But there was a method to her madness, as the old saying went.
Michaela wouldn’t stand for it. “You know, I have some work to do. You go ahead and watch it without me.”
She kissed Flo on the cheek, and her mother hugged her, whispering, “Everything will be okay, sweetheart. I know it will.”
Her mom realized she was still thinking about Troy. Flo was an optimist, and when times were tough or Michaela felt low, her mother always hugged her and told her everything would be okay. And it always had been.
Until now.
With one more hug and a smile that wasn’t genuine, Michaela fled the living room.
Once in her pajamas, she climbed beneath the covers and opened her tablet to do a search on Troy. Not only did he give inspirational talks every chance he got, but he also supported several charities involving child athletes and sponsored sports programs for kids.
Somehow that made everything worse. He could be a good guy. And she’d set him up with the most amazing woman alive. They were on that date right now. Not only did Alice run a nonprofit empowering women and girls in education, she’d been Miss America ten years earlier. Beautiful, accomplished, smart, philanthropic. They would have so much in common.
Alice Fletcher was exceptional.
The perfect match for Troy Harrington.
Flo queued up Love Actually. What she really wanted to do was put on some music and dance. Something like “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey. She couldn’t be happier. Michaela had finally become interested in a wonderful man.
Sadly, she had to admit her daughter had so far picked a line of men who were not up to snuff. They all started out well. But then one would lose a job through no fault of his own, only for Michaela to learn he’d been insubordinate. Or he had a few money problems that turned out to be a gambling addiction.
But Troy Harrington was completely different. From everything Flo had seen at the gallery, he was a good man. Smart, funny, and attentive. Being attentive was very important. When Susan had told her what the Harringtons had gone through after their parents died, how they’d supported one another, how they’d melded so well with the Mavericks, Flo knew Troy was the perfect match for Michaela. You didn’t become an Olympic champion if you didn’t have some get-up-and-go. That took tenacity, willpower, dedication, and hard work.
As much as Michaela wanted to deny it, Flo knew she was interested. So, what could a mother do to help her daughter see the possibilities?
Her phone rang just as the movie credits began, and Flo grabbed it, hoping Michaela wouldn’t hear.
“Hello?” She didn’t even have a chance to look at the caller ID.
“Hello, Flo.”
Oh. Oh my. That delicious voice. “Hello, Walter.”
“Am I calling too late?”
“Not at all. I was going to start a movie.”
“I wanted to say how nice our coffee date was.”
Flo blushed. Not that Walter would see. Or her daughter. “I had a lovely time too.” Even now, the memory of it made her warm all over.
“I’d like to ask you for dinner tomorrow night, if you’re free.”
Her silly heart pitter-pattered. Tomorrow night would be perfect, since Michaela would be out for the evening.
Flo wasn’t exactly hiding anything from her. She just hadn’t mentioned yesterday’s coffee date with Walter Braedon. She knew how Michaela felt about rich men. She’d had another earful of it tonight. A relationship with all that would be destined to fail. She had no idea how to change her daughter’s mind.
Whatever Flo was doing with Walter would fall into that category. She and Michaela told each other everything. Her daughter was her best friend, and Flo knew Michaela would worry that her mother’s heart could be broken. But it was just coffee. And now it was just dinner. And Walter was truly a lovely man. She hated to worry Michaela over a couple of dates.
So maybe it wasn’t a terrible thing to keep one tiny secret.
“I’d love to have dinner with you, Walter. Why don’t I meet you somewhere?”
“I can pick you up.”
“No, no. I’ll meet you.”