by Erica Penrod
“Why? My parents love you.”
She looked back at Blake. “Yeah, but that was years ago and before I broke up with you.”
“Don’t worry about that.” Blake shook his head and stopped at the red light. “I told them I dumped you, so it’s fine.”
Her jaw dropped. “You told them that?”
The corners of Blake’s mouth twitched. “No, but if you believe that, it might help your nerves.”
Mandy rolled her eyes. “So, I should be nervous? Do they hate me?”
The light turned green. “No, they don’t hate you. They know I’m the idiot who messed things up.” He accelerated.
She relaxed. “As long as they know you’re the idiot, then I’m good.”
“Was an idiot.” Blake scowled, then grinned. “But now look at me: I was smart enough to win you back.” He nodded. “I think my parents will be impressed.”
“If you say so.” Mandy sat up taller. “You need to take the next right.”
Ted’s parents’ house was in a newer suburb of the city. They’d built the modern structure about a year before she and Ted split up. They pulled up to the curb, and Mandy took in the house. She appreciated the home’s clean look, with its straight lines, sharp edges, and tinted glass, but she preferred a more traditional look.
Mandy got out and opened the back door. “Wake up, sweetheart.” Kade’s dark lashes fluttered and he stirred but didn’t wake. “The poor kid is exhausted.”
“Do you want me to carry him and you get his bag?” Blake glanced over his shoulder into the back seat.
“I’ll be okay, but thanks.” Mandy unstrapped Kade and picked up the sleeping child. She reached for the bag on the floor. “I’ll be right back.”
Mandy walked towards the house with her arms loaded. She climbed the stairs and turned right. A few steps later she was at the sleek metal door hidden from the street by large cement columns. She rang the bell.
“Hi, Merry Christmas.” Ted smiled at her, his white teeth brilliant against his tawny complexion. His wavy copper hair, longer than usual, was damp, and he wore a pair of pressed jeans and a cream-colored pullover sweater. His sense of style didn’t surprise her, but the light in his eyes when he looked at her did.
“Merry Christmas.” She adjusted the bag and relaxed. Ted was happy to see Kade, and that was a good thing. Mandy just needed time to get used to her ex and his sunny disposition.
“Come in.” Ted backed up, and Kade lifted his head.
“Dad.” His sleepy little voice tugged on Mandy’s heart. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to leaving him.
Mandy held out the bag. “I’d better not.”
“Please, my parents aren’t home. They’re delivering some gifts to some friends.” Ted’s green eyes searched hers, and something sharp jabbed at her heart as he took the bag. They reminded her of the man she’d fallen in love with, one she hadn’t caught a glimpse of in over five years. Mandy stepped inside the house and pushed away the memories.
A Christmas tree stood in the far corner. White lights glowed around intricate layers of decorations. “The tree is beautiful.” She raised her brow. “Did your mom do that?”
Ted laughed, and Mandy couldn’t recall the last time she’d heard the sound. “No, she had it professionally done. You know my mom—everything has to be perfect.”
Mandy nodded, knowing she’d never felt perfect enough for her ex-mother-in-law.
He set Kade down, who’d spotted the presents and took off. By this time, he knew how to play this game. “I was hoping you could stay for a minute. Maybe watch Kade open a gift.”
Mandy slipped her hands in her coat pockets. “I can’t. Blake’s in the truck and we’re going to his parents’ for dinner.”
“Oh.” Disappointment echoed in his voice, but she thought she saw something flash in his eyes. “Okay then.”
“Have fun, sweetie.” She walked over, knelt, and hugged Kade. “I love you.”
Ted put the bag on the couch. “I’ll bring him home on Monday. I’ll text you when we’re on our way.”
Mandy stood up. “Okay.” She smiled at him. “Merry Christmas.”
