Bonner's Way

by Carlysle, Regina

  Things were just too sad to face at the moment and going in there would only bring back memories of her last moments with Em. Too soon. Too painful. Too everything.

  Callie entered the postage-stamp sized kitchen and poured herself a glass of wine. It was a cheap grocery store red, but would do the trick. She took a sip as she leaned against the kitchen sink to peer into the back yard. Winter-ugly had dressed the yard in shades of brown and gray, it’s only spot of brightness coming from a faded plastic play-fort the kids had received for Christmas several years ago. Letting her mind wander, Callie’s thoughts went back to the frenzy of planning and the funeral that followed. Nothing had surprised her more than to learn from Mr. Morrissey at the funeral home that an anonymous donor had picked up the cost of expenses. Callie had never doubted the kindness of folks here, but this was beyond anything she’d ever expected. There had been no whispers of a collection for the funeral and when pressed, the funeral director had been forced to admit that a single donor had ‘taken care of things’. There was only one person who might have done it. Over the past weeks, and even prior to Emma’s death, he’d been a rock for her and the kids.

  Mac.

  Callie swallowed another drink of wine and closed her eyes on a sigh.

  He’d been a quiet presence in her life for years. Then during the days following Emma’s death, he’d taken charge, handled visitors and calls, and had let them grieve. Mac had been a solid, but silent support following the service and throughout the dinner hosted in the banquet hall of the First Baptist Church. Though, she had been surrounded by caring people, she honestly didn’t know how she could have gotten through it without him. Mac had moved far beyond the boy she’d once loved, and now it was impossible to deny that her feelings for him were deeper and stronger. This was no silly crush. It was far more. There was a deep thoughtfulness about the man. He was as solid as an oak, a hero as far as she was concerned, but now she had to move on without that steady presence. Almost immediately after the funeral, Mac had left town on ranch business and she hadn’t seen him since. She missed him. Despite their friendships, the past year of illness and struggle had prevented them from spending much time together, and it was her deepest hope that would change once things settled down.

  Daydreaming wasn’t going to get dinner fixed, so Callie set her glass aside and concentrated on gathering the needed ingredients. Just as she reached into the fridge, she heard heavy footsteps on the front porch followed by several loud knocks on the door. She moved to the kitchen doorway just as Austin jumped from the couch.

  “I’ll get it,” he yelled as he threw open the door to show Mac filling up the space.

  Callie folded her arms across her chest and smiled, trying for all she was worth to look casual and pleasant, when in fact, her heart thumped so loudly it was a miracle no one else heard it. “I was just thinking about you,” she managed. “Come on in.”

  Mac, who held a grocery store sack along with another smaller bag, smiled slowly and Callie thought she might melt into a puddle of girly-goo on the floor. No man alive had that sexy killer smile and yeah, she might be at a rough patch in her life, but she was woman enough to admit it.

  Cautioning herself to reign in her libido, she stepped into the living room. “Whatcha got here?”

  Mac peered into the top of the bag then looked at her. “I had to pick up some stuff at the Grocery Mart and thought you could use some things.”

  Her heart turned over.

  “That’s so nice of you, Mac. Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”

  He grinned down at Izzy who had both arms wrapped around his thigh. “Sure I did. Figured this little Ladybug might be hungry.” As Callie took the bag from him, Mac hauled Izzy high into his arms, and then reached down to ruffle Austin’s hair.

  Austin snatched a white sack from Mac’s hand and looked into the bag. “Hamburgers! Are these for me?”

  “Austin! Mind your manners,” Callie scolded. “Were you raised in a barn? No sir, you were not.”

  “We don’t have a barn,” Austin retorted. He was definitely a smart-ass in-the-making.

  Mac laughed and Callie was momentarily caught off guard by the brilliant whiteness of his strong teeth. She had no damn business noticing his teeth!

  “It’s all right, Cal. I picked up some dinner for you and the kids. Hope that’s okay.”

  Okay?

  More than okay.

  His kindness overwhelmed her.

