Chapter Ten

 

Mac stretched his arms and stared out the window. Cotton soft clouds dotted a warm blue sky. Frost covered the grass but would melt and dry within the hour as the temperature crept into the fifties by afternoon. The cold snap that had covered the region had moved on, leaving behind seasonally warm temperatures.

He couldn’t have ordered a more beautiful Thanksgiving Day.

Mom had gotten up early to start the dinner preparations. He could smell the turkey in the oven and the savory herbs and butter she’d add to bread cubes to make the dressing. His stomach growled. He had to stop thinking about food, or he’d cave and have a snack. It wasn’t worth risking his appetite.

Tamera’s car came down the driveway. He ran downstairs to greet his sister, brother-in-law, and niece outside.

John carried Mercy, and Mac reached for her.

She refused to come to him and buried her head on her dad’s shoulder.

“I feel loved,” Mac joked.

“That’s me every night when John comes home from work, and Mercy only wants him.” Tamera winked at her husband.

“She’ll grow to love her cool Uncle Mac.” Tamera’s words and wink registered, and he backpedaled. “Wait… did you say come home from work?”

John beamed. “I started at the Dolcum factory on the fifteenth. We waited until today to share the news since it is Thanksgiving.”

“That’s awesome.” Mac slapped his brother-in-law’s back. “Congratulations! I’ve been praying for you.”

“Thank you. Those prayers have been felt.”

Tamera pushed between them like the pesky little sister she could be. “Spill it. Is Deena coming to dinner?”

He suppressed a groan. His family’s inquisitiveness knew no bounds. “She’s supposed to.”

“I can’t believe my big brother is dating the Deena Frasier.” She wiggled her brows. “Why couldn’t that have happened in high school, so I could have been popular by proxy?”

“If I recall correctly, you were prom queen. I don’t think you could have been more popular than that.”

“That’s because I was nice to everyone.” She wore a mischievous grin. “It wasn’t the superficial popular that came with your brother dating a celebrity.”

John wrapped an arm around Tamera. “You’ll always be my queen.”

“Gag me.” Mac rolled his eyes.

Tamera’s smile sobered. “Is it serious between you and Deena?”

“No.” At least he could answer that question honestly.

“That’s not what the tabloids say.” John leaned against the porch rail.

“Don’t believe them.” The paparazzi had become the bane of his existence. He’d caught them waiting outside the school, church, anywhere he went. He didn’t want to jinx it, but he was surprised they hadn’t shown up at the house yet.

“I don’t know Deena well, and if you like her, then I’m happy for you.” Tamera paused, opened and then closed her mouth a moment before saying more. “The thing is, I can’t stop thinking that you and Phoebe should be together.”

“It’s not going to happen, Tam. Sorry to disappoint.” Who was more disappointed? Him or his family?

“Either way, if you’re happy and with the person God wants you to be with, then I’m happy, too.”

Why’d she have to go and throw that clause in there? How could Deena be “the one” if she didn’t have a relationship with Christ? He tried not to think about it, but his conscience wouldn’t let it rest. For now, he justified the relationship by claiming it wasn’t serious—that much was true.

He enjoyed spending time with Deena, but he didn’t feel a spark. He hadn’t told anyone this—it was too personal—but they hadn’t kissed. Deena often insinuated that they should, but something held him back. Shouldn’t he want to kiss her? She was gorgeous, elegant, and every man’s dream, yet he couldn’t muster any physical attraction to her.

Eventually, he’d have to examine what that meant. Not today, though. Today, he planned to enjoy the day being with his family.

And Deena.

“Let’s go in,” he suggested, ending the conversation about his love life.

“How’s Dad today?” Tamera clasped her hands in front of her, hope in her eyes.

“Great.” As he shared the good news, a weight lifted from Mac’s chest. “You’ll notice a vast improvement from last week. His speech is almost perfect, and he hasn’t been using the walker or cane except in the evening.”

“That’s incredible.” Audible relief whooshed from her. “Has he done anything differently?”

Mac shook his head. “Not physically, but his attitude has changed. Mom and I think getting out, returning to church, and seeing friends has renewed his faith and determination.”

“That’s wonderful.”

They entered the house, went through the foyer and into the den.

Tamera walked over to their dad and gave him a big hug. “Happy Thanksgiving, Daddy.”

“Happy Thanksgiving, Tam,” Dad said without a struggle.

Standing back, Mac watched Tamera glow. Seeing their dad’s rapid recovery was good for her. She and John had been through a lot this fall, and Mac enjoyed seeing them on the other side of the struggle.

After chatting with their dad for five minutes, Tamera left to find their mom.

Mac sat on the sofa, and John sat on the other end bouncing Mercy on his lap.

A large balloon in the shape of a cartoon character floated across the television screen, stealing Mac’s attention. “You’re watching the parade?”

Dad smiled. The right corner of his mouth didn’t go as high as it once did, but it was a full smile nonetheless. “The game doesn’t start for another hour.”

“Ahh.” He settled in with no intention of moving until Deena showed up.

He wouldn’t dream of stepping foot in the kitchen. Mom would shoo him out with and not allow him the pleasure of sneaking a piece of turkey. In a few hours, he might be able to bribe her into a piece of the crispy, golden skin if he sweet talked her. Or, more likely, if he snuck in while she was out of the room.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. He slipped it out and read the message from Deena. — Won’t make it today. Caught a flight to L.A. and spending the day with friends. I’ll be back tomorrow. Raincheck?

He blew out a long breath. Who canceled Thanksgiving plans through a text message? Though her timing and method were rude, he couldn’t blame her. This was a day to spend with friends and family, neither of which Deena had in Jasper Lake.

She has you.

True, but she’d only known him for a month. That hardly gave him priority over longtime friends. Other than bruise his ego, he didn’t let it bother him.

“Bad news, guys. Deena isn’t coming.” He set the phone aside without responding to her text.

“You don’t sound too upset.” John stared at him through quizzical eyes.

“I’m not. She had the chance to fly home to L.A. and spend the holiday with friends.” Mac shrugged. “Why should I begrudge her that opportunity?”

“Because she made a commitment to spend the day with you.” Dad glowered. “Back in my day, we didn’t change plans because a better offer came along.”

“It’s fine, Dad. It’s not that serious.”

Dad harrumphed. “It speaks volumes of her character.”

He didn’t completely disagree, but he wouldn’t speak poorly of Deena. “Look on the bright side. If Deena isn’t here, the paparazzi won’t be either, and we can enjoy our day in peace.”

John whooped. “Now that’s something to be thankful for.”

Mercy giggled.

The men looked to see what she laughed at—a massive turkey balloon in the parade.

“Turkey,” John said, emphasizing the syllables. “Can you say tur-key?”

“Dada.”

“No, tur-key.”

“Mama.”

The game continued, bringing laughter to the room. Mercy never did say turkey, but John’s smile broadened each time his daughter said dada.

Watching his brother-in-law interact with Mercy made Mac long for a child of his own. He glanced at his dad and reflected on the bond they’d built over the years. They’d had their share of differences, but nothing could come between them.

Mom wouldn’t need the extra help with Dad soon, and Mac would have the freedom to move out on his own again. He should be rejoicing, but he’d miss this time with his parents. Dad’s stroke brought the realization that his parents wouldn’t live forever. He hated that truth, but it was life. All he could do was cherish them for the time they had together.

He reached for his phone and sent Deena a response, keeping it simple. I’ll see you when you get back.

A broken date couldn’t ruin his Thanksgiving. He had too much, right under this roof, to be grateful for.