Noah (The Mitchell/Healy Family #1)(61)
Author: Jennifer Foor

“Sure.” I didn’t have a choice.

She told me where to wait for her, and gave me a number, then we hung up. After the call I literally sat down and bit off all my fingernails. My knee rattled my seat and I felt like I was going to vomit.

This wasn’t just Noah’s mother, but a woman that has survived breast cancer. I know it was silly, but thinking about her made me think of my own mother. I missed her so much, and the idea of being around a real family was overwhelming. I’d been so caught up in seeing Noah that I hadn’t considered what it would feel like to be around the rest of them.

I spotted the SUV exactly where she said she’d be. I kept my head down low as I approached the vehicle. I don’t know why I expected some old lady to get out of the vehicle. I certainly didn’t expect a woman with long brown hair and a beautiful smile climbing out. She was wearing a pair of khaki’s and a form fitted polo shirt, with jewelry that accented the color. One of the pieces was a charm bracelet that I’d seen on commercials. You could buy different charms for all of your favorite events in life. “You must be Shalan. I’m Savanna.”

I shook her hand, still in awe that she was Noah’s mother. “Nice to meet you.”

“Let’s get your stuff loaded so we can head back to the ranch. You must be exhausted after flying. I know I hate the whole process of being in an airport. Noah’s dad and I try to drive whenever we can.”

“The flight wasn’t that long, but I get what you mean.”

We started driving before she asked another question. “So, where did you fly in from?”

“New York.”

“Ahh, you’re the reason Noah’s been going to New York.”

So they knew about his trips, but not me. “I have to ask this, and forgive me if I seem a little outspoken, but did you really not know about me? Noah told me that he’s talked about me. I never would have just shown up if I knew that.”

Noah’s mom kept her focus on the road as she talked. “Noah doesn’t tell us a lot of things. Don’t take it personal. He and his father have a difficult relationship. It’s really because they’re just alike, but you can’t tell Noah that without getting into it with him.”

“I’ve seen it, firsthand.” I thought about that time he’d taken out his anger on me. I got chills thinking about it.

She clearly didn’t feel comfortable talking to me about it. “So my son invited you to the ranch?”

“Yes,” I looked out the window, admiring the fact that we were out of the city and driving down a country road. “I was supposed to come this weekend, but he asked if I could get an earlier flight. I’ve been away for work, and decided to surprise him. I guess it was a terrible idea.”

“Nonsense. If Noah invited you, then you’re are very welcome, no matter when you arrive. That boy doesn’t invite his friends over, especially women. He keeps his life private, which is probably why we’ve never heard about you. I’m sure it has nothing to do with how he feels about you.”

How he feels about me? Obviously he felt something, but now I wanted to know what. If I was invited and that was such a privilege, was Noah falling in love with me? “Thanks for saying that.”

“Can I ask you something, Shalan?”

“Sure.” I turned to face her.

“Are you the reason that Noah broke up with Perry?”

It was like a stab to my heart. I had to keep my composure until I was alone and could rationalize with what the woman had just said to me. Did Noah have a girlfriend this whole time, only breaking up with her recently when we’d become something more than just acquaintances? “Not that I know of.”

“That break-up was just so sudden. I thought maybe he’d told you about it. I’m sorry for asking. Obviously they aren’t together now, and I just wondered if you knew.”

Already this woman thought I was some floosy that had stolen a man from another woman. This trip was a mistake and I was half tempted to tell her to turn around an take me back to the airport.

She must have noticed that I was silently freaking out. “It’s good to meet you, Shalan. Any guest of my son’s is a guest of mine.”

We drove for a ways talking about Kentucky and the town I was originally from in Ohio. Then she asked another question I wasn’t prepared for. “So does your family still live in Ohio?”

Did I lie, or tell her the truth? “I don’t have any family, not anymore. It’s just me and the great big world.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Noah’s probably mentioned how big our family is. You do know that some are coming to visit this weekend, right?”

Another thing he hadn’t told me about that was going to get him a swift kick in the balls when I saw him. “Of course. I’m excited to meet everyone. I’ve never been around such a large family before.”

That made her laugh. “Honey, you picked the wrong family to test it out with. We get a little crazy from time to time. Don’t judge us too harshly.”

I let out a little laugh. “It can’t be that bad. You all love each other, right?”

“Yes, that we do. When our family loves, we love big, and we love forever.”

She was so kind. Even when she spoke, her voice was sweet. I was already amazed by her.

Then I got the shock of my life.

We pulled up to a large white security gate. I’d noticed it as we were driving. It had been over a mile long in the direction that we’d come from. For as long as I could see in the opposite direction I could see white. The main gate had a keyed entry, and a tremendous sign hung over the top of both gates, saying Mitchell Family Ranch.

This wasn’t a farm, it was a fortress.

Driving down the paved driveway we passed by several large barns, and plenty of equipment sitting outside. A giant mansion faced us, and my heart started beating out of my chest. “Oh my God. Is this your home?”

She laughed. “It’s my mother-in-laws house. She lives here with her housekeeper, and an occasional straggler family member. It’s too big for me, if you want my opinion.”

I stared at the beautiful white house as we pulled in. “Wait here for a second. I need to run this inside.”

I sat there admiring the beautiful home, and wondering why Noah had been so modest. I suppose he didn’t want me to know where he came from. It certainly wasn’t what I suspected. I actually felt like I was dreaming.