by Kay Correll
“Hey, Mom.” He walked over and leaned a hip against the counter. “Guess what happened?”
She didn’t really know if she wanted the details of why he’d been out all night...
“So, Cece’s son Petey showed up at the cabin. He...” Jason paused, his eyes haunted. “He looks just like Peter.”
She remembered that haunted look. It had been etched on his face for years after Peter’s death. Now it was rearing its ugly presence again. “I saw him a few times when he was a young boy. He did look just like Peter. What’s he doing here?”
“He said he wanted to come see the cabin before the girls sell it.”
“I bet Bree was surprised to see him.”
“You could say that.” Jason shook his head. “Then Bree’s son called and said he was coming, and Cece called and now she’s coming.”
Nora paused and frowned again. “How’s Bree handling all that?”
“Well, she’s thrilled to see her son. I take it she doesn’t get to see him often. He lives with his father.” Jason picked up a cinnamon roll from the platter on the counter and took a big bite.
“Did she and Cece ever work things out?”
Jason swiped at his mouth. “Nope. And she’s made it clear she doesn’t want to talk about what happened. I tried.”
“Maybe she’s just not ready to talk about it.”
“Mom, it’s been like twenty years.”
“There is no rule book for how long it takes us to get over it when someone hurts us so deeply. Both Cece and Peter hurt Bree. They broke her trust.”
“And her heart.” Jason finished the cinnamon roll in one more huge bite. “I’ve got to run. I’m going to get my work finished, then I want to go back to Bree’s and help her with the cabin.”
“And run interference between her and Petey?”
“That, too.”
She watched while Jason headed out of the kitchen. He still hadn’t mentioned not coming home last night, but he was a grown man...
She’d seen the way his eyes lit up when he saw Bree again. She’d seen that same look so many years ago when he was young. He’d never asked Bree out, but maybe he hadn’t wanted to take a chance on ruining the close friendship they’d had. But, as his mother, she could tell he had more than just-friends feelings for Bree. He’d had them back then, he had them now. Even if he wouldn’t admit it to himself.
Beth Cassidy and Mac McKenna sat at her kitchen table finishing up takeout from Antonio’s. The boys were at Nora’s for the night. With her busy schedule, Mac running his tavern, and the boys’ busy schedules, they rarely had time alone these days.
Mac sat back from the table. “Antonio never disappoints.”
“It was good, wasn’t it? I know I said I’d cook for us, but I got tied up at school with some stuff.” She was always getting tied up with something or other. She needed to learn to say no. Like how she’d dropped out of the mayoral race. She needed to simplify her life and somehow find more time to spend with Mac. She wanted to, she just didn’t seem to be able to make it happen.
Mac seemed restless tonight, not his usual relaxed self. He fiddled with the knife in front of him, then set it down.
“Everything okay?”
“What?” He looked at her.”Sure.”
“How about I clean up the table, and let’s go sit by the fire.”
“I’ll help.” Mac rose and began to pick up the containers of food. He usually would have been chatting with her, telling her about his day. But tonight they cleaned up the kitchen silently. She wondered what he was thinking about but left him alone with his thoughts. She’d already asked if he was okay. He’d talk when he was ready, she’d learned that much about him. And so much more. She enjoyed just having his company by her side.
She cleared the plates and they went in and settled on the couch. She scooted right next to him, and he draped an arm around her. “This is nice.” He kissed her forehead.
“It is.” The room was lit with only the dancing light from the fire draping a cozy ambience around them. A quiet, cozy ambience. That rarely happened in her house with her rowdy boys.
“You know, I’ve been thinking.” He turned slightly to face her.
“Yeah? What about?”
“We don’t get to see each other enough.”
She sighed. “I know. I was just thinking the same thing. We both are so busy, and the boys...”
He took both her hands in his and squared off facing her. “Beth, you know I love you, right? I’m nuts about your boys, too.”
“I’m pretty crazy about you, myself.” She smiled at him.
“Well...” He paused, then suddenly pushed the coffee table away from the couch and dropped to the floor on one knee. “Will you marry me?” He held out a ring in his hand.
“Marry?” Her heart raced and she could barely choke out the question.
“Yes, you know. Like wed. Marry.” His eyes narrowed. “Move in together. Be a family.”
She stared at the ring in his hand, the diamond sparkling in the firelight. “But we live in different towns. And the boys...”
“I would move here. Mountain Grove is only twenty-thirty minutes away.”
“My house is too small for all of us.” Her mind darted from obstacle to obstacle.
“We’ll buy one together. I was thinking out of town a bit. Maybe near the lake, or up in the mountains.”
“Are you sure? I mean... the boys... they’re a handful.” Her voice quavered, and her pulse roared through her, making her words sound muffled.
“I am so sure. I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.”
“Oh, Mac.” She threw her arms around his neck and he pulled her close. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He kissed her then, softly and gently. He pulled back and slipped the ring on her finger. “You’ve made me the happiest person in the world.”
No, she was pretty sure that she was the happiest person in the world at this moment. She blinked back tears. “I do love you, Mac McKenna.”
