Charisma
“YOU REALLY ARE as pretty as everyone said you were.”
I startled and looked up into a woman’s face that I knew immediately had to be Maureen Chisholm-Love.
Bucky’s Mama.
This woman calling me pretty was hilarious because she was stunning.
She had salt and pepper hair cut into one of the always been wealthy bobs.
It wasn’t a Bobbiana, it was a Roberta. You had to put respect on every strand that grew out of her scalp as they moved and danced around her gorgeous face with an air of sophistication I doubt I’d ever know.
I could see the features she’d contributed to her son: his eyes were hers as was the charming smile that was currently spread across her face.
I dropped my work bag into my car and brushed my hands off on my jeans before sticking it out to shake hers.
“Hello, Mrs, Chisholm-Love, I’m Charisma.”
Her face lit up like she was pleased by my manners or happy I wasn’t rude. It made me wonder who the hell they had staying on their property before but it wasn’t any of my business.
“Yes, you are. I’m telling you, darling, you have the brightest spirit about you. I can see why Bucky was sold on you immediately. There’s not a deceptive bone in your body.”
I wanted to flinch because her words were as brutal as if she’d slapped me in the face.
“Thank you, Mrs. Chisholm-Love.”
“Call me Maureen, honey.”
“Okay, Mrs. Maureen.”
“I know I was supposed to wait to see you and all that foolishness but I refused. Noah said I was going to crowd you but I didn’t want to sit here and not have introduced myself and have you thinking I didn’t want to meet you.”
“Oh no! Bucky, I’m sorry Nate, explained that you all had been on vacation and would need a few days to settle back in. I had no issue with waiting because I know how traveling can be.”
She rolled her eyes like a mama who had a son who thought he was now the parent. “Girl, these boys think we are decrepit. You’ve met my uncle, why they think we’d need a vacation from vacation is beyond me.”
“They just care—”
She waved me off grinning and leaning in like we were sharing state secrets in a crowded room.
“They think we’re not supposed to be having fun and being young. If they only knew their mama and daddy still had it they’d ‘bout lose their minds. Especially Sampson’s old ass. Thank God for Yzabel or else I would’ve had to cuss him out far too often in the last year.”
I immediately liked this woman, and if I liked her then Yzabel had to be amazing too. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
Her smile grew even warmer and I could see that she truly loved her daughter-in-law.
“Oh, you’ll love her. I know you’re just getting off work but please come by the house any time.
You’re out in this casita by yourself but you don’t have to be alone.
We make dinner available for everyone in the big house and most of the kids show up.
I’m gonna beat Nate’s ass for not telling you that. ”
“Well, no one was home—”
“Even more reason for you to not have been out here by yourself. Sampson needs to get it too. Being too wrapped up in Yzzy to be a good host. I taught him better than that.” I could tell by the look on her face she was plotting her revenge and was going to cuss out both her sons.
She must’ve really liked her daughter-in-law because she wasn’t a part of the hit list.
“I’ve been good and I got a few things to tide me over. I enjoyed having the quiet but I will make sure that I stop by.”
“Good. The way Bucky talked about you like you hung the moon I had to see for myself. I understand why now and I need to get to know you much better.” Her words made me beam internally and I was going to pull up to her table without fear.
“Oh, okay.” I was suddenly shy, her words making me wonder what Nate had been saying. I didn’t want him hyping me up and then his family find me lacking.
“Oh, dear. You don’t get it do you?” Her hand was to her cheek as she studied my reaction to what she said.
“Get what?”
“Well, I can appreciate that he’s being respectful. I would’ve shot him myself had he not. No worries. We have plenty of time for me to get my licks in. Besides, I’m glad he’s doing things the right way.”
Now I was confused on what she was saying and why. “The right way?”
“Yes. But that’s a conversation that you all need to have among yourselves.
I’ve got to get back to the house. I put a roast on and need to check it.
Make sure my husband hasn’t been in my kitchen touching shit he has no business.
I know our contact information is inside the house but the phone rings the main house if you pick up and dial 1.
Let us know if you’re coming for dinner.
