Call Me Michigan (21 page)

“I’m glad I have no makeup on,” she sniffed, and he framed her face, kissing her softly.

“It’s another thing I love about you because you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. I could probably name a million things that made me fall in love with you, but Taylor, seeing you with Becca, the way you love her unconditionally, is probably what sealed the deal for me. I never want to lose you again. Last night, knowing that you weren’t with me, sucked. I couldn’t and wouldn’t sleep without you by my side. And I plan to never again be without you unless I’m on shift. So,” he whispered and then went down to his knee, holding her hand.

“Taylor Collins, I always knew you were going to be my wife, and I would do anythin’ to fulfill this wish. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and you’ve been my girl since this night twelve years back, even if you didn’t know it. Make it official. Become mine.” He swallowed while she was crying harder by the second. “Will you marry me and my daughter, Taylor Collins?”

He opened a black box, presenting her with a deep brown-pink, heart-shaped diamond ring, framed by tiny clear diamonds. It was breathtaking, but Taylor would’ve married him even if had he presented her a plastic ring shot at the local fair.

“Yes! Oh my God, yes!” She didn’t wait until he placed the ring on her finger. Instead, she fell to her knees and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him. This was better than anything she could’ve ever dreamed.

***

Mason was shaking from head to toe, kissing her another time before he pulled back. “Let me at least put this on your finger,” he demanded, and she laughed, holding out her hand while standing up again. Her slim fingers were trembling, and he kissed her fingertips before pushing the ring down her finger, feeling as if finally he could breathe again.

She was his, forever and longer. Resting his forehead on her hand in relief, she kissed the top of his head.

“You didn’t think I’d say no, right?” she asked in disbelief.

“Of course, he did! You have a tendency not to do what people expect of you,” Tamara announced, stepping forward from behind the plywood board. She was crying, carrying Becca and holding hands with Tim. Ashley, Kelly, and Brad stepped forward, too, all looking emotional.

“You traitor,” Taylor sobbed, hugging her best friend tight before taking Becca from her sister’s arms.

“You deserved it. So much.”

“And now, I’ll take the babies back, and you all go and enjoy the bonfire. I simply couldn’t miss this,” Tamara announced. Only then did Taylor seemed to realize the whole extent through which he had gone. Mason could see it on her face as it dawned on her.

“How long have you planned this?” she wanted to know as Mason led her out of the maze. His friends had promised that they’d clean up all evidence and make the maze scary again while he could take care of his now fiancée.

He led her over to the bonfire, the diamond on her hand sparkling in the warm glow, but nothing compared to the beaming expression Taylor wore. He could see wayward tears clinging to her lashes, her hair falling freely around her face and down the back of his jacket. It was amazing seeing his name on her back, knowing that soon she would be a real Stiles.

“Spring,” he mumbled as they sat down and she turned to him.

“Spring?” she asked.

“Spring,” he repeated. “I want a spring wedding. It’ll be warm enough not to be muddy, but still not too hot so you can wear whatever dress you feel like. The fresh green of the leaves will look good on wedding pictures. Spring brings everythin’ into bloom, and if we marry then, it’ll be an eternal spring for us,” he rushed out, worrying that she’d call him sentimental.

“Well, whatever, Mason. I’m yours, and as long as you’ll wait at the end, I’ll walk down the aisle, not caring when or what I wear,” she assured him. Mason beamed at her, kissing her deeply before pulling her into his arms, knowing this evening would turn out better than anyone had anticipated.

Especially now that he no longer had any reason to be nervous.

Thanksgiving came and went, and snow started to cover everything around. Tim had begged Taylor to celebrate over at the Stiles’ farm, and Tamara had readily agreed. Space was limited, but Stella had offered her bedroom up to Tamara and Timmy, sleeping on the makeshift bed in Becca’s room. The little girl was excited about having everyone around, and while by now no one was thrown off by her being called mom, Timmy had picked up calling Stella grandma.

