Chapter 42

“Is pouring tea another use we men have?” he teased his deceptively brisk aunt; beneath her gruff exterior, Mae had a heart almost as big as she was.

“I trust you’ll excuse my nephew, Caroline,” His aunt frowned at him disapprovingly as she made herself comfortable in the armchair opposite Caroline’s. “I assure you, I never taught him to be so disrespectful

Neither did his father.”

Nicholas grinned, unconcerned. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

Caroline was very much enjoying the exchange between Nicholas and his aunt, and doubted very much that he ever got the better of the sharp-tongued Mae Harrison.

Although she was less sure about seeing a side of him that she had never realized existed. A lighthearted, teasing side that hid the wealth of love he obviously felt for the woman.

“So, Caroline,” Mae Harrison drew her attention away from Nicholas. “How long have you and Nick known each other? If I don’t ask you, I’ll never know,” she added confidingly. “