She left, and as she walked back to the truck, she thought about her situation. This wasn’t what she’d imagined her life would be and she never wanted to raise a child with a divorce, but things were good. Kade was loved and his dad had stepped up, and that was more than she’d dared hope just a couple months ago. But her Christmas miracle was the man waiting for her in his truck, wearing the flannel shirt her dad gave him last night. She picked up her pace and turned the corner.
Blake spotted her and hopped out.
He walked around and opened the door for her. “Everything go okay?”
“Yeah.” She jogged up and threw her arms around his neck. “Merry Christmas.” Mandy kissed him slowly and passionately, trying to convey what she felt inside: her gratitude, her anticipation of the future, and her appreciation for the past couple months with him.
“Wow.” Blake touched her face when they both came up for air. “What was that for?”
Mandy shrugged her shoulders. “I love you. I just want you to know that.”
Blake pulled her close and whispered in her ear. “I love you too. Merry Christmas, baby.”
Chapter Thirteen
The Jessops’ home, a mid-century brick rambler, was just like Mandy remembered. The same multicolored Christmas lights along the roof and the plastic Nativity spruced up the house for the holiday season. A large, fresh bough wreath hung from the front door, welcoming all who entered.
“Mandy, it’s so nice to see you again.” Blake’s mother, Ann, enveloped her in her arms. “It’s been a long time.” She stepped back and inspected Mandy. “You’re just as beautiful as you always were.”
Mandy’s cheeks blushed. “Thank you.”
“I wish Kade could be here today.” Ann hooked her arm through Mandy’s and led her to the kitchen. “You’ll have to bring him for a visit as soon as you can, and I’ve got a little gift for you take home to him.”
“You didn’t need to do that.” Her words contradicted the way her heart brimmed with joy at the gesture. Kade didn’t need another present, but the idea that Blake’s family thought of her son that way touched her deeply. “But thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“What about me?” Blake helped himself to the relish tray on the counter. “Did you get me a present?”
Ann rolled her eyes, walked over, and kissed her son on the cheek. “Last I checked, you were on the naughty list.”
“I heard the same thing.” Alan Jessop walked into the room. He was a head taller than Blake and had a belly as big as Santa’s, and as Mandy remembered, he was just as kind and jolly. “But Mandy, on the other hand, has a few under the tree.”
“You two would never do that to your only son.” Blake popped another olive in his mouth.
His dad laughed. “Okay, we did get you some socks and underwear.”
Mandy giggled when Blake’s face turned as red as the tiny tomatoes on the tray. “I don’t you think you tease my sisters like you do me.”
“You’re right, we don’t.” Ann went to the oven and peeked inside. “I’m sorry the girls aren’t here this year. It was our turn for Thanksgiving, but Alan and I went on a cruise with some friends and threw the whole schedule off, so the girls are with their in-laws for both holidays.”
“How was your cruise?” Mandy sat on the stool beside Blake’s.
“It was marvelous.” Ann opened a drawer and pulled out some hot pads. “Wasn’t it, Alan?”
“Yeah, it great. All the food you could ever want, whenever you want.”
“Sounds like paradise.” Blake reached for Mandy’s hand.
“Except for the swimsuit.” His dad rubbed his belly. “Some things are better left unseen.”
Mandy covered her mouth as Blake burst out laughing. “I can only imagine.”
“Dinner’s about ready.
How about we go into the dining room?” Ann shook her head and grinned as she took the turkey from the oven. “Let’s feed Mandy and take her mind off an old man in his swim trunks.”
“That sounds like a plan. I’d hate to scare her off, and on Christmas day too.” Alan walked over to the stove and lifted the lid off a pan. “Would you like me to take these in?”
“Yes, please.” She took a knife from the block. “Blake, will you carve this when we’re ready?”
“Sure.” He squeezed Mandy’s fingers. “Dark meat, right?”
“Yeah.” She stared into his eyes and knew this was where she belonged: wherever he was.
