He brushes hair out of my face. “Whatever idea you have, it wouldn’t be wrong.”
I swear he is about to kiss me, but then Tanner yells out the door.
“Mom, can we come back out?”
I look over and see him standing there, looking worried.
“What did you tell him?” I ask Mac.
“That some asshole was talking to his mom, but I would handle it if he could take Emily inside.”
I gasp. “You said that to my kid?”
He shrugs. “Kid is going to hear much worse in school, especially schools around here.”
I laugh before calling out to Tanner, “Come on out.”
Tanner and Emily come running over to us.
“Did you get rid of him?” Tanner asks.
Mac nods stoically. “He won’t bother her again, but if he does, you let me know.”
“I will.”
I hug Emily as she swings around my legs.
“Why do I feel like you two are conspiring against me?” I narrow my eyes at them both.
They look at each other before Mac speaks.
“We have an understanding. We want to keep you and Emily safe, so that means we are on the same team. Right, bud?”
He looks to me and nods. “As long as he doesn’t change, he can stay.”
I shake my head. “You guys are ridiculous.”
“Mac, are you staying for dinner?” Emily asks.
“Um, I mean…” He looks to me, hope in his eyes.
“We have plenty if you want to. It’ll take me a little bit to make it,” I tell him.
“I’d love to. Maybe I could stay out here and play with the kids while you cook? If you wanted. Take a long shower even. Whatever.”
He looks a little bashful, and I am loving it.
“That would be great. You two be good for Mac.”
“We will.”
I leave them in the front yard, but stop at the door as Mac starts to run around chasing them. I can’t help but feel joy in my heart at seeing him be the man I always wished my husband would have been.
Could Mac be the man for me and my kids?
“You are so big. Pick me up. I want to know what the world looks like from up there,” Emily says as she looks up at me with wonder in her eyes.
Tanner is even smiling. It’s been a great afternoon.
