“Mandisa, honey,” Slade primed. “Mama Indy doesn’t allow anyone in herkitchen.”
“I’m sure she doesn’t if her only choices are you and Aaron. I’ve seen you fumble with the microwavable popcorn in the evenings when Mama Indy isn’t here to serve you. But unlike the two of you, I actually spent my formative years at my mother’s side as shecooked.”
Slade watched Mandisa kneel between them, turning her gaze to Mama Indy’s as shespoke.
“I know it’s not easy to let someone you don’t know into your space. But you’ve been so kind to me, serving me and waiting on me hand and foot since I arrived. I’d feel terrible if you didn’t allow me to repay the favor at least once before Ileft.”
Mama Indy placed careful eyes on Slade, a gentle smile cresting slowly on her lips as she stared at him. Her truth shone through the shimmer reflected in her eyes. He wasn’t going to be the only one missing Mandisa if she left this place. His mother would feel her losstoo.
Mama Indy closed her eyes briefly, as if she needed a moment to gather her emotions. After a few soothing breaths, she opened them again. She then took her hands and placed one on each side of Mandisa’s face, rubbing her thumbs across the apples of Mandisa’scheeks.
“Your mama raised you right, chile. Now come on and let me show you where everything is in thekitchen.”
* * *
Ten minutes later Mandisa was fully entrenched in her meal preparation. While mixing a buttermilk coating, she heard the slide of Slade’s chair as he stood up. With a few long strides he was standing at the kitchen counter with Mandisa and his mother. He kissed Mama Indy on the cheek and then dipped his head to place a chaste kiss on Mandisa’slips.
It was a quick peck, but the fact that he’d kissed her on the mouth in front of his mother made all sorts of bells ring inside her. That one act meant more to her than any words Slade had given her since they’d met. No man kissed you in front of his mama unless he was serious about having youaround.
When he’d asked her to continue their relationship beyond her three weeks here in Texas, she’d thought it was just the heat of the moment driving him. But sharing such a simple gesture with her in the presence of his most treasured family member—that meantsomething.
“I’ve got to handle some things with the hands in Aaron’s absence. I should be back in time for breakfast. Looking forward to it.” He smiled at her, then nodded to Mama Indy before leaving through the backdoor.
Mandisa went back to preparing the ingredients for their meal by rote. Her mind was still replaying Slade’s display of affection in front of his mother and the significance ofit.
“He really cares for you. You know that, don’t you,Mandisa?”
Mandisa’s smile sobered. She recognized the beginnings of the what-are-your-intentions-toward-my-son conversation that hung in theair.
“I know,” Mandisa responded shyly. She kept her gaze fixed on the bowl in front of her as she hyper-focused on stirring its contents. “The feeling’smutual.”
Mama Indy placed a gentle hand on hers, bringing her power-stirring to a halt, forcing Mandisa to look up from her task and face the olderwoman.
“Please understand I don’t mean no harm when I say this. But, you’re leaving in a little over a week. I can’t help but see the heartbreak waiting for the two ofyou.”
Mandisa closed her eyes, trying desperately to hold on to the simple joy of a few moments ago. Reality had arrived right on schedule, waiting to burst their little dreamybubble.
“I know, but Slade and I have both agreed we want to try to build something. There’s only a four-hour plane ride between us. We can make this work. More importantly, we both want to make thiswork.”
Mandisa could still see skepticism coloring Mama Indy’s eyes. She understood. Long-distance relationships didn’t have a reputation for working out. She couldn’t be upset with Mama Indy’s forwardness. She was protecting herson.
Mandisa recognized how deeply this woman loved Slade when she’d first arrived at the ranch. But standing in front of Mama Indy, watching her struggle with liking her son’s choice in a woman but hating the circumstance that would rip them apart, solidified any doubt Mandisa could ever hold that this woman—despite her lack of shared biology with Slade—was hismother.
“Mama Indy, I care so much for Slade. He’s such a wonderful man. But I can’t break my promise to my mother. I can’t just abandon my company and my employees. I’m not saying I’ll be in New York forever. I don’t get the feeling that I could stay away from Slade indefinitely. But I can promise you I’m going to do all I can to take care of him, to keep his heartsafe.”
The sorrowful look marring the older woman’s face told Mandisa she wasn’t exactly thrilled with her answer. But the gentle nod she gave Mandisa implied heracceptance.
Mandisa wiped her hands off on a nearby towel and pulled Slade’s mother into a full embrace. Hoping the hug would give the woman reassurance that her son’s heart was in careful hands, Mandisa held tightly to the matron in herarms.
“Now, these chicken and waffles aren’t going to make themselves,” Mandisa chided. “So you go rest while I get towork.”
Mama Indy gave Mandisa one more squeeze, then headed off in the direction of the familyroom.
Mandisa lost herself in the preparation of the meal, her mind still buzzing with nervous energy. Slade walked through the door just in time to see her plating up the food. He washed his hands, dropped another quick kiss on her lips, and carried the heavy platters in to thetable.
There wasn’t much conversation. Slade seemed to be very engaged in cleaning his plate, and Mama Indy seemed equally interested in her food. Relieved her meal had passed inspection, Mandisa relaxed enough to eattoo.
When they were done, Mandisa watched Slade rub his stomach, a sure sign that he was happy and satisfied. She took a fortifying sip of Mama Indy’s coffee before she began speaking. Hoping to somehow keep the mood light and pleasant, she shared hernews.
