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A few seconds later, his brain registered her parting shot.
“It’s gonna be one hell of a summer.”
Mac stared after her, his pulse quickening at the thought.
It certainly was.
Chapter 10
Mac’s mother had a fresh pot of coffee brewing when he arrived just before seven the next morning. Always an early riser, Lila was dressed for church in a pale pink dress, with biscuits cooling on the counter and her blond hair in curlers. She handed Mac a mug as soon as he walked through the door, and he accepted it, kissing her cheek before settling down to the kitchen table.
“Do you want something to eat, Mackenzie? I can whip you up some eggs if you like.”
He shook his head. “Nah. I’m good. Had a bowl of cereal before I left the cottage.”
His mother took a sip from her mug, a slight frown on her face. “I don’t know why you’re spending money renting a cottage when there’s plenty of room right here.”
“I’m a big boy, Mom. Been looking after myself for years now. I need my space.”
“But the cost…it’s a waste if you ask me.”
Mackenzie didn’t have to pinch pennies—his job paid him very well—but he knew his mother was used to watching every dime. There wasn’t a time that he didn’t remember when she wasn’t questioning the cost of something.
Do you really need that?
Was it on sale?
Or his favorite.
It might be a little big on you, Mackenzie, but you’ll grow into it.
Mac took a swig of coffee. “Don’t worry about it. Technically I’m here working, so I can write some of it off. Besides, looks as if you’re going to have a full house for the summer.”
His mother nodded but didn’t answer. Mac let a few moments pass before he pressed her.
“How long have you known?”
“Known?” She looked at him in surprise.
“How long have you known that Dave’s been using Becca as a punching bag?”
His mother looked horrified. “What are you talking about? Becca told me that she fell down the stairs.”
Holy. Christ. Was his mother that much in denial?
“Fell down the stairs,” he repeated.
When she didn’t say anything, his voice rose. “Becca fell down the stairs and broke her arm.”
“Her arm’s not broken. It’s just sprained, and don’t you dare raise your voice to me, Mackenzie Draper.”
Mac shook his head but lowered his voice. “She split her lip and somehow managed to end up with a black eye. All of that from a fall down the stairs.”
Again, his mother said nothing.
“Huh, those stairs must have had grabby arms.”
Mac set his coffee mug on the table and rolled his shoulders. He didn’t get this. He didn’t get this one bit. How could his mother be so goddamn blind?
