Kitchen Boss

I place my hand over hers.

“Trust me.”

Cathy falls silent. Then she nods as she places her hand over mine. “Okay.”

I smile. “For now, let’s just go back to Maisie.”

~

When we get back home, though, Betty is waiting there. I frown. What? Did she find out I left Maisie alone again? Is she here to take her away already? Well, I won’t let her.

I pat Cathy’s shoulder. “You can go in ahead to Maisie.”

Betty looks at her. “No, she can – ”

“Go,” I tell Cathy.

She looks at Betty as she walks past her but says nothing.

I stand in front of Betty. “What do you want? If you’re still going to insist on the hearing because you think Cathy is responsible for Trisha’s death, then let me tell you now that she isn’t. My sister was drugged and the man responsible is now in jail, where he will rot for the rest of his life.”

Betty nods. “That’s good news. I didn’t show up here to insist on the hearing, though.”

She didn’t?

“In fact, I came here to watch my granddaughter… and also to tell you that I’m not going to sue for custody anymore, not now or ever.”

My eyebrows go up. Is Betty serious? It sounds too good to be true.

“So you’re going to let Maisie stay with me?” I ask.

“You’re her father, after all. Besides, she’s going to have a mother now. And as much as I hate to admit it, I think she’s going to have a good one.”

Betty starts to leave. I remain rooted where I stand, still in shock.

“Betty.” I turn around once I’ve recovered. “May I ask what made you change your mind?”

She glances over her shoulder. “What do you mean, change my mind? It’s only natural for me to sacrifice my own happiness for that of my granddaughter. I am a mother, too, after all.”

With that, she walks to her car. I watch her leave, shaking my head in disbelief. I don’t know what happened. I’m glad, though. It feels that puzzle pieces are falling into place.

I run inside the house to tell Cathy the good news. I find her with Maisie in Maisie’s bedroom, both of them with huge smiles.

“Betty said she’ll leave us alone,” I announce. “She’ll let us be a family.”

Cathy’s eyes grow wide. “She did?”

I nod. “She even said you were going to make a good mother.”

Cathy smiles.

My eyebrows crease. “Wait. Did you talk to her?”

“Is Cathy going to be my mommy now?” Maisie asks.

I lift a finger. “That reminds me.”

I run to my bedroom to get the diamond ring. When I come back, I go down on one knee in front of Cathy.

“I know I didn’t ask the first time, so I’ll do that now,” I tell her as I present her with the ring. “Cathy Jeffries, I’ve loved you for most of my life. I don’t want to ever be without you. Will you marry me and be the best mother to my children?”

“Will you be my mother?” Maisie adds.

Cathy takes the ring from my palm and slips it on. Then she pulls me to my feet and looks into my eyes.

“Yes, Jackson Holloway. I will marry you and love you for the rest of my life.”

My heart leaps. Beside me, Maisie cheers. I wrap my arms around Cathy and give her a quick kiss. Then I carry Maisie in my arms.

“And I will gladly be your mother.” Cathy gives her a hug.

“Yay!” Maisie throws her hands up.

“Oh, and one more thing,” Cathy says as she catches my gaze. “Your father and I have something to tell you.”

Epilogue

Cathy

Three years later…

I linger in the doorway as I watch Maisie and Trish sleeping in their beds. Maisie snores softly as she hugs her pillow, her blanket off. Trish is still tucked in, sleeping soundly with a stuffed unicorn on either side of her. They may not look like it, but I know they’re sisters. And that they’ll always love each other. The thought brings me comfort and makes my chest swell with joy.

Jackson touches my arm. “What are you doing?”

“Shh.”

I hold a finger to my lips and close the door gently before turning to face my husband.

“I was just watching them sleep. It gives me a sense of peace.”

Peace. After all these years, I finally have it. Peace. And hope. And wonderful children. And an amazing husband.

He grins. “Well, now it’s our turn to go to bed.”

Jackson scoops me up in his arms and carries me to our room. There, he drops me on the bed and pins me down with a kiss. I wrap my arms around him and shiver with delight as I feel the heat from his tongue all the way to my toes.

He unties the sash of my robe and runs his hands over the lace chemise I’m wearing. His palms cradle my breasts. His thumbs press down on my nipples.