“I thought Meredith didn’t want to know the gender of her baby.”
“She doesn’t, but Mama knows anyway.”
“I’m not about to argue with Mama.”
Willa “Mama” Richmond was a retired school nurse who you could count on to dish up love or a verbal slap upside your head when you needed it. She and Meredith moved to town right before our freshman year of high school. Willa accepted the job at Blissville High after her husband passed away. I wasn’t sure if she was trying to outrun heartache or just needed a fresh start. She would only say that Blissville High was ranked in the top one percent of all schools in Ohio, and her Meredith deserved the education the school could offer her. As much as I loved my hometown, we couldn’t brag about our diversity with only one African American family and one Asian family living here. If Meredith was ever unnerved by being the only black student at Blissville High, it never showed. She had a warm smile and a loving personality that people were drawn to, none more than her best friends Chaz and Josh. The three of them were inseparable to this day even though they were married with growing families.
“My wise girl,” Mama Richmond said, patting my cheek affectionately.
It reminded me of how gentle and nurturing she was when I returned to school after cancer treatments—bald, skinny, and lacking any self-confidence. I tried to hide the latter more than the former, but it didn’t help when some people gave me a wide berth and acted like I was contagious. Mama Richmond, then Nurse Richmond, called me into her office on my first day back.
“You can come here anytime you need a break.”She handed me a permanent hall pass that I could use whenever I needed a quiet place. Mama must’ve been able to tell that I had no intention of using it. “Save that brave face for a time when you need it. This is the time to take care of yourself and let your body heal. This office is your haven away from the little assholes walking the halls of this building. There are some great kids here, but there are some that should’ve been spanked more by their mamas and daddies. I won’t pressure you to visit my office, but I will remind you on occasion that I’m here for you.”
I ended up using that hall pass more than I ever would’ve predicted. It did feel great to lie down for a bit and gather my strength. Mama would often sneak me a cookie or a cup of hot cocoa when I visited. I could lean on her in ways I didn’t want to with my own family. I needed to put up a brave front for them, but I didn’t do that with Mama Richmond. It was because of her that I was finally able to stop crying at night. I gave my tears to Mama, who dried them, and encouraged me to be brave and strong. I was more grateful for her kindness and tough love than I could ever express. Well, maybe there was something I could give her.
“I have a surprise for you,” I said. “Follow me. I stashed it safely in my office.”
“What is it?” Mama Richmond asked excitedly.
“I recently acquired some beautiful pieces for your granddaughter.” I pulled out a gift bag from the antique cupboard behind my desk and gently placed it on my desk.
“Maegan Miracle, you shouldn’t have,” Mama Richmond said in awe before she even opened the bag.
“You don’t even know what I’ve done.”
“I can tell it’s special by the reverent way you set it down. I’m almost afraid to look.”
“Please don’t be afraid. I wanted to do something truly special for a remarkable lady.” My voice broke a bit on the last few words.What the hell was wrong with me?I hadn’t cried this much in more than twelve years. I hoped it would be another twelve years after this crying jag moved the hell on.
Mama Richmond finally reached inside the bag, removed the tissue paper, and set it on my desk. She glanced up and gave me a nervous smile before reaching back inside the gift bag and removing eight small white boxes. Inside each one, she discovered a vintage Beswick England Winnie the Pooh porcelain figurine from the 1940s.
“These are numbered,” Mama Richmond said breathlessly after she carefully turned Winnie over. “I can’t accept these.”
“I’ll just throw them away then.”
She gasped. “You’ll do no such thing.”
“There’s more in the bottom. You might have to shuffle the rest of the tissue paper around.” Inside were classic Winnie the Pooh books to complete the collection. I knew Mama Richmond planned to pass her love for books onto her grandchild.
“This is the loveliest gift,” Mama Richmond said once she pulled the books out and set them beside the figurines. “I know Meredith will love them too. Those were her favorite books as a little girl.”
“I’m so happy they’re going to a home where they’ll be cherished. I hope you’re holding your granddaughter in your arms soon.”
“Me too, love. Me too. I stopped by today to find a pretty little lamp for the nursery.”
“I have just the thing.”
Twenty minutes later, I helped Mama carefully load her car and received her warm, grateful hug before she drove off. I suspected she was headed straight to Meredith’s house to show her the new things. I grinned fifteen minutes later when Meredith called and thanked me for the thoughtful gift. I was in a much better mood when I arrived back home than when I left. Of course, it helped that Elijah was waiting for me on the front porch.
“Hello, Freckles,” Elijah said when I walked up the steps. The sultry, rumbly timbre of his voice let me know he was looking forward to teaching me ahardlesson about not teasing him.
“Let the lesson begin.” I reached between us to cup his cock in case he wasn’t sure about what kind of lesson I meant.
IHAD EVERY INTENTION OFhonoring the sexy threats I made to my lady that morning, but not as soon as she got home. I wanted to take my time and teach her a lesson, but the matching firm grips she had on my heart and cock overruled my brain. Thoughts likewe should wait until the fellas have leftandI want to be able to take my timestarted to fade andmake her come!started to take over.
I pulled Maegan inside our home and backed her up against the door then dropped to my knees. Keeping my eyes locked on hers, I lifted the skirt of her dress and revealed the lavender lace panties beneath. Damn, she drove me insane.
“Let me help you with that,” Maegan said, grabbing the hem of her skirt. “So you can have both hands free.”
