by Iris Abbott
Joyce arched a perfectly shaped brow toward her oldest daughter. “That is awesome, Jay. So awesome in fact, I’m surprised I haven’t heard about it before now.”
“Well I don’t think it’s so awesome,” Emily chimed in. “I don’t even like football and this is the second game I’ve been dragged to this month. I want to stay home, but mom won’t let me. Can I stay here with you grandma?” Emily whined to Joyce. “Pleeeasssee!” She drawled out the word as only a little girl could.
Abigail released a pent up breath. Any other time she would have caved and allowed her daughter to stay home, but Emily needed to get use to being around Mason, just as they all did. “I already told you Emily, you have to go this time. We all need to spend time with Mason as a family.”
Joyce noted her daughter’s curious use of words, but before she could question Abigail the doorbell rang. “That must be Mason now,” Joyce guessed. She turned away from her family and opened the door to a large bouquet of red roses. “Well sugar, I’d be sure to thank you for such beautiful flowers, but somehow I doubt they are for me.”
Mason poked his head around the mass of blooms and flashed Mrs. Montgomery a killer smile. “Of course such a beautiful lady deserves pretty flowers, but I’m afraid these are for the most beautiful woman in the world, and in my book that’s Abigail.”
Emily and Jay giggled and Abigail actually blushed. Joyce nodded her head in obvious approval. The flowers were really lovely. Abigail wanted to seem grateful, but any minute now her mother was going to open her mouth and the questions were going to come pouring forth. “Thank you for the flowers, Mason. I’ll be sure to move them up to my bedroom when I get home tonight, but we had better leave now or we might miss the start of the football game.”
Jay grabbed Mason’s hand and practically dragged him out the door. “Let’s go. I don’t want to miss a single second of the game. This is going to be great. All my friends are going to be so jealous when they see me hanging out with you.”
Abigail rolled her eyes, kissed her mom on the check, and started out the door. “Come on Emily. Us ladies are just going to have to endure tonight. Next time we’ll do something you want to do, maybe the zoo and aquarium in Atlanta or even Sea World.”
The little girl’s eyes sparkled at the thought. “I can add to my stuffed animal collection, and I can test the new camera Aunt Annabel gave me for my birthday,” Emily suggested. She hugged her grandma bye and skipped out the door behind her mom. Suddenly football didn’t seem that bad anymore.
Abigail stopped when she saw the vehicle Mason was driving. “Wow, is this new?” she asked of the gleaming European sport SUV.
Mason helped the kids into the backseat, closed the door, and turned to Abigail. “I bought it for you. As soon as we’re married it’s yours. I don’t like the idea of you and the children riding up and down the road in that ancient deathtrap you drive now.”
Abigail sat in silence on the way to the restaurant. Obviously Mason wasn’t hurting for money, but Roger had never lost even a minute of sleep worrying about the kind of vehicle she and the children used to get around. It was almost as if Mason really cared about their wellbeing. Not likely she told herself. He just sees me as a convenient solution to his problem and he has appearances to keep up. Heaven forbid if the superintendent’s family should be stranded on the side of the road because his new wife drove a piece of junk. That would do wonders for his reputation. Not!
At the restaurant both adults noticed several curious stares in their direction. Mason and Abigail were both well known in town. The two of them being seen together would have created a stir, but the two of them complete with children out as a family was guaranteed to generate talk. This had been a good plan. Being seen together in public would make their quick marriage seem more believable.
While they were waiting for Emily and Jay to finish eating the brownie sundae they were sharing, Abigail leaned in and whispered to Mason. “I hope you are quite satisfied with yourself. We could be on the menu for all the attention directed toward this table.”
Mason found himself enjoying the close proximity to Abigail. He wanted to prolong the contact and couldn’t resist teasing her. “I don’t think I’ll be satisfied until I’m over you, and in you, and you are screaming my name in pleasure.”
Abigail was almost speechless. Usually men found the fact that she was a mom a turn off. Not Mason, because he was doing some heavy flirting with her kids just inches away. “Have you no shame, Mason Blake? Emily and Jay are sitting right here, behave yourself.”
