Hometown Love (25 page)

With her assistant manager opening the store, she could stop in for a box of her grandfather’s favorite lemon pastries. She had a meeting in ten minutes with the owners of The Hair Cottage, one of the businesses she did bookkeeping for. After that, she’d promised to visit with her grandparents, something she hadn’t done in a while.

Heading for the long line at the counter, she spotted Sean with Tony and Striker seated together. Not an uncommon sight. All three men lived alone, though that would be changing soon for Sean, and they often met up for breakfast.

“Hey, Jessie,” Tony said when she paused at their table. “You just missed Mack.”

“I’ll see him later. Does it sound louder than usual in here today or is it me?”

“Everyone’s talking about Gage. You heard the news, right?” Striker, the only one without a mouthful of food, answered.

She had from Maryann. While she’d been expecting Maryann to tell her she’d gotten engaged, instead she’d told her how Gage and his band had been offered a recording contract by a big time music company. “Maryann said they were waiting to tell everyone.”

“Someone let it slip,” Sean answered.

“Maryann told me it wouldn’t have happened without Mia’s help.”

Sean shrugged. “She got the representative out here, but that’s it. If he hadn’t liked the music, they wouldn’t have gotten the offer.”

She thought Sean downplayed Mia’s role, but that was Sean.

“While you guys gossip, I have work.” Striker stood, taking his coffee with him. “See you all at Liam’s house-warming party tonight.”

“Not me. I’m flying out to see Mia this afternoon.”

“Saturday is movie night with Mack and his daughter.”

“You in Bates? I heard that the blonde you’ve been hot for will be there.”

“Who is she this time? The secretary from the town hall you told me about or the new bartender at Masterson’s that was hitting on you?” Sean asked.

“Neither. Besides, I’m seeing someone.”

Jessie hoped the unknown woman didn’t expect anything long-term. In every other aspect of his life, Tony was a great guy. He worked hard, and helped out his friends and family whenever they asked, including coaching a little league baseball team when his brother in-law needed an assistant coach. When it came to women, though, he drifted from one to the next. He’d been like that for as long as she remembered, and at this point, she assumed he’d never change.

“I’ll see you guys later. Tell Mia I said hello,” Jessie said before she joined the line.

The meeting with Tina, The Hair Cottage’s owner and manager, was brief, and although she couldn’t wait to spend time with Grace and Mack, Jessie found herself looking forward to her visit with her grandparents. They’d played a key role in her life, and since moving into her own place, she’d visited them several times a week until Mack entered her life. While she loved the new road her life had turned down, she missed them.

The smell of fresh-baked pumpkin pie filled the old farmhouse. One of her favorite desserts, she hoped her grandmother had baked more than one; otherwise she’d likely not get a slice to take home. In addition to being her favorite, it also ranked number one on her grandfather’s list.

“Don’t tell your grandfather, but I baked a pie for you to take with you. I thought maybe you and Mack could enjoy it together,” he grandmother said as she gave her a hug. “I hoped he and Grace would be with you today.” Her grandmother accepted the bakery box, but before she put it down, her grandfather entered, swiping the box from her hands.

“I’ll take those.” He walked away remarkably fast considering he used a cane.

“Those are for after lunch.”

Her grandfather ignored his wife and kept on walking.

“That man is impossible,” her grandmother grumbled with an affectionate smile, which caused Jessie to smile as well.

Even after more than fifty years of marriage, her grandparents still adored each other. The long lasting love and devotion they had was what
she
wanted. For a while, she’d given up hope of ever finding it, but now, thanks to Mack, she’d changed her mind.

“Do you mind grabbing the sandwiches, Jessie?” A plate covered with roast beef sandwiches sat next to the stove where a pot of beef barley soup simmered.

Grabbing the plate, she carried it to the dining room table, surprised to see her dad seated with her grandfather since her dad worked most Saturdays. But she was glad he had today off. She’d canceled her last father-daughter meal because she’d wanted to be left alone.

“Did you and Mack sort out whatever problem you had?”

She choked on her water when her father asked his question. She’d expect that question from her grandmother not her father. “Why do you think there was a problem?” She wiped the water she’d spilled off her chin.

“I drive by that house at least twice a day. Before this past week, your car was there almost every day. It hasn’t been there all week.”

She’d never guessed her dad was that observant. “Everything’s fine, Dad. I just had a crazy week.”

“Good, because I want some grandchildren.”

Someone had turned the world upside down; that was the only explanation for her father’s comments. “We’ve only been together a few months, Dad.” Even before her father’s off-the-wall comment, she’d envisioned herself with a baby who looked a lot like Mack.

“Your grandmother told me about the way he looked at you when she ran into the three of you at The Jade Orient. He has no plans of letting you go,” her grandfather said, adding his two cents to the conversation.

“And did Jessie tell you she’s going on vacation with him and his daughter next month?”

She hadn’t told her grandmother not to tell anyone, but she’d hinted in that direction. Both her grandfather and father held somewhat old-fashioned views about sex and marriage.

“Separate hotel rooms, right?” her grandfather asked before reaching for a lemon pastry. He hadn’t even finished his lunch, but the temptation proved too much for him.

Her dad grabbed a pastry from the box too. “What did I tell you? A man doesn’t invite just anyone on vacation with his daughter. I won’t be shocked if next year at this time I have my first grandchild on the way.”

Between her father’s talk of children and her grandfather’s question about separate bedrooms, today ranked as the most uncomfortable lunch ever. “Did you hear about Gage Larson?” If she hoped to survive lunch, another topic of conversation was required.

Jessie had never understood why so many people came to this theme park year after year. She even knew a few people who came more than once a year. Now, she understood. She’d visited theme parks before, but none had prepared her for this place. Here, everything right down to the most miniscule detail was seen to. Heck, yesterday, she’d seen a park employee wiping down the trashcans after a short afternoon rainstorm.