If not, it’s no big deal.” She turned to walk away but then stopped herself.
“Oh, before I forget, welcome to Chisholm-Love Ranch.”
I’d been so enthralled with Maureen and her big personality I hadn’t seen the basket that was in her hands. “What’s all this?”
“Something that we do for all our guests when they come and visit. Even though I’m sure your stay is more permanent, it wouldn’t be right to leave you out. We ordered it from Morrow Foods and Gifts. It’s a boutique place in North Carolina. I hope you enjoy it.”
The basket was about the size of a laundry basket with what looked like snacks, bath items and a bottle of wine.
“I’m sure I will. That big bathtub is calling my name.”
“Rain check on dinner then. If you have time before you have to get to Bucky’s stop over for breakfast.” She leaned over and gave me the warmest hug I’d gotten since the last time I’d seen my mama.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done for Bucky.
He was drifting but now he’s so focused.
I know he’s got you to thank for that.” When she leaned back her eyes were shining as though she were tearing up and it almost made me cry.
“He’s a great man with a great business. I’m just happy to help.”
She only grinned and I had that feeling that some unspoken conversation had occurred that I was oblivious of.
“Helpmates are a crucial part of life, my dear. Now, breakfast starts at 6 but we keep it refreshed until 8. Come by and grab something and meet my Noah. You’ll see where the boys get their charm from.
” She winked before she gave me another squeeze and headed back to her golf cart.
I waved goodbye as her words stirred something in me.
I reached into my car and grabbed my work bag, feeling as though I’d gotten some nod of approval I hadn’t realized I needed but was thrilled to have.
I was practically floating after the talk I’d had with Ms. Maureen as I walked inside the casita.
A lot had been weighing on me since I’d started to have these desires for Bucky.
I had someone back home who was depending on me and that was the reason I hesitated to make that move.
But things were different. This wasn’t me just crushing on him.
I liked Nate. A lot. The sexual side I could indulge without thinking, if I thought it would stop there.
But Nathaniel Chisholm-Love wasn’t the type of man who half-stepped when he wanted something.
He made it clear I was the something he wanted.
I wanted to lie to myself and say Nate wasn’t serious.
That he was simply playing the long game to get some ass but it was impossible.
The moves he made were of a man who wanted a positive attachment and maybe even a permanent one.
Which is why I needed to warn my friend of the way I was potentially about to upend his life.
I dialed his number thinking of the softest way I could deliver this news. Part of me hoped he’d be happy. That my having found someone would make him see that having a real connection was possible for him. After living a lie for so long, he had to be desperate to be free. Right?
It took a moment but he finally answered the phone. And it was with much less enthusiasm than I’d expected.
“What’s good, Charisma?”
“Hey, Trent, you busy?” I had to ask because he sounded flat as hell when he answered the phone. I was trying not to have hard feelings since he hadn’t even called to check on me since I’d been gone for weeks.
“Nah, just regular shit. What’s going on with you?”
I went to the sofa and plopped down with a smile on my face. I ignored his negativity and forged ahead with the conversation I decided to have today. “I met the sweetest man.”
“Man? Charisma, what the hell are you talking about?”
The abruptness of his tone irritated me down to the pores on my skin. The way Trent’s voice switched from disinterested to downright hostile was irritating me. A lot.
“Don’t say it like that. Hell, he’s probably the type you would like. Who am I kidding, he’s everybody’s type.” I giggled because although I had never seen any of the guys Trent had dated, Nate was the type of man who would make anyone look twice.
Trent had been friends with me at some of my lowest moments.
Stood beside me when people tried to label me an outcast in college.
Encouraged me to ignore what they said and keep my head down and let my success speak louder than their rumors ever could.
And I’d done that. Graduated with honors and with a portfolio of work that should have taken me to New York to be discovered.
But I’d gotten in my head about needing a better game plan on how to survive while I hustled my art and it cost me years of progress toward my goal.
I’d come to Dallas, which was a closer big city, to see if I could make a name for myself here.
Then I could translate that success to a national stage.
I hadn’t gotten back into the groove of creating but now with a roof over my head and a steady job I could feel the urge coming back.