Callie stuck her head into the living room. Izzy sat curled in on herself in the corner of the couch and Austin lay sprawled on the floor, his elbows propped on either side of a pillow from his bed. “Are you guys ready for hot dogs or do you want to wait until the movie is over?”
“It’s almost over. I can wait,” Austin said without removing his gaze from the unfolding story.
Callie glanced at Izzy. “Thumb from mouth, baby.” Izzy promptly moved her thumb but didn’t look her way. She might as well be invisible. Shaking her head and smiling, she turned back to the kitchen when she heard the sounds of boots falling on the front porch, immediately followed by a knock. Callie went still. Her heart thumped.
Mac!
Though he’d called several times since the night Buzz Decker had shown up to threaten her, she’d actually seen him only once. He dearly loved a hot breakfast at the Willow Tree, and that was a fact. She’d served him and they’d chatted casually on that single occasion. She’d fought her disappointment for days before finally realizing the man had obligations to the ranch and to the men he employed. He couldn’t spend every waking moment with her. Sure, he’d kissed her socks off but he’d made no promises.
But now he was here.
She knew it was true even before Austin opened the door to let him in.
“Mac! Hi, stranger,” she said from her post at the kitchen door. “Want a hot dog? We were just getting ready to dig in.” Best keep it casual. Safer that way. Callie was the kind of girl who showed every bit of emotion on her face so now she struggled mightily to not reveal how desperately happy she was to see him. They were friends. That was all. Sorta.
He smiled and tipped back the brim of his hat before stepping inside. Callie thought it odd he didn’t close the front door but she stayed quiet about that. “Well, any other day, I’d eat with you. I’m a man who likes a good hot dog but I have other plans for you tonight, Miz Callie.”
She lifted a hand to her chest. “Me? Plans? That’s intriguing.”
He laughed and stepped back to hold out his arm to her. Curious, she moved to the doorway in time to see a baby blue Bug pull up at the curb then watched as a small brunette got out and walked across the lawn. Callie glanced at Mac who only smiled. Callie recognized the teen instantly.
“What a surprise! KC Sweet. What on earth are you doing here?”
Katherine Claire Sweet was the baby daughter of Billy and Stella Sweet, who’d lived in Cotton Creek for as long as anyone could remember. Of course, their youngest was no longer a child. She attended Cotton Creek High School and was a frequent visitor not only at the Willow Tree Café but at the gift shop where Callie worked part time. KC grinned, her heavily lashed eyes crinkling at the corners as she shoved two bakery boxes into her hands. “Mac said he was going to take you out for dinner and dancing tonight and asked if I could stay over with the kids. That okay with you?”
Callie laughed. “Of course it’s okay. I could use a night out.” She glanced at Mac as warmth coursed over her skin. “Such a thoughtful man has never been born. I swear. Mac, this is so nice of you.” She stepped back so everyone could move into the living room. She peered at the boxes which were stamped with The Sweet Shop logo. The local bakery, operated by KC’s mom, was a local hangout and had been part of the business community for many years. “What do we have here?”
“Goodies,” KC said with a laugh. “When Mama found out Mac hired me to babysit, she loaded me up with homemade cinnamon rolls and a couple dozen cookies.” Her smile faded. “We all feel so awful about Emma, Callie. It’s not much but she thought you and the kids would like this.”
“Oh, we do. I’ll call her tomorrow to thank her. And thank you, too, for bringing it.” She glanced at Mac and lifted a brow. “I wish you’d warned me but I’m not about to complain. I could really use a night out.”
KC went to the kids who immediately peppered her with questions, giving Callie and Mac a moment to talk. Mac reached out to brush a stray bit of hair behind her ear and she felt the touch like a kiss. “You’ve been burning the candle at both ends for a hell of a long time. I know this was impulsive but I’ll carry you out of here over my shoulder if I have to.”
“Won’t be necessary. Give me a minute to change and freshen up? Casual?”
