by Nancy Naigle
“I can wait. How about y’all?” Sydney turned to see Seth and RayAnne yammering over by the tree like they’d been buddies forever. They hadn’t even heard her. “Y’all want to eat now or later?”
“We can wait until later,” Seth and RayAnne said in chorus.
“Sounds like we all agree,” Sydney said.
Mac moved closer to Sydney. “I thought we’d head outside and do some four-wheeling. How do you feel about that?”
“RayAnne already saw them when we drove up. She’d kill me if I said no.”
“I’d take the hit on that,” he said. “She can be mad at me. If you’re not comfortable, we don’t have to ride.”
“No. That’s not fair. We’ll be extra careful?” She looked up, her eyes catching his. “My rules, right?”
“Scout’s honor.”
“Let’s see how it goes. I still have kingdom rights. Right?”
He did a sweeping bow. “Queen Sydney, would you like to lead the way outside?”
She sauntered forward, then Seth leapt ahead.
“Follow me,” Seth said. He and RayAnne ran ahead and jumped onto the seats of the two four-wheelers parked in front of the house. Bantering about their favorite baseball teams, they looked like old friends.
Mac stepped in front of the two ATVs and clapped his hands together. “Okay, y’all ready for the plan?”
“Yeah!” Seth and RayAnne shouted out.
Sydney clapped and walked over next to the four-wheeler where RayAnne was sitting.
“Have you ever ridden before?” He looked at RayAnne and then over at Sydney.
“Yes!” RayAnne’s eyes danced wide. “My dad taught me. I can shift and everything, but dad rides me on the back of his a lot, too.”
“Not me,” Sydney offered.
“Are we going to ride?” RayAnne threw her hands onto the handle grips.
“Alrighty. First things first. Seth, you go grab a couple gloves and a ball. You and RayAnne can play a little catch while I take Miss Sydney out on her very first four-wheeler ride.”
RayAnne slung her leg over the seat to get off and stood next to the bike. “Man.”
“You’ll get your turn, RayAnne. If I can convince your mom here that you’ll be safe,” Mac said.
RayAnne whooped. “This is going to be so funny. Mom, you’re gonna scream like a girl.”
“Hey. I am a girl, and proud of it, I might add.”
“She’s such a girl,” RayAnne said, nudging Seth.
“Be nice. Nothing wrong with girls being girly.” Mac gave Seth a nod.
“Come on, Ray,” Seth said. “We can watch and toss from over there.” He handed her one of the ball gloves.
“Okay.” She took it and jogged ahead then pounded her fist into the glove. “Over here.”
Seth tossed the ball to her and RayAnne caught it and slung it back.
“Seriously?” Sydney looked slightly worried. “You want me to ride on this thing?”
“I’d never ask you to let your daughter do something you weren’t comfortable with. So, let’s just take this a step at a time. You’ll ride with me. If that’s okay, I’ll show you how to drive one yourself. After that, we’ll decide.”
“Oh great and if I say no I’ll be the bad guy.”
“No. If you say no, we’ll just play around until it gets dark and we have no choice but to put them up before they get a turn. Deal?”
“I like the way you think, Mac.”
“Thought you might.” He handed her a helmet. “Put this on.” He got on the ATV and started it, then took the helmet swinging from the handlebars and pulled it onto his head and strapped it under his chin. The only reason he wore one at all was to set an example for Seth. It was one thing to get a little crazy as an adult, a whole other thing when it came to kids.
She pulled her hair into a ponytail and swirled it into a topknot, then tugged on the helmet.
He patted the seat and pointed to a peg on the rear where she could get a leg up. She pulled herself up and over and then leaned forward, holding him tight.
“Ready?” Mac said over his shoulder.
“I don’t know.”
Her cheek rested against his back, and her arms felt as rigid as a stack of hardcover books. He took off slowly, hoping not to scare her. Then he picked up speed, carefully selecting the smooth parts of the trail back to the gate.
