Pretend Mom (24 page)

Authors: Rita Hestand

Tags: #romance, #love, #small towns, #new york, #rita hestand, #pretend mom, #country fairs, #singing career

"I do love you, Mike. With all my
heart," she said quietly, snuggling into his arms. "And I love
Mandy, too. Just the thought of another woman raising that precious
child bothered me to no end. And when I saw Kevin at the church
that day, I knew immediately that what I felt for him years ago was
just a young girl's crush. It never went any deeper than that.
Nothing ever happened between me and Kevin."

"What did you say?" He shook her
slightly and pulled away so he could peer down into her
face.

"I said nothing ever happened between
me and Kevin."

"No, before that."

Dixie shrugged. "I said I love you."
She smiled up into his face, and then pulled him close. "I wanted
to tell you before I left, but you honestly believed I still loved
Kevin. I felt certain that you wouldn't believe me. I'd treated you
so badly."

"I deserved it. And you're right, I
probably wouldn't have believed you. Pride can be a foolish thing,
Dixie." He squeezed her tightly, kissing her on the
forehead.

"And now?" she asked meeting his gaze
head on.

"Hmmm, I think I need more convincing.
Try showering me with a few hundred kisses and maybe I'll believe
it." He sighed happily.

"Oh, Mike, when you came in here
announcing you were getting married, I nearly died. I thought I'd
waited too long to tell you the truth."

"Marry me, Dixie, and put us both out
of this misery."

"Did you mean it when you said you'd
give up the ranch for me?" She smiled.

"You bet I would." He kissed her nose,
her forehead, her cheeks, and then the softness of her pink lips.
"And it wouldn't be a sacrifice, as long as you were with me. I
could conquer the world if you were by my side. I don't promise
never to be jealous in the future, but I do promise never to let
that emotion get the upper hand again."

"There's no reason for you to worry
about that any longer, Mike. I want to come home—with you. I've
missed being home. And since I'm writing now, it doesn't matter
where I live. I can mail my work in. I've got all the connections
I'll ever need. I can work from home and you can keep Ms. Ferris on
to help us. Oh, Mike, we'll be a real family—you and me, and Mandy.
We'll have a ball teaching her how to do frog giggin' together,
won't we? And if you want to, you can go back to school, too."
Dixie bubbled with excitement and enthusiasm.

"You mean that?"

"Yes, of course I do. I know what it
means to be able to do what you really want with your life." Dixie
held Mike as close as she could. "Oh, take me home, Mike. Take me
home."

He smiled down into her laughing eyes.
"How many kids do you want?"

"A houseful?" She laughed. "And I don't
want to be Mandy's pretend mom any more. I want to be her mom for
real. I just love that little girl."

Mike grinned. "I can't think of
anything that will make her happier. She really loves you, too,
Dixie. So, do you want to get married here in New York, or go home
for the ceremony?"

"I don't want to wait."

"Neither do I."

"I love you so much, Mike. I think I
always have."

Dixie took his face between her hands,
stared deep into Mike's eyes, smiled and kissed him with everything
she had in her. It was a kiss that promised a little touch of
heaven—soft, sweet, and tender. A kiss that spoke of coming home
again, and of loving—and being loved. Like the wings of a feather
it touched their souls, promising love everlasting.

At long last—Dixie Rose Kincaid had
finally come home to stay.

The End