“My point is, she wasn’t happy then, Mack. She put on a smile and pretended, but I know my little girl. Just like I saw it all those years ago when we were on the road. I knew she was unhappy, yet I couldn’t do anything about it. She was an adult and needed to figure it out on her own. Now, don’t think I didn’t try to do a little persuading, but I never forced her to make a decision.
“And I won’t force her now either, Son.”
His words make my heart drop into my shoes. Well, if I were wearing any.
“She needs to figure this out on her own,” he adds, leaning forward and setting his elbows on the table. “But I will tell you this, my little girl only smiles the real ones when she’s around you. Don’t give up on her, Mack. Show her what her heart has been missing, and I promise you, she’ll get there. You may have to let her go again. Heaven knows, my little girl is as stubborn as all get out. Gets it from her mother. But don’t give up on her. You hear me?”
I nod, taking in everything he’s said. I want her to stay—with me—forever. The thought of her packing up and heading back to Brenton makes me want to break something hard with my fist. But I know he’s right. I can’t force her hand, just like Jim couldn’t where Perry was concerned. She has to figure it out on her own, and the best way to do that is to remind her of how amazing we are together.
And how much I still love her.
“What smells so good?” Lena asks as she enters the kitchen, my son wide awake and propped in her arms.
“I made some breakfast,” Jim says, jumping up and placing a kiss on his daughter’s forehead. “Take a seat and I’ll get it out.”
She slides onto one of the empty chairs, and I immediately jump up and grab her a cup of coffee, light on the milk and heavy on sugar. “How did you sleep?” I ask, setting the mug in front of her.
She gives me a knowing grin. “Pretty good, actually.”
I can’t help but smile myself. “Do you want me to take him?” I ask, as I set empty plates on the table and go to retrieve silverware.
“No, I got him. Oliver and I have big plans today,” she says, reaching her finger out for him to grab.
“Oh yeah? What’s that?” I ask, taking my seat again and glancing their way. There’s nothing better than seeing the woman I love hold my son.
“We’re going to the department store.”
My eyebrows shoot upward. “What for?” I ask over my coffee cup.
“A pool.”
I almost spit out the liquid I just tried to swallow. “A what?”
She grins from ear to ear. “A pool. Oliver was telling me he’d really love to do some swimming, since it’s such a beautiful weekend. Plus, it’s southern California and everyone has a pool, Mack.”
Jim snorts behind her as he sets the platter of bacon and a second one of eggs down on the table. “Sounds to me like you’re about to get a pool, Son,” he says, sending a wink my way.
Yeah, I read him loud and clear. I’m about to get a pool because I’d do anything to make her happy, anything to see that smile on her beautiful face. Whatever she wants, I will get it for her. Getting a pool doesn’t sound too bad, actually. It is warm in LA, and I wouldn’t mind relaxing in one at the end of a long day.
Plus…bikinis.
Tiny little bikinis.
Yeah, let’s get a pool.
Chapter Fifteen
Lena
I’m falling for him.
Again.
Hell, I probably never stopped.
That’s what keeps replaying over and over again as we make our way to Portland in the comfy motorhome. Mack is sitting on the floor, Oliver stretched out on a blanket between his legs. The little guy is kicking and swinging his arms, making happy little noises and gazing up at his dad as if he hung the moon.
I kinda, sorta agree with the baby.
My dad flew out on Monday afternoon, and I already miss him. Even now, only four days after he left, I’ve texted him every day to see how he’s doing. Fine, he says, but it still doesn’t quench the sadness I have being away from him. It’s as if having him near for those four days made me homesick that much more.
And then there’s Mack. I’ve spent every night in his bed, curled up at his side. It’s comfortable. Fitting. Perfect.
But the mind and heart are at constant battle. My mind says to pull away, take a step back sooner rather than later. I’m leaving in two weeks. Heading home to Brenton, Mack and Oliver staying behind. Then there’s the heart that calls to him, as if he were the missing piece to the puzzle of life.
I exhale and snap another picture of father and son. I’ve been doing that a lot lately. A few I’ve had printed and framed for his house, and the rest are stored in a file on my laptop. I supposed I’ll leave them for him when I return home.
“You okay?” Mack asks, his eyes cast downward as he makes a silly face at Oliver. Yet, I know the question is for me.
“Yeah,” I reply, forcing a smile.
He glances up and meets my eyes. I can tell he doesn’t believe me, but he doesn’t call me on it. Instead he offers, “If you need to talk, I’m here.” That’s it. He lets me know he’s willing to listen, but I’m not sure I can. Not when the entire debate in my head is about him.
“Thanks,” I state, offering him a
