Her eyes widened. “You made cookies?”
With a sheepish grin Jacob said, “Well, no, not me, but they are homemade. Mad’s aunt made us a bunch of cookies to bring to our new house. All homemade. She’s a baker. Not by trade, just by inclination, and let me tell you, the woman makes the hell out of a cookie or pie.”
“Sounds like the kind of aunt every little boy should have.”
“It is. She is. And Uncle Ry isn’t too bad either, is he, Madman?”
“Cookies!” Maddox wiggled to be put down. “Cookies!”
“Hang on, buddy, we’ll get you one in a minute,” Jacob told his son before bringing his attention back to Mallory. “So how ’bout, it? Want to join us for cookies and milk in the backyard?”
“Sure. Why not? Can I bring anything?”
Jacob shook his head. “Nope. We’ve got it covered. We’ve already set the picnic blanket out under the big oak tree at the back of the yard.”
“There’s a oak tree?” How had she missed that? It must be behind the garage, an area she couldn’t see from the path or either of her windows.
“Yep. Complete with swing.”
“Oh, I haven’t gone into the yard. It’s not part of my lease agreement.”
“Feel free to use it whenever you want. The only thing I ask is that you be extra sure you close the side gate just in case Maddox gets away from me and finds his way around that side of the house.” He held up a hand. “I’m not saying you don’t already do that. Or suggesting that I leave him unattended, because I don’t. I just like to be sure he’s safe. I’m going to put a self-locking mechanism on it this weekend so you shouldn’t have to worry about it too much.”
If Mallory didn’t think the idea ridiculous she’d say Jacob was suffering from nervous babbling. “I always double check when I come or go and now I know there’s some precious inhabitants who might be in the yard, I’ll be sure to triple check.”
“You don’t have to go that far, but thank you.” He frowned. “I’m a little more cautious than some parents. It’s just me and Mad so when it comes to caring for him, I’m it.”
The whole time they’d been talking, Maddox had been chanting ‘cookies’ and pushing off his father’s chest in an attempted to get down. Hoping to put an end to the little boy’s suffering, Mallory said, “Why don’t I take these things inside then join you out back? Or do you need help carrying anything from the house?”
“If you can watch Mad while I get everything brought out that would be good. I’m a bit of an expert at juggling squirming toddlers and any number of other items but I won’t knock back a second set of hands when I can get them.”
“I’m happy to be that second set.” She tipped her chin toward the garage. “I’ll just go put these inside and come right back.”
“When you come back, meet us in the kitchen. It’s through the glass door.” He tipped his head to indicate the back of the house.
The move was unnecessary but Mallory smiled. “Okay.” To Maddox she said, “See you in a minute for cookies.”
Maddox clapped his hands and yelled, “Cookies. Daddy. Cookies.”
Mallory knew, thanks to the report the PI had given Donna, that Jacob had taken Maddox to a pediatrician about his speech but she honestly didn’t think there was anything wrong with his speech or vocabulary. At two months short of two, Maddox seemed to be in the average range.
She’d know more the longer she spent with him of course, and she’d be sure to take notice while they enjoyed milk and cookies in the backyard.
“I’ll be quick,” she said to both of them before turning and speed walking along the path and up the stairs to her door.
A little niggle of guilt threatened to overshadow her pleasure at being invited to join them. Jacob had been correct in his assumption that she knew his name because of her lease agreement. What he wasn’t aware of was she’d known who they both were long before she’d moved to Sunnyville.
He’d find out eventually, and by then they would have had more interactions; it would be hard for her to keep her distance with them living so close to each other. She should tell him now, except she couldn’t be sure of his reaction and if he wouldn’t give her a chance without knowing her, then would it be so bad to wait to explain their connection?
Maybe if they formed a friendship, if he saw she was nothing like her stepsister, that she wanted nothing but the best for Maddox, he’d forgive her for not telling him who she really was or why she was here in Sunnyville.
Juggling her grocery bags when she got to the top of the stairs, she put the key in the lock, gave it a twist, and pushed the door open. She didn’t bother putting anything away; as she’d told Jacob, she hadn’t bought anything perishable and she wanted to get back to them as quickly as she could. If she was going to be hanging around in the yard for the afternoon, she needed to take the time to change out of her skirt and into a pair of shorts.
A quick wardrobe switch and check of her hair later, she rushed back out her door and down the stairs. As she walked between the house and garage she could see Maddox sitting on the floor through the closed glass door. The second he saw her, he climbed to his feet and began banging on the glass.
Jacob came up behind him and picked him up before sliding the door open. “He wanted to come get you so I had to shut the door. C’mon in. If you want to take this one for a minute, I’ll get everything else we need.”
“Sure. Hand him over.” Mallory’s hands trembled slightly as she took Maddox from his father. “Hey, there, handsome. What kind of cookies are we having on this date of ours?” she asked.
