Page 119 of Rescuer
He nodded. They both understood that she meant Blaine Turner. He had been the reason for almost every hardship she’d ever faced. Most of her suffering had sprung from something he’d done—or a false belief he had drilled into her.
Dylan broke in. “I’m glad Blaine isn’t here to push you around.”
Jackson gave him one of those manly shoulder slaps. “Bro, you and I are going to see to it that no one disrespects Mia.”
The boy’s shoulders went back. “I’m with you.”
She bit her lip to contain her smile. “I’ve talked with her a lot in the past few months. I know she was scared. Blaine could be a scary guy, so icy cold that you never knew when he’d strike. Like a snake. I’m thankful we feel like mother and daughter now.”
Jackson reached out and rubbed her back between her shoulder blades, silently lending his support. She kissed his cheek.
About five minutes before six, Mia went into the kitchen to pull out the lasagna. It bubbled. The top was a perfect golden-brown, and the cheese had melted nicely.
“Dylan, can you and Wynne set the table? I washed my Aunt Gus’s china.” She pointed to the dishes inside her china cabinet.
“Sure.” Dylan and Wynne gathered plates, silverware, napkins, and glasses, and went to work.
“What can I do?” Jackson asked.
She pointed at the makings for the salad on the counter. “If you could put together the salad, that would be great.”
“Anything for my beautiful bride-to-be.” Jackson whistled while he chopped up the cucumber and green pepper.
Mia wanted to pinch herself. This was what her future held.
When the doorbell rang, Jackson paused in the act of putting together the salad. “You want me to go get that?”
Mia nodded and pointed to the garlic bread she was removing from the oven. “Yes, please,” she said. “I want to finish this.”
She knew it would just be her mom anyway.
A few minutes later, Mia brought the lasagna out to the table. Then she walked to the living room to announce that dinner was ready.
She stopped in the doorway, shocked.
Her mom had shown up, as she’d expected. What she hadn’t expected were the three people who’d arrived with her.
Immediately, Mia recognized Andrea—her half sister. Andrea gave her a wave. Behind her stood Sawyer.
The man standing next to her mom had to be Tim Parker. They’d been unable to meet before now due to his being overseas on a long assignment for work.
“Mia,” her mom said, her manner hesitant—a complete turnaround from the cold confidence she used to display. “Sweetie, I would like you to meet your real father, Tim Parker. He’s just arrived home, and we’ve been, um, talking. Of course, you already know Andrea and Sawyer. I hope you don’t mind me inviting them.”
For a moment, Mia stood frozen, her gaze locked on the tall man standing beside her mom, his arm around her shoulder. Her dad. With her mom. And they looked…happy. Like they were a couple again.
When her mom’s smile faltered, Mia started. “No! Of course I don’t mind! You’re all welcome.”
She turned to Tim Parker, blinking back tears. “You’re my father?”
She moved forward. How did one greet a father she hadn’t known existed until recently?
He solved that problem by enfolding her in a very careful embrace. “I’m so pleased to meet you, Mia. If I’d known about you, I would have fought harder to stay in your mom’s life.”
She believed him. Something in his voice told her that he meant every word. “Thank you.”
She turned and greeted her siblings.
Andrea hugged her. “It’s so good to see you again.”
