The singing voice greeted Reese as he entered the house. Wincing, he looked up as a cloud of diaphanous female floated down the stairs and flung herself at him, slender arms slipping around his waist. He expelled an amused breath at the theatrical entrance. “Hello, Mom.” Carolyn Charmant looked up, all five feet nothing of her, with a smile bright enough to light up an entire block for a month. “My darling son, I am so glad to see you.” She disengaged herself from the hug, grabbed his hand, and tugged him into the living room, half prancing in her haste to get there. She patted the seat next to her, tucked her legs to the side, ankles crossed, and folded her arms gracefully in her lap, her back ramrod straight. The perfect lady. He couldn’t help but smile. Five children, six grandkids, and she still looked like the movie star she’d been. No wonder his father had talked her into early retirement. “You look beautiful, Mom.” She waved her hand dismissively, but she still blushed.