“What else is there in Cotton Creek but casual? You just take your time.”
Callie swore she set a grooming record as she freshened her hair and makeup, donned a pair of jeans, and a blue sweater. It was chilly tonight but more importantly, the dark blue shade was flattering against her fair skin. She just hoped Mac thought she looked pretty. Fairly breathless from his sudden appearance tonight and more excited than was probably wise, she re-entered the living room and grabbed her serviceable black bag. Izzy was propped on Mac’s lap as Austin talked high school football with KC.
“I’m sorry the season is over,” KC said with a sigh. “Time for basketball.”
“I like basketball. I’m going to get on a team.” Austin announced the fact with such certainty, Callie smiled. “Right, Mac?”
“Right, buddy. We’ll make it happen, okay?”
KC was a sweet girl who warmed right up to the kids. “Are you going to play football one of these days?”
“Pfft.” Austin replied. “Who doesn’t?”
Mac laughed. “Spoken like a Texas boy. Won’t be too many years and your Aunt Callie and I will be at the stadium watching you.”
Wow.
Okay.
Callie almost forgot to breathe. It was just chatter with a little boy but the thought of having that sort of relationship with Mac gave her hope, made her dream. She cleared her throat. “Ready if you are,” she managed.
Mac whistled low. “Well now. Don’t you look pretty.”
“Why thank you.”
“You going to McDonald’s, Aunt Callie?” Izzy frowned. Mickey D’s was her new favorite place and she discussed it constantly.
“I don’t think so, Iz.”
“Can we go tomorrow?”
Persistant. “Maybe we can, okay? You’d like that?”
Izzy stuck her thumb in her mouth and nodded.
“You look pretty nice, Aunt Callie.” Austin studied her solemnly. “Kind of like Mama.”
A heavy ball of emotion clogged her throat. “What a nice compliment.” Impulsively, she moved close and pressed a kiss to the top of his head and then lifted Izzy from Mac’s lap to give her a hug. “Now you guys mind KC okay?”
She and Mac left to a chorus of good-byes and the instant the front door closed behind them, Mac put his arm around her as they moved down the steps. “They’re good kids,” he said quietly.
Callie blinked back tears. “They are. The best. Em did a good job with them.”
“And you are following her footsteps. They love you, Cal.”
“I know they do. It’s just a shitty deal that Emma will miss seeing them grow up. It’s the saddest thing ever. I’m a poor substitute for their mom but there’s not a thing I can do about it.”
Mac paused by the passenger side of his truck and opened the door for her. “You are doing the only thing you can, sweetheart, you’re loving them.”
The neon sign hanging over the entrance of Billy’s Bar and Barbecue splashed red color over the sea of trucks parked at the town’s only honky tonk. Though the ratty old place had seen better days, it was a hot spot in a town where actual hot spots were a rarity. Aside from regular church attendance and cheering the high school athletes, there wasn’t much else to do but eat, drink, and dance. Billy’s fit the bill on that score. Gravel crunched beneath Mac’s boots as he settled a hand at Callie’s back.
“I’m not sure I can dance tonight, Mac,” she said, giving her tummy a pat. “I’m so stuffed I might just pop.”
“Good steak though, huh?”
Callie sighed. “The best ever. Much better than hot dogs.”
“Well, I don’t know about that. Hot dogs and Disney makes for a fine evening if the company
is right. I figure you’re due for some adult company tonight. Now the company might not be all that refined but it’ll be a nice break, don’t you think?”
“Sound like heaven.”
A brisk, crisp wind whipped at her hair and Mac couldn’t help but appreciate the graceful movements of her hand as she brushed it back despite nature’s attempts to mess with her. He pushed open the door to a blast of country music and the sounds of talk and laughter as together they entered to see framed photos of rodeo stars and country musicians both local and from far away places hanging on the wall. The proprietor, Billy Sweet, sat behind a table equipped with a cash register, and gave them a hearty grin.