  Callie shook her head. “You didn’t have to do this, Mac,” she said again, feeling like a broken record.

  “Sure I did. It wasn’t any trouble. I took the liberty of getting a burger for myself, too. Figured you could use some adult company right about now and I’m sick of eating alone.”

  He squeezed Izzy a bit then plopped her gently onto the couch. Austin, calm now after his initial excitement over burgers and fries, settled into place beside her, and as they got back to their show, Mac followed Callie into the kitchen.

  “I’m having a glass of wine. It’s the cheap stuff, but I’ll pour you some if you want,” she said as she placed the groceries on the kitchen table.

  “More of a beer guy,” he said as he began to pull bread, milk, eggs, a box of sugary cereal that the kids would go nuts over, and other assorted things from the sack. Finally he reached into the bottom of the bag and pulled out a six-pack. “There we go. All set.”

  Callie shook her head. “Such a guy. Let me put these in the fridge.” Mac reached out and snagged one, then popped the top as she scrambled to stow the groceries. “I can’t believe you did this. It’s so nice of you.”

  “I’ve been known to be nice from time to time.” He pulled a couple of envelopes from his back pocket and tossed them to the table before sprawling into a kitchen chair. “I got your mail for you.”

  “Hm. You are spoiling us. I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”

  “I could think of a thing or two.”

  Startled by his words, Callie settled her gaze on his and saw the teasing glint in them darken into an intensity that shook her. She was imagining things. She had to be. Still, no man in her experience, other than Mac, had ever looked at her as if he wanted to eat her up with a spoon. Callie dragged a heavy breath into her lungs and broke eye contact before she did something utterly ridiculous like admit that he’d been the star of every hot dream she’d had for most of her adult life.

  No. That wouldn’t be a good idea.

  She reached for her wine glass, set it on the table, then busied herself putting the food he’d brought onto plates. “I’m glad you’re joining us, Mac. The burgers are a real treat. It has been awhile.” Callie realized she was babbling once she looked up to see Mac watching her quietly.

  He shrugged. “We all have to eat so I figured it made no sense not to share a meal. Besides, I wanted to see how you’re doing. I feel badly that I had to leave town right after the funeral and I’ve been worried.”

  “I’m glad you’re back. I’ve missed─” Callie wanted to swallow her tongue. How dumb to let him know she’d been thinking of him. The dead last thing she needed was to show her vulnerability. Things were emotionally tricky enough for her these days.

  Silence fell. Mac arched a dark brow as he studied her.

  “Missed me, huh? Well now.”

  Callie sank into the chair opposite him as her cheeks heated. Mac had everything in the world and more to offer a woman and it was beyond silly to think he felt anything for her other than friendship and a lot of sympathy. It was time to stop living in a dream world. “Yeah, I kinda did,” she admitted. “There for a while you were always around and then it seemed you just fell off the map.”

  Mac leaned back in his chair, that serious golden gaze focused intently on her. “I’m not the kind of man to sit idly by when a friend needs help,” he drawled.

  Friends. Yes, that was it. Best she remember that.

  He felt sorry for her situation and because he was a good guy, he wanted
to help.

  Callie would take what she could get.

  “I know you’re not. I never got a chance to thank you properly for everything you did.”

  “No thanks needed. Now how about those burgers?”

  It had been on the tip of her tongue to ask if he’d been the anonymous donor who’d picked up the expensive tab for Em’s funeral, but maybe it was just as well the question remained unasked for a while. Mac wasn’t the kind of guy who’d easily volunteer the information if he didn’t want it known.

  She called the kids in for dinner which turned out to be a much-welcomed chatty affair. Between Austin and Izzy there wasn’t a dull moment. For days, Austin had been unusually quiet, which she supposed was to be expected after all he’d been through. Tonight he opened up, discussing with Mac how he wanted to sign up for the kids’ winter basketball league. Between nibbles of her fries, Izzy talked about her best friend Chloe and the birthday party she would attend in a few days. They didn’t really know Mac well, and Callie was amazed by how open they were with him. The biggest revelation, though, was Mac himself. You’d think he’d been around children most of his life and he had an easy way with them.

