“God she is something else.” Matthew laughed. “After everything, she still can be flippant.”
“I know, an annoying habit I would love to break.” Andrew frowned.
“Well, get over it. This is who I am.” She grinned cockily.
“Ah, pet, you have already forgotten one minor detail. Look around you. We are still in charge,” Matthew said firmly but with a little smirk.
Just as she was getting to make a snappy comeback, she heard Andrew steely say, “Kneel.”
* * * *
The sun was shining the next morning. Her body ached in places she never thought could hurt, but she felt wonderful. She couldn’t explain the feelings or emotions she went through last night, but it was a journey she would never forget.
Though she and the Jenkins brothers didn’t get everything settled, they did agree to make time for one another and just for themselves. Having two little ones was an enormous undertaking, one that many families had nine months to prepare for, but not them. So far, minus the diner hiccup, Macie was taking everything in stride. Yes, she knew she overreacted and lost control, but she figured, what mother hadn’t?
What worried her now was what she was going to do with them while she was at work. Having the babies at the diner was fine at first, but she knew it wasn’t the right thing for them. They needed constant attention in a safe environment.
What she needed was a babysitter or daycare.
Putting her thinking cap on, she tried to think of anyone capable of watching two growing boys and who loved children. She thought of asking Emma, but with Tabby and her new addition, Tamara, having two more babies underfoot was a lot to ask, so Emma was out. Then she thought of Janie, but she was pregnant. From what she had heard, Janie was suffering horrible morning sickness, so that left Janie out. Lilly was due to pop any day now. Charlotte was, well…Charlotte was Charlotte. Kelly was busy at the clinic with Andrew and spending time over at the community center with the veterans. There was Vanessa, but she had her own business to run, like herself.
The problem Macie was realized was that there really weren’t a lot of single females in the town. Those who were capable were married and having children of their own, which left the older women of the community, and there was no way in hell Macie was going to let one of them corrupt her boys.
Nope, she was screwed, blued, and tattooed.
She was just going to have to place an ad in the paper and pray that someone answered it. Until then, she had come up with a schedule that she believed worked well for all three of them.
“Macie, you here, chica?”
“In the office,” she yelled back, smiling. Macie looked up as Vanessa walked in looking more gorgeous than ever. Her long, silky black hair hung down to her waist. Her big brown eyes and caramel skin glowed, and her full red lips shimmered. Vanessa Sanchez was a drop-dead beauty, which would make any man stop and do a double take. Her native Indian heritage was prominent with her Spanish roots.
Watching as her friend plopped into the chair in front of her, Macie grinned. “So how’s the fashion business, Van?”
Grumbling, Vanessa replied, “Dull. How’s baby duty?”
“Exhausting, I need a babysitter or daycare.”
“Don’t look at me. I have a hell of a time taking care of myself. It takes a lot to look like this every day.”
Laughing, Macie nodded. “I hear ya. Before the boys, I took pride in the way I looked. Now, I am just happy if I can find a clean shirt. But seriously, keep an ear out for anyone looking to make some extra cash and is good with kids.”
“Have you asked Cricket Zazzle-Leaf? She used to run the daycare over at the community center before the city council closed it down due to lack of funds. She has been working odd jobs over in Celestial and works in my store on weekends. She does okay, but she is certified in child health and education and is looking for a permanent position.”
“Didn’t she apply for a teaching position over at the school?” Macie asked.
“Yeah she did, but the city council denied her application. Apparently they wanted someone who conformed to their way of life, and who didn’t dress up like a clown on any given day.”
“Oh please, Cricket is a sweetheart and I happen to like her different-colored hair.”
“Well, you are part of the minority then. The poor girl hasn’t been able to find a steady job anywhere. You should give her a call.”
“I think I will. So what has your panties bunched up your twat?”
Sighing, Vanessa said, “Did you know that the city council members are schmoozing some big-ass developers in the hopes that they build their strip malls here? It’s going to be an eyesore. And yes, I said malls, plural, more than one.”
Smiling, Macie leaned back in her chair. “They can schmooze all they want. Treasure Cove is a private community run by the founding families. Yes, we have a city council and all, but they cannot build or develop anything outside the town’s city limits. They are limited to the town itself. Besides, last I looked, the only land available within the city limits is where the old library sat.”
“Oh, girl, you have been out of the loop and on baby duty. Haven’t you heard? Matthew and Andrew are thinking about selling a large portion of their families’ land, the side attached to the town. If they do that, the city will incorporate it, which will make the town bigger, and then they would have the room to build.”
“The fuck they are!” Macie yelled, jumping from her chair. “I ain’t living next to a god damned strip mall!”
“Hey, don’t shoot the messenger!” Vanessa said, holding her hands up in defense. “I just thought you already knew.”
“What are those fucking boneheads thinking?” Macie ranted as she walked out of her diner, cursing up a storm. She headed straight for the law office of one stupid motherfucker.
“Hi, Macie!” the perky receptionist greeted her as she barreled into the office. However, when Macie growled at her, the young woman grinned and just pointed. “He’s in there.”
Not bothering to knock, Macie barged into Matthew’s office yelling as she slammed the door behind her. “What the fuck do you think you are doing?”
