“That’s beside the point.” Her piercing blue eyes bore straight into him and for a second he was transported back to childhood. But as quickly as her maternal powers www.samhainpublishing.com 71
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appeared they disappeared. Not even on her worst day had Olivia been much of a disciplinarian.
“Uh huh.”
“Parker, you know the rules. No business today. It’s family time.” When Olivia noticed her stern expression hadn’t gotten her the results she craved, she tilted her head to the side and smiled, trying charm instead.
It was a move that had worked for the beauty countless times in the past. Olivia was a stunning woman. She always had been. And unlike other women her age, her classic good looks hadn’t withered with time. She’d been a television icon in the seventies. And thanks to Nick at Nite and nostalgia, her popularity was coming back strong.
But Parker was her son, not a fan and he wasn’t easily swayed. It was almost a week since he’d heard from Cyn and he was not pleased. He thought they’d had a great time this weekend, so her disappearing act made no sense whatsoever. He’d left over thirty messages on her cell phone and twice as many with one of her roommates, all to no avail.
If it wasn’t for work, he’d have flown there days ago. Being the boss sometimes meant having to put in the extra hours, even if he didn’t want to.
Ignoring his mother, Parker returned his attention to his cell and began to dial Cyn’s number by heart. Before he keyed in the second number, the phone was snatched from his hand and went sailing through the air.
“Mother!” To his everlasting relief, his father, with his perfect timing, caught it in midair as he came up on them.
“Whoa.” Abraham Maguire glanced at the gadget then tossed it to Parker without missing a step. Stopping in front of Olivia, he pulled her into his embrace and dipped her.
It was a move Parker had seen his father make over a million times, and it never failed to make his mother giggle like a teenage girl. “Gather the kids, honey, it’s raining iPhones, one of the seven signs of the Apocalypse.”
“Abraham, talk to your son.”
“Okay.” Abraham straightened and released Olivia. Frowning, he turned to Parker with a stern expression that immediately melted away and held out his hand. “Hi, son.”
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“Hey, Dad.” Parker gripped his father’s hand in his and smiled.
The older man’s eyes twinkled with merriment. Parker was the carbon copy of his father in looks and deeds. If it wasn’t for the graying hair they might have passed for brothers. A fact his mother loved to point out. “What’s new?”
“Nothing and everything.”
“Splendid.” Abraham clapped his hands together and rubbed them gleefully. “Let’s play.”
“After I make a call.”
“See.” Olivia pouted, this time turning her charms on her husband. “He’s breaking the golden rule.”
“Just because everyone in the world you want to speak to is standing right in front of you, doesn’t mean it’s the same for the rest of us.”
“Oh, really?” She questioned inquisitively. “Whom do you wish was here?”
Fuck! He walked right into that one. “No one. Now excuse me.”
This time his mother offered no arguments. Unfortunately his luck ended there. Once again he was directed straight to Cyn’s voicemail. Irritated he ended the call, refusing to leave a message. He’d heard of playing hard to get but this was freaking ridiculous.
Turning around, he headed back to his parents who from the way their heads were bent together, meant only one thing. They were conspiring. Would he ever learn? “Are you two ready?”
“Yes,” Olivia answered. With a wave of her hand she gestured for their caddy and hooked her arm under his. “Abraham, why don’t you drive the cart and I’ll walk with Parker.”
“Walk.” Stunned, he turned questioning eyes his father’s way, but the traitor quickly looked away and did as he was bid. “Mother, you hate walking the green.”
“A little stroll will do me some good. Besides this way we can talk.”
Oh, joy. “About?”
“The phone call for one.”
“Or we can not talk about it.”
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“Then let’s talk about the costume ball.”
Was it that time of year again? “Okay.” Where was she going with this? Every October his parents hosted a costume ball benefiting the Make a Wish Foundation. Not only was it an annual event it was also a family event. Something he wouldn’t be able to get out of no matter how justified the excuse was.
“I received the invites in the mail the other day and they’re to die for.”
Parker nodded and continued to walk to the first tee, refusing to comment until he knew exactly where this was leading.
“I’d be more than happy to send one to someone for you,” she offered.
“You would?”
“Yes.” Her eyes glittered with amusement. “Is there anyone in particular you want me to invite?”
Parker paused and turned to face her. “You know, Mother, there is someone you can invite for me.”
“Really?” He could practically hear her mental wheels turning as he spoke.
“Yes. Solomon. He was beside himself last year because he didn’t get one.”
“Parker.” His mother slapped him on his arm in mock rage. “You know I wasn’t referring to Solomon.”
Abraham slid out of the cart and joined them. He wrapped his arm around Olivia’s waist and pulled her to him. His parents were an affectionate couple, and even though it was slightly sickening, it was also sweet. “Are you done pumping him for information?”
“No,” Olivia answered at the same time Parker said, “Yes.”
Laughing, Abraham shook his head. “If you just let her fix you up with someone, she wouldn’t pester you as much.”
“As much. What do I have to do to get not at all?”
“Get married and give me grandchildren,” she volleyed back.
“All in due time.”
“Time is a-wasting. Your father isn’t getting any younger.”
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“Right.” Parker was smart enough not to mention the fact his mother was two
