Soul Broker by Tina Pollick Page B

back toward the woman. “Why didn’t you think I would mind? You don’t even know me.”
    Renea smiled, and didn’t appear to be the least bit offended by Mackenzie’s sudden change of tone. “Do you mind?”
    Mackenzie glanced back out the window. Sophie giggled so loud her cheeks were pink. “No, I don’t mind.”
    “Are you ready for that shower?”
    Mackenzie followed Renea down the hall and into the bathroom. “If you need anything else just ask.”
    “Thank you.”

    Drew’s heart raced as soon as Mackenzie stepped out on to the porch. He had been looking forward to talking to her, but avoiding it at the same time. Would she want him in their lives? Would she ever love him? Would she ask him to leave? His heart pounded in his chest, his palms covered with sweat. He needed to find out, even if he didn’t get the response he wanted.
    She walked down the stairs and Drew and Sophie met her. Sophie ran into her arms.
    “Are you going back to ‘sweep, momma?”
    Mackenzie laughed. “Not until bedtime.” She nuzzled into Sophie’s hair, taking in the smell of sunshine and flowers that could only be Sophie. “I’ve missed you. baby girl. I won’t be going anywhere.”
    “Good.” Sophie wiggled out of her arms. “Did you hear that?”
    Mackenzie laughed when she heard Gretchen singing about cookies. Sophie looked at the door and then back to her mom. “Go ahead.”
    “‘Tanks!” Sophie started running up the stairs and then stopped. She turned to Drew and jumped from the stair into his arms. “I’m so glad you came to ‘pway with me, Daddy. Will you be here when I’m done with my cookies?”
    Drew smiled. “I’ll be here.”
    Sophie got down and headed into the house.
    Mackenzie’s mouth was wide open. Drew rubbed the back of his head. This was going to be hard to explain, and he didn’t think any explanation he had was going to make Mackenzie happy.
    “You told her you’re her father?”
    Drew sat down on the step and Mackenzie joined him.
    “She asked and I told her.”
    “And you didn’t think I should have a say in it? What are you going to tell her when you disappear again?”
    “Why would I disappear?”
    “When your bitch Master calls you back again.” Mackenzie stood and paced in front of Drew.
    “Oh, you don’t know.”
    Mackenzie stopped and stared at Drew. “Know what?”
    Drew opened his shirt.
    “What are you doing, Drew?”
    “Showing you my collar is gone.”
    “I never saw your collar when you had it on. How would I see that it’s gone?” Mackenzie stopped for a moment. “Your collar is gone?”
    He nodded. He watched as Mackenzie’s expression softened. Would she really be willing to have a future with him? She sat down next to him on the steps.
    “How?”
    “It was part of the deal my dad negotiated.”
    “He sure did take his sweet ass time, negotiating.”
    Drew laughed. “I guess he did.”
    “What are your plans now?” Mackenzie asked, looking down at the ground.
    “I plan on spending the rest of my life with you and Sophie. If you’ll have me.”
    Mackenzie glanced up. Drew stood and knelt before her. “I love you, Mackenzie, and I want forever with you both.”
    Drew leaned in and placed a kiss on her lower lip, then kissed her upper lip. Mackenzie wasn’t responding, but she didn’t pull away either. His tongue darted out and brushed the small part between her lips. Mackenzie let out a small moan. That small sound shattered the last bit of Drew’s self-control. He wrapped Mackenzie in his arms and kissed her deep. Her mouth opened in response.
    A giggling sound made them separate as they both raised their heads and saw Sophie standing on the porch with a cookie in her hand.
    “Yer’ kissing.” She pointed at them both, laughing.
    “I guess we are,” Mackenzie said, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink that Drew found adorable.
    “Sophie!” Renea called from inside the house. “I have your milk.”
    Sophie turned and ran back in