by Kay Correll
“I heard Beth showed up at the council meeting with Mac McKenna.” Annie leaned forward and rolled her eyes. “Gloria Edmunds came by to tell me that. She seemed to think it was the most shocking thing ever and would probably prevent Beth from ever being elected mayor.
“Gloria needs to learn to mind her own business.”
“Like that would ever happen.” Annie shrugged. “Anyway, didn’t Mac McKenna go to school with Beth? Seems I remember he was a bit of a troublemaker.”
“I wonder why Beth was with him? I haven’t heard a word about him in years. If I remember right, he was a bit of a troublemaker in school, but I always got the impression he was more of a lost soul. I’ll have to ask Beth about him.” Nora glanced down at a couple walking along the river walk, hand in hand. This path along Sweet River had been a great addition to the town even if Dobbs had fought both her and Annie on it. She turned to her friend. “Anyway, let’s talk about something more cheerful. How are you and Nick doing?”
Annie blushed and Nora laughed. “I take it things are going well with you two newlyweds?”
“I… I’m ridiculously happy. I told you he took that research job in Denver? He does some of the job remotely but goes into Denver a couple times a week. Home every night, though. We’ve gotten into a routine, kind of. It’s very different to be living with someone after all those years of living alone.”
“I bet.”
“And I decided it’s time to… well, let go of my father’s room. We’re going to move into the master suite. It’s time. Nick is going to paint it and the master bath, and I ordered some new curtains. He just seemed to know that I needed the room to look different if we were going to move into it. I packed up the rest of Dad’s clothes and gave them away. I finally decided it was time. Keeping the room as an empty shrine to my dad wasn’t healthy. Besides, we can really use the space now that Nick moved in. So, next weekend we’re going to move into the master suite.”
Nora reached over and squeezed Annie’s hand. “Good for you. Change is hard though, isn’t it?”
“It sure is. Well, not the being with Nick part, but all the changes that have come about from marrying him.”
“I’m just glad to see you so happy.”
“I am. Sometimes I wonder what I did to deserve all this happiness. I’m just so content right now.”
“And you deserve every bit of it.” Nora took one last sip of her coffee. “I’ve got to run and pick up the boys. I think I’m going to try and convince Beth to come stay at the lodge with the boys for a few days until all this gets sorted out and they figure out who did this to her house.”
“That’s a great idea.”
“If I can convince Miss Independent to do it.” Nora sighed. Her daughter was a stubborn one, but she only had herself to blame. Like mother, like daughter. Well, they’d see who won this round.
“I’ll catch up with you soon.” Annie rose and collected their coffee mugs. “I should get back to work.”
Nora left Bookish Cafe and ran through arguments in her head of reasons she could give her daughter to come stay at the lodge for a few days. Not that she had any illusions that her daughter would listen.
Beth sat on the front steps with a bag packed with the boys’ clothes. Even with Mac’s help, she hadn’t been able to get everything put back in order in the house. Her mother pulled up in front and Beth stood, grabbing the bag, and headed out to her car.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Everything okay?” Her mother nodded at the bag.
“I was hoping the boys could stay with you at the lodge for the weekend.”
“Of course they can. You’re coming, too, right?”
“I think I’ll stay here and… um… finish things.” She looked pointedly at the boys, unwilling to explain what a disaster the house still was.
“Why don’t you take a break and come with us?” Her mom got out of the car and reached for the bag. “You look exhausted.”
“I’m fine, Mom. I really should stay and finish up.”
“I’m gonna stay with Mom and help her,” Connor piped up.
“No, you boys are going with Grams.”
“But, Mom, you need help.”
Just then she heard the front door open and turned to see Mac on the front step with another full trash bag in his hand.
“Who’s he?” Trevor leaned forward to get a better look.
“He’s a… friend. He’s just here helping me.”
“Is that Mac McKenna?” Her mom turned and gave Mac a good long look then a brief wave.
Mac smiled and waved back, then headed over to the garbage can beside the garage.
“Yes. He stopped by.”
“I haven’t heard anything about him in years, but Annie said that he dropped you off at the council meeting last night.”
A weak smile crossed her face. Nothing was missed in this small town. “I had a flat. He stopped and helped me and drove me back to town.”
“Did you get your flat fixed?”
“I actually had two flats. I called Gary’s Garage, and they went out today and towed it back to town. Ordered in new tires for me. Should be ready in the morning.”
“I’m starving. You think Miss Judy has any cookies baked?” Connor asked.
Her mom smiled. “I’m sure she does. I better get you two back to the lodge and feed you before you starve to death.”
“I hope they’re oatmeal cookies. That’s my favorite,” Trevor said.
Her mom climbed into the car and set the boys’ bag on the front passenger seat. “I wish you’d come with us.”
“I really want to finish up here.”
“I could come back and pick you up later.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Well, lock the door.”
“I will, Mom. I will.” She closed the car door for her mom and waved to the boys as they pulled away.
She turned and headed back inside. The sooner she got the mess picked up, the sooner she’d feel like she had some control back in her life.
