“So is she,” Brody said quietly. “I’ve been in the middle for two years, and I won’t go there again.”
Heaven.
Mackenzie wiggled her toes, enjoying the unbound luxury as the sunbaked tiles warmed her bare feet.
The sunroom was Mackenzie’s favorite spot at Brody and Savannah’s house. It was open enough to allow her freedom to move around, yet cozy enough to eliminate disorienting echoes. It had become such apeaceful place for her that Mackenzie had added a similar one to the back of her own house.
She knew that three steps to the right rested a chaise longue covered in silk so temptingly plush it was the perfect place for a catnap. A step forward was a square coffee table, and four steps to her left sat a miniature table covered in nubby lace, which was the centerpiece for all of Caroline’s tea parties, including the one currently in session.
Mackenzie sat with her knees nearly to her chest, squeezed into a square throne made to hold someone half her size. According to Caroline, it was painted princess pink with lavender stars.
Paper rustled and the distinct scent of vanilla, crayon, and everything little girl wafted over her as the princess in question snuggled deeper into Mackenzie’s chest.
“Dat’s your dress. See how floofy it is?” Caroline said. Her angelic voice and slight lisp were escorted by a pleasant smell of bittersweet chocolate that could only have come from sneaking one of her birthday cupcakes before the party started.
“Caroline, do I smell frosting?”
At Muttley’s favorite word, the dog buried his nose in Mackenzie’s thigh and let out a guilty whimper. Clearly he’d had a bite too.
Caroline shushed her and, as if that wasn’t an admission of guilt, quickly guided the tip of Mackenzie’s finger over the drawing in her lap. “And dat’s me. I’m wearing a pink gown wif ruffles and bows and a big veil wif lots of sparkles.”
“It sounds beautiful. What’s over here?” Mackenzie asked as her hand drifted to the center of the paper, where she felt a buildup of waxy residue from the crayon.
“That’s Muttley.” Caroline outlined the dog’s portrait, and Muttley barked in appreciation. “He’s in da middle and has a sparkly collar wif a pink bow on his neck to match my dress. He broughted his own sleeping bag and everything for our party.”
“Oh, a party. Is it a ball?” Mackenzie asked, playing along with Caroline’s ever-growing imagination. “Will Prince Charming be in attendance?”
A noise erupted from Caroline’s mouth, similar to a soda bottle exploding, and sent a light mist of spray onto Mackenzie’s cheek. “No. I asked Uncle Cash to come and play da prince, but he’s drawing a rose on a lady’s back.” Caroline leaned over and patted Muttley on the head. “I asked Mommy for a dog for my birfday but she said I’m not old enough, so den I asked for a sleepover wif Muttley instead.”
Muttley started a low whining in his throat and pressed closer to Mackenzie’s thigh, sneaking one paw onto the chair. Knowing it would take only a second to get all four on her lap, she said, “Down.”
“See. Hewantsto come!” Caroline shifted to the side and rested her warm cheek against Mackenzie’s chest. “I’m almost this many.” Four little fingers danced across Mackenzie’s palm. “Enough for a sleepover. I have all our favorite doggy movies picked out. Plus, Mommy gots us our own doggy-friendly cake, just for tonight.”
Muttley’s second favorite word had him sitting at attention, as if promising he’d be a good boy.
Mackenzie’s heart sank at the simple request that was, for her, anything but simple. She depended on Muttley for her freedom, and there was no way she could function at home without him, even for just a night. Caroline loved Muttley almost as much as Mackenzie did. And even though she’d explained it several times, the concept of a guide dog was hard for Caroline to grasp.
Especially since Muttley looked like a giant polar bear.
Hoping to soften the blow, Mackenzie brushed a soothing hand over Caroline’s hair and down her arm, feeling the short ringlets recoil as her touch passed. “Muttley has to sleep with me, sweet pea.”
“I know. But I gots an idea. I could sleep at you and Muttley’s house and den he can be wif meandyou. Dat way you don’t get scared at night.”
Caroline’s innocent remark hit so close to home Mackenzie had a hard time speaking. “I would love that and so would Muttley, but a sleepover at my place won’t work until you’re a bit older.”
“I’ll be on my gold-star behavior.”
The sincerely whispered plea sounded close to cracking. Mackenzie cradled Caroline’s little body closer to protect her from the disappointment. “It’s not you, sweet pea, it’s just ... I can’t be sure I can keep you safe.”
“I can keep us all safe and sound.” The promise was said with so much conviction Mackenzie’s heart cracked a little.
They’d tried that once before, and Caroline had accidentally left one of her shoes in the hallway, causing Mackenzie to fall and wrench her ankle. With no other adults around and Caroline inconsolable, Mackenzie had been rendered completely helpless. All the possibilities of how much worse it could have been confirmed that she had no business taking care of small children alone.
“I know you can, but I’m just not ready yet.”
The first sniffle came fast, followed by a little quiver and the slumping of shoulders. Caroline buried her face in Mackenzie’s chest and mumbled, “’Cause on account of your eyes?”
Mackenzie opened her mouth to answer, to reassure Caroline that everything would be okay, but the words got stuck in her throat.
