some point and she didn’t remember doing it.
“Mummy, is Mason our new daddy?” Rebecca was munching on a cookie that had been left on the counter earlier. Obviously the girls weren’t too shook up about what had happened or they adjusted quickly.
“No, Rebecca. Mason’s not your new daddy.” It pained Zoe to have to say the words but deep in her heart she wished that he was. The ambulance crew finally arrived and took over from the position of her mother.
“I want Zoe in the back with me.” Mason moaned when they lifted him on a stretcher.
“I can’t, I’ve got my daughters.”
“I’ll watch them for a few more hours. You go be with your man.” Her mother patted her on the shoulder with a smile.
“He’s not my man.”
“Honey, he’s your man and you’re his woman. Just go with him.”
“Mum—“
“Just leave or I will push you out of the door with my foot, Zoe.” Her mother kept the pleasant smile on her face and Zoe was fearful for what might happen if she didn’t go with Mason so she followed the paramedics into the back of the ambulance with Mason.
“Zoe, I’m so sorry for what happened.”
“It’s all right. Everyone is safe now.” Zoe reached out and stroked Mason’s hair away from his face with a smile.
“Are we okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“I really like you, Zoe. I just want to know if there could be an ‘us’?”
“What about my children?” Zoe’s heart leapt into her throat as she asked the question. If Mason wasn’t prepared to put up with her daughters then she wasn’t prepared to put up with him either. Her daughter came first in her life and that was final.
“I told you, I love children. I want them to like me back.”
“I’m sure we could work something out then.” Zoe smiled and kissed Mason on the cheek. Who knows? Maybe things would start going right for the couple.
****
Nine months later
“Is that the last box?” Mason asked as he placed a cardboard box on the floor in the kitchen.
“I think so.” Zoe turned from plugging the kettle in and smiled at him. They’d been together for nine months and they had decided to get a house together. Some people would say they were rushing it but she loved Mason and Mason loved her and the girls. It felt right.
“I have a housewarming gift for you.” Mason grinned at her before pulling a small envelope from his back pocket. Curiosity swarmed inside her as she opened the letter.
Dear Miss Davis,
Congratulations for applying for Earl Channing’s cookery school. Please find enclosed an interview date for the course. We look forward to hearing and seeing from you very soon.
Many regards,
Earl Channing.
“What?” Zoe looked up at Mason with a frown. If this was his idea of a joke it was a pretty sick one.
“I filled out an application form for you before we moved here. I thought you could get back into baking since you love it so much. I’m sorry if I overstepped the boundaries.” Mason rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly and frowned.
“No, it’s perfect. Thank you so much, Mason.” She flung her arms around Mason and kissed him gently.
“Ew, in the kitchen!” The two parted from their embrace to each pick up a child. Mason took the time to look at the three of them. Finally after six years he had finally found a home that wanted him there for good. His life had turned out for the better.
Other works by Ellen Graves
Touch/Click the covers for sample!
Vance Alvarez was the kind of man who knew what he wanted.
Raised in a trailer park by an alcoholic mother, Vance learned early on that if he needed something, he would have to get it for himself. Fighting to take control of his life, he fell in with the boys of the Iron Soldiers MC, and then kept fighting to become the youngest president in club history.
Mimi Parker knew she was flighty.
Mimi