Hometown Love (Love on the North Shore #2)(74)

With her assistant manager opening the store, she could stop in for a box of her grandfather’s favorite lemon pastries. She had a meeting in ten minutes with the owners of The Hair Cottage, one of the businesses she did bookkeeping for. After that, she’d promised to visit with her grandparents, something she hadn’t done in a while.

Heading for the long line at the counter, she spotted Sean with Tony and Striker seated together. Not an uncommon sight. All three men lived alone, though that would be changing soon for Sean, and they often met up for breakfast.

“Hey, Jessie,” Tony said when she paused at their table. “You just missed Mack.”

“I’ll see him later. Does it sound louder than usual in here today or is it me?”

“Everyone’s talking about Gage. You heard the news, right?” Striker, the only one without a mouthful of food, answered.

She had from Maryann. While she’d been expecting Maryann to tell her she’d gotten engaged, instead she’d told her how Gage and his band had been offered a recording contract by a big time music company. “Maryann said they were waiting to tell everyone.”

“Someone let it slip,” Sean answered.

“Maryann told me it wouldn’t have happened without Mia’s help.”

Sean shrugged. “She got the representative out here, but that’s it. If he hadn’t liked the music, they wouldn’t have gotten the offer.”

She thought Sean downplayed Mia’s role, but that was Sean.


“While you guys gossip, I have work.” Striker stood, taking his coffee with him. “See you all at Liam’s house-warming party tonight.”

“Not me. I’m flying out to see Mia this afternoon.”

“Saturday is movie night with Mack and his daughter.”

“You in Bates? I heard that the blonde you’ve been hot for will be there.”

“Who is she this time? The secretary from the town hall you told me about or the new bartender at Masterson’s that was hitting on you?” Sean asked.

“Neither. Besides, I’m seeing someone.”

Jessie hoped the unknown woman didn’t expect anything long-term. In every other aspect of his life, Tony was a great guy. He worked hard, and helped out his friends and family whenever they asked, including coaching a little league baseball team when his brother in-law needed an assistant coach. When it came to women, though, he drifted from one to the next. He’d been like that for as long as she remembered, and at this point, she assumed he’d never change.

“I’ll see you guys later. Tell Mia I said hello,” Jessie said before she joined the line.

The meeting with Tina, The Hair Cottage’s owner and manager, was brief, and although she couldn’t wait to spend time with Grace and Mack, Jessie found herself looking forward to her visit with her grandparents. They’d played a key role in her life, and since moving into her own place, she’d visited them several times a week until Mack entered her life. While she loved the new road her life had turned down, she missed them.

The smell of fresh-baked pumpkin pie filled the old farmhouse. One of her favorite desserts, she hoped her grandmother had baked more than one; otherwise she’d likely not get a slice to take home. In addition to being her favorite, it also ranked number one on her grandfather’s list.

“Don’t tell your grandfather, but I baked a pie for you to take with you. I thought maybe you and Mack could enjoy it together,” he grandmother said as she gave her a hug. “I hoped he and Grace would be with you today.” Her grandmother accepted the bakery box, but before she put it down, her grandfather entered, swiping the box from her hands.

“I’ll take those.” He walked away remarkably fast considering he used a cane.

“Those are for after lunch.”

Her grandfather ignored his wife and kept on walking.

“That man is impossible,” her grandmother grumbled with an affectionate smile, which caused Jessie to smile as well.

Even after more than fifty years of marriage, her grandparents still adored each other. The long lasting love and devotion they had was what she wanted. For a while, she’d given up hope of ever finding it, but now, thanks to Mack, she’d changed her mind.

“Do you mind grabbing the sandwiches, Jessie?” A plate covered with roast beef sandwiches sat next to the stove where a pot of beef barley soup simmered.

Grabbing the plate, she carried it to the dining room table, surprised to see her dad seated with her grandfather since her dad worked most Saturdays. But she was glad he had today off. She’d canceled her last father-daughter meal because she’d wanted to be left alone.

“Did you and Mack sort out whatever problem you had?”

She choked on her water when her father asked his question. She’d expect that question from her grandmother not her father. “Why do you think there was a problem?” She wiped the water she’d spilled off her chin.

“I drive by that house at least twice a day. Before this past week, your car was there almost every day. It hasn’t been there all week.”

She’d never guessed her dad was that observant. “Everything’s fine, Dad. I just had a crazy week.”

“Good, because I want some grandchildren.”

Someone had turned the world upside down; that was the only explanation for her father’s comments. “We’ve only been together a few months, Dad.” Even before her father’s off-the-wall comment, she’d envisioned herself with a baby who looked a lot like Mack.