Page 13 of Last Wish Wedding

“That was the plan.” His voice grew quieter. “But my grandfather’s not doing well, so... everything’s up in the air right now.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Kelsey said softly.

Mac just nodded, and Noah filled the pause. “Jimmy brought his new Pokémon cards to school today. He got a holographic one!”

The conversation drifted to safer waters—school projects, Noah’s friends, the unseasonably warm weather. When Noah finished eating, he looked expectantly at his mother.

“I suppose I need to go do my homework now?”

“That’s right honey, if you want to finish before bedtime. Did you thank Mac for joining us?”

“Thanks Mackie!” Noah called over his shoulder, already heading for his room.

“He’s a great kid, downright tolerable,” Mac said.

Kelsey started gathering plates, but Mac was already standing. “Let me help with these at least.”

She wanted to refuse, but he was already running water in the sink. They fell into an easy rhythm, her washing, him drying. With his sleeves rolled up, he looked like he fit right in. Less like a man who could casually buy luxury cars for strangers.

It was a nice domestic scene, something she and David never got the chance to do together. Kelsey found herself glancing at Mac’s strong forearms and large hands. They were not the hands of a wealthy man who spent time behind a desk; they were rough and callused. And very unlike her privileged brother-in-law Jason, whose hands were softer than even her own. It made her wonder about Mac.

Kelsey reached for a glass in the soapy water and a large hand closed over her own. “Oops,” Kelsey laughed, but Mac didn’t remove his hand right away. She found herself again locked in on his face. The weathered lines around his eyes softened as he looked at her, his expression unreadable. His calloused fingers remained warm against hers beneath the water’s surface, a point of connection that sent an unexpected current up her arm.

A heartbeat thudded and she stepped away, breaking the contact. The space between them suddenly felt charged like the static electricity before a summer storm. She busied herself with the dishtowel, avoiding his gaze until her pulse gradually steadied itself to normal.

“Would you like a coffee and some cookies?” Kelsey offered as she stepped away from the sink. “It’s decaf.”

She watched while he hesitated and twitched like he wanted to bolt out the door. But instead, he said, “Sounds great, just the coffee though. Trying to stay away from sweets.”

She smiled, thinking he had no fat on his tall frame. He was muscle-bound and fit. Blushing a bit, she admonished herself for noticing. They took seats at the kitchen table and Mac sipped his coffee.

“If you don’t mind my asking—from our earlier conversation when you asked if I was married—I was wondering, he’s such a great kid... his father?”

“Yes. I was married. Noah’s father died before he was born.” Kelsey took a deep sip of her own coffee. The emotional baggage behind this statement was not new to her. But it startled her to see Mac’s reaction. His face had paled and his expression turned stoney.

“You sure about the cookie? They’re Noah’s favorite, chocolate chip.” She opened the canister, broke off a piece for herself, and popped it in her mouth with relish. “I don’t think you’ve told me about you. Not married, and no children. But are you...”

“My fiancé was killed in a car accident,” he whispered. “Ten years ago.”

Kesley was speechless, caught mid bite of a second cookie. She swallowed hard, trying not to choke.

Mac rose to his feet awkwardly. “Thank you for dinner.” He hung the dishtowel he still held in his hand neatly over the sink. “It’s been a while since I had a home-cooked meal.”

At the door, Kelsey found herself saying, “Noah’s usually down at the beach after school. Which you know. If you’re around and hungry, you’re always welcome to follow him home for dinner.”

Mac gave her a curt nod and turned to leave.

She watched him walk down the path.

Then on an impulse, she followed him, closing the door behind her. “Mac!” she called after him. She didn’t want him to leave upset. He stopped before reaching the end of the garden path, and she caught up to him easily. She reached out to touch his arm, slipping her hand up his forearm to his shoulder.

“It doesn’t get easier. I think you know that. Life just works its way around the pain. If I didn’t have Noah, I’m not sure I would have survived it.”

She moved without thinking and embraced him. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to stand in her dooryard hugging this man who had experienced a loss like her own. He held himself stiffly in her arms. When she stepped back from the embrace, Mac’s hands were holding her forearms.

“You’re the first person I think, who’s told me that. Everyone else seems to think it’s time to move on and get over it,” he said.

She struggled with what to say next, worrying that she’d said something distressing instead of helpful. But she looked up into his face and was surprised to find a smile there. She let out a sigh of relief.