by Leah Atwood
“You’re worse than Darla.” Mac leaned back in the chair, shaking his head. This banter took him back to the familiar life he understood. He considered Trixie to be another little sister. Between her friendship with Tamera and Faith and his friendship with Phoebe, their paths often crossed.
Trixie feigned offense. “Nobody can be like Darla. She’s in a class of her own.”
“Don’t you have a family to get back to?” He couldn’t even pretend to tease her without smiling.
“They’ll understand once I give them the gossip.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Please, Trixie, don’t spread this.”
“I can’t even tell my family?”
“Okay, but only them.” He sighed as the earlier events replayed in his mind. Reluctantly he shared the details with Trixie, mainly because he wanted his side to be given before Deena had a chance to put her own spin on the truth.
“That’s harsh.” Trixie shook her head. “She left you here without a ride home?”
“It worked out. My prime rib tasted unbelievable.”
“You can catch a ride with Elijah and me. Alice is with a babysitter, so you’d have the back seat to yourself.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine.” His gaze shifted out the window. “I’ll call a taxi and enjoy this view a while longer.”
“If you say so.” Trixie stood and gave his shoulder a brief, sympathetic pat. “I can’t say I’m sorry you and Deena broke up, but I’m sorry for how it happened.”
“Me too.”
“Are you sure you don’t need a ride?”
“Positive.” He gestured for her to go. “Enjoy your family celebration. Tell Jessa and Landon I said congratulations.”
Several minutes after Trixie left his table, the waiter returned with his check. Mac handed over his credit card and waited for the receipt to sign.
A shadow appeared in the corner of his eye, and the person cleared their throat. He knew that voice and figure without giving her a full glance.
He lifted his gaze and locked eyes with Phoebe. His breath caught in his throat. The natural brown waves of her hair cascaded over her shoulders. She wore a sapphire blue sweater with matching earrings that accentuated her eyes.
She discreetly dangled a set of car keys in front of him. “I heard you need a ride.”
Chapter Thirteen
“Would you like to drive?” Phoebe offered her keys to Mac as they walked out of the restaurant together.
“Sure.” He took the keys and opened the passenger door for her. “Thanks for the ride.”
“No problem.” She settled on the seat and rubbed her hands together, wishing for the warm front to return.
Once he’d gotten in and buckled, Mac turned and looked at her, seeming to hesitate. “My truck’s at Deena’s. Do you mind if we pick it up? If not, I can always have Mom drive me there tomorrow.”
“That’s fine. No reason to put it off until tomorrow.” She wanted to probe for information but forced herself to be patient.
They rode down the mountain in silence. Had she made a mistake in offering him a ride home? She’d thought it would be an olive branch and act as a balm to their strained friendship, but other than the initial pleasantries, they were back to not speaking.
He drove onto the final road leading to the cabin where Deena was staying. “I’m sorry for getting upset with you when you only wanted to help.”
The apology caught her by total surprise. “I was wrong to stick my nose where it didn’t belong.”
“I think I only got mad because I knew what you said was true but didn’t want to hear it.”
She crossed her arms and absently stroked her elbow. “Why not?”
He tapped his palm against the steering wheel. “Life threw a lot of confusion at me, and I needed a distraction.”
“So that’s all she was?” Why did she so badly want him to say that was all?
“I guess.” He shrugged. “Plus, it was an ego boost. I know that sounds horrible, but what man wouldn’t be taken in when America’s sweetheart shows an interest in him?”
“A confident one who doesn’t need to look elsewhere for his worth.”
“Ouch.” He blew out a sigh. “That was harsh.”
She cringed. “I’m sorry. Again.”
He waved it off. “I deserved it. I fell into the trap but quickly learned all that glitters is not gold.”
“Deena’s a complex person.” She deliberated on her words before speaking. “Yes, she was obnoxious at times, but then I’d see a different side of her. Granted, you spent a lot more time with her, so maybe you saw more.”
“For what it’s worth, I think she’s a good person who got caught up in the trappings of Hollywood and a glamorous life.” Mac pulled into her driveway. “I’m not sure if she even knows who she is anymore, and that’s sad.”
“It is.” Phoebe stared at the opulent cabin in front of her. “I’ll never live in a mansion or have a personal bodyguard, but I know who I am, and I wouldn’t trade my life for anyone else’s.”
He parked next to his truck and reached over, squeezed her hand. “You’re one of a kind, Phoebe Graff, and don’t you ever forget that.”
Pitter-patters invaded her heart. Considering all they’d gone through, that was the best compliment he could have given her. “Thanks.”
“I know it’s late, but would you want to come back to the house? Have a cup of hot tea?”
She held her breath, warned herself not to read too much into the invitation. “I don’t know… I have to work early tomorrow.”
“I understand.”
His defeated sigh changed her mind. “Then again, I’d planned to relax and watch a movie, so I would be up, anyway.”
“Is that a yes? If it helps, there will be fresh-baked cookies.”
Her nervousness escaped in a giggle. “It’s a yes.”
He nodded his head in the direction of the cabin where Gage stood in the doorway. “We better get out of here. I’ll see you at the house in a few.”
