“No, but God kind of frowns on that whole lying thing.”
“True. Which is why I try to avoid it.”
“Who needs the guilt, right?”
“Right.” Head lowered, she looked at him through long lashes. “Will you join me for lunch, then?”
Thinking about the temper tantrum he’d been having all morning, he felt rather childish. Paisley wasn’t afraid to own up to her mistakes, which was a new concept to him. She wasn’t like Shannon. Perhaps one day he’d come to realize that.
“These clouds have kept the heat down today. Would you like to eat on the terrace?”
Shoulders relaxing, she smiled. “I think that sounds delightful. And maybe you can help me come up with some menu ideas for Mackenzie’s party.”
“I can do that.” Food wasn’t a problem for him. However, an entire evening with Paisley could prove he’d bitten off more than he could chew.
Chapter Seven
Paisley asked Crockett to drop Mackenzie off at her house after school on Friday so they could start preparing for Saturday’s party. First on the agenda was a trip to the dollar store for some party favors, decorations and tableware. Then they stopped by the grocery store so Mackenzie could pick out her favorite chips, ice cream and sprinkles before heading back to Paisley’s to start cooking.
After much thought, not to mention input from Crockett, David and Mackenzie’s friends, they’d decided on a menu of hamburger sliders so Crockett could show off his grilling prowess, pizza pinwheels, Paisley’s famous fried mac and cheese balls, chips, carrot sticks and fruit. Or as Paisley liked to call it, a grab-and-go menu. Dessert was handled in a similar fashion, with the exception of the ice cream. But cupcakes and chocolate-covered pretzel rods were always a hit.
“What should we make first?” Mackenzie set the bag from the dollar store on the table.
Stowing the cookies and cream, vanilla and chocolate ice cream in the freezer, Paisley thought for a moment. “Since the macaroni and cheese will have to cook and cool before it can be made into balls, we’ll start with that. Once it’s in the refrigerator, we’ll start on the cupcakes and pretzels.”
“Okay.” Crockett’s daughter moved to the island. “What do you want me to do?”
Paisley closed the freezer. “How about you grate the cheese while I start cooking the macaroni?”
The girl smiled. “Sure.”
After supplying Mackenzie with a cutting board, a grater and the cheese, Paisley put the water on to boil.
“It’s so cool that you and my dad are working on the castle. I can’t wait to see it.”
“Perhaps, now that school is out, your dad can bring you and David by one day.”
“Really?”
“Of course. So long as your father doesn’t mind.”
“Maybe Ashley could bring us.” Mackenzie was a third of the way through the block of sharp cheddar. “She’d probably like to see it, too.”
“Who’s Ashley?” And why did the thought of Crockett having a girlfriend bother Paisley?
“Our nanny. She’s home from college for the summer. She’s cool.”
“Good. I’m glad you like her.” Though the sense of relief flooding through Paisley was enough to make her cringe. “Will you still be working in the training barn?”
“Yeah.” Mackenzie fell quiet for a long moment. “Did you mean what you said about us going shopping in the city?”
“Of course I did. However, you’ll need to save some money first.”
“I know. Maybe I can even do some extra chores to earn more.”
Obviously, the trip meant more to Mackenzie than Paisley anticipated.
Two hours later, the macaroni and cheese was in the refrigerator and the cupcakes were frosted. All they had left to do was dip the pretzel rods. An easy task, though it took some time.
Paisley melted the white chocolate in the microwave then stirred it until it was smooth.
“Want to know my secrets for getting just the right amount of coating on the pretzels?”
Excitement flickered in Mackenzie’s dark eyes. “Yes, please.”
“First, I put the chocolate into one of these.” Paisley held up a slender vase that was almost as tall as the pretzels were long. The sweet scent of vanilla wafted into the air as she poured the white liquid into the container. “Then I place the vase into a glass of hot water to keep the chocolate warm, so it won’t solidify as quickly.”
The girl watched as though taking it all in. “Good idea.”
“Thank you. I thought it was rather clever.” She picked up a pretzel. “Now we dip the pretzel rod into the chocolate.” Or white chocolate in this case. “Leaving an inch or two as the base so we won’t get chocolate all over our fingers when we’re eating it.”
Mackenzie giggled.
“Here’s another one of my secrets.” Paisley grabbed a silicone scraper. “When I pull the pretzel out, I gently tap the bare end of the pretzel, sending the excess chocolate back into the vase.” She tapped it a few times. “Have you got the sprinkles ready?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Mackenzie held up the plastic container of rainbow sprinkles.
“All right. I’ll hold the dipped pretzel over this baking sheet while you add the sprinkles, that way we won’t have sprinkles all over the floor.” While Paisley twisted and turned the pretzel, Makenzie dropped the colorful candies.
“Do you think that’s enough?”
“That’s your call, Mackenzie. There’s no right or wrong here. If it looks good to you, we’ll call it good.”
“Maybe just a little more.”
“Go for it.”
Two shakes later, Paisley said, “Now we’ll set the coated pretzel over here on this parchment paper to dry.” She laid it to one side. “And that’s it. Would you like to do the next one?”
