Elisabeth didn't need Jackson to sit any longer, though she wanted to spend more time working on his portrait. "Why don't you go back to Fairhaven and I'll be by in a few hours."
"You sure you don't want me to wait?"
"No, you'll distract me." Jackson glanced at the canvas. He could see emotion in his expression that he wasn't aware showed. Elisabeth asked, "You like it?"
"Very much. What are you going to do with it?"
"This is going in my bedroom."
Jackson kissed the top of her head. "See you soon."
***
When he returned home, he called Samantha Russell.
"Hey handsome. What's shakin'?"
"I'm calling to ask a big favor."
"Change your mind about snacking on me?"
"No, I'm hoping you can arrange a meeting for me with Elisabeth's mother."
"Whoa. Are you sure about that?"
"Yes, I need to convince her to accept me."
"I take it Liz doesn't know about this plan of yours?"
"Right, and you need to keep it that way."
"I've got a bad feeling about this Jax. Elisabeth could get really pissed at both of us."
"I know. I understand if you don't want to get involved. Maybe you could just give me her cell number."
Sam went quiet for a moment. "You know what? The Ice Queen will get over it. I think your best chance of winning Miriam over is if I talk to her. She loves me. Call me in a few days."
"You're the best, thanks."
***
Sam succeeded in convincing Miriam to meet with Jackson. She had been planning to pay Elisabeth a surprise visit before the November full moon anyway. She insisted on meeting at a public place, so Jackson suggested a bar near Elisabeth's house. He arrived a half hour early and could barely contain his anxiety. When Miriam entered, he recognized her immediately. She was shorter, yet had the same hair and moved with the same self-assured serenity as her daughter.
Jackson stood and waved. They shook hands and introduced themselves. As they sat down Jackson said, "I see where Elisabeth gets her beauty."
Miriam folded her hands. "Mr. Parrish, you may have won over my daughter and Samantha with your good looks and schmaltzy charm, but let me assure you, I am not in the least impressed by your God's-gift-to-women bullshit."
Jackson leveled his gaze on her pointedly. "Well, I also see where Elisabeth gets her scathing wit." She barely suppressed a smile. He found it both amusing and a bit disconcerting that both Sidwell women's initial reaction was to castrate him. The waiter took their order and Miriam leaned back in her chair.