A New Foundation Rochelle Alers (read aloud .txt) 📖

met her for the first time about six weeks ago, and since then I can’t get her out of my head.”

“You don’t want her in your head?” Elise asked.

Taylor wanted to tell Elise that he wanted Sonja in his bed, and then perhaps he’d be able to get her out of his head. When he’d spied her approaching his table, his initial attraction to her had been wholly physical, and that hadn’t waned. “I don’t know what I want at this point in time.”

“Why are you measuring your relationship within segments of time, Taylor? Some couples meet and fall in love at first sight, marry right away and then go on to have a long and happy life together. Others take longer because the timing isn’t right. Your father and I dated for two years because we were young and had goals to accomplish. You’re exactly where you want to be in your career. You don’t have to concern yourself with not having enough money because you were a millionaire even before you celebrated your twenty-fifth birthday. Now, what’s holding you back from telling this woman that you love her?”

Taylor realized he wasn’t telling mother everything about Sonja. “She was married to a man that was a lot older than she was. I think it scarred her, and she really doesn’t trust men.”

Elise sat straight. “Had he physically abused her?”

“I don’t think so. If there was abuse, then it had to be either emotional or even psychological. In any event, she said she’d felt smothered and had to get out. And whenever we talk about marriage, she claims she never wants to marry again.”

“Maybe you can get her to change her mind.”

“I don’t want to change her mind, Mom. That decision must be hers. And what I refuse to do is shack up with a woman. If we’re going to live together, then she has to be my wife.”

Elise glared at Taylor. “Sonja is not your mother, Taylor. She made the mistake of living with a man that deserted her when she needed him most. It’s different with you and Sonja because you are not living together. If you love the woman, then let her know and wait for her to come around. If she does tell you that she loves you, then don’t put any pressure on her to marry. That must be her decision.”

“Are you saying we should live together?”

“There are worse things in this lifetime.” She crossed her arms under her breasts. “Wake up, Taylor. This is not the forties, fifties or even the early sixties, when living together was akin to living in sin.” Elise waved a hand. “I can’t believe I raised someone with such antiquated views of life.”

“I’m not that old-fashioned,” Taylor mumbled under his breath.

“Enough talk about your love life, now tell why you want your pool cues.”

“I have a little wager with Dom Shaw that I can beat him. And if I lose then I must hand over a bottle of aged scotch. I need to go through Dad’s liquor cabinet and find a bottle.” Conrad was also a collector of aged brandy, whisky and scotch.

“Take whatever you need because you know I won’t touch the stuff.”

“Maybe the next time I come I’ll box them up, take them to the house and store them in the cellar with the wine.”

“If you’re shooting pool with Dom, then you’d better be careful.”

“Why would you say that?” Taylor asked Elise.

“Because his father was a pool shark, and Conrad said he remembered him conning some of the household help.”

“Well, Dad, was no slouch, and I learned from the best.”

Elise laughed softly. “You’re right about that. I used to accuse him of turning our kids into pool hustlers.”

“Thankfully he didn’t, and we all turned out all right.”

“I suppose I should take some credit for that. How is everything going at the house?”

“Slow, Mom. I’ve interviewed a few candidates, and right now I’m considering hiring one. I have to see a few more tomorrow and hopefully before the end of the month I will have everyone onboard.”

Elise nodded. “What’s good is that you’ve given yourself a realistic timeline in which to complete everything.”

Taylor agreed with her. There was nothing worse than pressuring workers to fast-track a construction project, which sometime resulted in on-site accidents and possible violations.

“Do you know where you’ll live once the hotel is open for business?”

“I’d like to move into one of the cottages.”

“That’s a good choice. I was really surprised to find the rooms were much larger than they appeared from the outside. And three bedrooms is perfect for a couple with a one or two children.”

“Maybe you can convince Patrick to move back east and live in one with his new bride”

A scowl distorted Elise’s normally pleasant visage. “If he moves back, then I prefer he be alone.”

Taylor could not understand his mother’s disdain for his brother’s fiancée. It was true that Andrea was spoiled and used to having her way, but that was Patrick’s problem. “No comment.”

“You say no comment when you should be the one warning him that he’s going to ruin his life if marries that brat.”

“I’m not going to interfere with my brother’s love life. When he’s had enough, he’ll do what he must to extricate himself from what you see as a toxic relationship. Meanwhile, I suggest you don’t bring it up with him because Patrick will only resent your interference.”

“It’s amazing how you always take up for him,” Elise said angrily.

Taylor didn’t want to get into it with his mother about his brother. As the eldest he’d been the one to protect his younger siblings, something he’d felt duty-bound to do even as an adult. Pushing to his feet, he forced a smile. “I’m going inside to get my cues and a bottle of scotch.”

Elise reached out and caught his hand. “I’m sorry for what I said about you taking up for Patrick.”

Leaning down, he kissed Elise’s forehead. “No harm done, Mom. I know you love Patrick