* * * *
Matthew Jenkins was literally at his wit’s end. Sighing, he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes. He was tired, and with so much work sitting on his desk, he wondered if he was ever going to get through it. Thoughts of last night’s scene with Macie filtered into his mind, and a smile crept up on face. She had responded beautifully, and he couldn’t wait to take her back. But before he could do that, he needed to clear away some of the files littering his desk.
The main one was the proposal from the city council. Though he was giving it some consideration, he just couldn’t stand giving the council bigger bargaining chip against the founding families. The land in question had been in his family for generations, and though it was now legally his and Andrew’s, he had planned to sell a portion of it, but everything changed when Macie gave birth.
Gone was the idea of boosting the town’s revenue. Now it was the thoughts of preserving his sons’ legacy. He didn’t know what his sons’ lives were going to be like when they got older, but he wanted that land available for them when the time came.
It belonged to them.
Now all he had to do was tell the council he and Andrew had decided not to sell. He knew the council was going to be pissed. They had been working hard negotiating the deal for the last five months, and with the developers in town, well, they were supposed to sign the paperwork at a dinner this weekend.
Too bad, Matthew wasn’t going to sign shit.
Nothing was set in stone until someone signed on the dotted line, and even then, Matthew could always find a loophole and get anyone out of any contract. That was what he did, and he was good at it. Early on in his education, he learned rather quickly never to agree to anything, to watch what words he used, and never to shake a gentleman’s hand unless it was to greet him or say good-bye.
He knew he should just call Aria Van Ottoman and break the news over the phone. However, he wanted to tell the old bat to her face. He never liked the old woman, and she definitely didn’t like him, or anyone else for that matter. She was just a crusty old bitch who did what she wanted as she pulled the puppet strings of every other city council member.
Running his hands through his hair, he sighed just as his desk phone rang. Picking it up, he said, “Matthew Jenkins.”
“Hey, Matt, it’s Braxton. Look, we got the initial report back from the Feds. Didn’t know if you wanted to look at it or not, but according to what they found, a female killed Glenn. Now, I don’t know if anyone knew he was back in town, but I am letting you know. There are a lot of people who are now suspects.”
“And Emma is at the top of your list,” he guessed, already knowing the answer.
“Yeah, though I doubt she did it, going into labor the next day in all. Nevertheless, I have to rule her out. Also, I am going to need to speak with Macie, too.”
“Why?” Matthew asked as the hairs on his neck stood up. He understood about Emma being a suspect but knew she was innocent. But why Macie? That made no sense. “She didn’t know about Glenn being back in town. Hell, Brax, nobody knew it was him.”
“Well someone knew, and I have to find out who. Someone was feeding him the information.”
“Which means there is a killer living amongst us?”
“Yeah. I’m not too happy about it either. I just thought I’d let you know. I’ve already called and talked with Travis. He is going to bring Emma to town this afternoon.”
“What time?”
“Around three.”
“I’ll be there,” he said, hanging up the phone just as Macie barged in, madder than a red hornet.
“What the fuck do you think you are doing?”
“Now is not a good time, Macie,” he replied, in no mood to mess with another one of her temper tantrums. He loved the woman more than life itself, but dealing with her mood swings was draining, and he had more important things to deal with at the moment.
“You’re selling your family’s land to that bitch and her old cronies! Why?” she asked as she slammed her hands down on his desk. Closing his eyes, Matthew counted to ten. Typically, he loved it when Macie got herself all riled up. She was something to see, full of piss and vinegar, but after the conversation with Braxton, he really wasn’t in the mood for her tirade. He needed to prepare and help his daughter stay out of some legal troubles.
“Not now, Macie,” he growled, looking up at her.
“You don’t scare me, Matthew Jenkins, so stop growling at me,” she said, standing straight, placing her hands on her hips.
Damn, she was full of herself today and looking mighty pretty, considering what they put her through last night. He also noticed the black collar still around her neck. He and Andrew had decided to leave it on her as a reminder, and though they still had lives to attend to, she was still theirs to do with as they pleased.
In their eyes, the scene was still in play until they said otherwise.
“Sit down, Macie,” he ordered and watched as she blinked twice, her eyes going wide.
Oh yeah, kitten desperately needed her claws trimmed.
“Sit!” he yelled and she immediately complied. Getting to his feet, he walked around, leaning on the desk before her. Her head bowed, and her hands nestled nicely in her lap.
He looked down at the woman before him. “It seems you have forgotten the rules already, my dear. Until we take that collar off, you will be obedient and respectful. You will do as you’re told, without question, and you will mind your manners and listen before assuming anything. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Master,” she whispered.
“Now, I know you are busy with the diner, but why did you feel the need to stop what you were doing, leave work to come over here, and bother me? Is my day any less hectic than yours is? Or were you needing some attention?” he asked.
“No, Master. I was talking with Vanessa, and she mentioned what the city council wanted to do.”
“And Vanessa told you about Andrew and me possibly selling a portion of our land to the town. Is that correct?”
“Yes, Master.”
