Read Online TIS THE SEASON...FOR ROMANCE (WESTMORELAND/MASTERS/JEFFERIES) by Brenda Jackson - Free Book Online

had shared how excited she was about her daughter’s upcoming wedding and as the mother of the bride all the things she needed to do before the big day.
    Rick opened the refrigerator to take out a beer and sat down at the table to read his copy of Black Enterprise magazine. He’d already spoken to Sid and his friend had given him the thumbs up at the thought of him bringing a female guest. He and Sid had retired from the FBI around the same time. Sid knew for him to bring a woman to Ocala meant she was someone he wanted his friend to meet and Sid was looking forward to doing so. Sid was also a widower with plans to remarry in early spring. More than once Sid had told him it was time for him to meet a woman and get serious.
    He never thought of getting serious until after he’d met Barbara, and after taking her out he knew she was someone he wanted to continue to get to know. He knew firsthand all the hurt she’d endured by a man and that she would be somewhat cautious in giving her heart to another any time soon. Presently, he enjoyed the getting-to-know-you stage and was glad to discover that they liked some of the same things and enjoyed indulging in a lot of the same activities.
    As he slid his metal frame reading glasses on his face to check out his favorite magazine, he couldn’t help but look forward to tomorrow. He would be picking her up around six in the morning. The trip from Orlando to Ocala wouldn’t take long. It would be a leisurely drive down Interstate 75, and at some point they would stop to grab something for breakfast.
    He could tell that Barbara was beginning to feel comfortable with him, and that was a good sign. He would continue to show her that she was worth all the attention he was giving her and more.
     
    * * *
     
    “Sounds like you and Detective Blair are enjoying each other’s company,” Courtney said, glancing across the room at her mother.
    Barbara smiled as she continued to fold clothes. She usually did laundry on Friday nights. “Yes, we are,” she said and then added. “And he’s no longer a detective.”
    Courtney smiled. “I know, I know, but I’d gotten used to calling him that.”
    Barbara smiled. “That’s fine.” She then paused as she thought about all the fun she’d had going boating with Rick on Wednesday and how she was looking forward to the trip to Ocala tomorrow.
    “What time is he picking you up in the morning?”
    “Around six, but we’ll be back late tomorrow night.”
    Courtney laughed. “You don’t have to rush back. You’re grown. If the two of you decide to check into a hotel instead of returning then -”
    “Courtney!”
    “What?”
    “Of course we won’t be stopping to check into a hotel. We don’t know each other that way,” Barbara said, wondering if her daughter saw the flush of embarrassment on her face.
    Courtney gave her mother a serious look. “Well, don’t be surprised if the relationship turns on you. Rick Blair is a handsome man and -”
    “And your mother is a fifty year old woman and not a teenager with erratic hormones, Courtney. I think I can control myself.”
    “You’d be surprised, Mom. Some men are more sexual than others and once they turn that irresistible charm on you, it might be hard to resist.”
    Barbara began folding clothes again, not believing the conversation she was having with her daughter. And besides that, Courtney was talking like she had some experience in the matter and as far as Barbara was concerned, that was too much information for a mother to know, regardless of how old her child was. “Can we change the subject?”
    “If you want to, but you’re my mother. I love you and I don’t want you to get caught unprepared. As long as you have a period you are capable of getting pregnant.”
    “Courtney!”
    “Mom, please chill. Talking about sex with your grown daughter isn’t all that serious. It should be more natural for you to discuss it with me now more so than it was when I was a