by Mary Manners
“Yes sir, Daddy.”
“See you…later, Mattie.” Tyler longed to draw her into his arms and kiss her, to apologize for his rash and oh-so-selfish behavior. He should beg her forgiveness, even if it was too late for them to share anything more. Instead, he jammed his hands in his pockets and slipped through the entrance door. The jangle of the overhead bell rattled his nerves as warm air carried all the sweet scents and promises of spring. New life sprang up around him, yet he felt dead inside.
There was no denying…he missed Mattie’s touch, her gentle laughter and strong, determined faith.
What have I done, he wondered as the Sweet Treats door swung open behind him and Jessie’s giggles mingled with Mattie’s as they hugged once more and said their goodbyes. What have I lost?
11
Tyler stumbled to the kitchen and pressed the start button on the coffeemaker. The machine gurgled and sputtered, and the rich aroma of coffee filled the room.
“Hurry up, Jess,” he called as he reached into the cabinet above the sink for a coffee mug. “Your breakfast will get cold.”
“I’m coming, Daddy.”
A waffle popped from the toaster and Tyler grabbed it and tossed it onto a plate, then blew on his scorched fingers. He added a pat of butter and a splash of maple syrup and set it on the table along with a glass of milk. Jessie’s footsteps slapped the stairs, and she bolted through the doorway.
“Are you gonna wear your jacket today, Daddy?” she asked as she slipped into her chair at the table.
“Yes. Why?”
“’Cause I have a special delivery for you.” She slipped a folded piece of paper into the pocket of the rain jacket he’d draped over the back of his chair.
“Thanks.” He’d never grow tired of her notes. He imagined the day would come—sooner than he cared to guess—that she’d prefer to write notes to the boys in her class instead of to him. “Eat your waffle.”
“Yes sir, Daddy.” She tipped her glass for a sip of milk, and then picked up her fork. Tyler grinned at the milk moustache that clung to her upper lip, and then poured himself a cup of coffee. It wasn’t as good as the hazelnut-vanilla Mattie brewed at Sweet Treats, but the caffeine still supplied a much-needed jolt.
“Did you feed Nibbles?” Tyler asked as he dumped two heaping spoonfuls of sugar into his mug and stirred.
“Uh-huh.”
“And you put your reading book in your backpack?” A splash of cream would make the muddy brew more palatable.
“Yes, Daddy.” She stuffed a bite of waffle into her mouth and gazed at him. “Guess what, Daddy?”
“What?”
She dipped her head back and grinned, milk moustache and all. “I love you, that’s what.”
Tyler’s heart melted, right there in the kitchen. “I love you, too, honey.”
He forgot all about the note Jessie had tucked into his jacket until much later that day, when he slipped his hand in the pocket as he left the fire hall after work.
He unfolded the slip of paper carefully and scanned Jessie’s familiar scrawl. The note was short and to the point, and the innocent words took his breath away.
Dear Daddy,
Can Mattie be my new Mommy? I love her, Daddy. Do you love her, too?
Your Doughter,
Jessie Jacobs (almost 7 ½)
****
Mattie stirred melted chocolate with one hand as she dipped small mint squares with the other and set them on a platter to cool. She hummed softly, though her heart felt heavy. How much time would pass before she’d see Tyler—and Jessie—again?
“I’m heading out to pick up Adam and the twins,” Grace said as she slipped out of her apron. “Will you be OK here alone?”
“Sure. Kate should be here soon. She’s coming by to make a batch of kisses for the Town Council meeting.”
“That’s right. OK, then.” Grace nodded and tugged on a cotton sweater. “Call me if you need anything.”
Her footsteps crossed the tile floor of the serving area, and the bell over the door jangled. Then footsteps crossed back.
“Did you forget something, Grace?” Mattie called, but no answer came. She waited a moment, then lowered the heat of the burner beneath the chocolate and started toward the serving area.
“Hey, Mattie.” Tyler rounded the corner.
“Oh!” She pressed a hand to her chest as her heart raced with the shock of seeing him. “How did you get in? I didn’t hear the bell.”
“Met Grace leaving.” He leaned against the doorway. “She let me in. Sorry I frightened you.”
“It’s OK.” Mattie gulped, sucked a breath. “I’ll recover…eventually.”
He grinned. “What are you making?”
“Meltaways. You want one?”
“Yes.” He nodded, and his gaze locked with hers. “I’m sorry, Mattie. I was wrong.”
“What?”
“Don’t make me say it again.” He jammed his hands in his pockets. “It was hard enough the first time.”
“I’m sorry, too.” Mattie removed the chocolate from the burner and went to him. “Tyler, I don’t even know…if I can get pregnant. Maybe it would be a mistake to even try.”
“It’s not a mistake to want something…especially the miracle of new life.” He smoothed a knuckle over her cheek. “But I think we’ve both forgotten the most important thing, the thing that got us through everything—all the hard times—that we’ve both endured.”