“Well, damn, boy, it’s been awhile since I seen ya.” Billy, a stout and sturdy man well into his sixties, started to stand, ignoring the cane propped along the back wall but Mac waved him down.
“Nah, don’t get up, Billy.” He held out a hand. “Good to see you.”
Billy’s smile turned gentle when he looked at Callie. “Hey there, honey. How’ve you been holding up these days? Sure is good to see you.”
Callie walked around the table and gave the man a hug. “Doing good, thanks. I sure appreciate the groceries you and Stella sent over after Em passed. It really helped.”
“That’s what friends do. One of us hurts, then all of us do. I hear my baby girl is out to your place watching the kiddos tonight.”
“She is. Surprised me to pieces when Mac hired her for the night.”
“KC’s a good girl. Sweet as spun sugar most times. Of course, there are the other times.” He shook his head sadly and Mac had to smile. The man was salt of the earth with a little bit of character mixed in. “These girls of mine are liable to kill me but what can you do?”
Callie moved back to Mac’s side. “Are Cody and Hannah here tonight?”
“As it turns out, they are. You ought to stop by and give em a holler. They’d like that.”
“I’ll do that. See ya later, Billy.”
Mac tossed some cash on the table for the cover charge and escorted Callie into the cacophony that was Cotton Creek on a Saturday night. The room full of sinners would be the first to show up at church tomorrow morning, bibles in hand and headaches as big as Texas. That was okay. It was life as they knew it around here. Nothing much ever happened until it did.
A local band blasted music from the far side of the room as nearly a dozen couples boot-scooted across the aged hardwood dancefloor. Cowboys bellied up to the bar. Mac sent his gaze around the space, finally spotting a table near the edge of the dance floor. He leaned close to Callie to be heard over the din. “Over there. Not very private but I didn’t expect that anyway on a Saturday night.”
Callie sidled close as he took her elbow and guided her through the crowd. Before they could grab the littered table, several folks stopped them for a quick hello, most of them freely hugging Callie and offering sympathy and promises of help if needed. By the time they sat and a waitress had cleaned the table, she looked a little shell-shocked.
“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea,” he said, taking a sip of the beer that had just been served up. “We don’t have to stay long. I apologize. This may have not been my best idea ever.”
“It’s okay, Mac. You know how sweet everyone is around here. It was to be expected considering Em’s death is so recent. I haven’t been able to sit back and hide from the world with work and the kids and all so I’m getting used to it.” She dragged a finger over the salt that rimmed her glass and plucked up a bit to pop into her mouth. She shrugged. “I’m still raw, ya know? It’ll pass though as things always do.”
“Good attitude.”
“It’s just the way things are. In the end, I’m shocked and amazed at the outpouring and offers of help. Emma and I didn’t begin our lives here, just kind of came along later, but it doesn’t matter to people here. They welcomed us, a couple of broken little girls, and made us family. There’s a lot to be said for that.”
Mac leaned back in his chair. “That’s how I’ve always felt. I understand why Mom left to be close to my sister. Memories of her life with dad and knowing what she’d lost made her take off, but it was those memories that caused me to stay. It’s a funny thing how people find their place through hardship. You’ll do the same.”
“It’s going to be hard.”
“Yeah, but worth it.”
She took a small sip of her margarita then looked at him with a smile. “They’ve already made my life better. So have you for that matter.”
Mac dragged in a deep breath as her words poured over him. There was something about her that touched him on a level that nobody else had ever reached. She couldn’t know how often he would watch her as she did the simplest things like pouring someone a cup of coffee, chatting with an old-timer, or hugging a child. Yeah, he wanted her. He wanted her body, her touch…craved it, in fact, but Mac needed more. She was the woman who could make him whole.
Too bad the time for a hot pursuit was all wrong.
She was vulnerable and reeling from what life had handed her and he wouldn’t add to her burden by becoming a needy bastard who thought only of himself. A real man didn’t do that.
