Married by Midnight (The BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES Series, #12) Read Online Free PDF Page A

pushed herself up on the pillows.  “What mother would expect a young lady of your age to be forever at her beck and call?”
    Golden only smiled.  How could she begin to explain?  Who would understand the nature of her mother, so needy and dependent?  Unfortunately that had always been her mother’s downfall, a determining factor in her choice of life-long companion.
    Golden was reaching for her handbag when Claire stopped her.  “Sit down, child.  Sit down and explain yourself.  What kind of prison are you living in, with that mother of yours?” 
    Here we go again .  Golden almost sighed but she sucked it back in.  She’d gone over this with Claire before.  It wasn’t like she hadn’t explained her situation at home but her friend was past eighty and prone to spells of forgetfulness which meant Golden had to sometimes backtrack and tell her story all over again.
    She sank back into the chair she’d been trying to vacate.  It was no use telling Claire she had to go.  She knew from past experience that the elderly woman would insist on having her way.  Five more minutes.  She would give her that and then she would have to go. 
    “It’s not that bad,” she began, giving Claire her usual reassurance.  “Mother is just overly protective, that’s all.  Maybe a bit too attached but I don’t mind.”
    Claire’s lips tightened.  “She’s that way because of that man she married after your father died, isn’t it?  What did you say his name was?  Manchester?”  Her brows furrowed.  “I may know his people.  Manchester from what county?”
    Golden shook her head.  “I have no idea.  But it doesn’t matter, Claire.  As long as she’s happy.”
    Claire’s eyes narrowed.  “But are you happy?  What with the wretched man in your father’s house and his good-for-nothing son dropping by at any hour, you must be in a tizzy half the time.”
    “Oh, Claire, it’s not that bad.”  Golden reached out and touched her hand, regretting that she’d shared so much of her private life with her.  If she weren’t careful she would be the cause of Claire working herself into a royal fit over her situation and she definitely did not want that.  “And please forget I ever told you those things.  I’m handling things quite well.  There’s no need to fret over me.”
    “What?  When the man has control of your father’s money and you can’t get a penny of it?  That does not sound like a situation that’s being handled well at all.”  Claire’s eyes flashed with an anger that told Golden her confidante was taking the whole thing personally and was getting quite agitated.  That was not good.  It was time to end the conversation.
    She got up and leaned over to kiss Claire on her softly wrinkled cheek.  “It will all work out,” she said, her tone filled with a confidence she did not truly feel.  “Just give it some time.”
    Claire’s look said she was far from convinced but Golden gave her no chance to prolong the discussion.  She turned away and picked up her handbag.  “I’ll be back next Sunday,” she said then turned back to give Claire a cheerful smile.  “Now you be a good girl until I get back.  Promise?”
    Claire didn’t even bother to answer that.  She lifted a finger and pointed to Golden.  “Start standing up for yourself.  Do you hear me?  I got to where I am because I didn’t let anyone take advantage of me.  You be strong.  Understand?”
    Golden gave her a nod.  “Understood, my lady.”
    The old woman’s face cleared and she chuckled.  “And next Sunday don’t be late.”
    “I won’t.”  Golden gave her a wave and then she slipped out the door just as her cell phone began to buzz.
    “Mother,” she said in a whispered sigh as she hurried down the hallway, “will you ever give me space to breathe?”
    As she walked she dug into her handbag and pulled out the phone.  “Yes, Mother?”  She was trying to keep the annoyance out of her