“Can I?”
“Of course.”
“Can I use the milk chocolate?”
“You may.”
Forty-five minutes later, the last pretzel was covered.
Mackenzie set it alongside the others, her eyes sparkling with pride. “They’re so pretty.”
Pretzels covered in rainbow, pink and blue sprinkles stretched across the island.
“Yes, they are. You have a very good eye for color.”
“Thank you for letting me help. I learned a lot. My mom never liked to do stuff like this. She usually just bought stuff that was already made.”
“That’s all right.” Paisley moved the dirty dishes to the sink and rinsed her hands. “Some people don’t like to cook.” Wiping her hands, she turned to see Mackenzie’s smile falter.
“My mom didn’t do much with me. Even when she and Dad were together, she was always gone.”
Paisley couldn’t imagine a mother not wanting to spend time with her children. “Sometimes adults get busy.”
The girl lifted a shoulder. “I don’t think she liked us very much. She really didn’t like my dad. She always yelled at him.”
For the second time today, Paisley cringed. Mackenzie’s belief that her mother didn’t like her broke Paisley’s heart, and the fact that Mackenzie picked up on her mother’s dislike of Crockett spoke volumes.
Paisley set the towel aside. “Do you ever see your mom?”
“It’s been a long time.” The girl met her gaze. “She used to call and promise that we would go and do stuff together, but she’d always cancel.”
“How come?”
“I don’t know. She just always said she couldn’t.”
Paisley’s fists balled at her sides. She would give anything to be able to see Logan again. So how Mackenzie and David’s mother could treat her children with such disregard was incomprehensible. To think that someone could be so selfish was downright sickening. Mackenzie and David deserved better. They deserved to know their
mother loved them without condition. That she was someone they could count on to be there no matter what. That she had their backs. That she wanted them.
A knock sounded at the door.
Her gaze darted across the room to see Crockett and David on the porch.
Mackenzie hurried around the island to let them in. “Come see what we made.”
Crockett’s gaze collided with Paisley’s the moment he walked in and remained there longer than usual. “They’re gorgeous,” he said as Mackenzie showed him the cupcakes and pretzels, though his gaze seemed riveted to Paisley’s.
“Um...” Paisley tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, trying to pretend she didn’t feel the intensity of Crockett’s stare. “There are plenty, so you’re welcome to have one.” She dared a glance at the man. “Excuse me, please.” She darted through the entry hall and onto the front porch where she gasped for air. The sense of protectiveness she felt for Mackenzie and David was overwhelming, and she had to remind herself that they weren’t her children. So how could she take such offense to their mother’s actions?
“Paisley?” Crockett pushed through the screen door, closing the main door behind him. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine. Did Mackenzie do something to upset you?”
She whirled to face him. “How could you think such a thing? Of course she didn’t. She’s as sweet as the day is long. It’s just...” A guttural growl escaped before she could stop it.
“Okay.” Crockett took a step back. “Something’s got you in a tizzy, though. Care to tell me about it?”
“No.” She wouldn’t break Mackenzie’s confidence. “However, I will tell you this. You have been given two beautiful, amazingly wonderful children. Gifts from God that should be cherished beyond measure.”
Hands clasped, he looked the epitome of calm while her insides were flailing like a rag doll. “You’ll get no argument from me.”
His words stopped her cold. She looked into his dark eyes that were so like Mackenzie’s. He was a good father, one who put his children’s needs above his own. One who was doing his best to see to it that Mackenzie and David had the best life possible despite their mother’s betrayal. Something Paisley would do well to remember.
She sucked in a long breath and willed herself to calm down. “Good. As long as you’re aware.”
One thing was for certain, though. She would take Mackenzie shopping in the city. And Paisley would make certain she knew just how important she was.
* * *
The following afternoon, Crockett stood at the wall of windows that overlooked the pool at his place, watching Mac add decorations to the bright pink plastic tablecloth covering the long folding table that was to hold the party food. It had been a while since he’d seen his daughter so happy. As soon as she’d bounded out of bed this morning, she started cleaning and arranging, wanting everything to be just right. This party was important to her; therefore, it was important to him. But without Paisley, it wouldn’t have happened at all. He owed her. Big-time. Even if he wasn’t sure what that might look like.
On the ride home last night, his daughter had gone on and on about her time with Paisley, about how she’d taught Mac how to make the pretzels and swirl the icing on the cupcakes. Mac not only ate up the attention but enjoyed learning how to do things mothers and daughters typically did together, things he’d never be able to teach her.
He took a swig of his ice tea, still wondering what had Paisley so wound up last night. What made her want to escape and rush outside? She wasn’t upset with Mac, so what was it? Had he done something?
No, he would have heard about it if he had. Whatever it was, she wasn’t willing to open up. He just hoped she was in a better mood today.
Taking in the view from his hilltop perch, his gaze rolled beyond the pasture where horses grazed, and over the treetops. Before he knew it, he found himself frowning. Those dark clouds in the distance had better stay there. After all the planning and preparation Mac and Paisley had done for this party—not to mention how badly Mac had wanted this party in the first place—he’d hate to see it ruined.