“And why do you care so much, Macie? You have refused our marriage proposal, and though you agreed last night to listen before flying off the handle, here you are, with your mad on, and you’re assuming, again. So why should I stop what I am doing to accommodate you?”
“You shouldn’t, Master. I’m sorry for interrupting your day. I’ll go back to work now,” she said getting to her feet, but Matthew reached out and grabbed her hand as he pulled her into him. Wrapping an arm around her, he held her close as his other hand lifted her face. “Macie, what is it? Tell me. Why did you really come over here?”
“Because I don’t want you to sell your land to that woman. She is evil, Matty. I don’t like her. She has made my life a living hell since she moved here. She and those bitches she hangs out with would love nothing more than to shut me down.”
“So this visit is because of a personal grudge you have with Ms. Van Ottoman?”
“No, not really.”
“Then tell me.”
“I just don’t want you to sell it, okay?”
“Why?”
“Because I want our boys to grow up there, free from the gossip and the evil looks, okay! I want them to have a safe place where they can be free to be themselves, and not worry about upsetting anyone!” she yelled as tears fell down her face.
Matthew looked into her beautiful green eyes and smiled. It wasn’t the boys she really worried about. It was something more, something deeper. He had learned after his return to Treasure Cove the awful stories she had been subjected to. Through it all, Macie held her head high, never letting anyone get the better of her. She had fought her whole life for some semblance of normalcy, just to be accepted for who she was. What Macie didn’t understand was that the majority of the town loved her and did accept her. It was the small few that didn’t, and it was those people who made her life a living hell.
He had thought when he and Andrew claimed her that the gossip would stop, but apparently it hadn’t. He wondered if that was one of the reasons she refused his proposal. Hugging her closely, he let her cry out her frustrations. He knew there wasn’t a thing he could do about what happened to her in the past, but if she would let him, he could help change her future. She just needed to trust in him and let loose of the reins a bit.
He didn’t want to take over her life, just to help her, make it easier for her. He knew she was too independent. That was one of the things he loved about her, but until she was willing to accept his help, his hands were tied. In the meantime, he could alleviate one problem. “Macie, Andrew and I are not going to sell our land.”
Sniffing, she looked at him. “You’re not?”
“No, you crazy woman.” He smiled, as he kissed her soft lips. “Now, have you given any thought about someone watching the boys while we’re at work?”
Grinning, she replied, “Well, actually Vanessa recommended someone. What’s your stand on Hippie-Goth?”
* * * *
When Andrew received the call from Macie, stating she had found a temporary babysitter and that she would meet him out at the family farm, he packed up his sons and headed out to meet the young woman. He envisioned a nice-looking young lady, who dressed appropriately and oozed all the sweetness and joy that went into childrearing.
Nowhere in his mind did he ever expect to see a green-haired woman who had more holes in her face than a slice of Swiss cheese. Or the fact that she wore a tied-dyed tube top that showed off her colorful tattoos. Nope, Cricket Zazzle-Leaf was the last person on the planet he expected sitting on the front porch waiting for him.
“Hey, Doc!” the perky woman with an affectionate smile said. God help him, he had to smile, too. Andrew knew of Cricket’s parents long before he took over the clinic in Treasure Cov
e. A nice couple that lived and loved as they saw fit, which was the norm around these parts. As long as they weren’t hurting anyone, typically people never said anything. All sorts of families lived between Treasure Cove and Celestial. The two towns, founded within years of each other, boasted some of the craziest and outrageous lifestyles known to man, and Cricket’s family just happened to be one of the craziest.
“Hi, Cricket, how’s your parents?” Andrew said as Cricket opened the back door and looked at the two sleeping bundles.
“They’re fine. OMG! Aren’t they the cutest little bugs on the planet?”
“And a handful. Your infant CPR certificate is still up to date, right?” Andrew asked, not entirely sure what Macie was thinking about asking Cricket to watch his sons.
“Oh yes, Doc, and I even took a refresher course last month over at Silver Springs Hospital.”
“And your daycare license is still valid?”
“Uh-huh! Macie said that if this works out, she is going to think about letting me have the apartment above the diner to run an in-home daycare. I really miss being with the kiddies. They are so much fun. They are just a pure blast to be around.”
“Above the diner? Isn’t that dangerous?”
“Well, yeah, I guess it could be, but when someone is offering you a free place to make a living in lieu of watching her babies, I’m not gonna complain. Sure, it would be safer to have the daycare on the ground floor, but nobody in Treasure Cove will lease to someone like me. Since the majority of women having babies live in Treasure Cove, well, I just can’t up and open shop in Celestial. The winters are brutal here, but you already know that, and I can’t have a young momma drivin’ all the way through the pass and get stuck with the little ones. It just ain’t safe. Therefore, when Macie suggested her place, I kinda jumped at it. She said it’s going to take a couple of weeks to get the place cleared out, but then it’s mine. Isn’t that great, Doc!”
Andrew stopped listening midspeech. When he heard Cricket mention a daycare above Macie’s Diner, well, all thoughts fled and dread seeped into him. Macie was moving. Where was she going? Was she taking the boys?
Mastering Macie [The Men of Treasure Cove 7] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 22