“Yes. I tried to talk to someone at the free clinic about it, but they just quickly move you through. They never really listen to your concerns, or do much to help.”
“Why weren’t you getting help from your government?” he asked. “Don’t they have things in place for single mothers?”
“They do, and I would have qualified. Well, I probably would have qualified. I didn’t have a ride to reach the building where the offices are located, and I didn’t have Internet to apply online. The local library is supposed to have computer access, but the machines are so old that most of them barely work,” she said.
It gave Brexton something to think about. It seemed there were people stuck in that place who wanted out, but didn’t have a way to better their lives. If they didn’t have a way to get assistance, they were left to suffer. It hardly seemed fair. While it wasn’t his problem, now that he knew therewasa problem, he couldn’t very well look the other way. While Blossom told him more about living in what she called the ghetto, he pulled up the local libraries on his phone and found the one in her neighborhood. He made a note to call in the morning and arrange for a donation. He would send over a few new computers, pay for their Internet services for a year, and make sure they received a box of new books every month.
If those things had been available to his Blossom, then maybe she wouldn’t have taken help from men who only wanted to hurt her. Then again, she might not have needed him if that were the case, and he was very glad that she was part of his life. Having her and the children in his home just proved what he’d been missing all his life, what he’d known he needed.
“What do you say to dinner and then some tree decorating?” he asked. “I had a tree and ornaments delivered while we were gone. I told them to get kid-friendly ornaments so that Drew and RaeLynn wouldn’t break them and get hurt.”
She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I think that sounds like a perfect night. Maybe we can even play some Christmas music, or find a holiday movie for background noise.”
“I don’t know what Mrs. Connors plans to feed us, and I don’t smell anything cooking. Maybe we should go see what she has planned. We might have time to start working on the tree before we eat. At the very least, I can put it together and make sure the lights work.”
He started to rise, but she placed a hand on his thigh and stopped him. The way she looked at him, her eyes so expressive, so trusting… he felt it bone deep. Brexton didn’t know what he’d done to deserve someone like her, but he hoped that he showed her every day what it meant to him that she’d chosen a life with him.
“I just wanted you to know that no matter what happens, no matter what gifts are under the tree or aren’t, that you are the best present we could have ever received,” she said. “I’ve never known someone so honest or as caring as you.”
“Blossom, I’m the one who’s grateful.” He cupped her cheek and leaned in closer, kissing her softly. When her fingers tangled in his hair, he deepened the kiss and pulled her onto his lap. No matter how many times he tasted her, he would never get enough.
“Ahem!”
They broke apart and looked at an amused Mrs. Connors.
“There are better places than my kitchen for that sort of thing,” she said. “I thought you’d want to know that little Drew saw a pizza commercial earlier and asked if we could have that for dinner.”
“He said all that?” Blossom asked.
“Well, not exactly.” Mrs. Connors shrugged. “I speak little-boy, it seems. He made it clear enough that’s what he would like to have.”
“We’ve only ever had the frozen ones you can get at the dollar store,” Blossom said. “He’s never tasted one that’s been delivered from somewhere before. Neither have I, for that matter.”
“Well, I suggest we fix that,” Mrs. Connors said. “I’ll place an order for the four of you, and if you don’t need me the rest of the night, I have a few errands I’d like to run before the stores close.”
“Tell them I’ll pay cash when it arrives,” Brexton said. “Blossom can you tell you what she and the kids like, and you know what I eat.”
Mrs. Connors nodded and reached for the cordless phone on the counter. Blossom asked her to order a cheese pizza for Drew, and anything was fine for her. RaeLynn would possibly gnaw on some crust, but could just have her organic food. Brexton eased Blossom off his lap then stood. While his housekeeper ordered their dinner, he led his mate back to their children. The movie was still playing, some animated show with a dog that seemed to fascinate both of them. Blossom went to sit with them while Brexton started putting the tree together.
It didn’t take long before his new family was watching him and not the TV.
