Hometown Love (Love on the North Shore #2)(45)
While Grace and Brianna sat on a bench in the center, Mack and Jessie picked a bench alongside the outer wall. From that position, they could keep an eye on the girls and enjoy the scenery. “I do like anything that contains peanut butter, but my favorite is Butter Pecan. Unless it’s in a sundae; then my favorite is plain chocolate smothered with hot fudge and nuts.”
“Can we get sundaes?” Grace asked, her conversation with her cousin put on hold.
Jessie hadn’t considered that Grace or Brianna might hear her. They’d appeared too wrapped up in each other. “Sorry.”
Mack considered the request. “You two can. I’m going to pass today and hold out for apple pie.”
“I think I’ll do the same.”
Neither girl cared what the adults did. Instead, they began to discuss what candy toppings they wanted.
***
An under-stuffed scarecrow dressed in a denim shirt and jeans sat propped against the front tree. Next to it, sat a much smaller scarecrow, this one dressed in a long-sleeved princess shirt and leggings. Jessie had helped Mack and Grace make both scarecrows the prior weekend. Since then, Mack had added black plastic bats and cobwebs to the tree and tied some corn stalks to the front light post. Perhaps because of its proximity to Salem, Halloween had always been a big deal around town and people started with their decorations the month before. Although she considered the whole thing a bit ridiculous, the decorations did add to the fall atmosphere.
“I don’t know what you need for an apple pie, but if I don’t have it, I can run over to the store.” Mack opened the door to the house. “Feel free to check.”
Jessie preceded him into the kitchen. Except for two cereal bowls in the sink, the room appeared as neat and clean as her kitchen. In fact, Mack’s entire house looked tidy. Sure, Grace’s toys remained around the place, but she’d never seen mountains of dirty dishes or clothes hanging around. She wondered how he managed it all. He never complained, but she imagined life as a single dad could become overwhelming, especially considering the stress of his job. Not only did he not complain, he made it look easy.
“We don’t need much.” Jessie opened the cupboard where she’d seen Mack grab spices the last time he’d grilled. “Thank you again for taking me today. I had a lot of fun.”
Mack came around and stood alongside her as she hunted for cinnamon. “Neither of us wanted it any other way. Grace told me to invite you before I even mentioned it to her. She’s crazy about you.”
What about you? “She’s a fantastic little girl. You do a wonderful job with her.” After she located the spices she needed, she grabbed the flour and sugar, adding them to the collection on the counter. “Just need butter and water and I can get some pies started.”
“I’ll grab the butter from the refrigerator for you and then get dinner going.” Mack pushed away from the counter.
Jessie cored and cut up apples while Mack prepared chicken kabobs for the grill. Every so often, he’d grab something else from the refrigerator and each time he passed by her, he’d kiss her.
I could get used to this. With no trouble, she pictured them preparing meals like this all the time with Grace keeping them company. “I picked up a gift for the wedding.”
Next to her, Mack washed and dried his hands, eight kabobs finished. “Great. I still need to take Grace shopping for a dress.”
She’d not considered that Grace might come to the wedding, but since everyone in town planned to go, that left few babysitters available. “I need to get something myself.” Since she’d lost weight, she’d purchased one nice sleeveless dress. While it had been perfect for Mrs. O’Brien’s engagement party, it wouldn’t do for an October wedding. “I can take Grace with me if you want. Save you a trip to the mall.”
“You’re amazing, you know that?” His hands slid around her waist and he pulled her against him. “And that’s why I love you.”
The measuring cup filled with flour hit the counter and Jessie stopped breathing.
“You’re as stiff as a board. Are you okay?”
Mack would never say something he didn’t mean. Still, she had trouble comprehending his words. Words that she herself had wanted to say but had held back. “You love me?” She should express her own feelings. That was what people did in a situation like this. First, though, she needed to be sure she’d heard him right. That she hadn’t imagined it.
“You sound surprised. I thought you would’ve figured that out by now.” He let go of her and came around so that he could see her face.
Time for some truth of my own. “No, I hadn’t figured it out, but I love you and Grace, too.”
He gave her a smile alive with affection and delight. “I’m glad. You had me worried for a minute there.” Dipping his head, he pressed a light kiss on her mouth. “I’m going to put dinner on the grill. Be right back.”
She watched him walk away and leaned into the counter. Wow. He loved her. She’d known how deep her own feelings went for a while, but she hadn’t seen that coming from him.
She watched him outside by the grill. He deserved to know why she’d forced them to stop the night they’d almost made love. But could she tell him? Would he think less of her because she’d allowed someone else such control of her life? Disgust toward herself still plagued her sometimes when she thought back on that time of her life. Would Mack decide he wanted someone stronger around his daughter? Someone who would help Grace develop self-confidence rather than someone who’d almost let a man destroy her self-esteem and self-worth?