“Oh man. I was supposed to be able to stay all day!” Smacking the dirt off my knees, I sulk as I walk to the front door, Cassie right behind me. “Mom, you said–” I pause when I see a man with her.
The next thing I know heavy arms are wrapped around me, tears are streaming down my face, and he’s whispering in my ear, “I’m sorry, kid. So damn sorry.”
“You didn’t write me back! You left us!” I scream, trying to pound my tiny fists against his chest. It just hurts so bad.
“Hey,” he pulls away to grip my cheeks in both his huge hands, “it won’t ever happen again. I ain’t going nowhere now.”
“You promised,” I say weakly. I hear Mom sniffle and see she’s crying, too. I’ve said some really mean things to her lately.
“My promise is my bond, kiddo. I’m here to stay.” I look back at Gage; I want to believe him.
“What happened?” I ask. I need to know why he abandoned me, too.
“Let’s go home and talk about it, sweetheart.” Mom looks a mess.
“See you later, Cassie!” I call as we walk out to Ga
ge’s truck.
Chapter Nine
Gage
Contentment flows through me as I watch Paisley hustle around the kitchen making Tommy’s favorite, homemade pizza. Apparently, the kid can’t get enough of it.
“Okay, how ‘bout this one… When's the best time to go to the dentist?” Tommy smiles like he’s got me beat.
I’ve got this one figured out, however. “Tooth hurty?”
“Darn it!”
“I got one for you, master riddler. What do you call a sad strawberry?” I ask.
“A blueberry!” Paisley answers.
“Mom!” Tommy groans.
I can’t help laughing at the glare he shoots her way. This kid is damn adorable. I couldn’t be more satisfied than I am right now when they both burst out laughing.
“It’s the only one I know.” She grins at us but continues kneading the dough.
Watching her move around the room and joking with Tommy, it’s all I’ve ever wanted in life. They complete me in a way I never understood until now.
Tommy may not be my blood, but he was damn sure mine. Just as soon as I could make it happen. Paisley and I have a lot of getting to know each other to do, but we have years to figure that out.
While the pizza cooks, we sit outside on her small deck and play cards. Simple, yet everything. We seemed to have found an effortless fit with the three of us. I’m sure there’s going to be learning curves. There will be times where I need to back off because they’re so used to their independence, and there are going to be times they need to understand I’ll take the reins. That I’m not going anywhere.
Paisley
We’ve just put Tommy down for the night, and I’m still unsure I’m not dreaming. I expect to roll over and wake up to my alarm any minute now.
Gage exhausted him, playing every game my son wanted to. Not once did it enter his mind he could say no. Better yet, he wanted to spend time with the eager boy. Seemed to really enjoy playing catch, showing him how to properly bait his fishing rod. They even wrestled in the front yard while I cleaned the kitchen after dinner.
My heart is so full of joy and ready to explode with satisfaction.
If only I don’t wake up.
My son has smiled more in the past four hours than he has in the past four years. There’s no fear that Gage will leave him. As far as he’s concerned, the man has fulfilled his promise and will never break it again.