* * *
The day after Christmas, Blake padded through his kitchen, whistling “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Even though the holiday was over, he still felt the same rush of excitement knowing Mandy was part of his life again. After they’d spent the evening with his parents and enjoyed the easy way she fit back into his life, Blake had no doubt that he wanted to make things official sooner rather than later. He couldn’t let himself think about not having to say goodbye every night, because he might be tempted to kidnap her and haul her off to the courthouse.
His phone signaled a text. Blake swiped the screen and grinned. Mandy wanted him to come over anytime he was ready. A quick shower and a splash of the new cologne she’d given him, and he was ready to go in fifteen minutes. On his way out the door, he had a thought and ran back to grab the monster truck. Kade would be back sometime today, and Blake couldn’t wait to take him for a ride.
Five minutes later, with the toy truck loaded in the bed of his Chevy, Blake grinned as he revved his engine. His mind raced with different scenarios of how to ask Mandy to marry him, and he decided he might enlist the help of his co-workers, although that might be like handing matches to two pyromaniacs. A chance he might take, hoping his proposal would light up Mandy’s world.
Blake chuckled to himself as he thought about Tori and Brianne and what their reaction would be when he asked for help. He’d probably regret it, because his eardrums would burst with all the squeals, followed by a million suggestions, and they’d never stop giggling. Blake must’ve been a glutton for punishment. He stopped in front of the Whisper Creek Inn, reversed, and backed into the driveway, since they planned to move a couple more of Mandy’s things over to the Wind Song Inn.
He hopped out of the truck and went to the door. Blake knocked twice and let himself in. The familiar scent of spice mixed with something greeted him. In the great room, Jim sat on the couch, reading a book. “Hey.”
Jim looked up over his glasses. “Howdy. Mandy’s in her room. Ted brought Kade back just a few minutes ago. He’s got a stomachache, probably all the sugar he’s had the last couple days.”
“Aw, dang it.” Blake headed down the hall. He wondered if Mandy might need him to run to the store for anything. He wasn’t sure what little kids needed for a bad belly, but she could make him a list. Blake headed towards her room and heard voices through the open door. He paused, and his heart kicked up a notch when he recognized Ted’s. He hadn’t noticed Ted’s car when he’d pulled up. There were always different cars parked in the guest parking to the side of the house.
Blake turned, stepped into the room, and saw Mandy with Kade cradled with love and sympathy against her chest. Mandy leaned into Ted, and Blake’s whole world crashed down around him as Ted draped his arm over her shoulder, leaned in, and kissed her.
He stumbled backwards, his heel kicking the open door behind him.
Mandy looked over. Blake braced himself against the wall, shook his head, and left. There was no reason to ask for an explanation; the picture he saw said more than a thousand words, and that was a thousand more than he wanted to hear.
Chapter Fourteen
“He’s being ridiculous.” Mandy hefted a box on to the counter. “We need to talk about this.” She’d brought a few of her personal cooking utensils with her, even though Jeremy and Brianne had stocked the place well enough for a gourmet chef.
“I couldn’t agree more.” Brianne swayed side to side with Ava in her arms. “He hasn’t spoken to any of us. But Jeremy says he’s going over to his place tonight, and even if he has to break down the door, he’s going to talk to Blake.”
Mandy braced herself against the marble top. “I’m so sad and angry at the same time. I don’t know what to think or feel. Maybe it’s a good thing I haven’t seen Blake, because I might consider using the choke hold I learned in my self-defense class a few years ago.”
Brianne laughed. “I don’t think there’s any need for violence, just yet anyway.” She set the sleeping baby in her car seat. “Although Blake can be hardheaded, and it might take some sort of drastic measure to get through to him.”
Moisture filled Mandy’s eyes. “I don’t know, Brianne. Maybe things aren’t meant to be with me and Blake. It’s like nothing’s changed. One of us doesn’t stick around long enough for the other one to explain.” She dabbed at her tears on her cheeks. “And what was all that crap he said about loving someone more than their mistakes?”
“He loves you and you are meant to be together. I’ve never seen Blake happier than when he was with you.” Brianne hugged her. “We’ll figure this out.”
