Luke raised one eyebrow, the earlier confusion turning to anger. “Aren’t you even just a little put out that she got things ready for the boys and neglected to get the room ready for you?”

Was he baiting her? Hoping she’d lose her temper and play right into his hands? Not going to happen.

“I’m sure after marrying Sean you got used to the finer things in life.”

Sarah met his incredulous gaze and held it for a good long minute. Margaret had certainly made him believe that about her.

She didn’t have the energy to change his mind. She didn’t really care what he thought. But maybe if she showed him who she really was, he’d somehow convince Margaret she didn’t need to drag them to court for nothing.

“I’m sure she’s told you I’m the wicked witch who deceived, manipulated, and took advantage of her son. She’ll spend the next six weeks slighting me at every turn, just enough to get to me, but not so that the boys notice. Each time they aren’t around, she’ll remind me how much I stole from her.

“I didn’t come from money and Sean did. So what? Do I like nice things and having someone to clean up the house? Beats shoveling manure and sleeping on the floor, that’s for sure.”

Luke held her gaze. “So that’s how it is? You met Sean and saw an opportunity for a better life?”

“That’s a little simplistic, don’t you think?”

“Is that what you did? Deceived, manipulated, and took advantage to get what you wanted?” He sounded disappointed in her.

“That’s exactly what Margaret would like you to believe, but that’s not me. Either you believe me or you don’t.”

“Margaret is my friend. I don’t want anyone taking advantage of her.”

She held her hands out. “I brought the boys to visit their grandmother. That’s all. I don’t want anything from her.” At the very least, she wished he’d believe that.

His lips went flat. “Every woman I ever met was after something.”

“Sounds like you pick the wrong kind of women.”

His hands sank deeper into his pockets. “So my family keeps telling me.”

She appreciated his honesty and the reluctant admission. “We’re here for six weeks. Thanks to her thoughtlessness about them having school, I’ll be mom, teacher, and run my company remotely, all the while hoping she’ll see taking me to court is pointless and unnecessary. Six weeks,” she repeated, “then I’ll take the boys home, and we’ll be out of Margaret’s life.”

“You aren’t going to let her see the boys again?”

Sarah rolled her eyes and let out a heavy sigh. “I’m not the bad guy you think I am. Margaret can see the boys whenever she wants, but that doesn’t mean I’ll drop everything to facilitate it the way I did for this extended stay.”

Her phone rang. She dug it out of her pocket, resigned to another long night. “Excuse me, I have to take this call, and I still need to feed the boys.”