Chapter 17

Mrs. Lincoln cleared her throat. “Micah could use some help in the kitchen with dessert, Darrell.”

Darrell smiled sheepishly. “Be right there.” He went past his mother into the house.

Travis waited for her to follow her son, but instead she walked farther outside and closed the slider. Small talk time. “Your garden is really spectacular. I’ve never been able to grow anything.”

“Thank you. It’s my pride and joy. Other than my sons, of course.” She came to stand next to him by the fountain. “I wonder if I might have a word with you.”

“Sure.”

“This isn’t an easy subject so I’ll just get straight to the point. I’d prefer it if you stopped seeing my son.”

Travis froze, his spine stiffening. Of all the things he had expected her to say, which really he’d had no clue what he hadexpected her to say, that wouldn’t have been in the top five. So, stupidly, he stared.