A moment of confusion flashes over her refined features, but then her smile returns. “Let’s go into the kitchen. I’ll make us some tea.”
“Thanks.” I follow her into the spacious kitchen.
She gestures to two burgundy leather chairs in front of a bay window overlooking the waterway. “Please, sit. I’ll just be a moment.”
I settle into the chair on the right and have to restrain myself from moaning at the luxurious feel of the buttery, soft leather cushions. My body just went on strike because my bones feel like noodles. I think if I closed my eyes, I’d fall asleep for the night.
Mrs. Lawless—CC—moves around the kitchen as if she’s comfortable there. She’s so elegant and refined, yet she reminds me of my mother in that she’s a mom who wants only what’s best for her son.
She hands me the steaming cup and then settles into the other chair. “I hope you like genmaicha tea. I always find it very relaxing this time of day.”
I inhale its nutty fragrance. “Smells wonderful.”
Once I take a sip and carefully place the cup on the coaster—I’ll not be responsible for rings on this rich mahogany table—I hand her the card. “I wanted to thank you for welcoming me to your party.”
She opens the envelope, smiling as she reads my short note. “It was our pleasure. And we were thrilled to see Nick bring a date. He’s never brought anyone with him before.”
That surprises and pleases me all at once to hear. But that doesn’t mean I can’t ask a few questions about Nick and his previous relationships. “No serious girlfriends?”
She shakes her head, then pins me with a look. “No. You’re the first.”
“I…I’m not Nick’s girlfriend.” Although I’m hoping that label might be mine to claim soon.
She tilts her head as she studies me. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Nicholas look at a woman like he does you.”
I feel my cheeks warm. All I can think about is our kiss and that I can’t wait to kiss him again.
Mrs. Lawless puts her tea down and leans toward me, her delicate brows drawn together as she studies me. “Hannah, you could have easily mailed your lovely card, so I’m guessing you have another reason for stopping by, which I assume has something to do with my son.”
Wow. I wouldn’t care to be cross-examined by this woman. I pull my bottom lip between in for a moment.
“Yes. I wanted to share this with you.” I hand her the pages Zane compiled—four in total. And from what Zane told me, he could have made it twenty in a heartbeat but chose the most significant of Nick’s rescues.
She takes the list. “What’s this?”
“A small picture of the difference your son has made in the lives of twenty-five people he saved on the beach. There’s more, but this is just a summary of the more critical rescues he performed.”
She blinks, then scans her eyes down the first page. When she holds a hand to her mouth, I’m pretty sure she read the oneabout the pregnant woman who went into premature labor in the water because I had the same reaction.
Mrs. Lawless glances at me before she slips the front page behind the rest. I sit back and enjoy my tea as she continues to read. When she finishes, she lowers the pages to her lap. “Why are you showing me these?”
I lean on the arm of the chair. “Because I want you to see how amazing your son is. His job isn’t just work for him. It’s his purpose in life.”
“He told you this?”
I shake my head. “He didn’t have to. That’s just who he is. He wants to make a difference.” I point to the pages. “And he does. That’s why he’s so determined to get back to doing what he loves. What he believes he’s meant to do.”
A sheen forms over her eyes—the only sign I have that what I’m showing her is having any impact. “I just worry about him.”
“Mrs. Lawless—” She raises a brow at me, making me more nervous than when I first walked in. “CC, Nick’s work on the beach is important to the community and to Sarabella.”
“You’re referring to the turtles now, too. Aren’t you?” A quirky grin softens her expression.
“Yes. That, too.”
She gestures to my scrubs. “You’re his physical therapist. Do you think he’ll be strong enough?”
I knew I should have gone home and changed first. “Yes, I do.”