She got behind the wheel and waited for Mac to climb into his truck. She focused her eyes on the road, trying to avoid excess light. As much as she loved her mountains, she didn’t enjoy driving at night, especially on the sharp curves of this road.
Her nervousness grew as she drove closer to Mac’s home. Would his parents still be awake? What would they think about her presence there? Once upon a time, she’d been a frequent visitor, but those days were gone. She hadn’t been there in several years other than the visit to his dad after the stroke.
To her relief, all the lights were off except the one on the front porch. She parked behind Mac and waited for him to come around to the driver’s side door. Funny, how she knew he’d come to help her out of the car. He was too much of a gentleman to walk ahead of her.
“We won’t wake your parents, will we?”
“No. They’ve always been heavy sleepers.” He inserted his key into the lock and turned it. When the door pushed open, he pressed his hand gently on the small of her back and guided her into the house.
Mac’s soft touch burned through her clothing. Why can’t I be content with his friendship, Lord? Why must I want more? She walked into the kitchen and sat on one of the stools. She shrugged out of her coat and folded it on the counter.
Mac switched on the lights. “Do you want tea or decaf coffee?”
“Coffee is fine.” She started to stand. “Can I help with anything?”
“Sit and relax.” He pulled the lid off a tin can and scooped out coffee grounds. “Are you ready for Christmas?”
“Not a bit.”
“That surprises me.” The red light on the coffeemaker lit up when it began to brew. “Christmas is your holiday.”
“I’ve been so busy helping everyone else with their holiday preparations, that I’ve neglected mine.” She created a mental list of gifts she needed to purchase.
He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the counter. “That’s
what I’ve always admired about you. There’s not a selfish bone in your body.”
“You’ve never seen me fight my siblings for the last chocolate chip cookie.” She grinned. “I always win.”
“I was about to offer you one of Mom’s cookies, but now I’m scared.” He wagged his brows and reached for a container with Christmas wreaths. “Promise to behave if I let you have one?”
She pressed her lips together and stared at the container. “I suppose, but it looks like there are plenty.”
“I’ve missed this.” He handed her the container for her choice of cookie.
“Christmas snacks?”
He groaned. “Our friendship.”
Boy, did she feel silly. “Me too.”
The light on the coffee maker changed to green. Mac grabbed two mugs from the cabinet. “Cream or sugar?”
“A dash of cream, please.” She snuck another cookie then accepted a mug from Mac. “Thanks.”
They moved to the family room and sat on opposite ends of the sofa. For several minutes, the only sound was that of the clock ticking on the mantle.
Mac shifted positions. “Have you ever wondered why we never dated?”
She spit out the coffee in her mouth. “Huh?”
“We’ve been friends forever and get along well, except for the disagreement over Deena. My family tells me all the time we’d make the perfect couple.”
All the breath left her lungs. “I never gave it much thought.” Liar. His crestfallen expression piqued her curiosity. “Have you?”
“Not really.”
“You’re a bad liar, Mac. You always have been.” She couldn’t let him drop the subject. For years she’d wanted a sign, no matter how small, that he saw her as more than a friend. She’d finally been given a glimpse, and she would see it through—even if she’d told a fib in the process.
“Honestly?”
“Our friendship deserves that.” And after he was honest with her, she’d be honest with him.
“I think about it often, but I’ve never said anything for fear of ruining our friendship.” He laced his hands together on his lap. “I’ve tried dropping subtle hints, but you never showed interest, so I decided I had to move on.”
The revelation stunned her. “What hints?”
“Little things. Like back in October, I invited you to the singles outing, and you said you’d come but never showed up.” He reached for his coffee. “That’s when I knew I had to be content with friendship.”
Her jaw dropped. That was the night Deena showed up. Pieces started to fall into place. “I did come, but I was running late. When I walked inside, Deena was hanging all over you, and I couldn’t stomach it.”
“You were jealous?”
She ducked her head. “Extremely.”
He slid across the sofa to sit beside her. “We’re a messed-up pair.”
A nervous giggle slipped out. “Apparently.”
His hands reached out and took hers. “I only agreed to go along with Deena’s scheme in the hope it would help me overcome my feelings for you.
That simple touch gave her love, protection, and comfort. “Did it work?”
“Not a bit.” He moved one hand to cup her cheek. “Dating Deena only made me see how special you are. No one can replace you in my life, Phoebe, and if friends are all we’re meant to be, that’s better than not having you at all.”
Her voice came out light and breathless. “And if I want more than friendship?”
Mac leaned in, stopping inches from her lips. “Then we give each other what we want.”
“It’s always been you,” she whispered before he closed the distance between them and pressed his lips to hers.
Tiny explosions of fireworks went off, and she understood what everyone talked about. The wait for this single moment in time, one of perfection and completion, was worth every heartache she’d carried along the way.
Mac pulled away but left his hand on her face. “It’s always been you for me, too.”
Chapter Fourteen
Mac checked the clock for the tenth time in a half hour. Despite the joy he garnered from teaching history to young minds, he couldn’t wait for the school day to end.
