Hometown Love (Love on the North Shore #2)(10)

Jessie heard the note of irritation in Mack’s voice and wondered if the father and daughter had a rough morning. “If you want, I can bring Grace inside to start looking. Just close the door when you’re done.”

“Please, Daddy.”

“Go ahead. I’ll be right in.”

Jessie took Grace by the hand and led her through the back room. “Did you have fun last night?”

“I got to stay up past my bedtime.”

As a little girl, staying up past her bedtime had always seemed like a major event to Jessie, and evidently it was universal for all children. “I’ll tell you a secret. So did I.” Jessie kept her voice low as if she didn’t want anyone else to hear.

Grace giggled. “Adults don’t have a bedtime.”

“Says who?” Jessie led her toward the display of paint cards.

“Adults go to bed when they want,” Grace answered with authority. “Nobody tells Daddy when to go to bed.”

A vision of Mrs. Ellsbury telling an adult Mack to brush his teeth and go to bed passed through Jessie’s head and she laughed. “I guess you’re right.” Together they stopped, a rainbow of color before them. “Let’s start over here. That’s where all the pinks are.” Jessie pointed to an area filled with everything from pastel to neon.

When Mack joined them a few minutes later, Grace already had several color samples in her hand.

“I see you’ve already found some, buddy.”

Jessie hadn’t noticed last night, but now, seeing Mack next to his daughter, she realized they looked nothing alike except for their eyes. They were the same shape and the same shade of light hazel. But while Mack’s hair was almost black, Grace sported two lopsided strawberry-blonde pigtails. Her skin was fair with a dusting of freckles across her nose, and Jessie suspected she burned easily if she spent too much time in the sun. Mack’s skin was a few shades darker

“These are just the pink ones.” Grace handed her father the cards and moved down toward the purples, her hand immediately going for the brightest, most vibrant shade available.

Mack shuffled through the cards, then looked up at Jessie. “People buy these colors?”

“You’d be surprised.” You’re in big trouble, Mack.

“Here, Daddy.” Grace held up another set of cards.

Without a word, he added them to his stack and began sorting them, discarding some on a shelf as he went.

“That’s my favorite,” Grace said when one particular card joined the stack forming on the shelf.

A pink almost as bright as a highlighter, Jessie cringed at the thought of an entire room that shade.

“Way too bright.” Mack continued to add cards to his rejection pile. “How about this one?” He held up a card and pointed to the third square on the bottom; a shade of pink so light it appeared almost white.

Grace shook her head, her pigtails swinging back and forth. “I like this one.” She grabbed the bright pink card from the rejection pile.

“Sorry, Grace, but we’re not painting your room that color,” Mack said.

Understanding Grace’s displeasure in Mack’s choices, Jessie pointed to the card in Mack’s hand. “I think we have something similar to that, but with a touch more color.” A quick glance over at the display revealed what she wanted. “What about this?” She handed Mack the card, her hand brushing against his. The brief contact sent a spark of excitement up her arm.


“This would be okay.”

“It’s too light.” Grace crossed her arms and frowned.

“I think it is really pretty, and maybe your dad will let you get some decals to decorate the wall. They come off easily so you can move them around when you’re ready for a change.”

Grace studied the color again. “Can I get some?”

Mack nodded just as his cell phone went off. “Grace, it’s work. I have to take this,” he said as he pulled the phone from his pocket.

“I can show Grace the decals if you want.” Jessie figured it would keep the little girl occupied while he took the call.

“Thanks. I’ll be as quick as I can, Grace.”

Mack stepped away and Jessie took Grace farther down the aisle. “We just got in a bunch of new princess decals and I know we have some animal ones, too.”

Grace looked through various decals, picking out her favorites and handing them to Jessie. Soon, Jessie held several packages containing various princesses and one with puppies. “Do you think Daddy will let me get them all?” She handed Jessie yet another package.

Unsure of just how many Mack would get, Jessie was careful with her answer. “Maybe you should pick the ones you like the most for now.”

“Hell.” Mack’s muttered oath had her looking up in his direction. As he came toward them with a scowl on his face, he raised his phone to his ear again. “We need to go, buddy. I’m sorry.” He looked down at Grace, the phone still next to his ear as if waiting for someone to answer.

“But Daddy we didn’t—”

Mack pulled the phone away from his ear. “We’ll come back this week.” He looked away from Grace and at Jessie.

“Have you seen my mother or father today, Jessie?”

“No. Is everything okay?”