Page 92 of For the Promise

“Mom, Stuart, this is Blossom.”

“Stuart?” I ask. “You call your dad by his name?”

“Stuart is my step-dad.”

“Step-dad?”

“My biological father left when I was fourteen.”

No wonder Jaxon never mentions his father. I have at least a million questions about what happened but I’m not asking them in front of his parents.

“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Raider and Stuart.”

“You can call me Jessica. Or Mom if you prefer.”

“Mom,” Jaxon growls.

I pat his arm. “It’s okay.”

“I’m still waiting to hear why you got married without your mom in attendance,” Jessica pushes.

Jaxon sighs. “It’s Blossom’s personal business.”

“It’s okay.” I blow out a breath. “In short, my ex is trying to steal half of the inheritance I received when my parents died.”

“What?” Stuart booms his question loud enough for all of the people in the restaurant to hear. Closed doors be damned.

“You lost your parents?” Jessica asks as she wipes tears from her eyes.

“Two years ago.”

“I don’t understand how marrying Jaxon can help your situation but if Jaxon married you to help, it’ll help. All of my boys are saviors.”

“We should let the kids have their dinner,” Stuart says.

“But I have more questions,” Jessica complains. Stuart stares at her until she huffs. “Fine. But I expect to see you at Sunday dinners since you’re part of the family now.”

“The marriage isn’t real,” I remind her.

She rolls her eyes. “I’ll see you soon.”

Stuart escorts her out of the room and I stare after them. Jessica accepted me into the family without a second thought. No games. No tests. Just acceptance.

My chest warms. Family. I haven’t had one of those in a while. I hope I can keep this one.

Chapter 29

“I did warn you.” ~ Jaxon

Jaxon

Idrum my fingers on the table in my office. This new flavor profile for the whiskeyBuccaneer’sis planning to debut for the holidays isn’t working. I don’t know where I went wrong.

I carefully selected the grains. I combined them for a unique flavor. I kept a close eye on the fermentation process. After much consideration, I decided which portion of the distillation to use in the final product. I used a bourbon cask and regularly checked on the aging whiskey.

The blending has to be the problem. I’ve tried different barrels and batches of whiskey to finely tune the final product but I’m not there yet. This whiskey should give the drinker a taste of Christmas spices, ginger, coffee, and dark chocolate. A rich yet balanced taste that goes down smooth at a holiday dinner.

But it doesn’t.

---