By the time he pulled to a stop she’d let up her grip a little. “What do you think?”
“It’s fun.”
“Wait here.” He climbed off the ATV and walked over to the gate and opened it.
“You ready?”
She nodded, so he climbed back on and took off through the gate. She laughed and squealed, but in a fun way. He rode up to the path that led to the highest point on the land and then stopped. From here he could see the entire parcel, all the way over to his house. “Great view, huh?”
“Yes.” She took off her helmet, sending her hair tumbling back over her shoulders. “Wow, it’s pretty up here.”
“My favorite spot.”
“I bet it would be perfect for a picnic here in the spring.”
“Oh yeah, the field is full of wildflowers then. And everything is so green. Not much color this time of year.”
“Still pretty. And peaceful.”
He didn’t rush her. It was nice to share this place with someone who appreciated its beauty. All Seth saw was a place to ride fast, slide, and do doughnuts.
“This would be the perfect place to watch a meteor shower in the night sky. I bet it’s pitch black here at night.”
“It is. Seth and I camped out here a couple times. Can’t see your hand in front of your face at night unless there’s a full moon out.”
“Wow. You know, the Ursids meteor showers are supposed to be visible starting next Tuesday through Christmas Day. With a dark spot like this I bet we could catch a glimpse of a few. Maybe the kids would like to do that?”
“Sounds like a plan. We could come out earlier, maybe make some s’mores and drink hot chocolate. If there’s chocolate involved, Seth is a sure in.”
“RayAnne, too. Think about it. Let me know if you can work it into y’all’s schedule.”
“I don’t have to think about it. I think we should just plan on it.”
“I’d like that.” She put her hands in her back pockets and lifted her chin to the sky. “I love it out here, but I guess we should head back.”
She walked over and started to climb up behind him.
“Oh, no ma’am.”
“What do you mean, no?” She took a step back.
His jaw set, and he shook his head matter-of-factly. “I’m not giving you a ride back.”
“You’re going to make me walk?”
“No.” He got off the ATV. “You’re going to drive me.”
“Oh, no.” She took a giant step back. “That’s not going to happen.”
“Sure it is.” He patted the seat. “Hop on up.”
“I don’t know how.”
“I’ll help you.”
“We should get back to the kids. I’ll just ride behind you again. Let’s get back to the house.”
“That’s where we’re headed. Don’t worry; my neighbor is right next door. They’re always keeping a watch over things, and Seth is a responsible kid. We’ve got time.”
She bit down on her lower lip. “You might regret this.”
“Hope not.” He waited until she got into position and then slid behind her. “I’m a great teacher. Got a degree and everything.”
She laughed and when she did her helmet tipped back and banged against his. “Oh, no. I’m sorry.” And darn if she didn’t bump him again.
“Hope your driving is better than your multitasking.”
She laughed, her shoulders rising and falling as she did. “Real funny.”
“Okay, so here’s all you’ve got to do.” He ran through the do’s, don’ts, and how tos.
Sydney started the motor and
tried to ease out the clutch.
And after half a dozen popped clutches and missed gears she had the hang of it and was speeding back down the path much faster than he’d taken her. “You’re a natural,” he yelled.
She lifted her hand and gave him a thumbs up. “You’re an ace teacher. Let’s head back so you can give RayAnne a ride.”
“You’re on!” He rested one hand on the crook of her waist. From here he could just see the side of her face beneath the bulky helmet, but it couldn’t hide that smile. It looked like freedom and joy, and that made him happy.
The look on RayAnne’s face when her mom came screaming around the corner toward the house was priceless. Her eyes were as wide as one of those anime manga characters. She and Seth ran over to the driveway, slapping high-fives along the way.
“I can’t believe you taught my mom how to drive,” RayAnne said. “No way.”
“I’m pretty good.” Sydney took her helmet off and held it close to her chest. “I do drive a car. Give me some credit.”
“You gonna take me for a ride?” she asked.