Mac turned when he heard Beth enter the kitchen. “Get the boys off with your Mom?”
“I did. She wanted me to come stay with her for a few days, too, but I said no.”
“I don’t think that would be such a bad idea. At least until the police can find out who did this.”
“I’m not going to be chased out of my home.”
He still thought it was a good idea for her to go stay with her mother, but he wasn’t going to push the issue. “Okay, well, I’ve almost finished up in here. Looks like they broke quite a few of your plates though.”
“I guess I’ll be shopping for new plates, then.” She slowly shook her head.
“And this one mug.” He held up a mug that was now in three pieces.
“Oh…” Beth’s eyes filled with tears as she reached out and took the pieces from him. She collapsed onto a chair and silent tears streamed down her face.
“Beth?”
“I…” She gingerly set the pieces onto the table. “I’m sorry.” She swiped at the tears. “This was my father’s mug. See, it says Number One Daddy? I’ve kept it, and I use it only occasionally when I… well, when I feel the need to use it. On really bad days, or sometimes on really great days.”
Mac remembered that Beth’s father died when she was a young girl. He wasn’t sure what age exactly, but young. “I’m so sorry.” He knelt beside her and looked at the pieces. “I could try and glue it back together. Not sure it would still be drinkable, but at least you’d have it. I’m pretty good with my hands. Why don’t you let me take it and try to fix it?”
“I’d appreciate that.” She drew in a deep breath. “I’m not usually so… fragile. I’m not really a crier.”
“I think after the day you’ve had, you deserve to be whatever you want. Tears are sometimes very healing.”
She gave him a thanks-for-understanding look, and his heart thumped in his chest. He didn’t know why he was so eager to please her and m
ake things easier on her. She certainly hadn’t made things easier on him. She’d just complicated things. Visits from the police, memories of his terrible days at school, and… well, she’d kind of scrambled his thoughts, too.
And he didn’t like it one bit.
Not one little bit.
And yet the tiny smile she gave him made it almost seem worthwhile.
Chapter 9
Beth looked at the man kneeling beside her, grateful for his help in cleaning the place, grateful for his offer to fix her father’s mug. And if she were being honest with herself, grateful to have someone here with her while she dealt with everything.
This Mac McKenna was not the same one she went to school with. Of course, who was the same person after life threw its curves year after year?
“Beth?”
She heard the front screen door slam and Sophie call out.
“Back here.”
Mac got to his feet as Sophie entered the kitchen. She stopped short. “Well, hi.”
“Hi, Sophie.” Mac smiled at her friend.
“Mac came by to… well, he stayed and helped me clean up.”
Sophie looked around the kitchen. “Looks like he did a bang-up job.” She turned to him and grinned. “Do you offer up cleaning help to everyone?”
“Usually just for people who have their home broken into,” Mac said gravely with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Oh, well. I don’t think I want someone to break into my apartment just to get your help then.”
“Probably not.” He cracked a lazy smile.
“Well, I came by to do the whole best friend helper thing, but it looks like I’m not needed.” She turned to Beth. “You doing okay?”
“I’m fine. Really.”
“You look horrible.”
“Why, thanks, Sophie.”
“I mean, exhausted. Upset. Worn out.”
“You just keep cheering me up, don’t you?”
“I’m doing my best.” Sophie sank into a chair beside her and picked up a piece of the mug. “Oh, wow. Your dad’s mug? I’m so sorry.”
“Mac said he’s going to try and fix it.”
Sophie turned to Mac. “You’re a man of many hidden talents. Rescuer of damsels in distress when they have a flat, cleaner-upper, and fixer of mugs. I think I like you, Mac McKenna.”
Mac grinned. “I think I like you too, Sophie. You think you could convince your friend to go stay with her mother for a few days?”
“I’m sitting right here, guys.” Beth interrupted their discussion of her.
“See, he’s smart, too.” Sophie turned to Beth. “You should listen to him. That’s good advice. Go stay with Nora.”
“I’m staying here.”
Sophie shrugged and turned to Mac. “That’s her don’t-argue-with-me voice. There’s no use.” She got to her feet. “Well, it looks like you and Mac have this under control. I have a hot date with a really good book and a glass of wine. It’s been a long week.”
“Thanks for stopping by.” Beth started to get up.
“Nope, stay there. I’ll let myself out. Call if you need anything. And I still think you should go to Nora’s.”
“Bye, Soph.” She pointedly ended the conversation of where she should stay.
Her friend walked out of the room and the front screen door slammed again behind her as she left.
Mac stood beside the table in the awkward silence blanketing the kitchen after Sophie’s departure. Beth looked up at him. “I should feed you.”
“What? No, that’s okay.”
“No, you’ve been here all day helping. Let me see what I can make us for dinner.”
“You’re exhausted.”
“I am… but I’m starving, too.” She slowly rose, but her feet screamed in protest.
“We could go out and grab a bite.”
“No.”
He raised an eyebrow at her quick refusal.
“I don’t really want to see people or answer questions or field one more person asking if I’m okay.” She walked over to the fridge and tugged it open. The cool rush of air washed around her in a weak attempt to revive her. At least whoever had trashed her place hadn’t touched anything in the fridge. “I have burgers. Want to grill out?”
