Phaedra nodded her understanding. “My mother refused to leave. I was traveling so much for business that she couldn’t imagine herself being able to adjust anywhere else. It took everything we both had to repair the damage after the storm, but it was worth it. New Orleans was her home and she was determined to live out the rest of her life where she was happiest. She passed away a few weeks ago,” Phaedra said, her voice catching in her throat as she thought about her mother.
“My condolences,” Mason said, taking a step in her direction. He drew his hand against the length of her arm. “I’m very sorry for your loss.”
Phaedra nodded ever so slightly. His touch was so powerful that her mind suddenly turned to mush. Phaedra couldn’t begin to fathom why she was reacting so intensely. She took a deep breath as she took a step back, suddenly needing to put some distance between them.
Feeling the same thing, Mason crossed his arms over his broad chest, locking his hands beneath his armpits. He hadn’t meant to be so forward. There was a brief pause as both pondered how to move past the awkwardness of the moment.
“So, did you enjoy the wedding?” Phaedra asked, wanting to move the conversation in another direction.
“I did. How about you?”
She nodded. “They throw quite a shindig around here.”
Mason laughed. “Yes, they do.”
“Are you family?” Phaedra asked, curiosity tinting her words.
“By marriage. My sister Katrina is married to Matthew Stallion.”
Phaedra’s head bobbed against her thin neck a second time. “Your sister, she’s pregnant.”
“You’ve met?”
“Not formally. She was with the bride when I took photographs earlier and I noticed.”
The man nodded. “This will be her second child, their first baby together. We’re all very excited. So, are you related to the Stallions?” Mason asked, having noted a resemblance between Phaedra and the brothers.
There was an awkward pause as Phaedra turned to stare out into the distance. She suddenly wished there was someone with whom she could share her story. Mason appeared to have a compassionate spirit, the breadth of it tempting Phaedra to drop her guard and spill her secret. But Mason’s connection to the Stallions made him a highly unlikely ally. After a pause, Phaedra gave a deep sigh and said nothing at all, pretending as though she’d not even heard the question. She lifted her camera, aimed it directly at Mason and snapped the shot, once, twice and then a third time.
Mason found himself smiling, not expecting to suddenly be the center of attention. He shook his head as Phaedra smiled back at him. After a quick moment of silence, Mason spoke. “Well, you look busy, so I’ll get out of your way. This was fun, Phaedra Parrish,” he concluded, moving as if to leave her side.
Phaedra smiled, meeting his gaze. “Perhaps we’ll run into each other again in N’Orleans,” she said brightly.
Mason grinned as he lifted his hand in a slight wave. Then as if a lightbulb had gone off in his head, he spun back toward her. “Phaedra, are you doing anything tomorrow?” he questioned.
Phaedra met his gaze. “What did you have in mind?”
“I was thinking breakfast, sightseeing, lunch, maybe even dinner. I haven’t had an opportunity to explore Dallas yet, so we can make a day of it if you don’t have any plans.”
She hesitated only briefly, then nodded, excitement painting her expression. “That sounds like it would be a lot of fun. I’d like that a lot.”
“Where are you staying?” Mason asked.
“The Four Seasons.”
“I’ll pick you up in the morning. Will eight o’clock work for you?”
“I’ll be ready at eight,” Phaedra answered.
Mason tossed her a quick wink of his eye. “See you tomorrow, Phaedra Parrish!”
Her eyes widening in delight, Phaedra watched as Mason eased his way in the direction of the large homestead. He paused briefly on the front porch to toss her one last wave before he disappeared inside. Lifting her eyes to stare at the moon, Phaedra bubbled with excitement. She suddenly couldn’t wait for tomorrow to happen.
Chapter 5
Phaedra was only slightly taken aback when the luxury limousine pulled up in front of the Four Seasons Hotel, the driver beckoning for her attention. She was a bit perturbed when there was no sign of Mason Boudreaux, only instructions for her to be delivered to where he was. Granted, she didn’t date often, but when she did she was accustomed to the man actually picking her up. She considered casting one strike against him but hesitated, deciding to at least wait to see where he was waiting for her before she put him on her short list.
When the vehicle pulled into the circular drive of Briscoe Ranch, Phaedra’s stomach suddenly did backflips. She hadn’t anticipated returning to the Stallion family home so soon and definitely not as the guest of a man she’d just met. Nervous tension creased the lines of her forehead. Since the wedding and the close proximity of the brothers, Phaedra had been in turmoil trying to decide if, when and how she might be able to tell them who she was and what she’d recently learned about her paternity.
* * *
As the driver came to a halt in front of the family home, Mason stood at the foot of the stairwell, anxiously awaiting Phaedra’s arrival. He’d tossed and turned most of the night thinking about the beautiful woman who’d captured his attention, and he’d been overly anxious to see Phaedra again. He brushed the driver aside as he leaned to open the limo door.
“Good morning,” Mason said eagerly, reaching for her hand.
“Good morning to you,” Phaedra answered as she stepped out of the vehicle, clasping Mason’s hand for support. She gave him a hesitant smile. “I wasn’t expecting all this,” she said, gesturing at the car, the driver and their surroundings.
Mason laughed warmly, a chuckle rising from deep in his midsection. “Neither was I. But it seems I was expected at the family breakfast this morning and although I tried to get out of it, the family wouldn’t let me. So it just made sense for me to send the car for you to join us while my sister lectured me on what I should and shouldn’t do on our date today.”
Phaedra laughed with him. “Instructions! So you don’t date often, I take it.”
“Apparently, to hear my sister tell it, not the right way!” the man answered as he cupped his hand beneath her elbow and guided her up the deep steps to the front door.
“Are you sure I won’t be intruding?” Phaedra asked, anxiety spinning in the air around her.
Mason shook his head. “Not at all. In fact—” he started just as the front door was thrown open, Marah and Katrina stepping outside to interrupt.
“Good morning!” both women said simultaneously.
“Good morning,” Phaedra answered, her eyes widening.
Katrina leaned to give her a warm hug. “Welcome! I’m Katrina Stallion, Mason’s sister, and I’m so excited to see you. We didn’t get a chance to officially meet yesterday.”
“I’m Phaedra,” she responded, tossing Mason a quick glance.
The man shook his head. “Be careful,” he cautioned, his tone suddenly serious. “If you stand still too long, I’m told, these two will have you married and pregnant before