Inside the park, wasn’t the only place that got special attention. Their hotel rooms were cleaned daily, the sheets changed, and towels shaped like animals or objects left on their beds. So far, she’d found a swan, a butterfly, and a monkey. She couldn’t wait to see what showed up tomorrow. Maybe the housekeeper would make an elephant like the one Grace discovered today or a sailboat like they had placed on Mack’s bed.

Whatever she found, this vacation would go down as the best ever in her book. In fact, she could say that about the past several months. Ever since Mack and Grace had entered her life, it had been one joyous occasion after another. The only dark spot being the day Grace had run away and the few days that followed. Sometimes, that day seemed like a lifetime ago.

The Sunday after her dad announced his desire for grandchildren, the three of them and Socks had gone hiking together. Later that night, after she’d helped Mack tuck Grace in, the little girl had told her she loved her for the first time. It had taken a lot of willpower to hold back her tears that night.

The weeks between that night and Thanksgiving had flown by in a blur as Jessie had prepared the store for holiday shopping and helped decorate Sean’s house for Mia’s return. Thanksgiving turned into a huge event, with Mack’s parents inviting her grandparents and father over so they could all celebrate together.

Perhaps best of all, Bethany had moved on just like Mack predicted. Not long after the incident with Grace, they drove her up to New York for a weekend visit and met Bethany’s new boyfriend, a sportscaster for one of the major networks.

Yup, life doesn’t get much better.
Jessie checked her reflection in the bathroom mirror. So far they’d kept to the same schedule: they got up early, grabbed a quick breakfast, and hit one of the parks where they stayed until one or so. Then they’d come back and take a quick swim. The idea of swimming outside in December still boggled her mind, but that was Florida. After their swim, they’d grabbed a quick lunch before going back to another park.

Today, though, Mack insisted on changing the routine. They’d still arrived at the park early, but they stayed through lunch. Around four, they returned to their rooms, but skipped the swim. Instead, he’d ordered Grace to nap before they went back for the fireworks later. Considering everything else she’d seen here, she knew tonight’s fireworks would be extraordinary.

“One more minute, I promise,” Jessie called through the door that connected their rooms as she picked up her earrings. Tonight, they had dinner reservation at an Italian restaurant, and he’d promised there would be no fairy tale characters joining them. As much as she loved seeing Grace get so excited every time a favorite character passed by, it would be nice to make it through a meal without the little girl needing an autograph.

Anyone who passed them would’ve thought they were just another family on vacation when they headed out. While they weren’t—at least, not officially—in Jessie heart they already were.

***

He watched Grace fidget from one foot to the other. Anyone passing by would assume she was anxious for the parade and fireworks that would start soon. He knew the truth. She knew what he planned to do tonight. Before he’d purchased the ring now in his pocket, he’d sat Grace down and asked her how she felt about him marrying Jessie. He’d assumed a positive response because the two of them had developed a strong bond over the months. Happy didn’t adequately describe Grace’s response.

Together, they’d gone ring shopping. He wouldn’t trust such a secret with any other six-year-old, but Grace could keep a secret better than anyone he knew when she wanted to. That shopping trip had happened three weeks ago and tonight he and Grace would give it to Jessie. It seemed appropriate to include Grace since, if Jessie agreed to marry him, Grace came along with the package.

“I read online that since it’s so close to Christmas, they include Santa in the parade,” Jessie said.

From where he stood, he caught a glimpse of the parade coming their way. Hopefully, they’d snagged a great spot close to the park entrance near where the parade ended.

“I hope Santa got my letter with my new address,” Grace said. “I don’t want him to bring my toys to my old house.”

They’d had this conversation several times, and both he and Jessie had reassured her. “Don’t worry, that won’t happen,” he promised.

As the parade passed in front of them, he heard Jessie reassure her again, too. While his daughter and girlfriend watched the various floats and dancers pass by, he counted the minutes until the fireworks started and he could finally ask Jessie to marry him.

No sooner did Santa Claus pass by in a large sleigh than the first volley of fireworks exploded overhead. A wild mix of blue, purple, and red, the colors lit up the sky and captured everyone’s attention.

Everyone’s but his.

Between the third and fourth explosions, he squeezed Grace’s shoulder and slipped her the ring. Then he grabbed Jessie’s hand and turned her toward him.

“Is everything okay?” She looked down at Grace before glancing his way.

“Perfect,” he answered. “But Grace and I have something to ask you.”

The plan had been for him to ask her and for Grace to hold out the ring, but in true six-year-old fashion Grace changed things up.

“Will you marry us?” She held up the ring, gripping it as if her life depended on it while, overhead, the fireworks filled the sky with vibrant colors.

Despite the fireworks and various conversations, several people around them heard Grace’s question and turned their attention to them.

Jessie’s hands flew to her mouth, and she took half a step back. Then she knelt down and reached for Grace, pulling her close while tears streamed down her face. “Yes, I will marry you.”

Around them, applause broke out and Grace glanced up at him. “She said yes, Daddy.”

“I heard, buddy.”

When she heard his voice, she stood and hugged him. “I love you.” She kissed him, a soft brush of her lips against his. “And I love Grace, too.”

A grand finale of explosions went off in his chest. “I’m ready for that now.” He took the ring from Grace and slipped it onto Jessie’s finger. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Grace piped up, not about to be forgotten.

Mack let go of Jessie long enough to pick up his daughter so they could have a group hug. Around them, the cheers and applause grew louder, and Mack knew it wasn’t for the fireworks in the sky.

And he wholeheartedly agreed.

~*~*~*