by Francis Ray
“It’s all right.” She placed a hand on each of their legs. “Everything is going to be all right.”
“The man and woman were shouting at each other and saying bad words. Is that why Daddy wanted to go home early?” Ashton asked.
Gabrielle glanced at her mother, then away. Ashton might be too young to understand what had happened but not Gabrielle or the neighbors. Gina had never felt more helpless. “It was time.”
The doorbell rang. Ashton jumped up and ran toward the door. Gina came to her feet and rushed after her son. “Ashton, no!” She didn’t want to talk to any nosey neighbors.
Unlocking the door, Ashton pulled it open. “Hi, Max.”
“Max,” Gina whispered, her heart doing a familiar dance of delight. His jeans and shirt were sweaty and dirt stained. He apparently hadn’t taken time to change clothes before coming over.
“Hi, champ.” Picking Ashton up, he went to Gina. His hand swept her hair from her face. “Are you all right?”
Gina only had to look at Ashton clinging to Max to know he or Gabrielle had called him. Embarrassed, feeling stupid, she clung to her pride. The wife was always the last to know, and mistress makes three. “I’m fine. Thank you for coming, but I don’t want to keep you from working.”
Max’s gaze flickered to Gabrielle, then back to Gina. “Nothing that can’t wait. Why don’t I take all of you to dinner? You can come back with me to Journey’s End. While I get cleaned up, you can visit with Aunt Sophia and see the progress on the garden.”
“We could pick up something on the way,” Gabrielle said. “Mama, why don’t you go comb your hair? I’ll keep Max company.”
“I drew a picture for you, Max. I’ll go get it.”
Max set Ashton on his feet, his gaze going back to Gina. “Your hair looks fine to me.”
The embarrassment faded. Max never expected more of her, always saw the best in her. “Gabrielle, I think I’ve told you about not saying everything that comes to your mind.”
“I’ll remember next time,” she said.
“See that you do.” Hugging her daughter, Gina went to her bedroom.
“I wasn’t sure you’d come,” Gabrielle said, staring at her feet.
“If Gina or Ashton or you need me, you can always count on me.” He stared in the direction Gina had taken. “I care about your mother.”
Gabrielle’s head lifted. “She likes you, too.” She folded her arms but kept her gaze level. “Daddy told me to call you and tell you they were getting back together.”
“You wanted your family the way it used to be. I understand, but I hope we can be friends. Your mother wouldn’t do anything that would come between you and her.”
“She hasn’t been happy since you stopped coming around. I thought Daddy wanted us to be a family again, but he was seeing that married woman.” Gabrielle swallowed. “All the neighbors saw.”
“Some men aren’t smart enough to appreciate what they have,” Max told her gently. “I was faithful, but I didn’t appreciate the time my wife and I had. I learned the hard lesson not to take anything or anyone for granted. I want us to be friends.”
“Because of Mama?”
“Partially, but I also want to get to know you better,” he said. “You’re smart and you love your family, just like your mother.”
Gabrielle bit her lip, momentarily tucked her head. “You didn’t rat me out with Mama. Ashton, although a pain, likes you. I guess I could give it a try.”
Ashton raced back into the den with a large sheet of paper clutched in his hands. Following behind him and pleased to see him happy, Gina never considered reprimanding him for running in the house.
“I drew this for you, Max.” Ashton held out the paper, his small face wreathed in a huge smile.
Max took the sheet. He stared at the drawing a long time before lifting his head. “Thanks, Ashton.”
“May I?” Gina asked. Gabrielle had already leaned over to see what was on the paper. The crayon drawing depicted a man and a little boy playing soccer against a woman and a girl.
“It’s for your refrigerator,” Ashton told him proudly.
“I’ll put it up as soon as we get to Journey’s End.” He carefully rolled the drawing. “Everyone ready?”
“Ready,” Gina said, following Max and the children out the door. He had his hand on Ashton’s head, his head bent toward Gabrielle. Gina stared at them a few moments, hoping, praying, that her daughter was willing to give him a chance.
Seating the children in the back, Max held the passenger door open for Gina. She was about to get in and saw her neighbor across the street watching them.
Gina waved. “Hello, how are you doing?”
“Ah, fine, Gina,” answered the startled young woman. “And you?”
“Couldn’t be better,” she said, a grin on her face, finally getting into the SUV.
Max realized he didn’t have much time. Ashton and Gabrielle had school tomorrow. Gina would want to get Ashton in bed by eight thirty.
Max waited until they had consumed their takeout, cleaned up the kitchen. “Gina, could I talk to you outside for a moment?”
“Sure.”
Taking her arm, Max led her out the front door. On the steps were large planters of ivy, begonia, and sweet peas.
“You’ve accomplished so much,” she said softly.
“I thought of you every hour of every day you were gone,” he said.
She faced him. “I could have been here.”
Tricky subject. His hands settled on her waist. “You had a lot to contend with. I didn’t want to add any more.”
Her hands rested on his chest. His heart rate went crazy. “Max, you know there’s such a thing as being too noble.”
“I finally figured that out.” He pulled her closer so their bodies touched from the waist down. “If I had all the time in the world, if you weren’t a part of my life I’d be a miserable man.”
“I was so lonely without you, but I planned to hunt you down as soon as Robert left.” Her lips tightened. “He used me.”
“And paid the price. He lost you, and the children saw a side of him that he’ll have a difficult time trying to erase.”
“Gabrielle called you, didn’t she?”
“She was worried about you.” His hand curved around Gina’s neck. “Apparently she had never seen you so angry. I think she’ll be coming around enough to accept me in your life, in all of your lives eventually. Would you like a short or long engagement?” he asked.
“Short.”
“Right answer.” His lips settled on hers, kissing her as if she were the most precious, most desirable woman in the world.
Life was good and his journey with his new family wasn’t an end but a wonderful beginning.
READING GUIDE QUESTIONS
1. It is difficult for anyone to learn their marriage is over. Gina had to face this harsh reality and accept it before she could move on. What do you think Gina’s first clue should have been that her marriage to Robert was doomed?
2. After Robert asked for a divorce, Gina went to his gym later that day—determined to get him to change his mind, determined to do whatever it took to save her marriage. Her efforts failed in the worst, most embarrassing and demoralizing way. If you had been in Gina’s position would you have acted differently? How would you have handled the situation at the gym?
3. Because the stigma of divorce in today’s society is gone, divorces are on the rise. If you were faced with the possibility of a divorce, what is the one thing you couldn’t forgive? If children were involved would you stay for them, but not forgive or forget?
4. Gabrielle wanted her family back the way it was, and acted like a spoiled brat. In her defense, she loved her father and was scared. Why do you think girls in general love—and forgive—their absent, non–child-support-paying fathers?
5. Gina’s best friend, Celeste, never liked Robert or thought much of him as a man, yet she never voiced her feelings to Gina. Do you agree with
Celeste’s decision? Why or why not?
6. Celeste and Alec were instantly attracted to each other, but Alec fought the attraction. Celeste refused to let him shut her out. Have you ever gone after a man? How did it turn out? Do you now regret that decision?
7. Max thought he had time in his marriage to do all the things that he and his wife planned. He was proven painfully wrong. Did reading his story make you rethink your priorities to always put those you love first?
8. There is a rising number of single, older females in this country. It was fun watching Sophia warm to the possibility of finally finding love. Do you believe that you can be too old to fall in love?
9. What is the one thing that you will take away with you after reading And Mistress Makes Three?