“What’s that, Tyler?”
“To lean on God. Some decisions aren’t for us to make, Mattie. I guess I forgot that somewhere along the way.”
“I guess I did, too.”
“All I know is that I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He reached into his pocket and drew out a box. “I know this is sudden, but I don’t want to waste another minute of the time I can spend with you. So, will you marry me, Mattie, and let God take care of the rest?”
“Oh, Tyler, yes.” Mattie went up on her toes and kissed him. “I love you, too. I don’t want to waste another minute, either. I’ve missed you so, and seeing you again yesterday, I knew just what I want the most.”
“Me, too.” He opened the box and took the solitaire from its case. The ring slipped easily onto her finger—a perfect fit.
Laughter erupted from the doorway, where Grace and Kate had gathered. “Oh, Mattie, let me see.” Grace rushed over.
Kate reached for her phone as it chimed a text alert. “That’s Tessa. She’s on her way here to help us celebrate.”
“Looks like we’ll need another cake—and soon,” Grace laughed. “Let’s get right on it, Kate.”
Epilogue
(One Year Later)
Mattie inhaled the sweet scent of lilac as she gathered with her sisters outside Sweet Treats. Easter made its entrance late—almost into May—and flowers bloomed along the boulevard beneath the veil of majestic weeping willows. Across the town square, ripples of water crossed the calm surface of the pond like a cluster of diamonds beneath brilliant sunlight.
Mattie glanced at the solid band of yellow gold that adorned her hand. Tyler had slipped the ring on her finger a year ago, yet sometimes she still felt as if she were dreaming.
“The baby OK?” Tyler tucked a finger beneath the receiving blanket, exposing the pink, cherubic face.
“She’s fine.” Mattie kissed the tiny forehead of their sweet daughter, Ginger. “Still sleeping.”
“Hard to believe she’s already three months old.” Tyler brushed a knuckle across the baby’s cheek, and then glanced up to beam at Mattie. “You make beautiful babies.”
“We make beautiful babies.”
He nodded, and then turned to the street, where Grace, Tessa, and Kate mingled with their husbands and children. “Do you want me to round everyone up?”
“Please. Did you bring the camera?”
“Of course.” He held it up for her inspection, and then turned to call to Jessie. “Round up your cousins, honey. It’s
time to snap an Easter photo.”
The children gathered tallest to smallest, and Mattie marveled at how much they’d grown—especially Adam, who would enter middle school the following fall.
Tyler lifted the camera, squinted as he peered into the viewfinder. “Turn and smile.”
Mattie eased into the picture and drew Jessie close. She lifted the blanket from Ginger’s face. Sunlight spilled across the baby’s plump cheeks, and Mattie could hardly believe the depth of love she felt for the child. The emotion seemed to double by the hour, like rising yeast.
“Great. Say cheese.” A round of shouts ensued as Tyler snapped the photo. He stepped back, checked the digital display and nodded. “Looks good. Now let’s take one of all of us…our first Easter as a family, everyone together.”
“We’ll put it in our new scrapbook, Daddy,” Jessie said. “The one you bought for me yesterday.”
“Yes, we will.” He patted her head, smiling.
“Then we’ll have room for more.”
“More of what, honey?” Mattie asked.
“More wishes to come true.”
“Oh.” Mattie pressed a hand to her mouth as tears filled her eyes. “Oh, my sweet, sweet Jessie. I love you so.”
“I love you, too, Mama.”
Tyler’s gaze locked with Mattie’s. He nodded slightly and then kissed each of them before turning back to the others. “I’ll set the camera on auto. Gather in.”
He adjusted the tripod and then rushed back to join them, placing his arm around Mattie’s waist. He leaned in for a kiss as the shutter snapped, then murmured into her ear. “Perfect.”
Mattie turned to Tessa. “How’s that touch of flu you’ve been battling…any better?”
“No.” Tessa grinned. “But it should ease up in about…eight more months.”
“Oh, Tessa, really?” Grace leaned in for a hug. “Me, too!
“Oh, my!” A hand flew to cover Kate’s mouth. “Both of you? But that can’t be, because I’m…”
“Pregnant, too?” Mattie finished. “Wow, I mean…”
All three turned to Mattie, who placed a protective hand over her belly. They’d teased her relentlessly…the eldest of all, whom they’d thought would have the most difficulty conceiving, had returned from her honeymoon carrying their precious baby Ginger.
“I don’t know for sure…maybe…” Yet in her heart, Mattie knew to be true what the doctor was sure to confirm…
The family she and Tyler loved was about to grow again. Their blessings were many…and oh, so wonderful.
Don’t miss the other
Sweet Treats Bakery stories
AVAILABLE NOW
Kate’s Kisses
Grace’s Gold
Tessa’s Teacakes
COMING SOON!
Lone Creek Ranch Series
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