“I forgot to tell you, I’m meeting with a realtor tomorrow.”
“To look at rentals?” Her face fell even though she was the one who suggested he should consider moving out.
Should he wait? Maybe she wasn’t ready for him to leave. No, he had to move on. His dad needed to get his life back to normal. “Actually, I might buy a house.”
“Really?”
“On my way home from Farthington last weekend, I saw this home for sale at a great price.” It wasn’t the cabin he’d always dreamed of, but a stone house that called to him. “The bank pre-approved me for a mortgage, so if I like it, all I need to do is make an offer.”
“That’s wonderful. I’ll be praying.”
“Thanks.”
Mac went to the kitchen, grabbed an apple from the bowl, and munched on it as he climbed the stairs. As the minutes passed, he doubted his plans for the date. Would Phoebe see it as a lack of effort on his part? His heart and mind were conflicted. He wanted the night to be perfect.
Ultimately, his heart knew the real Phoebe who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life and would love the idea of a penny date. With his nerves assured and settled, he changed into a pair of jeans and a flannel, button-down shirt with a gray thermal underneath. He didn’t mind dressing up when the situation required, but he enjoyed the freedom to dress casually and comfortably.
Before he left, Mac grabbed the thermal bag with their dinner inside. He’d cheated and asked his mom to prepare a meal.Let’s face it, Phoebe will enjoy Mom’s food much more than anything I could make. He peeked inside, and the smell of chicken croquettes rose toward him. Mom included a small container of her homemade gravy to pour over them and a side of balsamic roasted root vegetables. For dessert, she’d made a peppermint cheesecake.
Could he sneak a piece of cheesecake now without anyone noticing? Instead, he exercised self-control and repacked the bag, along with the plates, utensils, and cups. On the way out of the house, he stuck his head inside the family room to tell his parents bye but stopped.
The image of his mom, curled up with his dad, burned into his memory. That’s the kind of strong marriage he wanted. One that could withstand strokes, financial difficulties, and a myriad of other struggles life threw their way. A relationship where, at the end of a long day, he could sit next to his wife on the sofa and know they had each other’s support no matter what.
He’d never pictured that in those few weeks with Deena. He’d spent years envisioning it with Phoebe.
Stepping quietly, Mac slipped out of the house so as not to disturb his parents. His heart pounded the entire way to Phoebe’s house. He’d waited years for this opportunity and prayed the date would go well.
Only one light shone inside her home. She must be ready and waiting for him in the living room. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Odd, he’d never been this nervous for a date with Deena, or anyone.
He lifted the poinsettia from the passenger floor and wrapped an arm around the potted plant. Out of nowhere, he remembered poinsettias were dangerous to some pets. Was it cats? He couldn’t remember if Phoebe had any. No, she wanted a kitten, but couldn’t have one per her lease agreement. He breathed a sigh of relief.
Phoebe swung open the front door and greeted him before he could knock. “I saw your headlights when you pulled in the driveway.”
He handed her the plant. “This made me think of you.”
“Thank you. I love poinsettias.” She reached for it and admired the bold red leaves. “It’s not Christmas until I have one.”
Her positive reaction emboldened him. “What about mistletoe?”
“Look up.”
He caught her wink just before he glanced up. A sprig of mistletoe with a red bow tied around it hung from the top of the doorframe. “Planning on kissing the mailman and anyone else who stops by?”
Phoebe’s smile reached her eyes. “I didn’t hang it there until tonight.”
The invitation to kiss her didn’t hit him until she’d disappeared inside the house with poinsettia.
When Phoebe returned, she adjusted her purse strap on her shoulder. “Ready to go?”
“Not yet.” He wouldn’t miss the opportunity a second time. Without giving it another thought, he slid his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. “We can’t waste the mistletoe.”
Her voice had dropped low and breathless. “That would be a shame.”
Full, pink lips greeted his mouth. He wished the kiss could last forever, but he kept it short and innocent. One day soon, if his prayers were answered in the way he wanted, they’d have the liberty to indulge in longer, more passionate kisses.
He held her hand for the brief walk to his truck and then opened the door for her. She would never complain about his vehicle or think it beneath her, no matter what destination they had in mind.
She buckled her seat belt and twisted to face him. “Do I get to find out where we’re going yet?”
