“Oh.” Mark set his plate down on the coffee table. He fought back his disappointment. “It’s just a place to stay while you talk to Cindy. It doesn’t have to mean anything.”
“I just wasn’t sure where we were in our relationship. I didn’t realize we were at the ‘meet each other’s parents’ stage.”
“We don’t have to be. Even though I have met yours.”
“My dad loves you. Mom too.”
He winked at her. “Helps that I’m a doctor, huh?”
“It doesn’t hurt.”
“And they’re all right with what I do for fun.”
“Of course. It makes my dad love you even more. He knows you can protect me.”
“Will protect you.”
Lexi smiled at him. “I’m sure your parents aren’t going to be thrilled that I have a child.”
Mark laughed. “My parents are going to give your parents a run for their money when it comes to spoiling Logan. My mom has already shifted into grandma mode. And she and my dad are dying to meet you.”
Her face flushed pink. “Okay. Then yes. Let’s find a weekend and go. And not just to talk to your Mom’s friend. I want to meet your parents.”
“Only if I get to meet yours.”
“Deal.”
“Awesome.” He finished his plate then stood and took her empty one. He set them in the kitchen sink with the pans and sauntered back to the couch. He kissed her, his lips parting hers to deepen it.
“My morning was a nightmare,” she said as she sighed. “Now, I’m with you. Everything is better.” She paused then smiled. “Thank you so much, Mark.”
“You are very welcome.”
“Get some sleep.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He nestled on the couch and watched her work. Kinnick yawned and snuggled closer to Lexi. Mark’s eyes grew heavy. The image of her working was the last thing he saw before he fell asleep.
Chapter Six
Mark opened the rear door of his quad cab and reached inside for his old football equipment bag. A warm, proud smile spread across his face as he watched Logan hop out of the passenger door and take his mama's hand. His heart raced unexpectedly. I hope he likes what I have in this bag.
Lexi turned toward him. "Where are we going, Mark?"
Mark pointed through the open doors of the truck to the sparkling blue lake. "Through the field past the machine shed. There's a clearing right behind it with some flat rocks. I'll grab the picnic basket."
Lexi nodded and led Logan to the path through the long grass. Mark watched them for a moment. He couldn't believe this beautiful, incredible, talented woman was in his life. And he absolutely adored the little boy holding her hand. He didn't want to give either of them up. Ever.
Mark frowned as he thought. Am I ready to be a father? The answer came to him instantly as Logan turned back to him. "Come on!" His little voice rang through the meadow. Mark chuckled. Oh yeah. I am as long as Logan is my son. He grabbed the picnic basket, shut the truck doors and followed, laughing as he heard Logan’s chatter to Lexi about the machine shed and contemplating the zombies that had to be hiding inside. Lexi looked at Mark apologetically. "Sorry. His imagination runs away all the time."
"Like his Mom's?" Mark teased.
Lexi cheeks flamed pink. The image turned Mark inside out. So beautiful. He was distracted by the hand tugging on his shirt.
"Mark, what's the surprise?" Logan prodded.
Mark smiled at him as he set the bag and basket down and unzipped the bag. Carefully he pulled free a remote control boat. Logan gasped in awe.
"That is so cool!" Logan squealed.
"You can watch while Mark drives it," Lexi instructed.
Mark winked at her. "Nah. Logan's getting behind the wheel of this vessel."
"Mark, that's expensive," she objected.
"Lexi, it's just a toy. I can buy another. But to watch Logan play with it will be priceless."
Mark climbed carefully to the water’s edge, balancing himself on the boulders until he got there. He flipped the switch on the boat and set it on the surface of the lake. He made his way back to mother and son and dug in the bag again before handing the controller to Logan.
“Okay, captain. Take us out,” Mark instructed as he kneeled next to the boy.
Logan pressed the controls a little harder than he should. The toy boat zoomed ahead, jumping the tranquil waves at a wicked pace. Mark reached over to guide him, and before long Logan had the toy under control. He giggled as he drove the boat.