  When dinner was finished, Callie looked at Izzy. “Okay, sweet pea. I think it’s time for your bath. Do you have homework?”

  She shook her head and Austin raised his hand as if he were still in class. “I do. I do.”

  “What do you have tonight, Austin?”

  “Math.”

  “Oh no.” Callie shook her head already stressed about her pitiful skills in the subject. “Will you need help?”

  “A little bit.”

  Mac stood and made himself right at home as he began gathering wrappers and bags along with catsup and mustard bottles. “I can help you out with that, buddy,” he said. Mac gave Callie a glance. “Why don’t you deal with Ladybug here and Austin and I will get started.”

  The man must have better things to do than help with these kinds of chores. “Are you sure?”

  “Have no plans. Lucky for Austin he caught me on a good night.”

  Mac grinned at the boy and Callie felt her traitorous heart turn over again.

  In better days, Callie and Emma had split household duties and she’d always wondered how single moms managed alone. Now that everything had changed so dramatically, she was learning a thing or two about how tough the life of a mom alone could be. Having Mac here, if only for a few hours, was such a help. Looking back, Callie knew that essentially her sister had always gone it alone. Lord knew Darrell Decker had been no help. Fathering those two sweet children had been his only good contribution to society. He was a drinker, a brawler, a thief, and the poster boy for deadbeat dads everywhere. It wasn’t until he’d gone to prison and Callie had moved in that Emma had finally gotten some relief.

  When bath time for Izzy was over, Callie tugged the girl’s nightgown over her head and took her hand. “Ready to hit the sack? You have school tomorrow.”

  “Gotta say ‘night to Mac,” she said, looking up through sleepy brown eyes.

  “Okay, but make it quick, honey.”

  Izzy raced into the living room just as Austin closed his math book with his homework assignment tucked between the pages. She immediately ran to Mac until she stood between his spread thighs. “Night, Mac.”

  Izzy held up her arms and Callie’s breath hitched when Mac hugged the sweet little girl hard and gave her tiny back a couple of pats.

  “Good night, Izzy. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

  Callie saw his eyes close as his face settled near Izzy’s and wondered if he’d heard those words from his own mother when he was a boy. Approaching them, she settled a hand on Austin’s shoulder. “Why don’t you thank Mac for helping you with the math?”

  “Done did it.”

  “You mean, you already said thank you.”

  Austin frowned. “That’s what I said.”

  Callie rolled her eyes and laughed. “I give up. Why don’t you head off for a shower? Want me to tuck you in?”

  The boy gave her a get real look but tolerated the quick hug she gave him.

  When they hustled off on a chorus of good nights, Callie sank onto the sofa next to Mac. “Whew. It’s a job and a half getting things done at night. Thanks for helping with the homework.”

  “I enjoyed it.” He settled back on the cushions and gave her a look. “I can take Austin for the basketball sign-up if you want. I think he might be a little worried somebody will forget.”

  “As if I could. That’s all he talks about, but yes, Mac, that would be nice. There aren’t enough hours in the day lately. With both jobs and worries about getting the kids here and there, I swear my brain is fried. Right now, I need to find someone to get them home from school and stay with them until I get off work. Mrs. Bates from next door is doing it now but that can’t continue. She’s getting on in years, and I think Izzy and Austin keep her hopping more than she’d like.” Callie sighed and rested her head on the back of the sofa. Reaching up, she rubbed her temples where a headache bloomed. “I’ll figure it all out soon. Things are just a little crazy right now.”

  “Headache?” Mac’s deep voice immediately calmed her, and she jumped a little when he reached for her shoulders. “Turn around. Let me fix you up, honey.”