When the bell rang, Christmas vacation officially began, and he wouldn’t step foot in this classroom until next year. Even if that was only two weeks away, he needed the break.
More importantly, he wanted the free time to spend with Phoebe. After years of secretly pining for each other, they’d have their first date tonight. He struggled with where to take her. He wanted the evening to be special and memorable, but he’d drawn a blank.
Last night, he’d resorted to searching online for ideas, and he’d come across something called a penny date. He’d never heard of it until then, but the idea intrigued him. They’d pick a number, and that equaled the numbers of turns they would take. Then they’d flip the coin to determine if they turned right or left.
The idea required little planning, only a willingness to be spontaneous. It was better than taking in a movie where they wouldn’t have a chance to talk or grabbing dinner at Tippy’s. He loved Tippy’s, but they could eat there anytime.
A penny date could provide the memorable evening.
The bell rang, and an upbeat Christmas tune played over the intercom. Even the office staff had joined in the celebration. Thankfully, he didn’t have any after-school duties and could go straight home.
He grabbed his briefcase from the under his desk and fled his classroom. History would wait for another day. He stopped by the grocery store on his way home and bought a poinsettia for Phoebe. Because of her love of all things Christmas, she’d appreciate the potted plant more than a bouquet of roses or carnations.
When he got home, Mom stopped him in the hallway. “Christmas break looks good on you.”
He set his briefcase down by the foyer table and gave her a hug. “It’s not that.”
“I know.” Her eyes sparkled as though she harbored a secret. “I’ve prayed this day would come, but I didn’t know if I’d ever see it.”
“Stop planning the wedding,” he warned.
“Who said I was?”
“I know you too well.” He imitated the stare she gave him when he’d acted up as a child. “This is one date. Don’t jump too far ahead.”
She sighed. “Fine, I’ll try to contain my excitement.”
“I forgot to tell you, I’m meeting with a realtor tomorrow.”
“To look at rentals?” Her face fell even though she was the one who suggested he should consider moving out.
Should he wait? Maybe she wasn’t ready for him to leave. No, he had to move on. His dad needed to get his life back to normal. “Actually, I might buy a house.”
“Really?”
“On my way home from Farthington last weekend, I saw this home for sale at a great price.” It wasn’t the cabin he’d always dreamed of, but a stone house that called to him. “The bank pre-approved me for a mortgage, so if I like it, all I need to do is make an offer.”
“That’s wonderful. I’ll be praying.”
“Thanks.”
Mac went to the kitchen, grabbed an apple from the bowl, and munched on it as he climbed the stairs. As the minutes passed, he doubted his plans for the date. Would Phoebe see it as a lack of effort on his part? His heart and mind were conflicted. He wanted the night to be perfect.
Ultimately, his heart knew the real Phoebe who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life and would love the idea of a penny date. With his nerves assured and settled, he changed into a pair of jeans and a flannel, button-down shirt with a gray thermal underneath. He didn’t mind dressing up when the situation required, but he enjoyed the freedom to dress casually and comfortably.
Before he left, Mac grabbed the thermal bag with their dinner inside. He’d cheated and asked his mom to prepare a meal. Let’s face it, Phoebe will enjoy Mom’s food much more than anything I could make. He peeked inside, and the smell of chicken croquettes rose t
oward him. Mom included a small container of her homemade gravy to pour over them and a side of balsamic roasted root vegetables. For dessert, she’d made a peppermint cheesecake.
Could he sneak a piece of cheesecake now without anyone noticing? Instead, he exercised self-control and repacked the bag, along with the plates, utensils, and cups. On the way out of the house, he stuck his head inside the family room to tell his parents bye but stopped.
The image of his mom, curled up with his dad, burned into his memory. That’s the kind of strong marriage he wanted. One that could withstand strokes, financial difficulties, and a myriad of other struggles life threw their way. A relationship where, at the end of a long day, he could sit next to his wife on the sofa and know they had each other’s support no matter what.
He’d never pictured that in those few weeks with Deena. He’d spent years envisioning it with Phoebe.
Stepping quietly, Mac slipped out of the house so as not to disturb his parents. His heart pounded the entire way to Phoebe’s house. He’d waited years for this opportunity and prayed the date would go well.
Only one light shone inside her home. She must be ready and waiting for him in the living room. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Odd, he’d never been this nervous for a date with Deena, or anyone.
He lifted the poinsettia from the passenger floor and wrapped an arm around the potted plant. Out of nowhere, he remembered poinsettias were dangerous to some pets. Was it cats? He couldn’t remember if Phoebe had any. No, she wanted a kitten, but couldn’t have one per her lease agreement. He breathed a sigh of relief.
Phoebe swung open the front door and greeted him before he could knock. “I saw your headlights when you pulled in the driveway.”
He handed her the plant. “This made me think of you.”
“Thank you. I love poinsettias.” She reached for it and admired the bold red leaves. “It’s not Christmas until I have one.”
Her positive reaction emboldened him. “What about mistletoe?”
“Look up.”
He caught her wink just before he glanced up. A sprig of mistletoe with a red bow tied around it hung from the top of the doorframe. “Planning on kissing the mailman and anyone else who stops by?”
