Page 29 of Fourth Heartwarmers Trilogy
Problem was, he knew his words had gone in one ear and out the other without making any difference. Which saddened his heart. Some people should never be parents.
Chapter Nine
“Mr. Jack, Momma Mia said you would take me out for lunch if I was a good girl. Is Maisie a bad girl, so we’re going home?”
Maisie questioned Jack when she saw the direction they were going, back to the apartment building.
“No, no, honey. Maisie’s… I mean, you’re a sweetheart, and I was very proud of the way you stood up for your friend Cherry today. I am taking you for lunch, but you’re soaking wet. I figure we’ll get you some clean clothes, and then we’ll go to the café. Does that sound okay with you?”
“O-kayy! Maisie’s happy now. I know the numbers to push so we can get into the apartment. Can you lift me high, Mr. Jack?”
“Sure can. You’re as light as a twig.” Jack picked her up and watched as she carefully pegged in the numbers that would unlock the front door to the lobby. Hearing the following click, he was impressed.
“Not only are you light, you’re smart too.”
“Yep! I mem-wized the numbers, and Momma Mia helped me.”
“Then she’s a smarty also.”
“Yep, we’re smart giwls. I can push the button for the elevator. Can you give me another lift?”
“Honey, I could carry you around forever.”
“’Cause I’m light, wight?” Suddenly Maisie burst out giggling, the sweetest sound he’d heard in… forever.
“I made a whyme… light-wight.”
“You did. I can add to it. We’re here now, so hold on tight.”
More giggles followed as Jack knocked and waited. No answer. For some reason he tried the handle. It turned, and they were inside the apartment. He called out, but again no answer.
Still carrying Maisie, he heard singing and decided to investigate. Thinking – okay he wasn’t thinking – he had it pictured in his mind that he was heading into the bedroom where he knew Mia had stuff to pack.
Instead, he knocked, opened the door and froze. He’d looked into a bathroom where Nirvana awaited. In front of him was a naked Mia in a large bathtub. One slim ankle was balanced on the end while she shaved her leg with a pink lady’s razor.
Her breasts were wet and gorgeous, white globes of utter flawlessness with perfect pink nipples protruding through the soapy suds.
Her golden hair was piled on top of her head in a clip with loose strands trailing her cheeks and… her earphones were obviously wireless. Everything about her was perfection except for the caterwauling noise she made, wailing along with a rock n’ roll song – one only she could hear – at the top of her lungs.
Stopped in the doorway, Maisie ended the scene he’d have liked to stay in forever with her comment. “Mia’s naked and… a pwetty sight. I made another whyme, Mr. Jack.”
That did it. Mia noticed the movement, saw the two of them frozen in the doorway, and her screeching turned into a definite scream.
Kicking out with the leg she’d balanced against the wall made her body flounder in the soapy water, while her head sunk under. Water everywhere, soapy suds flying around the tub, she arose for a few seconds like a goddess from out of the waves. Until again, she lost her balance.
Spitting and flailing, now both legs pumping, she shot back up, sputtering water and curses at the same time. “Get out!”
“Oops! I thought it was the bedroom. Sorry. So sorry.”
Not! Prettiest damn thing I ever saw. He laughed, couldn’t help it. Watching her arms flailing around, trying to grab a hold of the sides and slipping, her body gyrating in panic like a drowning victim, water streaming from her face and being spit out of her mouth, he had no choice but to grin like an idiot.
Not only was it funny, it was a sight he’d likely never forget. No woman had ever looked lovelier than that woman before she knew he was there.
He closed the door but yelled again, “I’m really sorry, Mia.”
“Bite me!” Those were the only words he heard and didn’t find them a joke until a giggling Maisie clutched his cheeks, forcing his gaze her way, and she said, “Mia made another whyme, Mr. Jack.”
Jack, whose head was still in the other room and whose body wished it had never left, looked at Maisie without comprehending.