“No. I’m going to let Mac do that. I’m not that good yet.”
“Oh, yeah, but you let me put my life in your hands?” Mac teased.
“Kind of like driver’s ed.” Sydney got off and gave her helmet to RayAnne. “Have fun, kiddo.”
Mac scooted up, and RayAnne climbed on back with a thousand-watt smile.
“Seth, are you going to ride along?”
“Heck yeah.” Seth grabbed his helmet and strapped it on. He patted it twice on the top, and Mac echoed the movement. Then Mac revved his motor, making RayAnne squeal before they ever took off. Seth hit the throttle and led the way.
When Mac came back he pulled his four-wheeler straight into the garage and parked it. He was helping push Seth’s into its spot when Sydney walked out of the house. She didn’t have her jacket on this time. The sleeves of her shirt were turned up, and she looked like she’d just stepped out of a country western outfitters catalog. Fresh, fit, and filling every curve in those jeans.
RayAnne raced across the garage and hugged her mom around the waist. “This has been the best day ever. Thanks.”
“Wait until you taste Mac’s lasagna,” Sydney said.
“You snuck a taste?” Mac raised a brow.
“How could I resist?”
“It’s hard,” Seth said. “Dad’s lasagna is the best.”
“Hope you don’t mind, but I went ahead and set the table. Everything is ready. I thought y’all might come back starved.”
“Mind?” Mac shook his head. “Hardly. Let’s hit it, gang.”
They all went into the house and washed up before gathering at the table. Sydney had managed to round up everything to set the table and even made a little impromptu centerpiece with Mac’s grandmother’s white milk glass bowl filled with Christmas ornaments, probably from one of the boxes sitting in the garage.
It looked like a real family dinner table.
As Seth and RayAnne took their seats, Mac helped Sydney get the garlic cheese bread out of the oven.
“Man that smells good,” Sydney said. “Major garlicky.”
Mac set the pan on the counter and tossed the oven mitts to the side. “Major good. Thanks for getting it ready.”
“Least I could do. You had everything prepared.” She slid the bread into the basket Mac held, and then they took their seats at the table.
Mac cleared his throat, and Seth already had his hands pressed together and eyes closed.
Sydney and RayAnne followed suit.
“Dear Lord,” Mac said. “We’ve gathered to share good times, good conversation, and good food with our new friends, for which we thank you for all. Amen.”
“Amen.”
Conversation lulled as everyone dug in and even went back for seconds of lasagna.
With tummies full and everyone tired from being out in the fresh air, they moved to the living room and sat by the Christmas tree.
“So, Monday night we’re at your place to do the chocolate-dipped pretzels for Bea?” Mac asked.
“Yes. Everything was ordered and is supposed to arrive at my place Monday. So unless there’s a shipping snafu we should be in good shape.”
“We’ll be there.”
“Wouldn’t want you to drive all that way just to turn around. I could call you when I get home and make sure we have everything we need,” Sydney said.
“It’s not that far. In fact, if I take the old gravel road it’s less than a mile between us.”
“It was a lot farther than a mile for me to get here,” Sydney said with a chuckle. “Men and their measuring systems.”
He smirked but didn’t comment on that. “There’s a gravel road on the other side of your property next to the big oak tree. A yellow pole gate is at the road there, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it closed,” Mac said.
“Yeah, Mom. It’s on the left side of the house. You know.”
“I have seen that. It leads here?”
Mac nodded, and pointed out the window. “Sure does. Just on the other side of my neighbor’s house there. It used to be a service road when all of these farms shared tobacco and cotton farming cooperative rights. The county keeps it clear because the power lines cut through there.”
“I had no idea. So I guess we’re almost neighbors,” Sydney said.
“As the crow flies, we are.”
“That’s funny. What does that mean?” RayAnne asked.
Seth nudged her. “Means we have to drive on roads but birds can fly in straight lines. So as the crow flies is the shortest distance between the two places.”