Mason just laughed and urged the children to finish, so that they wouldn’t miss kickoff.
****
Abigail noted all the pointed stares they were getting from school employees and winced. The rumor mill would be working overtime with this one, especially after they turned up married. There was one good thing about no longer having her job. She wouldn’t be nearby when everyone was discussing her around the coffee pot and water cooler. She picked up the pace. They might as well find a seat and get out of the line of fire as soon as possible.
Abigail bristled inside when Mason wrapped his arm around her waist during the walk from the parking lot to the gate. It was clear he was staking his possession. Abigail tried to move away, but she didn’t get too far. He dug his fingers into her hip keeping her in place. He was leaving no room for misinterpretation. “Darn it, Mason,” she whispered so she wouldn’t be overheard. “Let go of me. Everyone is going to think that we are sleeping together.”
“That’s the point, my darling Abigail,” he whispered back. “From now on,” he paused to let his words sink in. “You are mine and everyone might as well learn that, including you. The sooner the better as far as I’m concerned. I saw the group of single men that flocked around you at the last game. That’s not going to happen this time.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Mason. At thirty-four and a single mom of two children, I’m hardly a guy magnet. I was introducing my new friend to some of the single men in town, that’s all.”
Abigail didn’t know whether to breathe a sigh of relief or cry when she saw her friend Caroline working at the gate. She greeted Emily and Jay when she took their tickets. Then she focused her attention on Abigail. “I am so glad you are not sitting at home moping over your job loss.” She hugged Abigail to show her support. “Call me tonight,” she whispered in her friend’s ear. “I thought you weren’t interested in Mason Blake. I want all the details, and don’t think you are going to get away with the cliffs notes version either.”
Abigail hugged her friend back. “Okay, I’ll call. I promise. But I’ve got to go now. We’re holding up the ticket line in case you haven’t noticed.” The women let go of each other and Abigail continued into the stadium with Mason, Emily, and Jay.
Several people called out greetings to both Abigail and Mason as they made their way to their seats. Being superintendent put Mason on the top of many peoples must talk to list. Abigail wasn’t surprised when several county employees and parents stopped by their row to say hello and chat about general school business. She was impressed by Mason’s patience and friendly attitude. He took the time to ask about each visitor and his or her family. He also made sure to introduce Abigail, Emily, and Jay to each visitor, making it clear that he and Abigail where indeed together.
Abigail was fine with all the attention Mason was receiving because it kept him occupied with something other than her. It also gave her a chance to think about their situation and observe him without him being aware of what she was doing. That was until the single mom with too much makeup and a too short skirt and a too tight top stopped by with nothing more on her mind than flirting with the most eligible bachelor in the county. Abigail tensed when the woman actually leaned in to whisper in Mason’s ear while her hand stroked his jacket collar. He didn’t even bother to introduce her or the kids this time. He probably didn’t want to tarnish his reputation as a free agent, Abigail told herself with disgust.
&nb
sp; What was wrong with the man? He had paraded her and the children around half the town’s population to make a statement about their supposed relationship and here he was letting some tramp flirt with him in front of her, the kids, and at least a third of the town.
Abigail had had about enough of that. She didn’t have to sit still and watch Mason flirt with anything in a skirt. “Excuse me,” she said while standing. “I think the children and I would like a few refreshments now.” Before she could walk off Mason grabbed her wrist and pulled her down onto his lap.
“Wait, Abigail. Just tell me what you want and I’ll get it for you and the children.” He turned back his visitor. “Ms. Wiggins, this is Abigail Montgomery, my fiancée.” Mason felt Abigail stiffen, but he pulled her even closer and kissed her check.
Abigail could tell the woman worked really hard to keep her shock and disappointment from showing. “Why Mason Blake, you sly dog you. I didn’t even realize you were involved with anyone much less seriously enough to be talking about marriage. Somehow the gossips must have missed that little tidbit of information. Isn’t it a bit sudden?” she asked looking pointedly at Abigail’s flat belly.
