Mason helped himself to a couple of sandwiches and some salad. “Will your ex-husband be there?”
Tiana looked at him sharply, her mouth full of egg salad sandwich. When she swallowed, she answered, “No, he won’t be there. He lives in the trailer, not the house.”
“So he doesn’t come around for dinner?” Mason asked, avoiding her gaze.
“Are you jealous?” Tiana asked bluntly, although she was slightly amused.
“No.” He answered too quickly and shook his head too firmly.
“Quentin left me. He broke my heart. But I picked myself up and got on with my life, with the help of other people. I learned a valuable lesson.”
“Which was?”
“Not to look back and always move forward. I would never take him back, but he would never want to come back.” Tiana picked up her coffee cup and sipped it thoughtfully. “However, I also learned to value my freedom. Which I’m not willing to give up.”
“You’re telling me to mind my own business,” Mason said.
“I think I am.” She put her cup down and leaned forward. “I’m willing to give this a try. Whatever this is. I’m willing to believe that we are fated mates. What I’m not willing to do is give anyone control over me and choose my friends.”
Mason sat back in his chair and studied her for a moment. “I would expect nothing less.”
Her shoulders slumped forward with relief. “I thought for a moment I was going to lose you before you were even mine.”
“I am already yours, and you will never lose me.” He finished his sandwich and reached for a small cupcake with chocolate frosting. “These look delicious.”
“My mom does like to bake.” Tiana’s most treasured memories of her visits to her parents’ house was her mom in the kitchen baking while her father toiled in the garden. This house was her second home, her refuge when things got to be too much for her. “She loves this kitchen.”
“Then let’s help them keep it.” Mason reached for her hand. “We could turn this house into a home for all of us. We would be here to help them with whatever they need.”
Tiana looked over his shoulder and added, “There’s even room for Quentin’s trailer.”
Mason looked shocked before his face broke into a smile. “I deserved that.”
“Yes, you did,” Tiana agreed.
Although she had no idea where Quentin would live, or how he would cope on his own.
As they packed up the food and Tiana thought about returning home, the realization that there would never just be her and Mason in this relationship hit her.
“Hey,” Mason said, putting his hand on her shoulder. “We will figure it out.”
“Are you a mind reader now?” she asked, closing the cooler.
“I am where you are concerned. We’re joined at a deep level. When you are sad, I can feel it.” He turned her to face him. “I swear I will do what it takes to make this all work.
“That’s all I ask.” She kissed his cheek. “Right, back to work.”
They went back outside. As they worked side by side on weeding the last of the borders, Tiana began to visualize how they could extend the house and make it work for them all.
She only hoped her father would accept the help of a stranger.
But why wouldn’t he accept Mason’s help? After all, his daughter had accepted his love.
And was ready to return it. Unconditionally.
Chapter Ten – Mason
A family dinner. With the family of his mate.
There was nothing like a little pressure. Mason wanted to impress them, but more than anything he wanted them to like him. Especially Rhett. If Mason knew anything about boys, it was how protective they were over their moms. Particularly single moms.
Growing up, one of his best buddies lived with his mom and had no idea who his dad was. He took it upon himself to act as the man of the house and always looked on any man his mom dated with a unique brand of suspicion bordering on rudeness.
If Rhett behaved that way, what was he supposed to do?
Leave it to Tiana to take care of, his bear told him. That’s my advice, never get between a momma bear and her cub.
She’s not a momma bear, Mason reminded his bear. But you are probably right. I don’t want to interfere.
However, when Mason knocked on the door of Tiana’s small house, with a bottle of chilled wine in one hand and a six-pack of beer in the other, he realized he’d been worrying for nothing.
“Mason, right? Here let me help you with those.” Rhett, six-foot-tall and broad-shouldered, grabbed the six-pack and beckoned to Mason to follow him. “Mom and Grandma are cooking. Want to share a beer out back?”