As much as Mason’s mother tried to hide it, Taylor could see the pleasure on her face each and every time Timothy said that. It was as if Mason’s mom finally had what she had wished for for Mason, her, and Becca. Taylor didn’t mind. Stella seemed to complete the hole that had been in her own family for way too long.

“Anything else you need out of town?” Mason called from the door, and Taylor leaned back until she could see him tie his shoes on the bottom of the stairs.

“Yes, you,” she answered, and he laughed, finishing his shoes before coming over to her side, leaving wet tracks on the floor. She eyed them, arching a brow at him.

“Sorry,” he apologized, sheepishly looking at her.

“You aren’t. And now, get moving so you will be back to help me cook,” she instructed, and he grinned, leaning in to kiss her. Her phone buzzed next to them on the counter, but Taylor ignored it.

The weekend after her accident, Andrew had called for the first time, and while she had ignored it back then, sure it was a one-time thing, he now called at more regular intervals, being more persistent the longer she ignored him.

“Who is it?” Mase asked, and Taylor sighed.

“Andrew. My ex. He bought my business, and while I never again wanted to talk to him, he keeps calling. I have nothing to say to him.”

“Want me to answer?” Taylor blinked. Mason’s tone was calm, but she worried that was just what he wanted her to see. Still, she nodded. If someone could get rid of Andrew, it probably was Mason.

“Stiles?” he stated after swiping right on the touchscreen.

He turned on the speaker, and she looked at him.

“This is Andrew Cane. Mason Stiles … never thought I’d talk to you one day,” her ex stated, and Taylor swallowed hard while Mason was clearly shocked.

“Why’s that?” he asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

“For Taylor, you were the perfect dream. You were like a god to her. I don’t think anyone could reach up to the way you sing, the way you care, the way you are. It’s hard for a city boy to stand up against a cowboy ghost,” Andrew explained, and Taylor shook her head. She had tried everything to keep Mason out of her thoughts, but she had clearly failed.

“What?” she whispered, regretting the next moment that Andrew now knew she was listening.

“It was little things like a comment, or a look, or the way you carried his picture in your wallet. I knew, Taylor, that you’d never love me, but you were still good to me. And you were a remarkable businesswoman, which is the main reason I’m calling. I sold it.”

The floor threatened to drop out from under her feet. She knew it hadn’t been her baby in months, but somehow, her mind had been eased knowing that it still belonged to someone she knew.

“You what?” She placed her hands on the counter, trying not to collapse. Mason drew her into his arms, holding her tight.

“I’m going to leave the city. People loved what you turned this into, and someone paid a lot of money for it. I don’t want it. Any of it. I sent the check to your local bank. That’s all I meant to tell you. I figured you’d call me once you picked it up, but you never did.”

“Ash never said anything,” Taylor mumbled, and Mason kissed the side of her head.

“Who’s Ash?” Andrew wanted to know.

“My best friend,” she answered absent-mindedly, and Andrew laughed shortly. He sounded tired, but not like he hadn’t slept in days. More as if he was tired to his bones.

“Yeah, it was my name on the envelope, so I’m not surprised. She probably wanted to make sure I don’t get between you and Stiles,” he mused, and Taylor turned in Mason’s arms, kissing his shoulder. She was done talking to Andrew, still trying to get over the fact that he had sold her business.

“Dude, if that was all, thank you for sending her money, and fuck you for selling,” Mason growled, clearly catching on to her pain.

“I cannot stay here any longer. I need to see what is so tempting about the countryside,” Andrew replied.

“Good luck then,” Mason replied and then ended the call. “You okay?” he wanted to know, and Taylor shook her head, burying her nose in the crook of his neck. It was terrible how quickly a day could go down the drain.

***

Mason held onto his fiancée, sighing heavily. It was incredible how much the selling of her firm affected her. He had no idea what she’d done exactly in Michigan, and he had to admit that he never had cared because it reminded him of a time when she wasn’t his.

Then again, the way her ex had talked, she maybe always had been his. And she carried his picture in her wallet? Maybe they’d been more connected than he’d thought.

