Daddy Patrol

by Sharon De Vita

  He burst out laughing, then hugged her closer, pressing kisses atop her head. “Not any good?” He laughed. “Mattie, if you’d have been any better, you’d have probably killed me.” He kissed her again, then sighed deeply in contentment, crossing his ankles.

  “It’s never been like this before, Joe.” She toyed with the hair on his chest. “Not with anyone.” She tilted her head so she could see his face, then smiled. “I never knew it could be like this.” She was far too embarrassed to tell him she’d never been with anyone but Gary, and even then it had been a rather rushed, ridiculous affair.

  “It’s never been like that for me, either, Mattie.” Joe smiled at her. “Not with anyone else, either.” He stroked a hand down her hair, still a bit dazed and thoroughly delighted. “It was…incredible.”

  “Joe—”

  “You’re worrying, again, Mattie,” he said with a knowing smile. “I can see it by your eyebrows. Tell me, what are you worrying about now?”

  She hesitated for a moment, then a seductively feminine smile slid across her face as she lifted herself to slide the length of his body. His eyes widened in surprise, but he adjusted himself. Quickly.

  She slid her fingers through his hair, lifting the back of his head so she could reach his mouth. “I was just worried that maybe you wouldn’t want to do this again.” Laughing, she pressed her mouth to his, lapping gently at the corners with her tongue.

  Desire hit him hard and fast again, making him reach for her as she began to undulate on top of him.

  “Uh…Mattie,” he all but moaned, his eyes almost sliding back in his head at the teasing pleasure radiating through him. “I’d say you’ve got nothing…to worry about.”

  “No?” She lifted herself and then gently, slowly, impaled herself on top of him. When his breath caught, she smiled and lowered herself still farther on him. “Good.” She pressed her hands to his chest, then slid her fingers to his nipples in a slow, circular motion that caused him to mutter an oath. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”

  Clutching her waist, Joe held on as she slowly began to move up and down. “Mattie?” The word hitched out on a jagged breath.

  “Mmm, yes, Joe?” she murmured, watching him in fascination as the wild flare of desire she felt was reflected in his eyes.

  “At this rate, you just might…kill me,” he all but moaned as she pressed her lips to his neck and began to nibble. “But I can’t think of a better way to go.”

  By Monday, Mattie’s world was back to normal. She was fully recovered from the flu, the boys were back in school and more excited than she’d ever seen them to be starting the last week of this semester. Tomorrow evening was their play, and she and Joe had promised to go over the boys’ lines one more time with them tonight.

  Her aunt had returned from Milwaukee, very excited about the prospects of holding a showing for a new artist she’d discovered. She and Mattie had a meeting set up right after lunch to work out the details.

  Since Mattie was out of school now, and had her mornings free, she’d started going in to the gallery to help Colleen out. With summer going full force, tourists had been arriving in droves, creating a great deal more foot traffic.

  This morning, as she consulted with a buyer about one of Clancy’s paintings—the one he’d been working on for the past few weeks—Mattie kept an eagle eye out the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of Joe.

  They’d spent the rest of Friday together, more in bed than out, she thought with a blush now. And she couldn’t ever remembering having a more wonderful evening.

  Sated and satisfied, about midnight, they realized they were hungry, so they’d warmed up some of the leftovers from all the dinners Gina had sent over. And they’d talked. About everything except the obvious. Their relationship.

  She’d finally explained to him why she’d been avoiding him, shocked when he’d told her he’d been afraid it was because of Johnny and his family. It had hurt, she remembered now, to have him think that of her. So she’d quietly explained that she knew on the day they had visited Johnny that she was in love with him, a day he’d reiterated his intention never to get married. So she’d thought it best to put some distance between them, if only to keep her heart from being broken.

  Her confession seemed to clear the air between them, but they’d both deliberately avoided talking about the future. Or their relationship. Content to just…let it be for now.

  It was enough for her to know he did love her. It would have to be enough, Mattie had rationalized. He’d been honest with her from the beginning, and she would never want to force him into doing something he didn’t want to.

