonable level? Could she have matured as much as she seemed to?
She came to us, happier than I’d ever seen her.
“Your father would be so proud, Holly dear,” Mother said. “You were spectacular. The entire audience agrees.”
“And Keely is so impressed,” I added. “You must really be proud of yourself.”
She nodded with a touch of modesty she’d never displayed before. “I had a lot of help.”
Her gaze travelled past us, and I glanced back to see Major Cooper waiting for her. I nodded, silently giving her the okay to leave us to go to him.
“My, but that gentleman is fine,” Mother said. “How wrong of me to have been charmed by that retched Damen Dominic.”
I smiled down at her. “You’re not the only to have been charmed.”
*****
TAKING A BREAK FROMmy accounting the next morning, I headed to my mother’s room to see if she’d like to go out for a walk.
I knocked at her door, surprised to hear a masculine voice inside. “Mother?”I called out.
The door opened and I face a man of about sixty years old.
“Um. Who are you?”
“Gordon was just leaving,” Mother said as she wheeled herself up behind him.
With a nod and a smile, the gentleman left.
“Who was that?”I said a little too curtly.
“Gordon. Gordon Mingleton.”
“I don’t want to know his name, Mother. I want to know who he is and what he is doing in your room.”
She smiled.
“Is this the surprise you have? Are you having an affair with...with whoever that is?”
“Oh, heavens, no.” She looked up at me, that broad and girlish smile on her face. “What did you want to see me about?”
Frustrated, I bit my tongue. “I wanted to know if you wanted to go out for a walk.”
“That sounds wonderful.” She wheeled her way out of her room and pulled the door closed behind her.
We headed down to the front hall and out the front door.
“Thank you for inviting me, Susan. This is nice. The air out here is always so fragrant.”
“Mother,” I said when I could no longer stand the mystery of it all. “Would you please tell me what that man was doing in your room.”
“Stop fussing, Susan. He’s helping me with my surprise. That’s all.”
“And when are you going to divulge this surprise to us?”
“When I’m good and ready, dear. When I’m good and ready.”
