Hometown Love (Love on the North Shore #2)(66)

“This week might be tight, but I’ll try. If not, the week after.” Mack became silent and his brows dipped.

“What’s the matter?”

Mack shook his head. “Nothing. Just thinking. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a real conversation with your father. I know I haven’t seen him since I moved back.”

Jessie flopped down onto her pillow. “Trust me, he knows all about you and Grace. Mrs. Mitchell has filled him in— including how many times I’ve spent the night.”

“That woman needs a hobby.”

She agreed one hundred percent. “She does have hobbies, but unfortunately, gossiping tops the list.”



***



Preparations for the annual elementary school family picnic were underway when Jessie drove by the Town Common Saturday morning. The two big bounce houses rented by the PTA were spread out on the grass, ready to be inflated. Folding tables decorated with streamers and balloons sat in front of the bandstand. Later, the tables would hold the various gift baskets donated for the afternoon raffle. Inside the bandstand, a local DJ who specialized in children’s events set up his equipment. All in all, the entire Common looked like it did every year for this event. In the past, though, she’d had no interest in attending. This year, she’d like nothing more than to join the other families alongside Mack and Grace.

Instead, she’d be at the hardware store all day, mixing paint and selling plywood while Bethany went with them.

She ground her teeth at the thought of Bethany by Mack’s side all day. If she believed Bethany would leave him alone and not flirt with him, she’d be fine with the arrangement. Okay, maybe not fine, but better about it.

But after Bethany’s warning and behavior the weekend before, she didn’t trust the woman for a nanosecond. Mack insisted Bethany would grow bored soon and move on. He didn’t know that she’d told Jessie to get lost. Jessie had considered telling him, but decided against it. Doing so wouldn’t accomplish anything but damage the civil relationship he and Bethany had now, which, in turn, would hurt Grace.


He’s not interested in her. He’d both told her and shown her that. Until he did otherwise, she’d trust him around his ex-wife as well as any other women even if it killed her.

The morning dragged on. Although a steady stream of customers came and went as they purchased what they needed for their late fall projects, the clock moved in slow motion with no end in sight. Jessie knew it was all in her imagination, but the feeling remained as she glanced at her watch.

“Don’t smile too much.” Sean dropped two cans of paint onto the counter, and then Taylor added two more.

“Hi, Sean. Sorry. My mind’s somewhere else.”

“I got that. You okay?” Even though she was now an adult, Sean still treated her like a kid sister. She’d never tell him so, but she loved him for it. As an only child who’d spent much of her time with her grandparents, she’d loved how Charlie and her brother treated her as more than just a friend.

“Fine. It’s such a nice day that I’d rather be outside.” In between Mack and Bethany. “Is this for the new master suite?”

Sean shook his head. “This is for Taylor’s room.”

That made more sense considering one can of paint was red and another purple while the other two were primer. She’d noticed that Taylor had been around town more and more. Since she now had her own room at Sean’s house, she assumed that meant their brother-sister relationship was developing nicely despite Sean’s past with his father.

“If you have time, could you help me with something?”

Never in her life had Sean asked her for a favor. Come to think of it, he rarely asked anyone for a favor.

“Of course.” She rang up his purchase as they spoke.

Sean pulled his wallet from his pocket. “I want to surprise Mia when she comes back. Could you help with some decorating? Nothing crazy, but you know, pick out curtains, get a few rugs. Add some feminine touches.”

Ideas formed as she tried to envision what Sean and Mia might like. She loved decorating and changing rooms around. “Sure. When will Mia be home?”

“Thanksgiving.”

That gave her a few weeks. “Do you want me to pick out what I like or do you want to come shopping with me?”

Something akin to horror spread across Sean’s face and Taylor laughed. “Pick out what you like and I’ll pay you for it. I trust you.”

“But not me?” Taylor asked, sounding a little hurt.

“Everything you picked out for your room is either purple or red, including the wall paint. I don’t think Mia wants an entire house done in those two colors.” When the hurt didn’t disappear from his sister’s face, he dropped an arm over her shoulders, and pulled her closer. “You can help with something else, okay?”

The younger girl’s expression brightened and Jessie saw the relief on Sean’s face.

“Jessica Quinn why didn’t you tell me you had to work today?” A gruff voice called out.

Both Jessie and Sean turned and watched her grandfather approach the register. Since she never ran her schedule past her grandfather, she didn’t know what to say.

“Sean, good to see you. This must be your sister. Nice to meet you.” He clapped Sean on the back and then came around the counter.