He checked his watch, noting that it was almost four. The party started at five. Paisley should be here by now. She wouldn’t stand Mac up, would she?
No, not after all they’d done yesterday. Of course, she’d sent most of the food home with them last night.
Mac’s own mother repeatedly made promises she had no intention of keeping.
Except Paisley wasn’t Shannon.
He couldn’t ignore the growing relationship between Mac and Paisley, though. It was good for his daughter to have female role models in her life, right? And from what he could tell, Paisley was a strong, Godly woman, which would make her a good candidate. Still, what if she were to disappoint Mac?
When four fifteen rolled around and Paisley still wasn’t there, his anxiety got the best of him. He pulled his phone from the pocket of his shorts and dialed her number, but it went straight to voice mail.
The doorbell rang as he was tucking the phone into his pocket. Lord, please let it be Paisley. His long strides devoured the distance to the door. He jerked it open.
“Finally.” He reached for the stack of foil pans in her arms. “What took you so long?”
Wearing white shorts and a blue tank top, she looked at him curiously before returning to the open hatch of her SUV. “I texted Mackenzie to let her know the mac and cheese balls were taking longer to fry than I expected.” Holding a plastic container of cupcakes in one hand, she pressed a button to close the hatch with her other before returning to the house. “Didn’t she tell you?”
“No.” He closed the door behind her. “I wasn’t aware you had her number.”
Paisley continued into the kitchen, glancing over her shoulder. “We exchanged them yesterday. I wanted her to be able to contact me if she had any problems or questions.” Depositing the cupcakes on the counter, she explained, “When I realized I was going to be late, I sent her instructions of what to do until I arrived.”
Yet his knee-jerk reaction had been to think the worst. “Where should I put these?” He gestured to the pans.
“In the oven please. Two hundred degrees should be fine.”
“You’re here.” A beaming Mac closed the patio door as she entered, then scurried toward Paisley.
“Of course, I am, darlin’.” She embraced his daughter. “Now let’s finish getting ready for this party before your guests arrive.” They headed outside and set to work putting out decorations, party favors, plates and napkins. Paisley even added an inflatable palm tree to the pool.
“Whoa! That looks cool.”
Crockett looked down from the window to find David standing beside him. “What brings you out of your dungeon? The smell of food?”
“I heard the doorbell and wanted to see if it was Ms. Paisley.” His son was every bit as smitten with her as Mac was, and Paisley never failed to include him.
Mac and Paisley came back inside.
“David.” Paisley gave him a hug. “Come with me. I need your help.” In the kitchen, she opened the container that held the cupcakes. “Would you please sample one of these chocolate cupcakes and tell me if they’re all right.”
His blue eyes went wide. “Sure.” He grabbed one.
“But we made strawberry,” Mac said.
“We did. But there are a lot of chocolate lovers out there, so I made these this morning. Wouldn’t want anyone to leave disappointed, right, David?” She sent the boy a wink as he took a big bite.
By five ten, all seven of Mac’s guests had arrived and by five twenty they were all in the pool.
A smiling Paisley stood beside him. “They’re having so much fun.”
“Yes, they are. Thanks to you.”
She peered up at him.
“Mac wo
uldn’t have had a party at all if it wasn’t for you.”
Pink tinged her cheeks. “Trust me, the pleasure’s all mine.”
“Perhaps. But I just want you to know how much I appreciate everything you’ve done to make this happen.”
Tilting her head, she watched him for a moment, making him wonder if she was questioning his sincerity. “You’re welcome.”
“I am a bit concerned, though.”
“About what?”
He pointed beyond the pool. “Those clouds are getting closer. If I hear thunder, the girls are out of the pool. But what do we do then? They’re here until eight o’clock, and there’s only so much they can eat.”
Paisley’s gaze moved from him to the clouds and back. “Hmm. Let me think. Or maybe I’ll just pray those clouds go the other way.”
“And if they don’t?”
“I said I’m thinking.”
Crockett had just put the burgers on the grill when thunder rumbled, and lightning flickered across the sky. He let go a loud whistle to get the girls’ attention. “Everyone out of the pool.”
“But, Dad.”
“No buts, Mac. There’s lightning.”
God punctuated his words with another flash.
“Aw, man,” his daughter grumbled.
Crockett and Paisley hurried to move the food table into the house. Fortunately, there was no food on it yet.
By the time the rain began to pour, Mac and her friends were gathered around the kitchen table, eating and chatting as only young girls could.
Crockett leaned toward Paisley at the kitchen island. “What do we do when they’re done eating?”
“Do you have any extra toilet paper?”
He couldn’t help but laugh. “That was nowhere near what I was expecting you to say. You’re joking, right?”
“Not at all. I have an idea, but I need to know what you have in the way of toilet paper.” She bit into a mac and cheese ball.
“I don’t know. I buy it at the warehouse place, so it comes in a huge package. I probably have one unopened.”
“Wonderful. I need at least eight rolls.” She popped the remaining bite into her mouth.
A Future to Fight For Page 9
