“You don’t have to, Gabriel, really,” Miranda begins, but her mom stops her with a hand in the air.
“Girl, didn’t I teach you better? Mr. Lord’s the type that likes to look after people. Aren’t you, son?”
I love this woman.
“Of course. It’s my pleasure.”
“Good,” she says, nestling back in her bed. “Then let him, Miranda.”
Miranda’s eyes are shining at me as she smiles and nods. “I will, as long as he realizes that goes both ways.”
I give her a wink. Lexi rolls her eyes, and Miranda giggles.
We’re back. Hope fills my chest. The thought of a future with this woman is everything I’ve ever wanted.
Emmie gives us an apologetic look and tells us visiting hours are over. We leave Mrs. Montague happily chatting with the nurse, her romance novel in one hand, and a leftover breadstick in the other. The nurses said they’ve put her on some medication to help with preventing another stroke, but other than that, she’s doing better than ever.
“I swear Mom just needs some extra attention some days,” Lexi says when we’re back in the car. “She chippers right up when she has someone to talk to, doesn’t she?”
“She does,” Miranda says, nodding.
Miranda and I will take Lexi back to her mom’s old house to sleep then we’ll take the jet back to Vegas.
It’s a cute house. “Lexi, are you planning on staying here?”
She shakes her head. “Only until we get Mom figured out. Then, I’m going back to Miranda’s.”
“I see.” She’s going to need to sell this place and I know just who can help her. “Do you know real estate in this area’s booming? If you wanted to sell, this is something Shane could help you with.”
Lexi looks relieved. “Sure. Can we give him a call?”
I dial up Shane and give the phone to Lexi. When he answers and she hears his voice, she seems to relax. “Hey, Shane!” He says something that has her laughing and with my phone in her hand, she heads into the house. The screen door slams behind her.
“I suppose she’s forgiven you,” Miranda says with a smile.
“Looks like it. For now,” I say with a chuckle.
I sit on one of the rockers and tug her onto my lap. “This is a beautiful place here.”
We rock quietly, each lost in our own thoughts for a moment.
“You’ve never seen my real home,” I remind her.
“I haven’t. It’s hard to imagine that gorgeous suite at Vegas, Baby isn’t your real home.”
I smile. She’s so adorable. “Well, it’s one of them. But I have a pretty big house as well. Huge garage, guest houses. Really, lots and lots of room. You girls can stay anytime.”
She smiles at me. “My mom is right, Mr. Lord. You’re a very generous person, you know that?”
I shrug. “Generous with most things, baby.” I run my fingers through her hair and kiss her. I lean in and whisper in her ear. “But in others, I’m very, very selfish.”
She grins. “You know, given the right context, that sounds seriously hot.”
I give her a teasing smack to her ass and hold her tight.
I won’t ever let her go.Chapter TwentyMirandaMy desk, my computer, my phone are all working overtime with me to play catch up from another quick dash to Cali. I’m just making a plan of attack when Shane calls me to give me the great news.
“Miranda, I’ve found it.” It’s the most excited I’ve heard him.
Hope rises in me. “Really? Because the last two places we looked were just… not…”
He finishes my thought. “Perfect?”
I nod. “Perfect. Exactly. I know I’m asking a lot but she’s my mom and I just can’t picture her somewhere that isn’t right.”
He gives a low whistle. “Well, doll, I’ve found it. And when you see it, you are going to say, this place is—”
We say it at the same time. “Perfect.”
I snap my fingers, pointing as if he’s standing in front of me and not on the other end of the phone. “Jinx! You owe me a coke.”
“You can have a case of coke if you want. Just get down here and see the place.” He pauses and I know what he’s going to say next. “And bring that spitfire of a sister of yours with you.”
Totally could have jinxed him again. But I don’t drink Coke. And, I don’t want to tease him, even though I know he likes Lexi. “Okay, just text me that address and I’ll grab an Uber.”
He snorts. “Yeah right, little lady. That man of yours would kick my ass if I let you take an Uber. Gabe wanted to come get you himself but he’s wrapping up a shoot that went late. He’ll be here when you arrive. Just let me know where and when to pick you up and I’ll send the driver.”
I gaze over my loaded desk. I’m nowhere near done. Stacks of papers stare back at me. “I’ve got a few things to wrap up here, first. Can you send him to my office in an hour?”