Free Another Chance by Ariadne Wayne Page B

around for a while but 'never get serious' was his motto.
    He had dropped out of school at fifteen, and found a friend and mentor in a local builder who had taught him the trade. Five years later his world had turned upside down when his parents had died in a car accident, leaving twenty year old Mark with his ten year old sister to care for.
    Lauren was good at first but soon rebelled, and her brother kept a close watch on her, so she didn’t get completely out of control. It had worked, but Lauren was as restless as her brother, and by the time she was old enough to care, she found it harder and harder to find a man to settle down with.
    At thirty, she was attractive with a bubbly personality but attracted to men younger than her with whom there wasn’t much chance of a future. She was happy, and that was all Mark cared about now.
    This redhead was different though. She wasn’t his usual type, he went for the ones who only cared about one thing, and he was happy to provide, but there was something unique about Cassandra Warren. He was determined to scratch that itch.
    He had made it as far as her home and discovered she was a single mum which was right up his alley. Most of the time, they were lonely, and it was easy to get them into bed. Cassie didn’t seem like that. Her and her daughter made a formidable team, and in the short time he’d been working at the house, little Sophie had gotten under his skin too.
    “What are you doing?” she asked one day out in the garden.
    “I’m making sure this wall is safe love, reinforcing it so nothing breaks.”
    She nodded. “That’s good.” She smiled slyly at him. “Do you think Mummy will let me have a swing and slide out here then?”
    “You need to talk to your mother about that.”
    “I don’t want to ask her, she doesn’t have much money.”
    “You don’t know if you don’t ask, Sophie. She might surprise you.”
    Cassie appeared through the back door with a tray holding coffee and biscuits. “There’s a hot chocolate here for you, Soph, and you can have a couple of biscuits.”
    “Thanks, Mummy.” The little girl beamed, and Mark felt the warmth of affection between the two.
    “How’s it going?” Cassie asked.,”
    “Not too bad, it’s in pretty good condition, but I can see what you mean about some parts needing reinforcement. Shouldn’t be too much of a problem.”
    “Good. I should have done this a while ago but better late than never.”
    “The whole place needs a bit of an overhaul. I’m happy to do it if you want me to.”
    “I would appreciate it. My grandmother neglected the house towards the end, so it’s probably as good a time as any to do it.”
    “I’ll check it out and tell you what needs doing.
    “Sounds good.” She had no idea what effect those green eyes of hers had on him.
    “Mark, you should stay for dinner,” said Sophie suddenly.
    “I think that your mum needs to be the one to ask, Princess.”
    “You’re more than welcome. I always make extra for lunches so there will be plenty to eat. Someone has taken a bit of a shine to you.”
    “I’ve taken a bit of a shine to her, and her mother.”
    Cassie blushed, and Mark’s eyes followed the flush down to the top of her breasts, neatly compacted into her shirt. He wondered how far down that red colour went.
    After dinner, Mark sorted out the dishes while Cassie tucked Sophie into bed. “That’s me for the night,” he said, “I’ll see you tomorrow sometime.”
    “Thanks for staying, Mark, Sophie really enjoyed it.”
    “I was kind of hoping she wasn’t the only one.”
    Cassie blushed again, and Mark grinned. He wanted to grab hold of her and kiss her, but he had a feeling that would scare her away. Better to hang around and get her used to his presence, wait for the right opportunity.
    She accepted his quote for the extra work that needed to be done, and he estimated he would have another two weeks with her and Sophie.
    “Why on earth is there an invoice