  “How soon can you ship it then?” the buyer asked, bringing Mattie out of her reverie. She shook her head to clear it.

  “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

  He smiled. “How soon can you ship this piece?” He glanced at Clancy’s painting, displayed under soft light on a full easel. “I’d like to have it in and up in time for my wife’s birthday party.”

  “If I ship today, you should have it by the end of the week. No later,” she assured him.

  “That will be fine.” He smiled and extended his hand to her. “I’ll leave the details in your capable hands. It’s been a pleasure.”

  After putting a small Sold sign on the painting, Mattie gathered the paperwork to give to Colleen to handle. She’d take care of the shipping herself, later this afternoon, since she had other pieces to ship as well.

  Mattie had just reached her desk when the bell over the door tinkled. She turned with a smile and froze.

  Standing inside the doorway was Evelyn Maguire, looking very out of place and uncomfortable. Quickly, Mattie glanced around the gallery to see how many patrons were there. The last thing she wanted was a scene in the gallery.

  She rushed forward, hoping to head Evelyn off. The last thing she wanted was to air her family problems in public.

  “Evelyn,” she said, keeping her voice deliberately cool. “I’m surprised to see you.”

  The older woman hesitated, glancing down at her hands, which had a death grip on her purse. “I imagine you are,” she said quietly. She met Mattie’s gaze. “Is there somewhere we can talk?”

  Mattie started to shake her head. “This is my aunt’s place of business, Evelyn. I’d prefer not to cause a scene here. And if I recall, we both said everything we needed to at my house last week.”

  “That…that’s why I’m here, Mattie. Because I think there are a few more things I need to say. I’ve done a lot of thinking since I left your house, and there are some things I simply must say.”

  Realizing the woman wasn’t going to leave until she had her say, and her way, which was par for the course, Mattie sighed, then pointed toward the back of the gallery.

  “There’s a small workroom in the back. It’s empty right now, so we can probably use it for a few minutes.”

  Evelyn nodded, then followed Mattie toward the back of the gallery. “Colleen,” Mattie said, pausing at her desk. “I’ll be in the workroom for a few minutes. Can you handle things until then?”

  Colleen’s gaze went from Evelyn to Mattie, then she grinned brightly. “Sure, Mattie. No problem.”

  Mattie glanced at her watch. “And if Joe comes in to pick me up for lunch, tell him I’ll be right with him.” He was supposed to be here in fifteen minutes and she had no idea how long this was going to take.

  “Will do.”

  Mattie continued toward the back of the gallery, knowing Evelyn was behind her, and knowing, too, that Evelyn had heard her conversation about Joe. But Mattie wasn’t ashamed of her relationship with him, nor was she about to hide it.

  Once inside the workroom, Mattie slid the door closed and turned to face the woman. “You’ve obviously got something on your mind.” She was not in the mood for this today.

  “Mattie, I’ve come to apologize to you.” Evelyn smiled when Mattie’s face registered shock and her mouth all but dropped open. “I know, you probably
never expected to hear those words from my lips.”

  “No, I must admit I didn’t,” Mattie said, still not entirely sure what was going on. Mattie tried not to notice how tired, and suddenly, how very, very old Evelyn looked. Why hadn’t she noticed it before? she wondered, feeling a strong bout of sympathy for the woman.

  “After I left your house, I admit I was angry. Very, very angry.” Evelyn hesitated, licking her lips and glancing away for a moment. “Then I realized exactly what I was so angry about. It wasn’t with you, Mattie. I realize that now. It was just easier to blame someone else than to have to look at my own failings.” Tears spilled slowly down the woman’s cheeks. “All this time, I’ve been trying to avoid taking the blame for my son’s death.” She managed a weak smile. “I knew I’d spoiled Gary. I know that we hadn’t helped him by giving in to him all the time, by giving him all the things he wanted.” She shrugged. “But we loved him so much. He was our miracle. We never thought we’d have a child, and when he came along…” Evelyn’s words trailed off and she sniffled, opening her bag to dig for a handkerchief. “We thought we were doing the right thing by giving him anything and everything he wanted. I realize now that was exactly the wrong thing.” With a wan smile, she wiped her nose, then her eyes. “But sometimes parents don’t realize the truth until it’s too late.”

