Stitch by Jaime Lewis (ebook reader online .txt) 📗

him a mock salute then giggled when he gave her that stern look.

He pointed to the bathroom. “Go!” She chuckled again, and the sound went straight to heart.

“Love ya!” She called out.

“Love you too,” he responded as he walked out of the room, feeling a little lighter on his feet. He shook his head.  Damn, it felt good to be able to express his love to her finally. Now, he just needed to make sure her overprotective brother was really on board. He may have already talked to Ace about him dating Mia, but now it was time to clue him in that she was it and he wanted to marry her.

◆◆◆

Mia sat out on the deck with her mom. Alex was there, but then she had gone inside to give them some time alone.

Her mom reached out and pulled her into another hug, and Mia fought off the tears. She knew her mom had been worried and wanted to come sooner, but it hadn’t been safe. It still wasn’t, considering the police were still yet to obtain any leads on her kidnapping.

“Oh, baby girl, we were all so worried. Your brother knew something wasn’t right when he read that text you sent.”

“I hope he’s not blaming himself for this.”

“You know your brother. You were always his favorite. Since the day we brought you home from the hospital, he was always by your side. As you grew older, he was also the first in line to be the one to teach you things.  And to this day, I think he still needs that connection with you. But you both are adults now, and I think he feels like he let you down.”

“Why would he think that? He didn’t know this was going to happen to me. Nobody did.” Mia shook her head and took a deep breath before exhaling. “Mom. I don’t even remember enough to give the police any information. I feel like I forgot something.”

“Don’t worry, honey. Traumatic events affect people differently. If there’s something of importance, it will come to you, eventually.  I’m sure. But for now, you need to put all that effort into healing.”

“Tell me, how is Stitch doing? Is he taking good care of you?”

“Of course. I think he has gone above and beyond his call of duty.  He’s been super patient and very attentive. Yesterday he got me out of the house, and we drove up Skyline Drive and even stopped in town for dinner.”

“Well, if my instincts are correct, I think that young man has had a thing for you since he first laid eyes on you.”

“I don’t know about that,” she said and then looked out beyond the tree line behind the house. She needed to be honest with her mon.

“I was so afraid of what Ace would think. Stitch said he talked with him that first night, but I’m still not sold.”

“I think you might want to have a chat with your brother.” Mia looked at her mom. “Oh, sweetie, your brother knows you and Stitch are attracted to one another.  Alex had to help him out a little. But you know your brother if it bothered him, don’t you think he would have spoken to one of you by now?”

“I feel complete with him. I’m happy around him.”

The amused expression her mother had on her face blossomed into a full-on smile. Charlotte pressed her palm against Mia’s cheek. It was such a motherly gesture. “Honey, I have only wanted the best for you in your life, including a man. And I must say that Stitch is a man of honor, one who I know will have the best intentions for my baby girl. The two of you are perfect for each other.”

Mia sniffled. Damn, she really didn’t want to cry, but this was a happy moment.  She lived for the day she could tell her mom about a man that she loved. She was always the one in her family that had sat back and watched her two sisters find love and get married. Then Ace met Alex, and even her mom was dating someone now. She felt the waterworks getting ready to start.

“I love him so much, mom.”

“I know you do, sweetie.”

Mia hugged her mom, then pulled away and picked up her mug of coffee. “So, now that you have the scoop on my love life how about yours?  How is that hottie Colonel of yours?”

Her mom and Colonel Johnson, who ironically was the base commander in Afghanistan where Ace and Alex had met, were introduced to one another at Ace and Alex’s place last year during Christmas. They immediately hit it off and started dating, currently running almost six months. Her mom had even moved from the ranch in Oklahoma to Virginia Beach.

Mia watched as a bright smile took over her mom’s face.

“He is wonderful. Things are great between us. There is something that I wanted to talk to you and your brother about.”

“What’s that?”

“Mike asked me to marry him.”

“Oh my god! Mom, that’s wonderful. You said yes, right?  Oh wait, does Ace know yet?”

“Yes, Mike actually asked him. Your sisters know too. Are you sure you’re okay with it?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well, I just thought…”

“Because of dad?”

“Yeah, your father will always have a place in my heart.”

“I know, mom, but you deserve to be happy too.  And if Mike is the man that makes you happy, then go for it. Daddy would want you to live your life and be happy.”

Apparently, love was in the air for most of the Chambers clan.

◆◆◆

Ace couldn’t stop laughing at a story Mia was telling. Talk about embarrassing to get caught with your pants down, literally.

“So, you see, Ronnie, one of the kids who lived down the road from us dared Ace to run down our street butt-naked.”

Alex’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth. She looked at Ace.  “You didn’t?”

Ace laughed.  “Damn right, I did. That kid was a punk, and damn if I was going to back down