Page 11 of Write on Time

I laughed out loud at the sheepish look on his face.

“But she loved it and I loved having that time with her. I couldn’t believe how much happier she was when she was listening to me read one of those books. So I sat down and wrote one, thinking about how much she would have loved it the whole time.”

I never knew that your heart could feel so full that it made it hard to breathe, hard to swallow.

I gulp a swallow and try not to burst into tears and drive off the dang road. I’ve never heard something so sweet in my life. It’s obvious how much he loved his mother. How much she meant to him. He’s living the life he is because he wanted to feel closer to her after she passed away.

And it’s the best tribute to her love that I can think of. His whole life is built on something she loved. Something that gave her joy.

And it gives him the same joy because of his memories of her.

“Drake Masters. You’re just a big softie.”

He grins and chuckles. “Don’t pass that around. I have a rep to maintain, you know.”

“You are so bad.”

“I’ve never been called that.”

We reach the bed and breakfast and I turn to him, watching his eyes gleam darkly. “Can I come by and talk to you about the book signing tomorrow?”

I nod. “Absolutely. I’ll be there!”

“Good. I’ll see you in the morning. I hope you have sweet dreams tonight, Alanis. You deserve them.”

He turns and opens the door and I watch his big, burly body walk to the door and turn to smile at me. Then he walks inside and disappears and I shake my head, like I’m waking from a dream.

A sweet dream that I’m not really sure that I deserve. But boy, do I want more of it.

CHAPTER 9

Drake

The next day I stand in front of the little bookstore and grin when I see her talking to Delia again. The two women are laughing and Alanis is waving her hands around energetically.

I nod at her when she glances up and sees me. She waves and smiles and I cannot look away.

I can’t believe how much I want this woman to be mine. Want to spend the rest of my life with her, taking care of her and raising our happy little family together in this little town.

I wander off and let her have her fun with her friend. Because for now, I need to find our home.

I suppose I could wait and ask her opinion. But I want to surprise the pretty woman with something that she’s never really had. A home of her own.

So I stop in the realtor’s office and chat with a lovely girl named Stella. She shows me some listings and I find just what I want.

“Do you want to go see it? It needs a little work.”

I shake my head. The large front porch, swing and attached land is perfect for a family. And there’s a huge tire swing in front of the house and a white picket fence.

“It’s perfect. I’ll take it. Send out the paperwork and offer an extra 20,000 for a quick close. All cash offer.”

Her mouth falls open and she gasps, “You’re sure?”

I look at the house again. “I’m sure.”

“I’ll get it taken care of.”

I leave the place with a spring in my step. The book signing is tomorrow night and I’m a little nervous to out myself as a romance writer that’s a man but I’m also excited to tell the story. After all, just like any other hero in a romance, I’ve got my own backstory.

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