“I’m not pregnant if that’s what you’re implying,” Abigail spluttered in righteous indignation. Joyce Montgomery would have a heart attack if another of her daughters got pregnant outside of wedlock. She’d best leave that kind of trouble to Aubrey.
Mason had to bite his tongue to keep from chuckling. Life with Abigail would definitely not be boring. He was thrilled with the way things were going. Cheryl Wiggins was a notorious gossip and it wouldn’t take long for word of his and Abigail’s impending wedding to make the rounds of the circuit. “No it’s not sudden at all,” he answered. “Abigail and I have known each other for several years. And her mother and my Aunt are very close friends. We fit together very well and neither one of us is getting any younger. Now if you’ll excuse me. I really should tend to my family’s needs.”
The woman had been dismissed and she knew it. Obviously she was just wasting her time there, so she said her goodbyes and ran off to spread the news of the county’s most eligible bachelor’s impending nuptials. This juicy piece of gossip was going to have people listening to her for days. It was almost worth striking out with Mason just to have rights to that particular news.
Abigail was furious with Mason. How dare he announce their upcoming marriage to someone outside the family first? He had better hope her mother didn’t get wind of this before they could tell her in person or there would be hell to pay. Joyce Montgomery would not appreciate hearing this news from someone else over the phone. And she would be sure to let Abigail and Mason know exactly how she felt about it too. Thank God Emily and Jay had been too absorbed in the game to take notice of the adult conversation going on around them.
“I can’t believe you just did that,” she snapped at Mason. If word of our engagement gets back to my mom before we do, she’s going to kill us or me anyway. She still thinks you walk on water.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got it all taken care of,” Mason promised. “We’ll leave at halftime. That way we can tell her and the children together.”
Abigail jumped when her cell phone rang. She glanced down at the caller identification and let out a sigh of relief. It wasn’t her mom. It was Annabel. Her relief was short lived when her sister started talking.
“What’s going on with you and Mason Blake?” Annabel asked. My neighbor just sent me a text from the football game and she said you were there with Mason Blake and the children. The text also said the two of you are engaged.”
Abigail groaned. It had already started. “I’ve got to go. Can you meet me at mom’s house in half an hour?”
“Sure, Jonathan can watch the children. What’s going on?”
“I can’t explain right now. I’ve got to get home fast. Just be at mom’s house and you’ll find out when the rest of the family does!” Abigail slid her phone shut and glared at Mason. “That was my sister. She’s already heard the rumor of our engagement. We have to tell my mom right now. This can’t wait till half time.”
“I guess I underestimated the grapevine in this town,” Mason said with a scowl. “Come on Emily and Jay. Something has come up. We have to go back to your grandmothers.”
“But Mr. Blake it’s not even halftime yet,” Jay pointed out to the adults.
“I know and I’m sorry, but your mom and I have an announcement to make and we need to do it as soon as possible. Since it affects you and your sister you should be there too.”
“Goody, I’m ready to leave anyway. Football is boring,” Emily declared. “I still get to go to Sea World though, right mom?”
Mason took her hand as the four of them started walking toward the parking lot. “Sea World huh,” Mason repeated with genuine curiosity. He really needed to learn more about Emily and Jay if he was going to be their live-in dad in a short period of time. “Why Sea World and not Disney,” Mason asked. “I thought most kids your age would be making a path straight to Mickey.”
“Oh that’s easy,” Emily laughed at him. “I love animals just like my Aunt Annabel and Aunt Aubrey. I am going to be a conservationist just like them too, but I’m also going to be a veterinarian.”
“So you really like animals huh. Do you have any pets?” He’d never heard about any pets at the Montgomery house, but he thought he should ask to be sure.
“No, grandma’s allergic. Sometimes Aunt Aubrey brings her cat Eve, but that’s temporary and grandma takes allergy medicine when she visits.”
