Deborah Mello - Forever a Stallion

“I heard that, John Stallion,” his wife, Marah, said as she led the way into the oversize room.

John laughed as the beautiful woman moved to his side. He leaned to kiss her lips, wrapping his arms tightly around her small frame. “I didn’t say anything, baby!”

Marah rolled her eyes as she kissed him back. “Uh-huh. Sure you didn’t!”

Mark’s wife, Michelle Stallion, waved her hand in greeting as she brought up the rear. “Hey, everyone,” she said brightly as she reached to take her daughter from her husband’s arms. Mark wrapped them both in a deep bear hug.

“Congratulations!” Katrina shouted. She moved to kiss her brother’s cheek first and then her husband’s. “This is so exciting!” she said as she nestled close against Matthew’s chest.

Matthew caressed the bulge of new baby that protruded from her abdomen, his fingers lingering where the baby kicked once, and then a second time. “Yes, it is!”

With the arrival of the women, the chatter in the room rose exponentially. Mason was feeling right at home as he looked around at the gleaming faces. Family—the best cheerleaders any man could wish for. He and his sister Katrina came from a large family, so this felt very much like home to them both. He grinned widely as he noted the endearing gestures she and her husband exchanged.

He couldn’t help being in awe of the wealth of love that filled the room. With Matthew and Katrina; John and his wife, Marah; and Mark, his wife, Michelle, and their new baby girl, Irene, the room overflowed with love.

Mason was suddenly introspective as he imagined what it might be like to have someone of his own to love. He had mastered professional success to the detriment of his personal life. Although he’d enjoyed the many beautiful women who had gone hand in hand with his lifestyle, he’d grown weary of the endless workweeks and his playboy lifestyle. Mason found himself not only ready for a change, but actively searching for the comforts family and stability would afford him. Selling his business could not have come at a more opportune time. He could feel himself grinning at the prospects.

His thoughts were interrupted by the persistent chatter. He shifted forward in his seat as he drew his focus back to the conversation.

“Where’s Luke?” Katrina was asking. “And Joanne? I thought they’d be here.”

John shook his head. “Last-minute wedding chores. They had to have their final session of couple’s counseling with Reverend Barnes, and this was the only time he could fit them in. They’ll catch up with us all later.”

“Speaking of chores,” Marah interjected. “We ladies have a very long list of things to get done. Between the rodeo and the wedding, we’ll be running from one event to the next through the end of the month, and that takes some preparing for. Each one of us is going to need a few new outfits to wear. Isn’t that right?” she said as Michelle and Katrina nodded in agreement.

Mark winked toward his brothers, shaking his head. “I told Luke to elope but no, you women had to throw in your two cents. He and Joanne could have been married by now. Done and finished. Then none of you would need to do any shopping at all!”

John laughed. “Do not get these women started, please.”

Marah tapped John against the chest. “You’ve got some nerve.”

“Don’t pay either one of them any attention,” Katrina said, rolling her eyes skyward. “Matthew will tell you that he enjoyed every second of our wedding. Didn’t you, honey?”

Matthew leaned to kiss her cheek. “That’s right, my darling! Walking down the aisle with you was the best thing I ever did,” he said, winking at the men.

Mason chuckled. “It sounds to me like you guys have your hands full.”

Matthew’s head bobbed up and down. “Oh, no, not at all,” he said, his eyes widening mischievously as Katrina punched him playfully in the arm.

Mason grinned broadly as he watched his sister and brother-in-law, the two teasing each other playfully. It had been a long time since he’d seen Katrina so happy. Joy shimmered out of her dark eyes, everything between her and her husband exemplifying the dynamic relationship they shared. An unexpected hint of jealousy flooded Mason’s spirit. As if reading his mind, Katrina moved to her big brother’s side, wrapping her arm around his broad shoulders.

“There will be a lot of beautiful, successful women for you to meet while you’re here in Dallas, Mason,” she said casually.

Mason smiled. “Really?” he questioned, crossing his arms over his chest.

Katrina nodded. “You might even find us a new sister-in-law if you play your cards right, big brother!”

Tossing his head back, Mason laughed heartily. Saying nothing aloud, he leaned to kiss his sister’s cheek. From your mouth to God’s ears, he thought to himself, his smile brightening even more. From your mouth to God’s ears!

Chapter 2

Phaedra Parrish closed and locked the front door of her family home after bidding a member from her mother’s church goodbye. People had been popping in to check on her since the funeral, and with the day being her twenty-eighth birthday, there had been a revolving door of family and friends coming to give her support. It had been a long day and an even longer month, and she was glad for the wealth of silence that quickly enveloped the room. She sighed deeply as she dropped down onto the cushioned sofa that sat opposite her mother’s favorite rocking chair.

As she stared at the empty seat, Phaedra’s tears clouded her dark eyes. It didn’t feel as if a whole month had passed since her mother, Arneta Parrish, had last rocked in that chair, everything seemingly well. Then without warning, a pulmonary embolism had taken her away. Their family doctor had reasoned that she’d probably been experiencing symptoms days earlier, the blood clot traveling from her leg to her lung. But Phaedra had not been there to know, and now her mother was gone from her.

Swiping at the tears that fell down her cheeks, Phaedra closed her eyes and inhaled, filling her lungs with a deep breath. She couldn’t help wishing that she’d come home as originally scheduled instead of extending her photography assignment those additional days. Had she been home, then just maybe her beloved mother would still be there with her.

Even as the thought crossed her mind, Phaedra could hear her mother admonishing her, the woman’s deep alto voice echoing in her thoughts. “You’re wasting time, little girl! Focus on what you need to do and get your narrow behind to doin’ somethin’ worthwhile.” And just as the thought crossed her mind, she felt a warm breeze blow through the room and a gust of wind gently caressing her cheeks.

Phaedra rose to her feet, wrapping her arms tightly around her torso. Across the room she imagined that her mother’s chair was rocking, the movement ever so slight, and she couldn’t help smiling, sensing that Miss Arneta was still there, still watching over her, still intent on keeping her on the straight and narrow. She shook her head from side to side as she laughed. “Yes, ma’am,” she said out loud, chuckling softly.

Moving through the modest home, Phaedra checked that the lower level was secure, ensuring that all the doors and windows were locked. Leaving the one light on in the hallway, she headed up the stairs, hesitating for a brief moment in front of her mother’s bedroom door. She’d known that at some point she would have to sort through her mother’s things, and although it wasn’t a task Phaedra had looked forward to, she knew it had to be done.

Pushing the door open, Phaedra flicked the light switch on the wall as she moved inside the small room. Dropping down against the full-size mattress, she drew her hands across the handmade quilt that decorated the bed. She missed her mother with a vengeance. Her grief was so consuming that she couldn’t imagine how she was going to survive. She let out a deep sigh.