Page 51 of Mack

Chapter Eight

As they rode home Mallory couldn’t keep the smile off her face. She looked at Mack.

“I like your parents.”

“They like you too.” He kept his eyes on the road. “I heard my mother asking T.J. what he wanted Santa to bring him. She has plans.”

“He’s not hard to spoil. He’s such a sweet little boy.”

“That’s because of you. You’re raising him right.”

“Even without a father.”

“Especially considering his father.” He said it simply, without weight. “He’s better off.”

“I know he is. But when he’s older, he’s going to want to know about him.”

“Probably. And when he’s old enough to understand, you tell him the truth. As much of it as he can handle at the time.”

“That’s not an easy conversation,” Mallory said quietly.

“No. But you’ll know when the time is right.” He glanced at her. “You know him better than anyone.”

She nodded and looked out at the dark road ahead.

“Your mother and sister’s names are close.”

“Yeah, from what I was told, my dad wanted Juliette named after my mom, but she said it would be too confusing.”

“I’m sure it could have been.”

When Mack pulled into her driveway, he shut off the engine and looked at her.

“Go unlock the house. I’ll get T.J.”

“I can get him.”

“Mallory.”

She sighed. “His car seat—”

“I’ll get it after. Go turn down his bed.”

She went. She was getting better at letting him do things.

She unlocked the door, walked to T.J.’s bedroom, then turned down T.J.’s bed. When she came back to the living room Mack was just coming through the door, T.J. against his shoulder, sound asleep with Blue still in his grip.

She reached for him. “I’ll take him while you get the seat. Just leave it inside the door.”

“Alright. Back in a minute.”

She carried T.J. to his room, changed him into his pajamas, and tucked him in. Rex on one side, Blue on the other, blanket up to his chin. She kissed his forehead and stood there for a moment in the glow of the nightlight.

When she came back to the living room Mack was on the sofa. He stood when she came in, then sat back down when she sat beside him. He leaned over and kissed her.

“You look tired,” she said, cupping his lightly whiskered jaw in her hand.

“I am. I should head out.”