“I wanted to ... it was my baby. It was everything I wanted, and even though I never wanted to go back, it’s terrible knowing that it’s no longer there.” She sniffed, her body shaken by silent sobs. Suddenly, she pulled back, reaching for her phone. “Ash. I need to call Ash.”

She fumbled with the device until nearly dropping it with shaking hands, so Mason took over, dialing his ex’s number. She answered after a few short rings even though she was at work.

“Hey babe,” she chirped into the phone.

“Open the letter from Andrew,” Taylor demanded, her voice thick with tears.

“I didn’t say anythin’ because I figured nothing good ever comes from exes,” Ash replied truthfully, and Mason was surprised that she knew exactly which letter they were referring to since obviously it had been there months.

“Just open it,” Tay pleaded and then moved until her hands were resting left and right of the phone on the counter. They heard the tearing of the envelope, and then a gasp.

“Fuck, I gotta sit down,” Ash mumbled. “Holy shit, Taylor. Do you know what’s in here?”

Mason snorted. Of course, she didn’t, or Ash wouldn’t have to open the letter.

“Oh, while talking about ex,” Ash fussed, but by now the heat was missing in her voice with those statements. Clearly, she finally came to terms with being friends with him again.

“What does it say?” Taylor wanted to know, getting the focus back to the topic at hand.

“Note or check?” Ash asked back.

“Note first.”

“’I don’t want any of it, Taylor Collins. It was your baby and every damn day reminded me of the fact that I am not you, and that you aren’t with me anymore. I can’t woo people the way you do. So bye business. Bye Taylor. Bye sucky memories,’” Ash reported, and Mason wanted to get in the car and drive until he found the douche.

“How much?” his fiancée prompted.

“For how much did you sell it to him?”

“Ten grand,” Taylor whispered. Mason almost whistled. That was a lot of money.

“Well, I assume he took that out of the final sum,” Ashley mused, and Mason felt as if he needed to take a seat before hearing the sum. Ash was stalling, so it was either a lot of money or nothing at all.

“How much?” Taylor repeated, and Ashley sighed.

“Two hundred forty thousand.”

Two hundred forty thousand ... Mason was floored while Taylor didn’t seem surprised in the least.

“Turn the note,” she ordered.

“’I sold our client list for one hundred and fifty thousand. It could’ve been more, but I knew you were going to be pissed. Have a great life, TyCo. I loved you,’” Ash read the rest of the note.

“How high-class were your clients, Taylor?” Mason wanted to know, and Taylor swallowed, not looking at him.

“Tay, you’re rich,” Ashley pointed out the obvious, but it still looked as if Taylor couldn’t comprehend that.

“Open a bank account for each Tim, Tamara, and Becca. Put seventy thousand in each account and the rest in Mason’s,” Taylor instructed. “I’ll come and sign the permission slip tomorrow.” His fiancée looked up, meeting his eyes. Mason didn’t know what to say.

“Are you sure? Maybe you should think about this, Collins,” Ashley urged gently, but Mason could see it on Taylor’s face. There was nothing to think about. She didn’t want the money.

“I am sure,” she assured her best friend.

“You won’t have any of the money, Tay,” Ash tried again, and finally, a first smile broke over Taylor’s face.

“I’ll be a Stiles soon enough, so he’ll have to share the account anyway. We don’t do things only halfway.” They hadn’t talked about it, yet Mason couldn’t deny that they were on the same page nonetheless.

“We’ll invest the money to make the house bigger,” he decided, and Taylor’s eyes widened slightly.

“You two make me sick and jealous. Have dirty sex for me, too,” Ash groaned. “See you at the bank tomorrow. Love ya, Tay.”

“Love you, too,” Taylor replied, grinning while ending the call.

“That’s a whole bunch of money, baby,” Mason whispered, and she sighed.

“It was pretty exclusive clientele. I was good at what I did, and Andrew was good at investing our money. I never lived the rich life, which is why our debts were paid off pretty quickly. I didn’t keep much of it. It was a good job, but that’s no longer my life. I prefer boots to heels, and jeans to pencil skirts,” she admitted, walking closer to where he had sat down. He pulled her on his lap, seeing something else in her eyes.