Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 69025 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69025 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
“Is the woman you’ve mentioned before responsible for this change in you?”
“I do love her very much,” he replied softly.
Helen gave him a long speculative look. He didn’t know what she was thinking, but once her examination was complete, she seemed satisfied at what she had found. “Your eyes are different. The mean spirit is gone.”
He wasn’t sure whether to thank her or not.
“Who is this woman?”
“Her name is Brandi. She’s a widow with a set of twins, a boy and a girl. Our sons are best friends and she’s beautiful inside and out.”
“I hear the love in your voice when you speak of her. She’s a very special woman indeed, if she’s changed you.”
“Let’s just say that she saw the person within.”
“Hmm, I would like to meet her.”
“You’ll like her.”
“I’m sure I will if she has managed to give my son back to me. I…it will be difficult to get over the past, but you’re my son, and…and I want to give us another try. Please don’t disappoint me again.” There were tears in her eyes. Mason scooted next to her and gave her the hug that had been a long time coming. As he held his mother in his arms, he hoped that things would work out with him and Brandi as well.
Brandi didn’t know if she was making the right decision or not, but she couldn’t go another day without talking to Mason. She had to know the truth. Her daughter’s words still played through her head. It doesn’t seem fair that you didn’t ask him to explain. I would be sad if I was him.
She was taking a chance that he would be home. Brandi’s children were at her sister’s, celebrating her niece’s tenth birthday and although she was supposed to be helping Lisa with the party, she had to get away just for a little while to see him. She just couldn’t wait any longer.
Brandi pulled into his driveway and let out a sigh of relief when she spotted Mason’s car. A jolt of nervousness shot through her, and she nearly turned her car back around, but she stopped herself.
No, I’ve come this far. I might as well see it through.
She got out of her car and walked up to his door, shaking with anxiety. A small Hispanic woman opened the door. She was pretty with big blue eyes and long black hair. She wore a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt, looking quite at home.
Brandi’s heart dropped. Had she been replaced already? She could feel the heat rise to her face and the rage resurface. What a fool she had been to come here! It was no wonder Mason had not tried to contact her, because she obviously didn’t mean as much to him as he claimed. Everything had been a pack of lies.
“Can I help you?” The woman’s English was only slightly accented.
“No. That’s okay. I think I made a mistake coming here.” Brandi turned to leave.
“Who is it, Luisa?” Brandi heard Mason’s voice and she hurriedly walked to her car. She couldn’t face him now while she was on the verge of tears. She already felt humiliated enough without him seeing her like this.
“Brandi! Wait. Come back!”
Brandi opened her car door, but Mason’s hand covered hers. “Let go, dammit.”
“No. You came to see me. Please don’t go.” He turned her around to face him.
“Why don’t you go back to your girlfriend!” She tried to twist out of his grip.
A look of confusion appeared on his face before understanding seemed to dawn on him. Mason burst out laughing. This was just too much.
She hit his chest. “What’s so damn funny?”
“You thought Luisa was my girlfriend?”
“You couldn’t wait to find someone else to warm your bed, could you?”
“Number one, Luisa is my very happily married housekeeper and had you stuck around you would have found that out. Number two, you’re adorable when you’re jealous.” Mason smiled down at her.
Brandi felt like an even bigger fool. “I have a way of jumping to conclusions, don’t I?” She couldn’t look him in the eyes.
“Yes, and the worst one you could have jumped to is that I would stop loving you so easily.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“You…you still love me?” she asked uncertainly.
“Of course, I still love you. I could never stop loving you. Come inside. Ben and I were sorting through some baseball cards.”
“Ben is here? I’m sorry, I didn’t realize--”
“Don’t worry about it. Karen dropped him off with me because her mom is ill.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to come in. You know our sons will talk and--”
“So what? They’ll talk. Does it really matter? Come in and stop being silly.” He took her hand and led her into the house. “Hey, Ben, look who’s come to visit.”
The child looked up from his baseball cards. His eyes lit up. “Hi, Miss Brandi. Did you bring DJ?” he asked hopefully.