Hometown Love (Love on the North Shore #2)(15)

Jessie had learned to make quilts because her grandmother wanted to teach her, not because she enjoyed it. In all honesty, she found it a tedious endeavor, and over the past year, she’d joined her grandmother and grandmother’s friends less and less on Sundays. “I’m not sure yet. Maybe.”


“Well maybe I’ll see you then. Thanks again.”





Chapter 3




“Plans for the weekend?” Dakota Smith asked as he walked alongside Mack Friday night.

Mack pushed open the door to the stairwell. “Painting. I promised Grace I’d get her room done while she stays with my mom.” He also needed to get more unpacking done. Other than the boxes he’d emptied last weekend, he’d yet to tackle anymore. Time just hadn’t been on his side that week despite his best efforts.

On his way out as well, Dakota followed him down the stairs. “Stop by on Sunday. Josh and Bruce are coming to watch the game,” he said, referring to two other agents in the building.

He doubted he’d have the time, but he appreciated the invite. When he’d first made the transition from his position as a detective with the Boston police department to task force agent with the FBI, he’d worried whether or not it’d be a good fit. Other guys on the police force who’d worked with the FBI complained about the bureau. They claimed the agents considered local law enforcement good for nothing but handling crimes beneath them. In his three years working with the agents in Boston, he’d found none of that true. Sure, as with every job there were the jerks, but overall, the agents considered the task force officers part of the family.

“I promised Grace I’d take her someplace special Sunday night to celebrate starting school on Monday.” Mack stopped at the second floor where the daycare center was located.

“What happened to starting school after Labor Day? We have almost three more weeks left in August.” Dakota moved toward the next flight of stairs. “Wish her luck. And have a good weekend.”

Most nights, Mack could get in and out of the daycare center in a matter of minutes. After being there all day, Grace wanted to go home. Tonight though, was a different story. Despite her complaints about going, she insisted on giving everyone a hug before leaving. He could understand her sentiment. She had spent more time with the daycare employees and other children than she had with him in the last few years. Still, Friday night traffic out of the city always proved heavy and tonight’s rain would only add to it.

“Can we stop and get the paint before Grammy’s?” Grace asked from the backseat as Mack took the exit off Route 1 an hour later. As he’d expected, traffic had been slow going since he’d pulled out of the parking garage. Thankfully, he’d grabbed Grace’s overnight bag before leaving the house that morning.

“Up to you. It’ll mean you get to Gram’s later.” Other than grabbing some take out and watching a movie, he had no plans for the night ahead.

Silence came from the backseat, a sure indication that Grace was considering his answer. “Let’s get the paint first.”

Two nights earlier, they’d decided on a color. Still Mack wondered if his daughter was going to use this opportunity to get a different color. She’d wanted a much darker shade of pink called Fabulous Fuchsia, but it was so bright he feared it would keep her awake at night. He’d wanted the Baby Girl Pink, a shade that would merely give the walls a hint of color. However, he’d conceded and promised she could get the Cherry Blossom Pink, the color Jessie had suggested the previous weekend. He’d also promised to paint the room so it looked like her cousin Brianna’s. He’d asked Erin to send him a picture of Brianna’s room to use as a sample.

By the time Mack and Grace pulled into the parking lot, the rain had stopped. Or at least it had stopped for the moment. The weather forecast called for rain off and on all night and much of tomorrow. In true child-like fashion, Grace skipped through all the puddles in the parking lot, soaking both her sneakers as well as her legs, though it didn’t bother her.

Once inside, he expected Grace to head straight for the paint area, but instead, she made a beeline for the back of the store. Mack followed behind, always keeping Grace in sight. While North Salem was one of the safest places he knew, that didn’t mean Grace couldn’t get herself into trouble.

When Grace paused at the open office door, he figured he should’ve known she’d look to see if Jessie was around. Several times over the week, she’d mentioned Jessie and how she wanted to see her again. And each time she did, an image of Jessie formed, reminding him just how much she’d changed.

“Jessie,” Grace said from the doorway.

Through the glass windows, he saw Jessie glance up and smile.

“We’re getting the paint for my room,” Grace explained as he stopped behind her.

“That’s exciting. What color did you pick?”


Grace tilted her head back and looked up at him. “What’s it called again?”

“Cherry Blossom Pink.” He placed his hands on her shoulders.

“Nice choice.”

“I wanted a different one, but Daddy said no.” She sounded disappointed but resigned. “He promised to make the walls look like Brianna’s before we put up the princesses and puppies.”

The corners of Jessie’s mouth twitched, but she didn’t go into a full-blown smile. “I love Cherry Blossom Pink, Grace. I used it in my bedroom.”