What Mason really wanted to do was see Tiana and kiss her hello. But he also wanted to establish a good relationship with her son. “Perfect, unless they need help in the kitchen.”
“Good answer,” Rhett said with a wide grin. “But I’ve learned too many cooks spoil the broth. Which translates into let them do their thing, and not get in their way. The kitchen is not big. Not like Grandma’s kitchen. You’ve seen it, right?”
“I have. I’ve been up to the house a couple of times.” Mason accepted a cold beer from Rhett. “Thanks.” He opened it and took a long drink.
“Good beer.” Rhett glanced at the label. “Bear Creek Honey Beer. I like it.”
“Did your mom mention the plans for your grandparents’ house?” Mason asked. If the news hadn’t been well received, he’d like to know now and avoid a confrontation over dinner.
“Mom told us briefly and then said you would go into more detail. Since it’s your thing.” Rhett studied Mason over his can of beer. “You’re rich, right?”
Mason nodded. “You could say that.”
“Just checking. My mom’s a soft touch and I don’t want anyone taking advantage of her.” Rhett’s voice carried a subtle warning.
“I’d never do that,” Mason assured him and then looked up as he sensed the approach of his mate.
“There you are.” Tiana opened the kitchen door and the wonderful aroma of herbs and spices assailed his senses. “Curry, I hope you like it.”
“Smells wonderful.” Mason got up and kissed Tiana on the cheek, handed over the bottle of wine and said, “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks.” Tiana blushed and plucked nervously at the fabric of her skirt.
“He’s a good catch, Mom, says all the right things,” Rhett joked as he sat back in the sun lounger and watched his mom and Mason as they hovered nervously around each other.
“I’m glad you approve,” Tiana replied.
“I do.” Rhett jumped up. “Is the food ready? I’m starving.”
“You’re always starving,” Tiana said. “But it is ready, go in and help Grandma and we’ll be there in a moment.”
“Will do.” Rhett took the bottle of wine from Tiana and carried it inside along with the rest of the six-pack of beer.
“He’s a good kid,” Mason told Tiana. “But you already knew that.”
“I like to think so. But what parent doesn’t like to hear it from someone else?” She looked over her shoulder, to where the door closed behind Rhett.
“Alone at last.” Mason stroked her cheek and bent his head, capturing her mouth with his.
Tiana slid her hands up his chest and clasped them together behind his neck. “Alone at last.” She leaned forward and kissed his lips. “My mom can’t wait to meet you, and you seem to have made a great first impression on Rhett.”
“Should I quit now while I’m ahead?” Mason asked.
“I didn’t think you were a quitter,” Tiana teased and took his hand. “Let’s go and meet my mom before you get cold feet.”
They entered the kitchen. Rhett was sitting at the table, while Tiana’s mom bustled around trying to make everything look perfect. She looked up at the sound of the door closing and wiped her hands on a towel. “There you are. It’s so good to meet you, Mason.” She thrust her hand out eagerly
.
“Good to meet you.” He flailed around, not sure what to call her.
“Philippa.” She smiled brightly. “Sit. Both of you sit, it’s all ready.”
“Don’t you want me to help?” Tiana asked.
“No, I can manage. You sit and make eyes at this man of yours.” Philippa winked at Tiana, who gave her mom a warning look.
“What? If he were mine, I’d make eyes at him,” Philippa joked, and Rhett stifled a laugh.
“Did you make eyes at dad when you first met?” Tiana asked, offering around the naan bread.
“Things were different in our days,” Philippa informed them as she passed over the plates filled with rice and topped with curry. “But he knew I liked him.” She looked up, her eyes dreamy as she reminisced. “We were subtler about things those days.”
“I was telling mom about your plans,” Tiana successfully steered the conversation toward discussing the house.
“I’d like to hear what you have to say,” Philippa told Mason as she sat down. Tiana poured the wine and the conversation took on the excited tone of people who were planning for the future.