He slipped back up to the couch and pulled her close. “And I love you, too. We’re going to have a great life together.”
She leaned against him, her mind whirling, and held up her hand to look at the diamond, sparkling in the firelight. She needed to call her best friend, Sophie, and tell her the news. And sit the boys down and talk to them. And tell her mother.
But right now, she wanted nothing more than to sit here in the firelight and let Mac hold her. A lone tear escaped and trickled down her cheek. A tear of joy and happiness.
“I didn’t mean to make you cry.” His deep voice rumbled against her.
She turned her face to him. “I’m just so incredibly, completely happy.”
“Me, too.”
He kissed her forehead again, and she snuggled in closer, wanting to savor this moment for all time.
Chapter 7
Beth and Mac headed to the lodge to pick up the boys. He held her hand firmly in his as they entered. They headed to the dining room and found the boys having breakfast with Jason.
“Hi, Mom.” Trevor looked up from gobbling his stack of pancakes.
“Hi, boys. Where’s Grams?”
“She’s in the kitchen.” Connor waved a fork toward the kitchen.
“You two going to join us for breakfast?” Jason motioned to the chairs beside him.
“In a minute.” She turned to Mac and slipped off her gloves. “Why don’t you sit? Order me a stack of pancakes and some bacon, okay? I’m going to go talk to Mom.”
He winked at her.”Sure thing.”
Jason stared at her for a moment. He glanced at her hand, his eyes widened, then he grinned. “Come on, sit down.” He got up and clapped Mac on the back. “Give her a moment with Mom.”
Beth cocked her head toward the boys and Jason nodded back. She needed time to tell them but wanted to speak to her mother first.
She hurried into the kitchen.
“Mom, got a sec?”
Nora turned toward her. “I do if you can talk while I finish up these pie crusts.” Her mother stared at her for a moment, put down the rolling pin, and wiped the flour off her hands. “What is it?” Her eyes filled with concern.
“I... have some news.”
“I know. I can feel it.”
“Of course you can. It’s that weird Mom connection you have.” Her face felt like it would break from her wide grin. “Mac and I... he asked me to marry him.” She held out her hand.
Nora looked at the ring, then pulled her into her arms. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I am, too.” She stepped back. “Oh, and by the way, Jason knows. He spotted the ring on my finger. I still need to talk to the boys, though.”
“Well, I’m sure they’ll be thrilled. They adore Mac.” She dusted more flour from her hands. “The crusts can wait. I’ll come out and join all of you.”
They headed back to the table and Beth sat next to Mac. He looked at her expectantly. He even looked a bit nervous. For some reason that tickled her. He was most nervous about how the boys would react.
“Boys, I have some news.”
Connor and Trevor looked at her. “What?” Connor asked.
“Well, Mac and I.” She smiled at Mac. “We’re going to get married.”
“Whoop!” Trevor let out an exclamation and jumped to his feet. “Really?”
Connor looked from her to Mac. “So does that mean we’re all going to live together?”
“It does.”
“Okay, that’s cool.” Connor went back to eating his breakfast.
Mac laughed.
“Told you,” she said to Mac. “No big deal.”
“Congrats to both of you.” Jason reached over and shook Mac’s hand. “Now that I can officially say something.”
“You don’t miss a trick, do you?” Beth rolled her eyes at Jason.
“Your face was flushed. You had this dopey grin on your face. No way I could miss that. You were practically screaming the news.”
She smacked him on the arm.
Trevor frowned. “Mac’s gonna squeeze into our house with all his stuff?”
“We’re going to look for a new house.” Beth watched to see how the boys reacted.
“Will I still get my own room?” Connor asked.
“You will,” Mac assured him.
“Okay, that’s cool.”
She was glad that all their plans were “cool.”
Trevor came over and draped an arm around her, leaning close. “I like Mac,” he whispered in her ear.
“I like him too,” she whispered back, her heart swelling with happiness.
Nora smiled at her from across the table, nodding slightly.
Beth wanted to jump up and dance and twirl around and sing and... she had to call Sophie as soon as breakfast was finished.
Cece waited nervously at the entrance as all the passengers filtered by. She hadn’t seen Cody since her parents’ funeral. Not that she’d seen him often before that. Bree had only shown up at family things when their mother finally guilted her into a trip. And that had only been every few years or so. Sometimes less than that.
She glanced at her watch. She wanted to grab Cody and hurry to Sweet River Falls before dark.
She was worried that someone might let it slip... Well, that someone might say something that Petey didn’t need to know.
She sighed and cocked her head from one side to the other, trying to release the tension strangling her.
Then she saw Cody. He lifted a hand in a small wave as he approached.”Hey.”
“Cody, good to see you.” She gave him a quick semi-hug, even if they weren’t really a hugging family. At least not anymore. “You ready to go?”
“Yep, just have my backpack and this duffle.”
“Okay, let’s head for Sweet River Falls.” She led the way to the car.
After battling through traffic, they finally broke away and headed into the mountains. The sun shone brightly against a clear blue sky, though she’d heard they were predicting a storm. Whoever “they” were.
“So... Petey will be glad to see you.”
“Yep.”
“It shouldn’t be much longer.”
