Page 29 of Dragon Daddy's Second Chance

Before she could answer, Theo began to cry and scream. “Oh, he’s having a bad dream,” she said. He needs me; I have to go.”

She whirled around before Blake could say anything and ran into Theo’s room, sure that her worst fear had come true, but held back the tears as she comforted her son. When he finally calmed down, she curled up in the bed with him, sure that she wouldn’t sleep, but it wasn’t long before Theo’s gentle breathing soothed her into a deep slumber.

She woke with a start with the first rays of sunshine and opened her eyes, but quickly closed them again, wishing she could go back to sleep when the events of the night before flashed through her mind. Getting out of bed, she crept out of the room, hoping that Theo would stay asleep. She had to apologize to Blake; she’d overreacted and assumed that he was no different than other men when she knew better. He loved her, and he would never get involved with her sister. She’d been a fool to ever think it was possible.

But when she stepped into the bedroom it was empty.Retracing her steps, she checked the couch, wondering if she’d missed him, but Blake was nowhere to be seen. Taking deep breaths, trying to calm herself, she went into the kitchen, hoping he’d gotten up before her, but he wasn’t there either, and tears began to sting her eyes. She’d ruined everything with her jealousy; he must have left early that morning, too disgusted with her to stick around or so guilty he couldn’t face her; it didn’t matter which; he was gone.

She stumbled to the coffee pot, tears blurring her eyes, and spotted a note taped to the front. She grabbed it, relief pouring through her. She stood trembling as she read it.

Early morning call I can’t miss. Working on our future; sorry about last night, I will explain when I see you later. I love you, Blake

After reading it several more times, she stuffed it into the pocket of her robe, admonishing herself for not having more faith in the man she loved. Clearly, she was still having some trust issues, and she’d have to work on that, but she knew deep in her heart that Blake loved her, and she would find her way through for both of them. He was working on their future, trying to find a way for them to make a life together. She needed to calm down and cut out the drama; for the first time in her life, things were going right.

CHAPTER 17

***BLAKE***

“Oh, Mr. Watson, I didn’t expect to hear from you,” Blake’s secretary said when he greeted her over the phone. “You’re supposed to be on vacation.”

“I still am, but there were a few things I had to take care of that wouldn’t wait,” he said, realizing that he was going to miss the older woman. “I wanted to talk to you myself before you start hearing the rumors through the grapevine. You and I have been working together for a long time. I owe you at least that much, if not more.”

“Oh my, this sounds serious,” Margarie said. “Are you okay, Mr. Watson?”

“Actually, I’m better than I’ve ever been. Life has taken an unexpected and wonderful turn,” he said. “I’m not coming back to work after my vacation is over. I submitted my resignation a few minutes ago. My days working for my father are over.”

“Well, this is a bit of a shock. I knew that you weren’t happy, but…” the older woman’s words died away. “I’m happy for you, Mr. Watson; I hope you find the life you’ve been looking for.”

“Thank you, Margarie,” he said. “I’m sorry to spring this on you, but I’m going to give you a very generous severance package and a glowing recommendation to anyone who asks.”

“I appreciate that, you’ve been great to work for,” she said. “I’ll miss you around here, but don’t worry about me, I’ll be just fine, I’ll have a new job before the day is out.”

He laughed. “I’m sure you will,” he said, relieved that she was taking it so well. “I just have one favor to ask: Could you box up my personal things and have them delivered to my apartment? I won’t be coming back to the office any time soon, and it will just be in the way.”

When he hung up the phone, he stared at it for a second, then took a deep breath. Before he could change his mind, he punched in his mother’s number. It rang a couple of times before she picked up. “Darling, this is a surprise,” she said. Don’t tell me you're coming home early. I knew you were going to hate it there. I told you not to go.”

“Mother, I’m not coming back early. In fact, I’m not sure right now when I’m coming back,” he said. “There have been some interesting developments while I’ve been here, and I’m in the process of dealing with them.”

There was a brief silence on the line, “Whatever does that mean?” his mother asked, a note of worry in her voice. “Why aren’t you coming home, Blake?”

“Do you remember that summer I spent in Ireland?” he asked, enjoying himself a little. “You came to visit me, so I’m sure you do.”

“What does that have to do with you not coming home?” his mother asked, an edge to her voice he recognized all too well. “Blake, what’s going on? I demand an answer right now.”

“You are in no position to demand anything from me, not after what you did,” he said. “I reconnected with Wren,Mother. You remember her, I believe you had a long chat with her that summer.”

There was another short silence. “Blake, this is ridiculous. That was almost six years ago,” his mother said, a defensive edge to her voice. I can’t remember who I talked to that long ago; I talk to a lot of people.”

“But you don’t threaten them or their families,” he said. “Wren told me what you said to her, she told me about your threats. You’re the reason she left me, you’re the reason I’ve been miserable for all these years.”

“It was for your own good,” his mother snapped. “She was just after your money. I set her straight to save you from making the biggest mistake of your life.”

“You meddled where you didn’t belong; you just wanted your own way. That’s all you’ve ever wanted, and I was just a pawn in your game,” he said. “Well, I’m done, Mother. I’m going to ask Wren to marry me, and we’re going to start a life together far away from you.”

“You can’t do that. After everything I’ve done for you, you can’t humiliate me that way,” his mother screeched. “We’ll cut you off, and you won’t get a cent from us for the rest of your life.”

“I figured we’d get to that,” he said. “I haven’t taken money from you and Dad for a long time; I don’t need or want your money. You can keep it.”

“But Blake, just think what you’ll be throwing away for that…little scheming slut,” his mother said. “I had a perfect marriage arranged for you. She’s a beautiful girl from one of the best families. Your wedding was going to be the talk of the season. You can’t take this away from me, I deserve it.”

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