“I should be a bird,” RayAnne said.
“A cuckoo bird,” Seth said and snickered.
Mac flashed Seth a look.
“I was just kidding. You know it, right, Ray?”
RayAnne turned to Mac. “Don’t worry. I’ll get him back tomorrow when y’all come to make pretzels at our house.”
“We don’t have to make the pretzels,” Sydney said. “Thank goodness. We just have to dip them in chocolate and decorate them.”
“Miss Bea’s chocolate pretzels are the best,” Seth said. “They have candies on them and stuff. It sounds totally gross, but they are so good. Everybody gets one when we do the caroling thing.”
“I don’t really get what that whole caroling thing is all about. Everyone at school has been talking about it, though,” RayAnne said.
“You just have to be there. You’ll see. It sounds lame, but it’s pretty cool.”
Seth actually sounded enthusiastic about it. Mac had considered letting Seth off the hook on the caroling this year, since he’d always complained about it in the past. If a little of RayAnne’s Christmas joy was influencing Seth’s interest in the holiday, that was okay by him.
“Let me give you my number in case anything happens on Monday that we need to adjust the schedule for,” Mac said. “Got your phone handy?”
She leaned over and took her phone out of her purse.
He took it and typed in his number. “There you go.”
She pressed the button and his phone rang.
“We’re all set.” It was a whole lot easier to get a phone number these days than back when he’d been on the dating scene.
“I think it’s time we headed out,” Sydney said, getting up.
“I’ll walk y’all out.” Mac grabbed his jean jacket and followed them outside.
RayAnne climbed into the passenger seat. “Thank you so much, Mr. Mac. I had such a blast.”
“You’re welcome.” He waited until RayAnne closed the door. “I didn’t want to say it without checking with you first, but it’d be great to do it again. I think she and Seth had a lot of fun together.”
Sydney’s smile was easy. “I think that might be okay.”
“I had fun too,” he said.
“Coming here was the best part of my day. It couldn’t have happened at a better time. The morning started off pr
etty bad.”
“How so?”
She glanced back toward her car. RayAnne was messing with the radio dial. “Got my divorce papers today,” she said in a hushed voice.
“Ouch. Even if it’s your decision those are hard times. Boy do I know it. Sorry.”
“I wasn’t looking for your sympathy. Coming here just made today that much better. So, thank you.”
She’d made his day, too. In ways he hadn’t expected.
Chapter Thirteen
On Monday afternoon, Sydney drove home at lunchtime to be sure the boxes of pretzels and additional supplies had arrived and they had everything they needed for that night. Bea had loaded her up with two shopping bags of plastic containers full of what she called the “delightful parts,” which she later learned were different colored sprinkles, colored sugars, coconut, teeny chocolate chips, and toffee bits.
She opened the door and took the inventory to the kitchen, then went back and wobbled the big box on its edges to get it through the door. Sliding it down the hall, she got it to the kitchen, where they’d be setting up for the decorating tonight.
The kitchen was her favorite part of this old house. Even the outdated harvest gold was growing on her after she and RayAnne decided to do the room up right in an old-fashioned sunflower theme. The huge island in the middle would give them plenty of space to set up an assembly line of sorts. Hopefully, it would be a fun project for the kids.
Sydney unloaded the box, stacking all the pretzels at one end of the countertop. After doing a little research she’d determined the slow cooker might be the best way to melt the chocolate and allow multiple people to dip and decorate at the same time. Four mason jars would fit perfectly into her slow cooker in a water bath that would keep the consistency of the melted chocolate just right. Plus, they could do some in white chocolate and some in milk chocolate that way.
She texted Mac.
Sydney: We’re on for tonight.
Mac: Looking forward to it.
Sydney: 7?
Mac: See you then. ☺
It was a little after six when Bea showed up. She’d insisted on driving herself over despite Sydney’s objections, stating that she’d driven in this town for so many years she could do it blindfolded.