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In the cab, his scent pervaded my senses, making me feel a little weak in the knees. It was a mix of soap and sawdust. As I looked around to distract myself, I was impressed he kept his work truck so clean. Was his house the same? Did he live in an apartment or a house?
“Do you live in town?” I asked, wanting to know more about him. Where did he go when he went home at the end of the night? What did he do in his spare time? Or did he fill it with work because he was lonely?
“I built a house near my parents’ home a few years ago when it looked like—” He glanced at Delaney in the rearview mirror.
“When it looked like what?” I asked.
He glanced over at me, then returned his attention to the road. “Marriage wasn’t in the cards for me.”
“Why would you say that?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking. He’d mentioned this when I was at his parents’ house for dinner, but he hadn’t explained his reasoning. I was dying to know the answer.
He shrugged. “It didn’t work out, but that’s a story for another time.”
I understood he didn’t want to talk about it in front of Delaney.
He flashed a smile at me, then at Delaney in the back. “My house is nice, but it feels empty.”
“I can help you with that,” Delaney said from the backseat. “Mom said I fill every room with my infectious energy.”
Mac chuckled, reaching over to squeeze my hand and quickly letting go. “Is that right?”
I smiled over my shoulder at Delaney. “Our house never feels quiet or empty.”
Delaney nodded. “Except when I’m in school.”
Turning toward the front, I teased, “I don’t know. I can feel your presence even then.” I spent twenty minutes after the bus picked her up, cleaning up the mess she’d made from her room to the kitchen, then to the living room. She was a human tornado.
Mac met Delaney’s gaze in the rearview mirror. “I’ll have to have you over sometime so you can fill my place with this energy.”
I admired the cut of his jaw and the line of his throat. His shirt was a polo that opened, revealing a light dusting of chest hair and tan skin.
“I can come over,” Delaney said sweetly.
I loved my daughter. She was so caring and kind. I hoped that meant I was doing something right with her and that her father’s actions hadn’t irrevocably changed her.
“Perfect. I can’t wait. I have this amazing outdoor space where you can make s’mores.”
“Did Sam build that for you?” I asked him.
Mac nodded as he stopped at a red light. “He’s practiced on our houses. He started with his own, then did mine, and now he’s pressuring my dad to do his.”
“Your family’s great.” I couldn’t help but love how different they were from Carter’s.
“I know I’m lucky. I think they were what made me want something similar for myself. But I’m starting to think that kind of love and acceptance is rare.”
“Maybe.” I was divorced and hadn’t found anything like what Mac’s parents had either, so I wasn’t an expert. I tended to have a positive outlook on life. Now that Carter was in my rearview mirror, I wanted someone for myself at some point. It didn’t have to be now, but I couldn’t help but think Mac might be the one.
Mac drove to the brick-oven restaurant and found a parking space on the street nearby. He helped Delaney down. She stood between us, holding our hands as we walked on the sidewalk. To anyone else, we looked like a happy couple.
It was dangerous because I could see us doing this again. Despite what Mac said, he was born to be with someone. He wasn’t like any other man I’d met who was anti-commitment. So he was telling himself he couldn’t have it, and I’d love to know why. It couldn’t be just that one woman who’d hurt him.
Besides, he had an amazing example of a good relationship with his parents. They seemed so happy and in love.
The hostess sat us by the window.
“I love this little town. I didn’t realize how much until I moved back.”
“I’m glad you did. Your B&B will be perfect for the town, and I think you’re going to love it here.”
