“I should help your mom clean up first,” Mac offered sincerely.
“That’s sweet of you, but I’ll have this cleaned up in no time,” his mom assured her. “After that, I think I’ll take a quick cat nap before starting supper. You two go on and have fun.”
“Thanks, Cheryl.” Mac told his mom. “And, thanks for letting me help.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Tomorrow we get to do the other side of the sidewalk.”
Mac grinned. “I look forward to it.”
Coop took her hand in his. “Come on. I want to show you something.”
It must have taken a few steps for Mac to realize they were holding hands like a couple, because she pulled away suddenly. He looked over at her and frowned.
“What’s the matter?”
She gave his mom a quick, sideways glance. “Should we really be doing that in front of your mom?”
Coop couldn’t help himself. “What’s she gonna do, ground me?”
“I’m serious, Sean.” Her voice was hushed. “A little flirting is one thing, but if your parents see us holding hands, they’re going to think—”
“We’re together?” He linked his fingers with hers again. “It’s okay, Mac. My dad already knows.”
Eyes widening, her brows rose high. “You told him?”
“He asked.” Coop shrugged. “I wasn’t going to lie.”
Mac took a few seconds before she looked over at his mom and back to him again. “What about her? I know I only just met her, but I really like your mom. I don’t want to do anything to make her think I’m—”
Coop grabbed Mac’s face with both hands and planted a big, hard kiss on her lips. He could feel her stiffen beneath him, but when he traced her pursed lips with the tip of his tongue, she began to melt beneath his touch. He smiled when she began kissing him back.
Before they could get too carried away, he ended the kiss. With his hands still framing her face, Mac stared back at him with a mixture of shock and arousal.
“W-why did you do that?”
He caressed her smooth cheeks with his thumbs. “To get you to quit worrying so much. Now both my parents know we’re more than friends. Problem solved.”
With a cute as fuck look on her face, Mac swallowed. “Is she looking at us?”
“Mom’s going back into the house. If it helps, she’s wearing a huge ass smile on her face.”
“Really?”
“My parents love you, Mac. Now, come on.” He took her hand in his again. “I really do have something I want to show you, and we’re burning daylight.”
* * *
“Where are you taking me now?” A few strands of Mac’s hair blew in her face as she looked out the truck’s open window.
“Told you. There’s something I want you to see.”
With her head leaning against the passenger window’s frame, she closed her eyes and let the warm, spring breeze flow over her.
“You’re not going to elaborate?”
“Hold your horses, Impatient Annie. You’ll see soon enough.”
“Oh! That reminds me.” She turned to him. “Do you think we could go riding while we’re here?”