  “Evelyn, I’m sorry,” Mattie said softly, meaning it. She couldn’t imagine the burden of guilt this woman had to carry, feeling as if she was responsible for her own child’s death. Nor the grief that went along with it. Losing a child was not something any parent should have to go through, nor probably would ever get over.

  “I know you are, Mattie. But you’ve got nothing to be sorry for. You are the only person who’s acted with any integrity or common sense since this whole mess began. Once Gary died, it was like I’d lost everything. I literally almost went mad with grief.” She shook her head, then took a slow, deep breath. “And then when you had the boys…it was like we’d been given a second chance.”

  “But they’re my children,” Mattie reminded her gently.

  “I know.” Evelyn sniffled. “And we certainly didn’t make things any easier for you. Not then. Not now. And I truly am sorry about that.” She hesitated, studying Mattie’s face. “I think you’re a wonderful mother, Mattie. You’re raising your children with rules and goals and discipline so that when they grow up, they’ll be responsible young men, capable of dealing with whatever life hands them.” Her eyes grew sad. “Something that I’m afraid Gary never learned to do.”

  There was nothing for Mattie to say because Evelyn spoke the truth, so she merely stood there, listening.

  “The last thing I want, Mattie, is to lose my grandsons. I don’t know how much time I have left, but I know enough to know that those are the only grandchildren I will ever have and it’s important that Bob and I are a part of their lives.”

  “There’s no reason for you not to be part of the boys’ lives, Evelyn, and I’ve never objected to it—”

  “No, you haven’t, Mattie, even perhaps when you should have. I realize now that what you said was true. I put my own selfishness ahead of the twins, and that’s not right.” She took a slow deep breath. “I’m repeating the same mistakes with my grandsons as I did with my son.” She smiled. “Fortunately, this time I realized it before it was too late. I can’t change what’s happened in the past, but I can apologize to you for it, and promise that it won’t happen in the future.” Evelyn took a step closer to Mattie and reached for her hand. It was the first time in memory, Mattie could remember the woman ever touching her or showing any affection.

  “Mattie,” she began hesitantly, “Bob and I promise not to criticize you or interfere with your life or the boys’ lives…we promise to be merely indulgent grandparents.”

  Mattie stood there for a moment, taking everything in, trying to understand. The look on the older woman’s face spoke volumes. There was hope, yes, but there was grief as well. Fresh and fierce. And Mattie knew that whatever this woman had done to her or the boys had come out of someplace in that grief, a grief that was simply unimaginable. Mattie put herself in the other woman’s place, and realized what a heavy burden Evelyn had been carrying.

  Mattie was neither mean nor spiteful, and even if she wasn’t ready to forgive or forget so easily—the hurt went too deep, the pain cut too far—she wasn’t about to deprive her sons of the opportunity to finally have a real, normal set of grandparents.

  “Evelyn,” Mattie finally said, “tomorrow night the boys are in a play at school. It’s Charlotte’s Web, and they each have a part. My aunt and a few of our friends are going to see the play, and I was wondering if you and Bob would like to join us.” Mattie smiled. “I think the boys would like that.”

  Hope brightened the older woman’s eyes and she smiled. “Oh, Mattie, yes, we’d like that very much, too.”

  “Good.” Blowing out a breath, Mattie glanced at her watch. “The play starts at six, and everyone is meeting at my house around five-thirty.”

  “We’ll be there,” Evelyn said, giving Mattie’s hand a squeeze. “Thank you, dear. You will never know how much this means to me. I can’t wait to get back to the hotel to tell Bob.”

  “You’re welcome, Evelyn. All I will ever ask or expect of you is to always put the boys’ needs and feelings first.”

