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The congregation was buzzing. They’d gotten used to seeing Hyde Metcalf over the past year but to have another Patriots’ football player coming to church with the Udy family must’ve pushed them right over the edge. Especially since it was Sariah he had his arm around.
The pastor cleared his throat but the chatting continued. Sariah ignored it as she stared up at Mack. His gaze was solely focused on her as well. “You’re beautiful,” he murmured.
Her cheeks heated up but she fired right back, “Not as beautiful as you.”
Josh climbed onto her lap. “Can I sit by you, Mr. Quinn?” he asked, all innocent and cute.
Sariah didn’t want to be displaced from Mack’s side, but she would do anything for Josh. Mack easily solved the dilemma by unwrapping his arm from Sariah’s shoulder, plucking Josh off her lap and onto his left leg. He was so big that was all the space Josh needed.
Josh grinned. “You’re so tough,” he said, very loudly.
Sariah laughed. She glanced up and most of the congregation was crane-necking.
“We’d like to welcome Mack Quinn to our congregation today,” the pastor said. “Can we please proceed with the prayer now?”
People whipped back around. Mack kept his left arm around Josh but wrapped his right around Sariah again. She settled into his side and didn’t know when church had been so exciting, or comfortable. Mack was a great mixture of both for her. As soon as the prayer ended, Josh started whispering excitedly in Mack’s ear. Mack responded to her little brother, even as he pulled Sariah tighter against his chest and abdomen. A thrill shot through her. The pastor’s words, everyone’s interested glances, and Hyde’s concerned looks all went over her head. The only thing she could focus on was Mack Quinn.
* * *
Mack felt like a giant in the small dining room of the Udy home. He’d enjoyed church, whispering with Josh and holding Sariah close. Maybe he’d moved too fast, keeping his arm around her throughout the meeting, but only Hyde seemed to be giving him the stink eye. Her parents, family, and the rest of the congregation welcomed him openly. He met so many people after church he couldn’t begin to remember any of their names. Luckily, he had Sariah’s family down.
Mack had helped peel and chop potatoes on the back patio table with Josh before dinner while everyone else did “more important jobs” in Josh’s words. He loved being around Sariah’s little brother. The little guy was full of excitement and football trivia and seemed to idolize Mack, almost as much as Hyde.
Now everyone was squished around the large dining room table, passing food and chatting. Josh had made sure he was sitting between Mack and Hyde. Sariah was on Mack’s right side with Josh on his left. She seemed a lot more comfortable with him on her left so he tried to stay on that side whenever he could.
There were several conversations going on so Mack felt comfortable to just ladle food onto his plate, eat, and observe. There was a lot of food—trout, a venison roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans, and homemade rolls—and it all tasted good. Mack was grateful that the family seemed to have plenty of food and they all dressed nice. The house was small and worn, but it was clean and he felt love here just like at his parents’ home in Rhode Island.
“Mr. Quinn, sir,” Josh said through a mouthful of potatoes, “do you think the Rocket and Hyde can take you to the Super Bowl again next year? Hyde won’t promise me anything.”
Mack smiled at Hyde over Josh’s head. He’d always liked Hyde and hoped they could get past this weird vibe of Hyde trying to protect Sariah from Mack. In fairness to Hyde, Mack hadn’t heeded his warnings, but how could Mack have stayed away from Sariah?
Hyde gave him a tentative smile back and ruffled Josh’s hair. “I keep telling you, bud, if I promise and it doesn’t happen that makes me a liar.”
Josh wrinkled his nose. “Then just make it happen!” He shoved a bite of roll dripping with jam into his mouth and said around the bite, “Right, Mr. Quinn?”
“First of all, it’s Mack.”
“Oh, good luck with that one,” Hyde said. “It took me months to get him to call me Hyde.”
Everyone laughed at that and Lily said, “You’re his idol, give the kid a break.”
“I’d better be your idol,” Hyde said, leaning down and kissing her.
“Stop that,” Caleb groaned, but they were all smiling.
Lily whispered something only for Hyde’s ears.
Mack met Sariah’s gaze, wishing he dared kiss her, but he wouldn’t be doing it in front of her family.
Josh tugged on his sleeve. “I’m serious, Mr. Quinn, sir. If you promise me, I know nobody can get through you to the Rocket and then the Rocket will have all kinds of time to get the ball to Hyde, and you know Hyde is the best receiver in the world! How can you not make the Super Bowl?”
Mack loved this kid, but he agreed with Hyde. The Super Bowl wasn’t something any team could guarantee. “We will try our very best, Josh.”
Josh sighed and mopped up some gravy with a chunk of roll. “I guess that’s all I can ask of you, Mr. Quinn.”
“I can ask you to call me Mack.”
Josh looked up at him. “Okay, sir, I’ll call you Mack. If you bring your brother, Kaleb Quinn here to meet me. He’s the best singer in the world!”