Mark stood up straight and wandered to Lexi perched on a rock, the picnic basket set by her feet. She smiled at him. “You know you probably made his year.”
He sat beside her. “I sure hope I did.” He took her hand. “Are you nervous about talking with Cindy?”
“Very. I’m afraid she’ll think I’m crazy. Or overreacting.”
“You’re far from overreacting. And you aren’t crazy. I’ve known Cindy all of my life. She’s gentle and understanding. And if you want me to be there with you, I can be.”
“No, it’s all right. There are still some things I don’t want to share with you yet. It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just I’m afraid you’ll look at me differently.”
“Try me.”
“Not yet.”
“Okay. Maybe later. Why don’t we eat now so you’re not late for your appointment?”
“Sure.” Lexi picked up the basket and set it between them. She opened it and handed a sandwich to Mark. Then she turned toward the water. “Logan, come eat.”
The little boy looked at her and then the lake with a confused expression on his brow. Mark laughed as he stood and set his sandwich on the rock.
“Don’t worry, captain,” he said as his pace picked up to a jog. “I’ll bring the vessel ashore. You go do what your mama says.”
Logan handed the controller to Mark, then wrapped his arms around Mark’s legs and hugged him. “Thank you, Mark. It was so much fun.”
Mark thought his heart was going to burst. “Anytime, kiddo. We’ll do it again soon.”
Logan scurried to his mother and took the sandwich from her. “Peanut butter and jelly. My favorite.” He bit into it and carefully climbed up the rock until he sat beside her. Mark laughed as he found a spot on another boulder to eat his lunch.
The ride back to the city was quiet. Mark glanced frequently over to Lexi while he watched the highway. She wrung her fingers together as she stared at them. Mark wrapped his hand around hers. She was incredibly brave to do this in the first place. He’d give her some of his courage if he could.
He stopped in front of the brick front house and hopped out of the truck. He opened her door and offered his hand to help her out.
“I could open the door myself,” Lexi protested, her cheeks tinging pink as she slipped her hand into his.
“I wouldn’t be much of a gentleman then, would I?”
Lexi’s cheeks went from pink to red as she hopped from the cab. She only made it a couple of steps before the door opened and a woman stepped out, her silver hair tied up in a ponytail. Her flowing electric blue blouse flowed against her black slacks. She smiled. “You must be Lexi.”
“And you’re Cindy?” Lexi asked timidly.
“Of course. I’m excited for our chat. And you have nothing to worry from me. I’m as gentle as a mouse.” Cindy looked past Lexi to the truck. “Hello, Mark. How are you?”
“Wonderful. And you?” Mark returned.
“Wonderful, also. Thank you. You can stop back in an hour. Lexi and I are just going to have a cup of coffee and talk. We’ll see you in a bit.”
“All right.” Mark waved at the two women and hopped into the truck. He glanced up at the rear view mirror as a tiny voice spoke. “Where’s mommy going?”
“She’s going to visit the nice lady who lives in that house.”
“Oh.”
Mark swore he heard a whimper from Logan. His mind scrambled. It was true he was good w
ith kids. But that was at work. Here, alone? He was about to be sunk.
He wrenched himself around to look in the back seat. “How about some ice cream?”
Logan’s tear glistened eyes met his. “With sprinkles?”
“Anything you want, kiddo.”
“Yay!” Logan swiped his hand across his eyes then clapped his hands excitedly. “Let’s go!”
Mark turned back in his seat and fired on the engine of his truck. “Why do I think I just got played?” He shook his head with a laugh, shifted into drive and pulled into traffic.
He only drove a few blocks before he reached the ice cream parlor. He unbuckled Logan from his car seat then helped him out of the truck. Holding tight to the little boy’s hand, he led the child to the window to order their treats.
He looked down at Logan as the girl greeted them. “What do you want, big guy?”
Logan hopped from one foot to the other excitedly. “Vanilla with chocolate sauce. And sprinkles!”
The girl typed the request into the register. She glanced up at Mark. “And you sir?”
Mark shook his head. “I’m good.”
Logan tugged on his hand. “You’re not getting anything? You need a treat too.”