  “We will from now on, dear, honest.” When Mattie glanced at her watch again, Evelyn must have realized how busy she was. “I’d better go, Mattie. I’ve taken up enough of your time.” Wiping her nose one last time, she gave Mattie a smile. “We’ll see you tomorrow.” She patted Mattie’s hand. “And thank you, dear. Thank you.”

  Mattie waited until she heard the overhead bell tinkle before she walked out of the workroom. She was still stunned, still in a bit of shock, and not certain if Evelyn was to be believed, but for now, she’d give her the benefit of the doubt.

  For her children’s sake.

  Chapter Eleven

  On Tuesday evening, with the boys’ play scheduled to begin in less than fifteen minutes, Mattie paced the sidewalk in front of the school, wondering what on earth had happened to Joe.

  She was nearly frantic now, knowing this wasn’t like him. He wasn’t irresponsible, nor would he just not show up to something he’d long ago promised the boys he’d attend.

  She hadn’t seen him since last night, when he’d helped her go over the boys’ lines with them again after practice. He’d stayed, helped her put the twins to bed, and then the two of them had gone out and sat in the backyard, just talking and enjoying having some quiet time alone together.

  Everything had been fine.

  Until today.

  She’d started calling him around noon when he didn’t show up for lunch as planned. She’d called the sheriff’s office, but Clarence had informed her he hadn’t seen Joe all day. But he had had a rather hasty phone message from him, telling him to handle the store for a while. If Clarence thought that particularly odd, he didn’t mention it to her.

  She’d repeatedly called Joe’s house and his cell phone, but there was no answer at either phone, leaving her simply to worry and wonder.

  As the minutes ticked by, Mattie realized she couldn’t wait out here any longer. The play was about to begin, and she wasn’t about to miss it.

  It was almost midnight by the time Mattie finally got the overexcited boys down to sleep. They’d been extremely disappointed when they learned that Joe had not made the play, but Mattie had smoothed things over by telling them that something very, very important must have come up for Joe to miss it. She reminded the boys that Joe never made promises he didn’t keep. This was an exception.

  If the boys were disappointed, they’d been thrilled to know that Johnny had attended the performance. Mattie had called the residential facility last week and invited Johnny to the play. She’d even driven out to pick him up this afternoon after work. It was supposed to have been a surprise for the boys as well as Joe.

 
; Johnny had been thrilled to be invited and included, and happy to watch Cody and Connor perform. After the play—which she’d assured them they’d been brilliant in—the Maguires had invited everyone over to the ice-cream parlor for sodas and malts to celebrate.

  With the twins nearly falling asleep in their ice cream, she had driven Johnny back to the home, then she’d brought her own boys home, anxious to get them down for the night.

  Now, walking through her darkened house alone, Mattie rubbed her chilled arms and wondered what on earth could have happened to Joe.

  She’d checked her telephone messages as soon as she got in, but there weren’t any. Nor were there any messages for her at the gallery.

  With another glance out the front window, scanning the darkened street, Mattie knew she had to get to bed, or she’d never be able to get up in the morning. With a sigh, she curled up on the couch and tried not to worry about all the horrible things that might have happened to Joe.

  Someone was knocking on the front door.

  Bleary with sleep, Mattie unfolded herself from the couch, glanced at the mantel clock and frowned when she realized it was just after 3:00 a.m.

  She tossed the throw cover off her and struggled to her feet, hoping to get to the door before the boys awoke. Using the peephole, she checked it to see who was on the other side before opening the door.

  With a rush of relief, she saw Joe and scrambled to get the door unlocked.

  “Joe, my God, I was so worried.” She threw her arms around him, grateful that he was here and in one piece.

  His arms slid around her and he held her tight. “I know, I’m sorry. I tried calling but I was in Chicago and my cell doesn’t have a roaming feature.”

  “Chicago?” She drew back and finally noticed his clothes were rumpled, his hair mussed and he looked as if he hadn’t slept in days. There were worry lines around his eyes and mouth. “What happened, Joe? What’s wrong?” She took his hand and drew him to the couch, fearing he’d fall down if he didn’t sit down.