Hometown Love (Love on the North Shore #2)(39)
Mack looked at his sister for confirmation.
“Brianna does have two. I bought one and then my mother-in-law gave her one. If Grace wants it, that’s fine.”
“In that case, why don’t you get your regular clothes on and put that one in your bag? Then we’ll head home.”
“Can she stay for dinner?” Brianna asked, popping into the room. She’d ditched the fairy outfit and now wore the same princess gown as Grace.
“You’re more than welcome to stay.” Erin passed a hand over her stomach and he realized he’d never asked how her ultrasound went the week before.
Grace and Brianna stared up at him as if they could control his mind. “I guess so.” Grace loved being with her cousin and liked visiting with her aunt and uncle, not to mention he was exhausted and not up for cooking tonight himself.
“Come on. Let’s get the stuff for the tea party.” Brianna grabbed Grace’s hand and yanked her from the room.
“Those two are like sisters.”
Erin’s words echoed his thoughts. While not having another baby with Bethany had been the right decision, he regretted that Grace was an only child. While he realized he could rectify that situation since his divorce, he’d never pictured it happening.
“I’m glad they’re so close,” he said before he drained his soda, reconsidering his thoughts from a moment ago. He’d never pictured it happening with the women he’d dated since his ex-wife, however, he had no trouble picturing it when he thought of Jessie. He didn’t doubt for a moment she’d make an excellent mother.
With that thought, Mack headed to get another soda. It was too soon to be thinking of Jessie in those terms. Even still, now that the thought had materialized, he couldn’t shake it. In fact, the thought stayed with him all through dinner and all the way home.
Chapter 8
Although he would’ve preferred that his ex-wife pick Grace up on Saturday morning rather than Friday night, Mack had agreed Grace would be ready for five o’clock. In order to make sure that happened, he’d helped Grace pack her overnight bag the night before and arranged to leave work early that night.
Now, as they waited for Bethany, he wished he’d pushed for Grace to leave in the morning instead. He’d seen his daughter before the bus came, and so far, about fifteen minutes tonight. Then he wouldn’t see her again until late Sunday afternoon. While it wasn’t that much time calendar-wise, it always felt like a lifetime when Grace spent weekends with her mom. Oddly, it didn’t feel as long when she spent weekends with his parents. He was no shrink, but he suspected his feelings toward Bethany these days influenced his emotions in that regard. Despite how he felt about his ex now, she was Grace’s mother and she had the right to see her. Thankfully, she didn’t do that on a regular basis.
“Can I take Mr. Whiskers and Brown Bear?” Grace asked while they waited for Bethany.
As long as she had Mr. Whiskers, she’d be fine. The stuffed dog had been her favorite toy since her first birthday, but he saw no harm in letting her take a long more than one friend.
“Fine with me. You better hurry upstairs and get him. Your mom will be here any minute.” He may have issues with many of Bethany’s traits, but she was punctual. And if she was running late, she called.
Grace jumped up. “Be right back.” Like a bullet train, she flew up the stairs. Before she made it back down, the doorbell rang.
Right on time.
Bethany never wanted anyone to see her as anything less than perfect. Today wasn’t any different. Her blonde hair hung loose, each curl arranged just so. Her make up appeared perfect, not too much but just enough. Although she wore jeans today, they looked brand new and he’d bet a whole paycheck they had a designer label on them.
“Bethany, come in.” He stepped back. Yeah, his ex-wife looked just as beautiful today as the day he’d met her eight years ago, but unlike that day, not an ounce of attraction filled him. “Grace ran upstairs for Brown Bear.” While he didn’t intend to be rude, he didn’t ask her to sit either. He’d told Jessie to stop by whenever tonight and he wanted Bethany gone before that so they could enjoy their time together.
“I’m not in a rush. We’re only staying in Boston this weekend, so it won’t take long to get there.”
Since she’d accepted her new position with a major television network, she’d moved to New York City. To help cut out the long commute when she visited Grace, she sometimes got a room in Boston and they stayed there all weekend.
“Grace will love that. She thinks sleeping in a hotel is cool.” Perhaps he had at her age, too. He couldn’t remember. Now, though, he found it more of an annoyance.
Bethany moved toward the stairs. “Tomorrow, I’m going to take her to the children’s museum. It has a special exhibit I think she’ll like.” She started up the stairs as if she lived there. “I’ll check and see if she needs any help.”
More than likely, either Grace couldn’t find Brown Bear or she’d gotten distracted with something else. Either way, he didn’t stop Bethany. Grace would want her mom to see her new room before they left.
As his ex disappeared from view, the doorbell rang again. Damn. He’d hoped to avoid Jessie meeting his ex-wife tonight. Why, he didn’t know, but the idea of Bethany and Jessie in the same room made him uncomfortable. Even with the unease, Mack opened the door and placed a quick kiss on Jessie’s lips when she walked in. He’d seen her on Wednesday and they’d talked for a few minutes the night before, but he’d missed her. For a good portion of the day, he’d tossed around ideas for the weekend. So far, nothing had jumped out at him.