Page 27 of Rescue My Heart

“EMBER!” Josephine scolded.

Josephine chuckled softly. “The next time I saw Ember, she had been in a car wreck and she was a patient at the hospital.She was my good friend Becky’s daughter, you see. Only I had no idea she was the same woman I had met on the dating app.”

Mazey tilted her head. “Oh really? What did Becky say?”

Josephine laughed. “Well, initially we pretended we didn’t know each other. And then, well. We started dating in secret.” Josephine admitted. “ It was only a matter of time really before Becky caught us. But after she saw how happy Ember was and realized it wasn’t just some kind of phase, Becky came around. She got over the shock of the age gap.”

“Yeah. Luckily, Phoenix Ridge is a super accepting place. And, my mom. Well, she comes across all fierce, but really, once you get past the stubbornness, she is so open minded.” Ember chimed in with a laugh.

Mazey smiled, her eyes shifting briefly toward McKenna, who was watching her closely. “Yeah, I’ve noticed. It seems very gay friendly here. I thought California was progressive, but here? It’s like no one even bats an eye.”

Josephine nodded. “It is an amazing place. I have been so very happy since I have been here.” Josephine looked lovingly at Ember and Natalie.

“Well, you two are lucky you found each other,” Mazey said softly.

“Yeah, we are,” they both said in unison, their smiles reflecting the love they shared.

After dinner, it was time to put Natalie to bed.

“Mommy E, can you tell me a bedtime story?” Natalie asked, rubbing her eyes.

“Of course, kiddo,” Ember said, standing up. “Goodnight, everyone. It was nice to meet you, Mazey,” Natalie added, looking up at her with sleepy eyes.

“It was nice to meet you too, Natalie. Sweet dreams,” Mazey replied, her voice warm.

Now it was just the three of them in the kitchen. McKenna felt her nerves bubble up again, wondering what Mazey was thinking. She’d seen a different side of her tonight, more relaxed, more comfortable.

“So, Mazey,” Josephine started, “tell me more about what you’re doing here in Phoenix Ridge. I heard McKenna saved you from a cliff.”

Mazey laughed, shaking her head. “Yeah, that was...an interesting day. The safety gear didn’t really do its job.”

“You must’ve made quite the impression on McKenna,” Josephine teased. “I’ve never met anyone she’s dated before.”

McKenna’s face turned bright red. Why did she have to bring that up? she thought, glancing at Mazey, who was now smiling directly at her.

“Oh really? Wow, I feel so special,” Mazey said, her smile widening.

That smile. It made McKenna’s heart melt, and in that moment, she knew just how much Mazey meant to her. There was something special between them, and it wasn’t just a passing connection. It was real.

Ember returned after tucking Natalie in, and the conversation continued until they all started yawning.

“It looks like we’re getting old,” Josephine joked. “How is it only 9 p.m. and we’re nearly falling asleep at the table? We used to just be getting started at this time!”

They all laughed, and soon after, Mazey and McKenna said their goodbyes, heading to the truck.

As they sat in the truck, Mazey grabbed McKenna’s hand, her eyes soft and full of affection. “That was really nice,” she said, her voice almost a whisper. “I don’t ever really get to hang out withnormalpeople if that makes any sense.”

McKenna felt a surge of warmth. She reached out, cupping Mazey’s face gently before leaning in for a tender kiss.

“Were you really feeling tired?” McKenna asked softly. “I was wondering if you would like to come over to my place.”

Mazey’s eyes flickered with excitement as she nodded. “Yeah, I’d love to.”

With a smile, McKenna started the truck, holding Mazey’s hand as they drove back to her place. The night, it seemed, was just beginning.

As they entered McKenna’s house, Mazey looked around, her eyes widening. “Wow. This place looks nice.” McKenna raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “What? Were you thinking I lived in a trash heap?”

“No, no,” Mazey replied, laughing softly. “I guess I was just expecting it to be less...put together.”

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