As the band went quiet to take a break before another set, dancers dispersed to push by their table momentarily halting their conversation. Mac took the opportunity to order up another round just as Billy’s daughters, Hannah and Cody approached. He instantly stood.
“Hey there, strangers! Daddy said you guys were here to do a little dancing tonight,” Hannah, the younger of the two girls, said as she gave him a quick hug. She was small and blonde, newly returned from attending a design school in Dallas.
Cody, the brunette, was a bit older, and ran her late grandmothers ranch. He’d met few lady ranchers in his life but she was one of them. She gave him a broad smile. “How’s everything at Deuces Wild?”
“Fairly busy. So busy, in fact, I thought it’d be a good thing to take a break with this pretty lady.” He smiled at Callie but she had no time to respond as she was swamped by the Sweet sisters.
Instantly wrapped, up by her friends, Mac sat and watched the exchange.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Tell us what we can do.”
“We have to get together when you catch your breath.”
“I’ll call you.”
“Promise you’ll let us know if you need anything.”
Cody frowned. “You should bring the kids out to the ranch. Some of my horses are as gentle as kittens and maybe they’d enjoy riding. They could play and forget their troubles for a while.”
“That’s so nice of you,” Callie said. Enthusiasm tinged her voice. “Let me see if I can carve out some time to bring them out.”
Mac lost track of the exchange that followed as an epiphany struck. Why had he not thought of it before? As an idea, a flash of brilliance, fairly stole his breath, he managed to say good-bye’s and see-ya-laters to the Sweet girls. The band got down to business again and soon he had Callie in his arms as they two-stepped across the hardwood floor. An ancient disco ball that seemed out of place in a honky tonk, threw shades of red, white, and blue over the dancers but Mac barely noticed. They’d been so young, just teens, when they’d dated before and neither of them had stepped a foot in this place until adulthood.
It was nice to dance with her.
It was great to hold her in his arms and see the carefree, happy smile on her face. If God was good and luck was with him, he could wallow in that expression for the rest of his days.
If only she’d go along with his plan.
Roughly an hour later, Callie fell into her chair and grinned at him. “Whew! I swear, I’m so out of shape. You’d think working two jobs and taking care of a couple of kids would have me ready to run a marathon but that’s not the case.”
“I figured you’d be ready to dance for another hour or so, at least,” he teased.
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right.” Callie seemed to catch her breath t
hen straightened to lean toward him, raising her voice slightly to be heard over the noise. “This has been so much fun but it’s getting late. I’d better head home so we can relieve KC. Poor thing.”
He glanced around. As midnight approached, the crowd had gotten louder and rowdier. He didn’t want his evening to be over but Callie was right. It was time to leave. He tossed money on the table and together they walked through the crowd toward the front of Billy’s. Suddenly, an obviously drunk, red-faced Buzz Decker staggered into their path.
“Guess I don’t have to ask where you two are headed,” he said, his voice slurred as he gave Callie a suggestive leer. “Like I said, you aren’t a good role model for them kids, girl. Best hand em on over.”
“Step aside, Decker,” Mac said, moving in front of Callie. “I don’t want any trouble with you. We’ll hash this out in court. Best mind your own business.”
Everyone in the vicinity of the exchange paused to take it all in. Tension pulsed through the air.
He didn’t want their evening marred by this asshole so he pulled Callie against him and started to pass when Decker stepped in front of her and formed a gun from his thumb and index finger. Buzz leaned close, his whiskey breath washing over both he and Callie, then pretended to pull an invisible trigger.
“Boom.”
The threat was clear.
Mac lost it.
He grabbed Decker by the front of his shirt and lifted until Buzz’s toes barely touched the ground. “You don’t want to go there, I promise you,” he said, his teeth gritted, anger blasting through his veins like hellfire. “Stay away from Callie and the kids or I’ll tear you limb from limb.”
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