Hometown Love (Love on the North Shore #2)(61)

“The sooner you go the sooner you’ll be back.”

“How did you know what I was thinking?”

“I know that expression and how you think,” Jessie answered.

With an angry jerk, he picked up his own clothes. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Are you sure you don’t mind me picking her up? I’m more than happy to call her back and tell her to take a taxi. Trust me she can afford one.” Jessie’s thoughtfulness continued to amaze him even now.

“Really. If I was in Bethany’s position I wouldn’t want to take a taxi. I’ll watch television or something.”



***



Several people sat in the twenty-four hour fast food restaurant near the garage when Mack walked in. Seated near the far door, Bethany stood out and not just because many of the customers were twenty-somethings. Even he wouldn’t deny that she was a beautiful woman. But while many of the men stared at her, drooling and most likely fantasizing about her, he felt nothing. Not a single tingle of desire touched him.


Mack stopped at her table, but didn’t sit down. “I’m going to grab a coffee before we go. Do you want anything?” They had an hour and half drive back and he could use a caffeine boost.

She joined him at the counter, her arm brushing against his. “A diet soda.”

All the way outside, she stayed glued to his side. Every time he moved a few inches away, she closed the gap again.

“Did they say what was wrong with the car?” It would be a long ride back if neither spoke. Since they’d done their usual superficial convo that morning, that didn’t leave much now.

“They said some part needed to be replaced. I don’t remember what they called it. They closed not long after my car got towed in.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder and fluffed it up with her fingers. “Whatever it was they have, but since they were closing, they didn’t have time to work on it until tomorrow.”

The way he saw it, she was lucky the guys worked Sundays. Most garages didn’t. “Did you call a hotel already? If not, there are a few in Salem.” He closed his door and started the car up.

The streetlights provided some illumination—not a lot, but enough to see her face. “I thought maybe I could stay with you and Grace.” The beginnings of a smile tipped the corners of her mouth upward. “It’ll give me a chance to spend more time with her. Then late tomorrow, you can give me a ride back to the garage.”

He did have a spare room he could throw the air mattress in, and he understood her desire to visit with Grace longer. Plus, it would save him the drive into Salem tonight.

“It’ll be like before, with the three of us together.” Her fingers touched his arm and slid down to his hand.

With a jerk, he put his free hand on the steering wheel. “You can stay, but you’ll have to take the air mattress or the couch.”

“An air mattress is fine.” She folded her hands together and didn’t touch him again, but she shot looks at him the entire ride home.

Jessie and Grace sat at the table when he returned home, a glass of milk and a left over cookie from the party in front of each of them.

A knot of emotion clogged his throat at the site.

“Mommy, didn’t you go home?”

“I left, but got stuck, so I’m staying the night with you, and I’ll be here all day tomorrow.”

Grace’s expression stayed the same. “Okay.” She turned her attention to him. “Can I have more milk?”

It didn’t escape him that Grace appeared unaffected by Bethany’s announcement. Grace had always been closer to him, and since the divorce, their bond had only grown stronger. “You need to go back to bed. What are you doing up anyway?”

“She had a bad dream, so we came in here to talk about it.” While Grace hadn’t reacted to Bethany’s announcement, Jessie had. Even now her mouth tightened again as she clenched her glass.

After dropping a kiss on his daughter’s head, he pulled back her chair. “Do you feel better now, buddy?”

When she nodded, he picked her up. “Then back to bed. Who do you want to tuck you in, me or your mom?”

He expected a plea for just a few more minutes, or even a request to stay in his bed because of the bad dream. “Can Jessie put me back?”

Bethany crossed her arms and sent daggers at Jessie.

“If that’s what you want.” He thought she’d say him, but if she wanted Jessie it didn’t bother him.

“She’s getting too attached to Jessica.” Bethany’s voice echoed with jealousy after Jessie and Grace left.

Never in all their years together had Bethany acted jealous. Rather, he’d been the one affected by that emotion a time or two. Not that he was proud to admit it.

“I don’t think they should spend so much time together.”

“Don’t go there, Bethany. I don’t complain when she visits you and is around Harris do I? Or any of the other men you’ve dated.”

Bethany’s facial expression faltered, and he caught a glimpse of disappointment.

“We’re not together anymore. He moved out last month.” Her calm collected mask slid back into place. “Besides, that is different. She never acted like he was her father. She treats Jessie as if she’s her mother.” Despite the calm fa?ade her voice leaked the anger she carried. “I’m her mother.”