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She straightened her shoulders and cleared her throat. “He is—”
“Not your son, and soon enough he’ll be mine—so back the fuck off!”
I looked over Ashley’s shoulder—and saw Mason standing there.
She followed my gaze, then spun around. “Oh…Mason! Thank goodness! This crazy woman you hired to watch our son threatened me!”
A vein in Mason’s neck started to throb, and I watched as he attempted to gain control over his temper. “I can show you the paperwork you signed where you gave up all rights to my son. And as far as Palmer goes, she isn’t just some woman who’s watching Charlie.”
I couldn’t see Ashley’s face, but I saw her body stiffen. “You’re actually dating her?”
Mason’s eyes met mine, and he smiled. “It’s more than that.”
My stomach fluttered, and I swore my heart swelled in my chest. Now wasn’t the time for that, though.
“What does that mean?” Ashley demanded.
Mason looked back at her and sighed. “I suggest you leave now, before I call the cops. I don’t think they would find the fact that you’re harassing a young boy something to joke about.”
Ashley looked back at me, and I simply raised my brows, smirked, and, for good measure, shrugged.
Facing Mason again, she let out a disbelieving laugh. “You had a chance to take me back, and you lost it.”
Mason’s brows drew down as his face scrunched up in disgust. “I haven’t lost anything, Ashley. I’ve gained so much in my life after you left, you have no idea.”
She huffed and started to walk away, but the same person who had called out earlier said, “You can at least take the cart back to the front!”
Turning, I saw that it was Mrs. Pritcher, the town librarian, standing there with her hands on her hips.
Mason and I looked at each other, and he raised a single brow. When I glanced back to Mrs. Pritcher, I nearly laughed. She looked like she was ready to take off after Ashley.
“Where’s Charlie?” Mason asked.
I turned and looked in the direction where Kelsey had taken Charlie. I was going to kiss her when I got over there. She had Charlie completely occupied. “I hope she was able to keep him from hearing or seeing any of that,” I said as I focused back on Mason. “What are you doing here?”
“We had a break between patients and your sister had some weird craving. She wants artichoke with pesto dip and some feta cheese.”
“Feta cheese?”
Mason shook his head. “That’s the part you find weird?”
I chuckled. “She’s always loved artichoke, so that doesn’t surprise me. The pesto is a new twist, though, but I thought she hated cheese.”
He shrugged. “I’m going to say hi to Charlie.” Before we started to make our way over, Mason took my hand in his. “You have no idea how much I want to kiss you right now.”
“Me? Why?”
“I heard what you said to Ashley, and I…”
I placed my hand on his chest and whispered, “I know.”
“Daddy!”
Mason turned and caught Charlie in his arms. “Hey, buddy! Fancy meeting you and Palmer here.”
Charlie beamed at his father. “We’re shopping for food, Daddy.”
Mason chuckled. “I gathered as much.”
“Some strange lady was following us, but Ms. Roberts said Ms. Palmer was taking care of it.”
Mason looked at me and grinned. “She did, buddy. Ms. Palmer loves you very much and won’t ever let anyone hurt you.”
Charlie looked at me—and I saw tears building in his little eyes. I reached up and put my hand on the side of his face. “What is it?”
His lower lips trembled. “You love me?”
Oh my goodness. My heart squeezed. “I love you very much, Charlie.”
Suddenly, a dam burst, and tears started rolling down his cheeks as he reached for me. I took him and held him tightly. “I love you too, Ms. Palmer!”
My eyes met Mason’s, and I gave up trying to hold back my tears as I held Charlie closer. Mason discreetly wiped away a tear of his own.
Then I heard nearby sobbing and turned to see both Kelsey and Mrs. Pritcher crying as well.
* * *
THE SEASIDE CHRONICLES
January 12, 2023
THE LUCKY ANGLER
Seasiders,
If you haven’t heard about what happened at the Hartford Supermarket by now, let me fill you in. A little crab told me that Palmer Bradley confronted Dr. Mason Bryan’s ex-wife after she was seen following Charlie around the store. Then, if that wasn’t juicy enough, Dr. Bryan showed up. After a few moments of heated conversation, Ashley (last name unknown) stormed out of the supermarket, and according to a source, she had the nerve to leave her cart behind.
A tender moment ensued when Dr. Bryan’s darling little boy, Charlie, and Palmer exchanged I love yous, prompting Kelsey Roberts, our new elementary school art teacher, and Mrs. Pritcher, the town librarian, to burst into tears at the display of love.
It was also observed that Dr. Bryan and Palmer shared a moment as well. Could it be that something serious is blossoming between the two? This writer is holding out hope! They’d make a darling couple, don’t you agree?
