Hometown Love (Love on the North Shore #2)(69)

She skipped the pleasantries. “I found her. We’re at the store.”

“Why the— I’ll be right there.” The line went dead.

“Your dad is on his way.” Jessie looked at Grace who sat with her shoulders slumped and tears on her cheeks. “Do you want to tell me why you left without telling anyone? You know better than that.” She knelt down and took Grace’s hands in hers.

Grace’s large sad eyes met hers and she wanted nothing more than to hug her again. “Last night, Mommy said she was going to ask Daddy to move to New York with her. She said she wants us to live together like before.”

Jessie bit down on her lip and said, “That doesn’t mean you’ll move.”

“I saw them kissing this morning, and they were sitting really close at the picnic.”

She’d seen them sitting close, too, but she’d chalked that up to Bethany’s behavior rather than something Mack wanted. The kiss… How did she explain that one? And this wouldn’t be the first time. The image of the last kiss she’d witnessed was burned into her memories.

Grace’s bottom lip quivered. Right now she had to focus on Grace. Everything else could wait. “Don’t you want things to be like before?” In her experience, most children wanted their parents together.

Grace shook her head. “I like it here. If we move, I won’t see Grammy and Grampa or Brianna or you. I want Daddy to stay here and be with you.”

Jessie wanted the same thing, but if Mack wanted his ex-wife back, she wouldn’t stand in the way. Grace deserved to have a traditional home with two parents who loved her. Something Jessie had always longed for growing up.

The office door flew open, and Mack rushed into the room. Without a word, he picked Grace up and hugged her as a few tears slid down his cheeks. “Why did you leave? You know never to go anywhere alone.” He didn’t release Grace as he spoke.

Before Grace said a word, Bethany arrived, her eyes red, and black mascara streaking down her face. “Maybe we should take her home and talk there.” Bethany kissed the little girl.

Deciding they needed some privacy no matter what, Jessie stepped out of the office. She’d talk with Mack later about what Grace had said. Right now, they needed some private family time, and while she hated to admit it, Mack and Grace were not her family.

“You holding up okay?” her grandfather asked. He’d left the office when she’d arrived and now stood near the back counter where they always kept coffee for the regular customers.

A turbulent stream of fear, relief, and anger still swirled around in her body. So far, she’d held it together, but not well enough to share anything with her grandfather. “I’m fine.” Or at least, maybe she would be once she could talk to Mack and get some answers. That, of course, assumed she liked the answers she received. Grace wouldn’t make up what she’d told her, but she might have misunderstood. And of course, Jessie didn’t know what Mack’s reply had been. Grace also wouldn’t have lied about them kissing. After all, why would a six-year-old make something like that up? It could mean nothing.

Maybe Bethany had come on to him again. Jessie could see her doing that. Yet, it had now happened twice. That, combined with how close they’d been at the picnic when she’d first arrived, made her now doubt Mack’s explanation the morning she’d caught them kissing. True, she had seen him put space between them, but who knew what prompted that move?

“Why don’t you go with Mack and help him sort things out with his little girl?” Her grandfather interrupted her thoughts. “I can stay here until Ty gets here.”

Her emotional side said Great idea. Her logical self said No. Grace had her mom and dad, and right now, that was who she needed, not a third wheel. “Mack needs some time alone with Grace. But if you’re sure, I’ll head home.”

Farther down, the office door opened. Bethany exited first, followed by Mack who carried Grace. For a moment, Jessie thought they were just going to leave, but then Mack headed for her while Bethany waited.

“I’m taking her home. Maybe she’ll talk to me then. I’ll call you later tonight.” He sounded both worried and exasperated, which had her assuming Grace hadn’t said much.

A pang of jealousy sliced through her. Bethany was returning home with him and Grace, but he hadn’t asked her along. Jessie knew she shouldn’t be jealous. Bethany was Grace’s mother, but it sill hurt that Mack hadn’t asked her to come home with them. “I’m going home, too.” She squeezed Mack’s forearm. “Talk to you later.”


He took a step closer and placed a quick peck on her lips. Then he followed Bethany out.



Not a soul spoke on the short drive from the hardware store to the house. So far, Grace hadn’t answered any of his questions. While he wanted to push to get some answers and then fix whatever the problem was, he managed to keep his trap shut. Whatever the problem, it had to be substantial. Grace, like any other little girl, had temper tantrums and the occasional bad day, but she normally wouldn’t outright disobey him like she had today. He prayed she never did again. He’d never experienced fear like he had today. Even now, with Grace in the back seat, his hands trembled and his heart was up in his throat. When Jessie had called and told him she was with Grace, he’d almost cried.

“Come on, buddy.” Mack lifted Grace out of the car. She’d stopped crying, but still looked sadder than he’d ever seen her. “What do you say I get you some milk and then you can tell us why you ran away today?”