  In the past, she’d seen Mac as a distant fantasy, an unattainable ideal of the perfect guy but here he was, in her pitiful little house taking care of all of them like he did it every day. She still had trouble believing it. Feeling as though she’d slipped into some weird alternate universe, Callie slid forward until her butt was propped on the edge of the sofa and presented her back. She’d never in a million years expected this, but she would take it. Instantly, Mac’s broad, warm hands moved up the length of her back from waist to shoulder blades. Once there, he worked the muscles until a low cry moved from her lips and her head dropped forward. Moaning deeply, no doubt sounding like a woman in the throes of orgasm, she arched into his touch then whimpered a little as his fingers stroked the tops of her shoulders. “Nothing has ever, ever felt this good,” she whispered.

  “Now that’s a damn shame.”

  Wow. Okay, the man had magical fingers and knew just the right things to say to tease a woman into believing the impossible. Here she sat, her make up worn off, wearing baggy sweats and faded tee shirt, looking like the Holy Wrath of God, and he made her feel all desirable and stuff.

  The words faded leaving them bathed in silence, and still his palms and fingers stroked and soothed. Her eyes drifted shut as bliss rolled over her body. “I didn’t know how much I needed to relax.”

  He dug his thumbs into stiff muscles hitting every pressure point, and then leaned close enough to whisper. “You’ve had a lot to deal with. Maybe you should try to do it more often.”

  “Do what?” A shiver shook her as his warm breath teased her ear. It was beyond pitiful how long it had been since she’d been intimate with a man. Lord knew she worked too hard and played too seldom. The effect of his touch and the words he whispered played havoc with her libido. Arousal tightened her nipples. Between her thighs, a pulse throbbed and the beginning of raw, unexpected pleasure, rocked her.

  “Relax.”

  Exactly how was she supposed to do that with his big, rough hands touching her with such startling familiarity?

  “Ah, but there’s no time for that.” Reality intruded and she mentally shook herself. Surely an overactive imagination was responsible for this crazy, physical reaction. “I have work, the kids, maintaining the status quo.”

  “Fuck the status quo. Let me hire someone to stay with the kids, and I’ll take you out for dinner or something. You need someone to wait on you for a change.”

  A date?

  The idea of spending an entire evening alone with Mac Bonner was a serious threat to her composure, but before she could think on it further, he drew her back until she was sprawled unceremoniously across him, her head cradled in one of his arms. She
blinked up at him as he arranged her legs on the sofa.

  Mac frowned. “Your head hurts. I saw you rubbing your temples,” he murmured. “Let me.”

  In her wildest fantasies, she’d never imagined that tonight she would be spread out across his rock hard body, but she wasn’t dumb enough to complain. Her left arm was trapped between her side and his belly and it was impossible to miss the press of his denim-covered erection against her skin. A look of intense concentration crossed his face as he reached up with his free hand to rub his thumb and forefinger over her temples. Around and around, he pressed where she ached, and though she wanted to get lost in the intense golden depths of his eyes, there was simply no way she could keep her own eyes open. Another little moan left her throat as he applied gentle pressure. “You’ll spoil me,” she managed.

  “Someone needs to spoil you a little. That’s what I’ve been thinking for quite a long time.”

  Callie opened her eyes. “You have?”

  Mac nodded. He opened his mouth to say more when a small voice called out from the kids’ room.

  Callie struggled to sit upright and finally managed it with a little help from Mac who hauled her up. “That’s Izzy. I have to─”

  “Go. Do what you have to do.”

  He stood when she did and as Callie hurried to see what was up with Izzy, she glanced back at Mac. “She has nightmares sometimes.”

  Just as Mac scrubbed his face with his hands, she turned away. Despite her inner doubts, she wasn’t stupid. She understood his frustration. The man had just offered to take her to dinner and if the hard-on hidden behind the fly of his jeans was any indication, he was definitely interested in more than a few burgers with the kids.

  Callie rushed into the room, thankfully to find that her niece only wanted a drink of water. Once she’d taken care of the matter and tucked the little one back into bed, she headed into the living room to find Mac gone. Frantically, she looked around then breathed out long and slow when she heard noise coming from the kitchen. Mac stood backed against the kitchen counter, a bottle of beer in one hand. He gave her a hard look.