Mark looked down into Logan’s pouting face. How could he explain to the little guy about cutting weight? It’s not even my cheat day. Guess I’m going for a run tonight. “I’ll have a small ice cream cone. Chocolate.”
Logan fidgeted excitedly as the girl got their desserts, beaming up at Mark. It nearly made Mark’s heart explode. He always imagined he’d be a dad someday. And Logan was an incredible kid. How could someone turn their back on a kid like this? How could he treat Lexi the way he did? If it were me, I’d be thanking my lucky stars every day until I died.
The girl handed the sundae to Logan and took the money from Mark. Once he had his cone, he shepherded the boy to a picnic table. Logan chattered away between each spoonful. Mark sat quietly as he listened, amused.
Once they were finish, Mark helped Logan back into the truck. He glanced at his watch. Lexi would be done talking to Cindy in about fifteen minutes. His heart twisted in anticipation. How would she be after baring her heart to a total stranger? Would she be upset at him for suggesting it? Don’t be stupid, Mark. Just be there for her.
As he shifted the truck into park in front of Cindy’s house, he noticed that the cab was mysteriously quiet. He frowned as he looked up at his rear view mirror and then chuckled. The image of a sleeping Logan met him. “Wow. I tuckered the poor kid out.”
His head turned at the opening of the door. Cindy and Lexi stepped out onto the huge porch. Cindy had the pleasant smile she always wore, but Lexi’s face looked haunted. He opened the door and stepped out.
“Hello, Mark,” Cindy greeted. “Right on time.”
“Yep. Can’t be late,” he returned.
Cindy turned to Lexi and offered her hand. “It was nice talking to you, Lexi. Please give me a call and we’ll do it again soon. Do you have my business card?”
“Yes, I do.” Lexi shook her hand. “And I will call you.”
“I look forward to it.” Cindy waved to Mark. “Good-bye, Mark. Drive safe.”
“Will do.” Mark helped Lexi into the truck and hopped in the driver’s seat. He noticed Lexi gazing at her sleeping son in the backseat.
Mark’s brow wrinkled as he watched her. “Are you okay?”
She shook her head in response.
“Lexi…”
“I’ll be all right, Mark. I just need a moment. Okay?”
“Of course. I’m right here if you need me. I’ll be here forever.”
She offered him a weak smile and then turned to stare out the window. Mark sighed. He knew this visit with Cindy would dredge up Lexi’s old demons. But he didn’t anticipate this. He just hoped she believed him when he said he’d be there for her. I love her. I’ll love her forever no matter what happens.
»»•««
Chloe wove one sheet of paper between another as she sorted the contracts into alphabetical order. Once she was done all she would have to do would be to set them in the feed tray of the copier, hit the start button, and wait for the duplicates to print. If I hurry, I can get these in the mail today. It’ll shock the promoter that he has them early for once.
She cringed as her stomach flipped. She couldn’t seem to shake the nauseated feeling she’d had for the past two weeks. Maybe it was time to call her doctor at the Mayo Clinic. She didn’t want to adjust her meds. She was stubborn like that. But she couldn’t handle this feeling much longer either.
She grabbed the stack of paper and stood to cross the office to the copy machine. She was greeted by Avery’s big smile.
“Hey, what’s up?” Chloe questioned, being careful to face her deaf friend before turning to drop the papers in the feed tray.
“Not much. I have a question for you.”
Chloe turned back to her as the machine hummed to life. “Shoot.”
“Want to go to lunch?”
“Sure. I won’t be much of a lunch companion. I have no appetite. And I threw up again this morning.”
“Oh, no. I was hoping you’d be past this.”
“Me too. And Max. So, where did you want to go?”
“That’s the thing. I think we should go find Lexi and take her too.”
“Lexi?”
“Yeah. I think we should get to know her better. Mark is head over heels for her.”
Chloe picked up each stack of papers and crossed back to her desk. She carefully folded the original documents, stuffed them in an envelope then licked it closed. She rummaged for a stamp. “So Mark’s little lecture got to you, huh?”