Mason was thrilled with this information. Jay and his buddies already thought he was cool, so that along with football gave him a way to bond with Jay. Emily was going to love his barn cat and the horses. He could get her a horse of her own. Heck he had plenty of room. She could even have a puppy or house cat if she wanted it. He would teach her everything she needed to know about horses and horseback riding. It would be an excellent bonding experience for him and Emily. Now if finding his way into Abigail’s heart could be so easy, he’d have it made.
They had reached the gate leading to the parking lot and Abigail could tell from the way Caroline was franticly waving her over, that she had already heard the news. “What on Earth is going on, Abigail. I’ve heard from three different people that you and Mason are engaged.” She looked pointedly at Abigail’s empty ring finger.
“I can’t talk now Caroline. Mason let the cat out of the bag and now it’s a race to tell my mom before someone else does.”
Caroline looked shocked. “So it’s true then?”
“Yeah, I’ll call you tonight,” Abigail promised, as she and Jay headed toward the parking lot and Mason’s new SUV with Mason and Emily in hot pursuit.
On the way home she called her mother. “Hi mom,” she greeted when Joyce picked up the phone. “Any exciting news tonight?” praying the answer was no she held her breath and waited for a response.
“No,” a confused Joyce answered. “I thought y’all were going to the football game. Either that was the fastest game in history or there’s a problem. What’s going on, Abigail?”
“Look mom, we’re on our way home. We’ll talk then. Mason and I have an announcement to make. Annabel’s on her way over also. Do me a favor and don’t answer the phone until after we’ve arrived. I don’t want the surprise ruined.”
“Okay dear. I’ll be here waiting.” Joyce hung up the phone and immediately dialed Lucy Wilson’s number. She got her friend’s voice mail. “Hey Lucy, it’s Joyce Montgomery. I just got off the phone with Abigail. She and Mason Blake are on their way over right now to make a big announcement. Keep your fingers crossed. There’s nothing I want more than all three of my daughters happily married. And you know how much I admire Mason Blake. Give me a call when you get a chance.”
Joyce broke the connection and then called Mason’s Aunt Linda. Linda answered on the third ring. “Hello,” she murmured half out of breath from her dash to answer the phone.
&nbs
p; “Linda, this is Joyce Montgomery. “What’s going on between your nephew and my daughter?”
“I don’t know. What do you think is going on?” Linda asked her curiosity roused.
“Well, Mason took Abigail and the children to the high school football game tonight. Now they are on their way back with a big announcement and I’ve checked my watch. It can’t even be halftime yet.”
“I don’t know, Joyce. I called Mason today about Abigail loosing her job. He just told me there was nothing he could do about it, but not to worry. Maybe he found a way to save her job after all.”
“It seemed more personal than that,” Joyce confided. “Annabel’s coming over to hear the big announcement too. How fast can you get here? I have a feeling you’re going to want to hear this announcement as well.”
“In that case I’m on my way. I’ll be there in ten minutes. If they just left the high school I can beat them to your house easy enough. Even if I do drive like a little old lady,” she joked.
******
Abigail noted the two extra cars sitting in her mom’s driveway when they arrived home. The luxury crossover belonged to Annabel. She didn’t recognize the luxury sedan. “Well it looks like we have company,” she muttered under her breath.
“Indeed we do,” Mason agreed. “That’s my aunt’s car. I wonder what she’s doing here.”
“Emily and Jay you go on in and wait in the family room with grandma and Aunt Annabel,” Abigail ordered.
“But mom…,” Jay started to say.
“Don’t argue with your mother.” Mason instructed. “She always has your best interest at heart. Now do what she asked. One day your safety might depend on you doing what you mom tells you without question.”
“Yes sir,” both kids mumbled as they got out of the SUV and headed inside.
“Thanks, but I don’t need your help,” Abigail told him.
“On the contrary you do need my help. That’s why we’re both here. Anyway it’s important that we show a united front as far as the children are concerned.” Mason reached into his pocket and pulled out a jewelry box. “I left work early and drove into Tallahassee to buy this. I hope you like it.”