“That sounds fine. Where’s the grill? I’ll get it started.”
“It’s out back. A gas grill. I gave up on my charcoal grill after so many years of wildfires near here.”
Mac left to start the grill, and she made the hamburger up into patties. She also had a head of lettuce for a salad, but that was about it. She carried the plate of burgers outside along with a long-handled spatula and two beers all balanced carefully on a tray.
“Ah, thanks.” Mac reached for the tray and set it on a small table beside the grill looking quite at home with the barbecuing routine.
“Thought you might like a beer.” She handed him one from the tray.
“And you were right. I’d love one.” He took a long swig from the bottle.
“Are you sure you don’t have to get back to your tavern?”
“Nah, it will be fine. I already called George and told him I’d be back later this evening.” He pointed to a chair with the spatula. “Why don’t you sit, put your feet up, and let me grill. You look like you’re about to drop.”
“Gee, thanks. You and Sophie are just full of compliments today.”
“No, I mean—” He was hopeless with this woman. Always saying the wrong thing.
She smiled at him. A smile that lit up her eyes and made him want to do anything to keep that smile on her face. “I knew what you meant. I am tired. It was an emotionally draining day.”
And just like that, she let him off the hook from his clumsy remark.
He watched her from the corner of his eye while he busied himself with the task of grilling the burgers. She sank onto a red metal chair and stretched out her long, jean-clad legs. She kicked off the leather loafers she had on and took a sip of her beer. Right from the bottle. For some reason, he liked that she drank from the bottle like he did instead of insisting on pouring the beer into a glass, which always seemed to him like such a waste. Though he did provide chilled glasses to anyone who requested one at his tavern, of course.
He glanced over at a tree house built in a large tree in the backyard. Beth’s sons were evident everywhere he looked in her house, from baseball bats to two sets of sneakers by the door, to a video game controller sitting by the TV.
He didn’t want to mention that his feelings were the tiniest bit hurt when she hadn’t motioned him over to meet her boys or her mother, but then, that was silly. Why should she introduce him? He was just this random guy who had driven her home last night. Well, and came over to help her clean up. He frowned. Maybe she still didn’t believe he wasn’t involved in the break-in. Nope, that made no sense. She wouldn’t have had him stay if she thought he was involved. He flipped the burgers.
“So, how old are your boys?” That was safe, right? Every parent liked to talk about their kids.
“Ten and eight. Connor is ten, Trevor eight. They’re great kids even if they are a handful.”
He knew she’d married the high school quarterback, what’s-his-name. But there was no evidence of him being around and the only photo he’d seen of him was in the boys’ bedroom when he’d brought a load of their toys back there for Beth. He couldn’t quite remember the guy’s name, but he’d been quite the arrogant jock, full of himself and his self-importance. He had no idea what Beth had seen in him though maybe she’d wised up and that was why he was no longer around.
He paused for a moment, wondering if he could ask. He drew in a breath and plunged in. “And their Dad? Is he around?”
“Scott? Sometimes. Not often.”
Scott. Right, that was his name. Scott Parker. But he’d noticed that Beth didn’t go by the name Parker. She went by her maiden name, Cassidy. He figured it wasn’t a good question to ask why, so he kept his question to himself.
“He�
��s remarried now. Lives over near Vail and does some kind of PR for a resort there.” She took a slow sip of her beer and looked out into the distance, seemingly lost in thought.
He didn’t quite know what to say to all of that, so he busied himself with flipping the burgers again. “I think they’re about ready.”
She nodded and rose gracefully from her chair. “If you bring those in, I’ll set the table and we can eat.”
He took the burgers up, turned off the grill, and tidied the area.
He slipped through the screen door and set the platter on the table. Beth had set out two mismatched plates and bright red napkins. A nice salad and a couple of choices of salad dressing were placed in the center of the table.
“You want another beer?” She walked over to the fridge.
“Nope, I’m good.” He never had more than one drink if he was driving. Firm rule. And he was pretty vocal about calling rides for anyone who came to his tavern and overindulged, but all the locals knew that.
They sat across from each other and started their meal. He tried to think of some kind of small talk. He tended bar, for Pete’s sake. He was a master at small talk. But for some reason, Beth got him all twisted up and he couldn’t think of a darn thing to talk about except for the weather. “I hear we have some cooler weather coming in.”
“It has been unseasonably warm for September.” She nodded politely.
“Did you have any damage from that late spring storm we got? I lost a tree that fell right across the parking lot at my tavern.” More weather talk.
“No, we survived it fine. Though the boys were out at the lodge when it hit. They had a great time sledding and made this huge snow fort. They love it out there.”
“Your mom still owns the lodge?” He remembered she’d grown up there. Remembered the hill behind it where she’d fallen down taking a shortcut home…
“Yes, she does. My brother, Jason, works there with her now.”
He remembered Jason. Her brother had been in Mac’s grade. Well, the grade Mac finally landed in after they held him back twice.
