Reclaiming her ( Forgotten Sons book 1)

Chapter 4

Lacey

The next morning, Cassidy is up and ready to go by eight, looking out the window every few minutes just in case Tara arrives early.

" Baby, Tara isn't due to arrive for another hour. Why don't you go and play outside for a little while we wait." I suggest, hoping that will keep her entertained. Cassidy shrugs her shoulders and heads outside as I quickly finish getting ready.

Finally, after doing a final coat of mascara, I let my auburn hair fall down past my shoulders in loose waves, feeling like I actually look okay today. When I'm at work, my hair lives in a messy bun, so it is nice to let it down occasionally. Pulling on some sneakers, I head back downstairs where I can hear the sound of children laughing.

I head out the front and can't help but smile when I see Cass running around with a girl who looks to be similar in age. " Hey Cass, are you going to introduce me to your new friend here?" I ask as I reach the two girls who are now sitting on the front lawn chatting away.

" Ma, this is Ellie. She lives over the road." Cassidy says, pointing to the house opposite us.

When I was younger, an elderly couple lived there, but that is clearly not the case now. Glancing at the house, I noticed a motorbike in the driveway and a pickup truck next to it. " That's my uncles bike. Him and dad are talking about grown-up stuff. That's why he sent me outside to play." Ellie tells me with a huff. I look down at the little girl and smile a sympathetic smile. " It's not much fun when grown-ups have to talk, but hey, at least now you've met me and Cassidy. I'm sure Cass would love to have you visit some time." I say as the two girls squeal with excitement.

The sound of a car approaching has me looking back up, right at Tara comes down the street and pulls into my driveway. " I just realised I didn't introduce myself. My name is Lacey, and it's been lovely to meet you, Ellie. We have to go out now, but I'm sure we will see you again soon." I say before making my way over to Tara, who is waiting next to her car with the biggest grin on her face.

" Oh my gosh, Lacey! you look amazing!" Tara says as we give each other a huge hug. " Thanks, but have you seen yourself. You are gorgeous." I say as the blonde blushes. " Haha, you flatter me. Shall we get going?" Tara asks, and I nod, calling out to Cassidy as she says something to her new friend. " Bye, Cassidy! Bye, Miss Lacey!" Ellie yells out as she waves us off.

Twenty minutes later, we are pulling into a parking lot out the front of the furniture store. Turning off the engine, Tara hops out and makes her way round to Cassidys door, and opens it. In the short drive here, Tara and Cass had already bonded over music and favourite colours, making me glad that my friend was here with us. Getting out of the car, I walk alongside my daughter and friend as we enter the store.

I didn't realise how difficult choosing furniture could be. After two hours we had finally chosen everything we needed. By the end of it, I had let Tara and Cass choose most things as I really couldn't care if the couch was 'cappucino' or 'mocha' coloured. The shop assistant was a God send, writing down what we wanted as we walked around and then finally put the order through. The girl told us that everything could be delivered this afternoon, which meant I could have everything set up before Cass starts her new school on Monday.

Thanking the shop assistant for her help, I gave her a large tip for all the trouble she had saved me.

Getting back out to the car, Tara suggests going through a drive thru for lunch on our way back to wait for the delivery truck. Seeing Cassidys face light up at the suggestion, I agree, knowing this is a weekend for fast food while we get settled. Come Monday, and it will be back to home cooked meals.

" Okay, cutie pie. What would you like to eat?" Tara asks my daughter.

" Can we get burgers and shakes, please?" Cass asks, hopefully. " Of course! That was just what I had in mind." Tara smiles at Cassidy as she holds the car door open for my daughter.

A little while later, we arrive back home with our food securely in Cassidys' hands. Getting out of the car, Tara goes round and helps Cassidy out of the car while I take our drinks and walk up to the front door to unlock it. Putting our drinks on the kitchen bench, I turn around only to realise Tara and Cassidy are still outside. Walking back out, I see Ellie talking happily to Cassidy while a man stands talking to Tara.

" Lacey! it's been too long. You probably don't remember me, Chase, Chase Bennett from school." The tall, muscular blonde says and reaches his hand out to shake mine. " Oh, wow. Chase, you look so grown up, although a decade will probably do that to someone." I joke, lamely. I've never been great at talking to men, and it certainly shows. " Tara was just telling me that you and your daughter have moved back here. It's nice to know Ellie has someone her own age to play with around here. She gets pretty bored on the weekends when it's just us." Chase says, almost sadly. " Do you have a dad?" I hear Ellie suddenly ask Cass, who shakes her head no, my heart breaking a little. " That's alright, I don't have a mum. She d*ed when I was little. Maybe your mum and my dad can get married, and we could be sisters." Ellie announces happily, Cassidy giggling at the idea.

"Ellie May!" Chase scolds as his daughter gives him an innocent smile. " I am so sorry. She gets a little excited sometimes." An embarrassed Chase says as Tara tries to hold back a laugh. " It's fine, Cass can get the same way. It's hard being a one parent family sometimes. Anyway, we had better get inside and eat before the delivery truck arrives. I'm hoping to have the house set up before Cass goes to school on Monday." I say in an attempt to change the conversation. " Well, we can come over tomorrow and help set everything up if you'd like? I've got a free day, and I'm sure Ellie and Cass wouldn't mind hanging out." The blonde now looks at me with a coy smile, and I'm not sure if he's just being friendly or something else.

" That sounds great, Chase. Thank you." I say as we wave goodbye and head back into the house. " Chase, huh?" Tara teases with a wink as I roll my eyes at her. " He's just helping. How bad could it be?" I respond, hoping I've made the right decision.