Inheritance (The Lost Bride Trilogy, #1)(122)

“I believe I raised him to make good choices. As his mother, I certainly think you’ve made a good one, let’s say, spending time with him. We’ll leave it there.”

“He’s very kind.”

Now Corrine’s eyebrows shot up. “So’s this puppy.”

With appreciation, Sonya laughed. “Trey has other attributes, but like you said, we’ll leave it there. Come on up.”

“Aren’t you clever?” Corrine said the minute she stepped into the library. “Collin—and I’ll apologize for bringing him up again, but he was a very cherished friend. He would so appreciate this. The creativity, and the practicality.”

She turned, looked at the mood board. “Ryder Sports. Yes, yes, yes, I see what you’re after.”

“I found action shots. Of course, some of these are models, posed, but I got some from articles. The high school track meet, the yoga class, and so on. That’s actually Cleo doing the warrior pose. The studio where she practiced in Boston took that for their site.”

“She’s gorgeous, isn’t she? And limber.”

“She’s both. I want movement, I want the effort or the satisfaction or the sweat, depending, to show. Let me share with you the basic design I’ve started.”

They sat together at the desk as Sonya ran it through.

“As I said, you’re clever.”

“I hope clever enough. I have a list of names, and the sports or equipment I think works best for each. I’ve got Cleo and Trey on board so far.”

Turning, Corrine gave one slow blink. “You got Trey to agree to do this?”

“He likes baseball, so I’ve squeezed him into fielding a ball. And he said Owen uses a gym, so I thought I could get him lifting weights.”

Rather than her son’s slow smile, Corrine had a lightning grin. “I can’t wait. Who else?”

As Sonya told her the rest, Corrine added in suggestions. People she knew, locations.

“I was sure you’d have ideas that would fill this out.”

“Oh, ideas I have. Why don’t you let me contact the people I know who you don’t? I can be persuasive.”

“Trey mentioned that. Since you’re here, why don’t I show you how I’ve incorporated your work into the Doyle Law Offices’ website.”

As Trey had, she scrolled through, then she nodded.

“I admit I didn’t think we needed this. Now that I’ve seen what this is? We did. This reflects the firm and the people in it. And we work well together.”

“I think so. You wouldn’t take a fee for Anna’s job or for the law offices. This is different.”

“It is, and I’ll expect to be paid.”

“Why don’t we go down, have some coffee, tea, whatever you like, and talk terms.”

“I’ve seen what you can do,” Corrine said as they started down. “I know what I can do. If you don’t land the Ryder job, it won’t be your fault or mine. I’m firm on that. It’ll be because they lack good sense.”

“I’m going to hold that thought.”

“Oh.” Corrine stopped outside the music room. “Another bride. Is that…”

“Lilian Crest. Clover. I found it where I found Johanna. My father painted it.”

“I see. Of course, I don’t see at all. It’s your father’s work, and you found it here. His and Collin’s birth mother. I’ve seen her photo, the book Deuce made, but they weren’t good shots. This is … it’s wonderful. I used to joke Collin had the sexiest mouth. Now I see where he gets it. And you.”

She laid a hand on Sonya’s arm. “And it’s wonderful, too, that the brothers who never knew each other have their paintings side by side.”

Sonya’s phone played “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.”

“It seems she agrees. Well.” Corrine gave Sonya’s shoulder a quick rub. “I’ll take that tea now.”





Chapter Twenty-six



Once they came to terms that satisfied both of them, Corrine sat back, looked around the kitchen and great room.

“More little touches. The copper jar on the shelf, and that—is it rose quartz?—the raw hunk of crystal. Little pots of herbs on the windowsill. I especially like the blue ball hanging in the window. I think they call them witch balls.”

“That’s all Cleo. She actually made that ball.”

“Really?” Fascinated, Corrine rose to take a closer look. “Handblown glass? I didn’t realize she did that.”

“She knows someone who does, and opens up a few times a year to give classes. She took one, made that.”

“Apparently you’re both clever.”

“I can guarantee if Anna ever has a lesson day, Cleo would be first in line.”

“That’s an interesting thought.”

“Corrine … could I ask you about Johanna?”

“We were friends, close friends. More than that,” she said as she walked back to the table to sit. “She was a sister to me. I think our bond was like what you have with Cleo, so you understand what I mean.”

“I do.”

“I introduced them, Johanna and Collin, and watched them fall in love. God, we were all so young.” On a wistful smile, she closed her eyes. “I can see us so clearly. Jo helping me shop for my wedding dress, and a few years later, me helping her find hers.”