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The photograph showed a young couple who were obviously in love with each other. Jacob was taller than Rose was; the top of her head came to around his shoulders. They were both slim built, although Jacob looked to have some muscle on him, and he had broad shoulders. Rose just looked slim and delicate with a ribbon tied around her long blond hair. At least, it looked blond in the black and white photo.
Mack had to fight back tears as she looked at the photograph. These two were so much in love, and the relationship ended so tragically. It broke her heart.
She didn’t feel ready to read what Rose had written, but knew she must, for Thomas, and because it would only play on her mind if she didn’t. She turned the photograph over and finally read what Rose had written to her brother all those years ago.
“Oh, Thomas.” She placed her hand over her mouth. Tears rolled down her face.
“I know, Mack. She really did love me, and if she had made it to Boston, she said she would have come back to see me eventually. Probably when she could stand up to Mother and Father.”
Mack dried her eyes. “Thomas, would you mind if I just take a picture with my cell of this photograph?”
“No, that’s fine. We’ll have to get you a copy made.”
“That would be great.”
Just as Mack was about to snap a copy of the picture, Lucas came running into the room. Thomas quickly picked the photograph up off the table and put it back into his pocket.
She pulled herself together. “Come on, time for breakfast,” Mack announced, just as Dean walked into the kitchen.
He walked over to her and couldn’t help but run his hand down her back in a loving caress. “Are you okay?” he whispered in her ear. Dean bent down and placed a sweet kiss to her lips.
“I am now,” she replied, grinning. “Come on, Dean. Let’s eat.”
Breakfast was a silent affair, each lost in their own thoughts. All Dean wanted to do was pick Mack up and hold her until all her troubles were gone. She’d been crying when he’d walked into the kitchen, probably looking at the photograph Thomas had quickly hidden when Lucas appeared. This whole thing with Rose and his grandfather had really gotten to her. He hated how much it upset her.
It also shocked him just how much he was feeling for Mack. She’d gotten under his skin and he was sure she was there to stay. He just hoped she felt the same because he did not intend to let her walk away.
“You’re looking mighty happy with yourself, young man,” Thomas said, pointing his fork at Dean.
“Um, yes I am,” he replied while eating his breakfast.
“Are you going to share?” Thomas looked back and forth between Dean and Mack.
“I might share my thoughts, but I’m not sharing my woman,” Dean said to a laughing Thomas across the table.
“Who’s your woman?” Lucas piped up.
Dean paused with the last of his breakfast about to disappear into his mouth. “Your Auntie Mack. Is that all right with you, Lucas?”
“If you make her cry, I’m going to beat you up,” Lucas growled.
Dean about managed to swallow a mouth full of food without laughing. His expression turned serious as he said, “If I make her cry, I’ll let you beat me up. Is that a deal?” He held out his hand to Lucas, who looked at it then shook it with sticky fingers.
“Deal.”
“Don’t I get a say in any of this?” Mack asked.
Lucas and Dean both looked at her. “No!” they said together.
She laughed. “Okay, if all the macho stuff is out of the way, what’s everyone doing today?”
“I’m going with Thomas to the Irish Pub,” Lucas informed them with glee.
“Oh, you are, are you?” She raised an eyebrow in Thomas’s direction and waited for an explanation, which wasn’t long in coming.
“Well now, I usually meet a couple of old guys every week, and today is the day. We play cards, and just people watch. They want me to bring Lucas as I mentioned him a time or two the other night.”
Mack still frowned. She wasn’t too sure about the pub idea. “Are you sure Lucas will be okay there?”