Cody didn’t answer but just looked out the window.
She finally drove down the final stretch of road and headed right to the lake instead of taking the route through town. She pulled up in front of the cabin and turned off the engine. And just sat there staring at the cabin. It was so strange that soon it wouldn’t be”their” cabin anymore. She slowly got out and stretched, pretending she wasn’t wound so tight she was afraid she’d explode like a jack-in-the-box.
Cody climbed out and stared out at the lake, then turned and looked at the cabin. “It’s... wow, I can’t believe she never brought me here.” His voice was low with a hint of hurt threaded through it.
“Yes... I...” But what could she say? That she was the reason Bree had never come back here?
He set his backpack on the ground and pulled out a camera. She watched as he put the camera to his eye and took some shots of the lake and the mountains in the background. He slowly lowered the camera and glanced at the screen on the back of it.
The door of the cabin opened, and Bree hurried out. She threw her arms around Cody, wrapping him in a hug.”Oh, Cody. I’m so glad to see you.”
Cece was betting there wasn’t a hug waiting for her from her sister.
“Hey.” Cody pulled back from Bree’s embrace.
Bree looked at Cece, her eyes filled with... what? Anger? Regret? Anxiousness? Cece ignored the look... or at least tried to. “Hi, Bree.”
“Hi.” Bree picked up Cody’s duffle and headed back into the cabin without another word.
So this is how it was going to be. Well, at least she’d be here to protect Petey. She hurried into the cabin to give Petey a hug—because it appeared it might be becoming a family thing again except between her and Bree.
Chapter 8
Bree stood at the kitchen sink washing dishes. She’d actually pulled them out of the cabinet and pretended they needed washing. Anything to keep busy. She splashed her hands into the soapy water and glanced over at Cody fiddling with a camera. That was new. Something he’d picked up since he’d been gone.
There was so much she didn’t know about him anymore. Things he didn’t tell her about his life. Like the not-so-minor detail that he’d almost finished his high school credits and was only doing two online classes to finish up.
For once she was glad Brian had a series of young girlfriends. Especially because this one didn’t want to be in charge of watching Cody while Brian was out of town. Score one for the mom.
She watched Cody as he concentrated on the camera, scrolling through pictures on the back of it. The kitchen light bounced off his jet black hair. He’d gotten that from his father. He’d gotten her golden brown eyes, though. And one of her dimples.
She’d give anything to go back and change things. Anything so he would have stayed with her and not moved to go live with Brian. She missed him so much it sometimes made it almost impossible to breathe.
But he was right here in the cabin with her now, and she planned on enjoying every single minute of it.
Even if she had to share it with Cece and Petey.
She glanced over at Petey sitting at the table with Cece. They were sorting through stacks of old magazines and paperwork. At least that was some help in getting the cabin ready to sell.
She really couldn’t imagine how she was going to work side by side with Cece for the next few days. Maybe she could think of errands for her sister to run. Errands that would take a long time and take her far away for most of the day. Maybe she could think of a supply she absolutely needed that couldn’t be found in Sweet River Falls. Maybe it would take Cece all the way to Boulder or Denver...
Cece looked up from the table and directly at her.
Bree turned her head away and focused on washing the dishes that didn’t really
need washing or her attention.
Jason pulled his truck into the drive at the cabin and saw another car there with Colorado plates. Should be Cece and Cody. He climbed out of the truck, not sure what he was going to see when he walked in the door. Hopefully, it wasn’t a war going on...
He knocked on the door, and Petey opened it. It took his breath away for a moment to be looking straight into the clear blue eyes that looked so like Peter’s. Sometimes the pain of missing his best friend was a stabbing knife to his heart. He took a deep breath.
“Come in.” Petey stood aside.
Jason walked inside and saw Cece sitting at the kitchen table. Another young man—it must be Cody—lounged against the counter, fiddling with a camera.
“Jason, hi.” Bree sounded overly enthusiastic to see him. “This is Cody, my son.”
He reached out a hand and Cody shook it with a firm grip. “Glad to meet you, Cody.”
“Hey.” Cody nodded.
“Mom wanted me to come over and see if you guys wanted to eat dinner at the lodge tonight. I tried calling, but the phone is out.”
Bree walked over, picked up the landline, and sighed. “Yep. It is. I’ll get someone out to look at it tomorrow.”
“Last time it was squirrels in the attic. They chewed the wire.” Cece stood and walked over to him. “Hi. Long time.”
“It has been.” The awkward tension in the cabin crackled through the air. Bree stared at him with a look that dared him to be friendly with Cece. He ignored Bree’s look and hugged Cece quickly.
Cece’s eyes shone with gratitude, and she flashed him a brief smile.
He turned to Bree. “I don’t have your cell phone number, so I couldn’t call it to invite you.” Back to the safe subject of the phones. Good plan.
“Here, hand me your phone. I’ll put it in. Especially if we’re not going to have the house phone.” She walked over and held out her hand.
He handed her his cell and watched while she tapped in her number. He glanced at it as she gave it back. She’d labeled it Breester. He grinned at her and slipped his phone back in his pocket.