Avery’s head lowered as she scuffed at the cement floor with the toe of her sock. “No. Rico did. He spent all night pounding on the punching bag in our spare room. He does that when he remembers what his uncle did to him. Chloe, if my husband trusts her in this, then so do I. And I think we should welcome her into our little family.”
Chloe remained quiet until Avery lifted her head again. Then she nodded. “I think you’re right. Any idea where she might be?”
“I remember Mark saying something about her staying at his place while he sleeps so she’s safe from her ex. So let’s start there.”
“And if she’s not and we wake Mark up?”
Avery cocked a grin eerily similar to her husband’s. “Hey. We’re trying to become friends with Lexi. The teddy bear will have to forgive us.”
Chloe laughed as she picked up her purse and the now stamped envelope. “Of course you think of everything. Let me drop this off in the mailbox outside and we can go.”
“We’ll take the Jeep. Rico’s with Max anyway.”
Chloe followed Avery down the staircase to the matted area below. They slipped their shoes on and stepped outside. She hurried to the mailbox as Avery strode to the Jeep. Before Chloe could jog back to the vehicle, Avery was already at the curb.
As usual, the drive was quiet. Chloe watched as Avery studied the road. Ever since she started driving again, the deaf girl was hypersensitive about everything while she was behind the wheel. It didn’t stop her from humming to herself though.
The two women wandered up the walk to the townhouse. The sound of barking only lasted a moment or two. Avery glanced at Chloe. “Someone’s up.”
Chloe nodded and knocked softly on the door. Moments later it was pried open.
Lexi peered out of the crack. She opened it a little farther and leaned against the door frame. “I’m sorry. Mark’s asleep,” she told them.
“That’s ok,” Chloe answered. “We’re here for you. We want to take you to lunch.”
“Me? Why me?”
“We want to get to know the woman Mark has fallen in love with.”
“By a few of the things Mark has said it doesn’t seem like you do.”
“We know,” Avery chimed in. “We were worried about Mark, that’s all. We apologize for how we acted. We really
would love to get to know you better.”
Lexi stared silently at them for a second. Then she smiled. “Sure. Lunch sounds like fun. Let me get my purse.”
They watched through the screen door as she stepped away and picked up her purse. She pressed a kiss to Mark’s forehead as he slept stretched out of the sofa. He cracked an eye open. She softly spoke to him. He gave her a sleepy smile and cuddled closer to his pillow. She kissed him once more and then petted Kinnick on the head. The dog licked her affectionately before lying on the floor next to his master.
Chloe and Avery stepped back as Lexi opened the screen door, closing the inside door as she did so. “So, where are we going?”
“What sounds good to you?” Avery asked.
“I don’t know. Anything. I’m starving.”
Avery pressed her keys into Chloe’s palm. “You drive so we can talk about it as we go. I won’t be able to reroute if I can’t read lips.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Chloe agreed. “Lexi, will you be more comfortable in the front seat?”
“I can sit in the back,” Lexi assured. “I’m flexible.”
“Great.”
Chloe held the door open as Lexi stuck a foot on the floorboard to climb into the back seat of the Jeep. Lexi’s amused laugh disappeared as she froze half in – half out of the vehicle.
Chloe frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Lexi didn’t answer. She just stared down the street and whimpered. Chloe followed where she looked to find a man leaning against the hood of a car wearing a T-shirt and pair of blue jeans. His blond hair was ruffled. His face was hard, cold, and his eyes were locked on them.
“Is that?” Chloe asked softly.
“Derek. It’s Derek,” Lexi whispered.
“Who is that?” Avery questioned.
Chloe turned to her and signed.
Avery frowned. “What’s he doing? Stalking her?”
“Lexi, get in. Let’s go,” Chloe instructed.
Lexi pushed off her foot still on the ground and sat in the backseat. Avery hopped into the front seat and took her hand in hers. Chloe pushed the seat back into place, fired up the Jeep, and flew down the street.
“Mark,” Lexi cried. “I don’t know if I locked the door.”
Hard Drive Boxed Set Page 46