Seducing the Heiress by Martha Kennerson Page B

she was my only chance. My only chance at a real life, anyway, a happy childhood. And she gave me every bit of that.”
    Farrah swiped away a single tear.
    â€œSo after my parents died, she kept me.”
    â€œYou didn’t have any other family that wanted you?”
    The slight smile disappeared. “There were a couple of great-aunts and uncles that came forward but after they found out they wouldn’t have access to the money my parents left me—other than the small monthly allowance set aside to help with my expenses—they all walked away, and I became a ward of the state.”
    â€œUntil Momma Penny stepped in, that is,” she confirmed.
    â€œYep, and she never cared about the money. Not even the monthly allowance she was entitled to, but she had no choice. Momma Penny refused to leave me at the mercy of the state and she didn’t want to have to work so much that she couldn’t raise me right. She made sure we had a good life but more important, that we were always together.” Robert smiled at the memory.
    â€œWow, she really loves you.”
    â€œShe does. And I love her, too...very much. So to answer your question, no, I haven’t brought any women to meet Momma Penny. No one’s been special enough to me. Until now...until you.” Robert leaned over and ran the back of his hand down the side of her face as he stared at her lush mouth.
    â€œOh...” she gasped, and Robert dropped his hand, faced forward and quickly started the car. He had to get moving before he pulled Farrah onto his lap, kissed her breathless and confessed everything. “Ready?” he asked.
    â€œYes, I think I’m getting there,” Farrah whispered.
    For some reason Robert didn’t think she was just talking about a visit to his mother.

Chapter 12
    F arrah watched as they made their way through an upscale neighborhood designed for senior residents fifty-five and older, keeping her focus on the changing landscape. While she was still reeling from all she’d learned about Robert in the last twenty minutes, Farrah took notice of a French country house with a wide wraparound porch, with two large trees and a bed of roses that were so beautiful they didn’t look real.
    â€œHere we are,” Robert said as he exited the car.
    He quickly made his way around and opened Farrah’s door. She gifted him with a wide smile and accepted the hand he offered. “Wow, this place is beautiful.”
    â€œI designed and had it built a couple of years ago,” he said proudly. “It was her Mother’s Day gift.”
    Farrah opened her mouth to speak but before she could get her words out, the front door opened, which was followed by a high-pitched scream.
    â€œThere’s my blue-eyed wonder,” an elegantly beautiful caramel-skinned woman called, standing on the porch. She wore a floor-length, short-sleeve flowered dress, and her long, salt-and-pepper hair had been plaited in a braid that hung across her shoulder. Her skin was practically wrinkle-free and she looked nowhere near her sixty-plus years. Robert was right; his mother is beautiful.
    Robert smiled as he hurried up the wooden stairs and onto the huge porch. “Momma Penny,” he said, reaching down to embrace and kiss her while simultaneously lifting her and spinning with her in his arms.
    The sight made Farrah’s heart expand even more for the man she was trying to release. The love between the two was obvious. The petite woman, who looked barely five feet tall and no more than a hundred pounds, was playfully hitting Robert while demanding that he put her down.
    Robert complied and reached for Farrah’s hand. “Momma Penny, I’d like you to meet a special friend of mine.” Robert intertwined their fingers and guided her forward. “This beautiful creature is Ms. Farrah Blake.”
    â€œWell, finally! I’m pleased to meet you,” she said, offering her