Mason quickly and eloquently conveyed the ideas he had for extending the house. He had a captive audience in Tiana, Philippa, and Rhett.
“And you can help us with the work?” Philippa asked for the third time.
“I can,” Mason assured her. “It’s what I do.”
“How much will it cost?” Philippa asked. “We don’t have much in the way of savings for big projects.”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” Tiana said quickly before Mason could offer to do the work for free.
“You have?” Philippa asked. “Because I know you don’t have savings either.”
“But I have this house.” Tiana glanced at Rhett. “I know it’s our home. But maybe it’s time for a fresh start for all of us.”
“You want to sell the house?” Rhett asked.
“Yes.” Tiana looked at her son apologetically.
“What about Dad?” Rhett asked. “Where’s he going to live? You and Mason aren’t going to want him living with you.”
“I’ll give him some of the money from the house.” Tiana glanced sideways to see Mason’s reaction. Not that it was any of his business. He didn’t much mind if Tiana gave all her money to Quentin if it would give them some space to live without him overshadowing their lives. “It’s only fair.”
“It’s not fair,” Philippa said hotly. “He left you and his child. Left you to fend for yourselves.”
“He paid me child support when he could.” Tiana clasped her hands, rubbing her thumbs together. “I want us all to have a fresh start. That includes Quentin.”
“Tiana, this is your fresh start. He had his,” Philippa began.
“We can discuss this at another time,” Tiana said firmly, her eyes locked with her mother’s.
“Tiana tells me her dad loves gardening,” Mason interjected as the two women stared at each other.
Philippa switched her attention to Mason. “He does. It’s torture for him lying in bed not being able to get out into his garden. Every time I see him, he tells me of all the jobs he should be doing. I told him you and Tiana went there today and cleaned the place up.”
“Do you think he could go for a visit?” Mason asked. “I could collect him in my car and drive him up there.”
“Would you?” Philippa beamed. “I think it’s just what he needs. Don’t you, Tiana?”
“I do. We’d talked about taking him there for a short visit, but we don’t think we can get him in and out of the car alone,” Tiana said as she got up from the table and began to clear the dishes.
“Why didn’t you ask me? I could help,” Rhett offered.
“Why don’t we all go?” Mason asked. “Maybe tomorrow?”
“I have work in the evening,” Tiana replied. “How about in the afternoon? You have a free period, don’t you, Rhett?”
“I do.” Rhett nodded, although he appeared a little preoccupied.
“And you’d like to come and take a look at what we have planned for Grandma’s house?” Tiana asked.
“Sure.” Rhett nodded, then got up and left the room, heading out into the back yard.
“I won’t be a moment.” Tiana got up and made to follow, but Mason placed his hand on hers and stopped her.
“Why don’t I go? Let him know I’m not a threat.”
Tiana nodded and let him go, her bottom lip trembling as she twirled her wine glass between her finger and thumb. “Thank you.”
Mason opened the back door and left the kitchen, taking a look around for Rhett. “Are you okay?”
Rhett was sitting on the lounge chair, staring across the garden. “Yeah. I just hate hearing people talk about my dad like that. I know what he did was wrong. He knows what he did was wrong.”
“But that doesn’t make him a bad person,” Mason finished.
“No, it doesn’t.” Rhett rocked back in his chair. “I want everyone to be happy. I’m scared what will happen to Dad if he doesn’t have us around. After Nicky died, he was in a bad place. What if he goes back there again?” Rhett pressed his fingers to his eyes and looked away, sniffing loudly.
“I promise I’ll do whatever I can to make it work for all of us.” Mason understood how families worked only too well. If one member was unhappy, the whole family was unhappy. It seemed as if to make his relationship with Tiana work, he needed to ensure everyone was happy, including her cheating ex-husband.
Chapter Eleven – Tiana
“You should go after them,” Philippa suggested as they cleared the dishes.
