She might have gone overboard with the salad. It would easily feed four. “You can save whatever you don’t eat—”
“Don’t bother going to get what you made for yourself, there’s plenty here to share. Grab some plates and glasses. I’ll get the salad and water.”
They worked around each other with ease. It was as though they’d been doing this dance for years and by the time they sat at the table on either side of Maddox, she had a clear vision of what life with them would be like.
A life she had no right to want.
No chance of having.
As soon as she told Jacob about her stepsister, he’d kick her out. She knew that as surely as she knew her own name. He trusted her now. She’d done nothing for him not to. Nothing that he knew about. As soon as he learned what she’d kept hidden, he’d see it as a betrayal.
“This is delicious. What dressing is on it?” he asked between bites.
“It’s homemade with mayonnaise, wholegrain mustard, and crushed garlic. According to my father, my mother used to make it. He passed the recipe to me.” The thought of her parents stirred emotions she’d dealt with long ago. Unfortunately they still had the ability to make her wish for things that would never be. “I usually make a big batch and keep it in the fridge, so I hope I got the portions right.”
“You’ll have to write it down for me. This is delicious. I’m not a huge fan of salad, but with this dressing I’d eat it by the bucketful.” He took a sip of his drink. “I got my grandmother’s recipe book when she died. I make a few of the meals in there but I’m not much of a cook beyond the basics, so most of it goes to waste. I should see what else I can make now that we’re in our own home.”
“Basics are usually best when you have little ones to feed.” Mallory pointed at Maddox. “I didn’t put any of the dressing on his dinner. It’s too overpowering for a young palate.”
“Oh yeah, the first time I gave him broccoli, Mad stuck his tongue out and tried to wipe it off with his hand.” Jacob laughed. “I’d never dealt with kids before Mad so I was clueless. We learned together though, didn’t we, Madman?”
Maddox banged his fist on the highchair then grabbed a handful of chicken and shoved it in his mouth, grinning around it.
“He likes what you made him just fine.” Jacob nodded. “I’ve found chicken is his favorite meat so you picked a winner there.”
“I prefer chicken with my salad. If I can get my hands on some strips of bacon, I’ll cook it until it’s crispy then crumble it up and sprinkle it on top. And I will do slices of ham if I have it. Although I usually end up with a ham and cheese grilled sandwich instead.”
“Now there’s a comfort food.” Jacob forked up the last of his meal then pushed back his chair. “I’m going to get some more. You want some?”
“No. I’m fine, thank you.”
“More water?” he asked as he picked up his plate and glass.
Her glass was almost empty but she didn’t want any more. “No. I’m good.”
Plate and glass in hand, he said, “I’ll be back in a second,” before leaving her alone with Maddox.
Finished with her meal, she picked up her glass and leaned back, her mind wandering to the call she’d taken while out at the shops. Renee’s lawyer had called to let her know he’d secured a hearing to have Renee released from prison to a psychiatric facility. Mallory hoped the move was unsuccessful except no matter what Renee did, she always seemed to get out of trouble.
Her stepsister’s current situation was the most serious she’d ever been in and Mallory could only think it was about time.
Except now, it looked as though she might get away with what she’d done. It wasn’t fair, and if they were able to get her moved then that would get them one step closer to getting her released where she could once again cause Jacob and Maddox harm.
“That’s some serious thinking you’re doing.”
Startled by Jacob’s voice, Mallory looked across the table to find he’d returned and sat down while she’d been lost in thought. “Just some things I need to work out this weekend.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, I need to go to San Francisco for a couple of nights.”
“Nothing bad I hope.”
“Hmm, I hope not.” Except she knew it was bad. Donna had already left her a voicemail saying she’d arrived and what hotel she was staying at.
It had all left Mallory with a stomach ache. She wished they’d never learned about Maddox. Never come here to attempt to connect him with his grandmother. Except then she never would have met either him or his father. And as much as she wished away Renee’s involvement in their lives, she couldn’t. Because Maddox wouldn’t be here and Mallory never would have had the pleasure of meeting his father.
“Anything I can do to help?”
