“He'd be a good daddy.”
“We talked about that, Billy. You promised you weren't going to mention that again to anyone.”
He scuffed the toe of his new shoe, his brown eyes solemn.
“I know, but he's kind of nice, don't you think.”
No, he's disturbing, handsome, and terrifying.
“Just because someone is nice doesn't mean he's going to be your daddy, Billy.” Macy straightened the small red tie. “He may have a wife or girlfriend, or even children of his own. You can't just ask people to be your daddy. That's not how this works, remember. We discussed it before.”
“’Kay, but he’d be good at playing catch and building stuff.”
His husky little words made her want to smile, but she swallowed it down. The “father” discussion was very serious to Billy.
“I’m not that bad at those, am I?”
He shook his head.
“And you play ball with our friends. Just two days ago, you, Cubby, and Katie went to the park.”
“I know. It’s just that if I had a daddy, I could do it all the time, and even in the house.”
“I think we’ve covered the matter of you throwing balls in the house, Billy, and it didn’t go in your favor.”
“’Kay.”
“And no more daddy talk, okay?”
“’Kay.”
She didn't hold out much hope he would leave the subject alone, but for now she had a reprieve. Billy had a lot of men around him, but he wanted a father. Macy wasn't sure where this had come from but suspected it was from the daycare she sent him to. Fathers of the other children probably picked their kids up, and Billy had seen this.
She'd married a monster once, and the only good thing to come out of that union was Billy. Macy was in no hurry to repeat the performance any time soon.
“I'm gonna ask Ethan to take me up in his helicopter again.”
“You can't keep asking people to do things for you, Billy.”
“But Ethan doesn't mind.”
“I know that, baby, but it's best if people offer first.”
“’Kay.”
“You look lovely today, Macy.”
Macy straightened to accept the kiss from Declan O'Donnell. Branna's father was an author like his daughter. Late to Howling, he'd taught here for a few years before he left again. Now he was back, after patching things up with his Branna. He was pushing a stroller with his granddaughter seated inside. Dressed in a pretty white dress, Rose McBride gave Macy a wide smile, displaying several teeth. One year old, the child had all the signs of getting the best of her parents’ looks. Billy dropped down beside the stroller and started making faces for the little girl, which had her giggling.
“You all certainly make a handsome bridal party.”
“They should really be on the cover of some magazine,” Macy agreed with Declan; her friends did look pretty special all dressed up.
“You should really be on the cover of a magazine, Macy. You’re the prettiest of the lot.”
“Okay, we should all be on the cover,” she said to make him happy. Macy knew her limitations, especially when standing next to Annabelle and Branna.
“All right with you if I take Billy with Mikey to get something to eat at the reception? Ellen’s coming too.”