“I’ll give them another minute.” Tiana wiped the table clean while listening out for Mason and Rhett. She glanced at her mom. “Are you sure you’re good with Mason’s plans?”
“I am, yes.” Philippa turned around and studied her daughter. “And you?”
“What about me?” Tiana straightened up.
“Are you going to be happy living under the same roof as your parents at your age?” Philippa asked.
“Well, if you put it like that…” Tiana took the cloth to the sink and then dried her hands. “I want you and Dad to be happy. That’s all.”
“What about your happiness? A new relationship with Mason, while living with me and your dad? You don’t think it’ll put too much strain on you?” Philippa’s concerns were genuine and with any other man, Tiana would have been forced to confront them head-on.
“We’ve known each other two days, Mom.” Tiana folded her arms and leaned back against the counter. “He’s a shifter.”
“Thought as much,” Philippa said as she wiped the last of the dishes dry. “He’s a keeper.”
“Because that’s what fate says?” Tiana asked, her temper rising. “Just like that, fate decides I need a second husband.”
“He’s proposed already?” Philippa asked excitedly, defusing Tiana’s impending bad mood.
“No!” Tiana laughed. “I suppose that would suit you and Dad, get me off your hands again.”
“You know we only want the best for you. And I believe Mason is the best thing to come into your life since that little boy of yours was born.” Philippa wrapped her arms around her daughter and patted her back. “You deserve happiness. And I believe that man will give you that happiness.”
“You know, I think you might be right.” Tiana rested her head on her mom’s shoulder, grateful for the reassuring comfort. “Who would have thought that a forty-something-year-old woman would still need her mom?”
“Children always need their parents, just as parents always need their children. You know that well enough,” Philippa said, then she straightened up. “Now, don’t you have a man you need to rescue?”
“I don’t think Mason needs rescuing.” Tiana was certain Mason was more than ready to look after himself. And if his human side couldn’t, he had a massive bear as backup.
“Don’t be too sure, Quentin’s walking up the garden,” Philipp
a said in alarm.
“What?!” Tiana spun around and headed for the back door, yanking it open and going outside with Philippa hot on her heels.
“Dad.” Rhett got up from his sun lounger and Mason followed. This looked like a train wreck in progress. Unless Tiana could defuse the situation.
“Quentin. What are you doing here?” Tiana asked, sliding herself between Quentin and Mason.
“I saw you had company. And since Rhett said you had a new boyfriend, I thought I’d come and check him out,” Quentin said, his voice strained as he switched his attention from Mason to Tiana and back again.
“If there’s any checking out to do, I’m sure Tiana is more than capable of doing so herself,” Mason said, squaring his shoulders.
“Okay, boys, that’s enough,” Tiana said with a sigh. The evening had been wonderful and she hated the thought of it all being spoiled by a testosterone-fueled standoff.
“Tiana, I’m simply here to check if your boyfriend is a suitable person for Rhett to be around.” Quentin looked nervous as they all stared at him.
“Dad, I’m old enough to look after myself and decide who I hang around. I’m eighteen.” Rhett didn’t look happy and his shoulders slumped forward as his body language softened. “I know you’re just being protective, Dad, but it’s okay. Honestly.”
Quentin nodded, his lips pressed together as he tried to contain his emotions. “I just wanted to make sure you were all okay.”
“I know, Quentin.” Tiana reached out and placed her hand on his shoulder. “I know.”
“Come on, Dad.” Rhett put his arm around his father.
“There are some leftovers if you want something to eat,” Philippa offered, her earlier animosity toward Quentin passed.
“Shall we go inside, Dad?” Rhett looked apologetically at Tiana, but she nodded, telling him it was okay.
Philippa, Rhett, and Quentin went inside and shut the door, leaving Tiana and Mason alone. “Sorry about that.”
“I can understand Quentin being protective of you and Rhett. But I don’t understand why you invited him back to your home.” Mason looked to her for an explanation.
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