“I hope so, but you should’ve seen the look on his face. He was so hurt.”
“He won’t be if he ever gives you a chance to explain.”
Mandy bit her lip. “But maybe he’ll still be hurt.”
Lines appeared across Brianne’s forehead. “What do you mean?”
She glanced up at her friend. “Because maybe I wasn’t totally innocent.”
* * *
“Go home,” Blake called to the annoying intruder knocking on his door. Takeout boxes lined the countertops, dirty dishes filled the sink, and pine needles carpeted the wood floor, and he didn’t smell too pretty.
“Dude, open up.” Jeremy was nothing if not persistent, and that annoyed Blake.
“I’ll call you in a couple days or something.”
“Don’t make me use me spare key.”
What? Blake walked over, unlocked the dead bolt, and opened the door. Jeremy had sold him the condo. “You kept a set of keys to my place?”
Jeremy pushed past him and stepped inside. “No, but I had to get you to let me in somehow.”
“Not cool.” Blake closed the door. “Can’t a guy be left alone for a few days?”
“Not when you’re making a mess out of your life, and then I’m going to have to listen to you whine about it for the next ten years, maybe longer.”
“I’m not making a mess out of any of this. I didn’t choose for this to happen.” Blake followed Jeremy, who made himself at home on the couch.
“Mandy told us what happened, and you should talk to her, let her tell you her side of the story.”
Blake leaned back on the couch. “I don’t want to.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m afraid she might tell me what happened, and I might get over it.”
“Wait.” Jeremy screwed up his face. “What? Isn’t that a good thing?”
Blake closed his eyes. “I know there has to be some sort of explanation for what I saw, but it’s not Ted kissing her that bothers me so much—”
“Have you had too much eggnog?” Jeremy sat up. “Because I swear I just heard you say you’re not mad about Mandy’s ex kissing her.”
“They were a family. Ted is Kade’s father and Mandy is his mother, and if there’s any chance for things to work between Mandy and Ted, Kade deserves that.” Pain clamped around his heart. “I don’t want to get in the way of that.”
“They’re divorced, and Mandy loves you. What’s His Name already had his chance, and he blew it.”
Blake sighed. “But so did I, and she gave me another chance.”
“It’s not the same.”
“You’re right, it’s not, because they have a child together, and that trumps any reason I can come up with for why we
should be together and not them.”
“Except that Mandy loves you and she divorced the other guy.”
“Ted’s been better about being with Kade. Maybe he realizes what he lost.”
Jeremy looked at Blake. “It doesn’t matter. It’s too late.”
The image of Ted kissing Mandy appeared in his mind, Kade swaddled in Mandy’s arms while Ted held them, supporting them both. “Is it?”
Chapter Fifteen
* * *
“I know it’s New Year’s Eve, and I appreciate what you’re trying to do.” Blake took another sip of his drink. They sat in a booth at a local diner, which was usually one of his favorite spots, but he wished he was home sprawled out on the couch in his pajama pants. “But you should be out with your wives.”
“We will.” Kael reached for the ketchup. “As soon as we cheer up your sorry self.”
“I’m not sure that’s possible, but at least this way, we know he’s taken a shower and had something to eat in the last five days.” Jeremy chuckled and tossed a fry in his mouth.
Kael and Jeremy picked him and insisted they go out for a burger. Blake argued, but they wouldn’t leave his condo until he agreed to go with them. “I’ve showered, alright? And I’m not starving to death.” He didn’t mention that he’d been living on a can of mixed nuts his neighbor brought over before Christmas and the goodies Mandy stuffed in a stocking for him. “I’m fine, and I’ll talk to Mandy when I’m ready.”
“Whatever you say, but for the record, I think you’re making a big mistake.” Kael picked up his cheeseburger.
“It’s mine to make.” Blake lifted the bun and took the pickles off. “I just need time to figure out what the best thing to do is.”
“That’s obvious.” Jeremy waved a fry at him. “Talk to Mandy.”