Mackenzie
Doreen Riley knew how to cook. Mackenzie had been over for a meal before, usually as Maggie’s guest, sometimes Rachael’s and definitely never Blake’s. She thought she’d be mortified to sit next to him at his mother’s dining room table pretending not to be thinking about their hot make out session and her blatant proposal that they get naked.
The lemon rosemary chicken and mashed potatoes tasted delicious and the wine flowed smoothly between Rachael and Mackenzie. Jake and Blake talked about Mud on the Rocks and about weight lifting and such, while the women discussed food and business. The easy camaraderie among the five of them at the table was refreshing and not surprising.
Mackenzie had seen the Rileys in action before. She’d been to enough of their weddings, their family get-togethers, and backyard barbecues. Only Blake wasn’t usually there. He’d make an appearance for weddings and bless them with a quick visit during the holidays, but other than that Blake was a near phantom.
Until this past winter when he’d decided to settle in Rocky Harbor. Since then Mackenzie had seen more of him, and each time she’d get more and more unsettled.
Which aggravated her. Men didn’t make her nervous. She was the one to call the shots, determine how long she’d see a man before breaking ties with him. She wasn’t trampy, but she didn’t commit. Not after the damage Chad had done.
Men weren’t trustworthy or faithful creatures. As long as she went into each relationship with zero expectations, she would never get hurt again.
While Blake and Jake did the dishes, Doreen, Rachael, and Mackenzie sat on the front porch, continuing their discussion about food.
“The owner of Organic Bliss seems sweet. I talked to her the other day about offering gluten free and vegan treats at Coast & Roast. Think you’re up for trying out some new recipes?”
“I’m always up for a challenge. I’ve had a few people contact me about their children’s allergies asking if I could do a dairy free or peanut free Kids in the Kitchen class. I’m totally on it.”
When the sun had completely set and the bottle of wine had gone dry, the men came out on to the front porch and kissed Doreen, thanking her for dinner.
“Yes, thank you, Doreen. Your food is always delicious.”
“Say hello to your mother for me. And tell her I’m still waiting to taste her manicotti. Maggie tells me it’s amazing.”
Sadness pulled at Mackenzie’s chest but she pushed it away. “I will.” Renee hadn’t made her manicotti in nearly a year. She couldn’t remember her secret ingredient—which was nutmeg—and argued with Mackenzie when she’d offered to make it for her.
The melancholy stayed with her in the truck on the way home and she hoped Blake wouldn’t push her to continue where they’d left off in the woods. She didn’t have the energy to spar with him tonight and tomorrow would come early enough.
He wouldn’t have found her sitting by herself at the picnic table this afternoon if Diane and Rachael hadn’t teamed up on her this morning, forcing her to take some time to herself. She’d disobeyed their orders by going grocery shopping and visiting her mom.
Her mother was losing not only her mental capacities but her physical strength as well. With every passing day Mackenzie felt more and more helpless. And sad. Blake had caught her in a moment of weakness. She couldn’t complain, though. The distraction was exactly what she’d needed.
The knowing grin on Rachael’s lips when she and Jake had shown up on their four-wheelers made her realize she’d been set up. Mackenzie hadn’t had time to figure out how she felt about that.
“Thanks for staying for dinner. I know you wanted to get back.”
“Seems kind of silly thanking me for eating your mother’s awesome cooking.”
“I know, but I could tell you weren’t too keen on the idea of sticking around and would have rather come back here and ripped my clothes off.”
He could always make her smile, that’s for sure. “Your mother’s chicken tasted better than anything I’ve had in a long time.”
“Cupcake, you’ve been eating the wrong food then. I’ve got something even tastier than a little birdy.”
“That has to be the cheesiest and grossest come-on that I’ve ever heard.”
Blake laughed, his deep voice vibrating through the cab of the truck and into her heart. “You set me up for that one.”
“Do you have to turn every statement into something perverted?”
“Only with you.”
“Gee, thanks. I feel so special.” And she did. Blake’s humor was refreshing, if not a little disturbing. She knew half the things he said were because he liked to get a rise out of her. Still, she wasn’t up for anything physical tonight.
“However, that’s not what I’d meant, so I’d say you’re the perverted one.”
Mackenzie couldn’t help but roll her eyes and chuckle. He pulled around the back of the shop and parked next to the door to her apartment. She didn’t wait for him to help her out and jumped to the ground before he even got out of the truck.
“Anxious, are we?” he asked when he rounded the hood and drew her into his embrace.
“Blake,” she started.
“Relax. I’m not going to force you into anything or make you follow through on your words from earlier. I can see how tired you are.”
“Two minutes ago you were trying to tempt me to eat your meat and now you’re telling me I look like shit?”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it. I enjoy teasing you, but I’m not crude or mean. I’d never do or say anything to hurt you.” Blake glided his hands up her arms and shoulders, stroking her neck with his thumbs, and stared deep into her eyes.
Her heart turned into a puddle and she gripped on to his hips for support before she fainted at the subtle gesture of his caress. If he asked to come upstairs she’d say yes in a heartbeat.
Lowering his head to hers, Blake kissed her softly, nibbling on her still sensitive lips. That unwanted sensation returned. Not the fiery passion she’d felt earlier by the pond, but something delicate and sweet like the new spring buds on a lilac bush. He pulled away before she was ready and leaned his forehead against hers.
“I’m going to leave now before I…” Blake puffed out a loud sigh and stepped back. “Yeah. I’m gonna go now. See you on the flip side.”
She watched him limp to his truck. It was the same awkward gait he had when he left her in the barn for a few minutes before their ride. He waited until she unlocked the apartment door and slipped inside before driving away.
Damn, her heart was twisted in more ways than a neurotic pretzel.
***
The following days were a flurry of work and family obligations. Business was picking up as the days grew warmer, locals and tourists enjoying sunny mornings and afternoons strolling down Main Street and the beach. And then her mother caught the flu. Like life wasn’t already a conundrum of craziness.
Brandy had agreed to put in more hours so Mackenzie could spend every waking minute not at Coast & Roast at her parents’ place taking care of her stubborn mother.
Mackenzie couldn’t remember her mother ever being sick. Renee would work through any cold, not letting it get the best of her, but always insisted Simon and the kids rest up and drink their broth if they were feeling under the weather. She’d tend to everyone else, never asking for anything in return.
Well, she wanted her sons to grow up to be strong family supporters and her daughter to grow up to be a dutiful wife. Three out of four wasn’t so bad. Mackenzie’s brothers were all married and each had a career while Mackenzie was set to establish her own path.
When she’d told her parents about her plan to open her own coffee shop a few years ago, her mother’s disapproval was subtle, but obvious at the same time. She wanted her daughter to settle down and get married. Pop out babies.
Simon couldn’t have been more proud and stopped in often on the weekends. Not lately, though. He didn’t dare leave Renee’s side and she had stopped leaving the house. Richie, Mark, and Logan had wives and lived over an hour away so they only came by on weekends. And even then their visits were short.
Renee wouldn’t allow them to help around the house or make a meal. These weren’t men’s jobs, yet she had a hard time remembering her favorite recipes. When Mackenzie offered to write them down, Renee was offended. Her brothers usually came by with take-out, which also offended their mother, but they ignored her scowls as their father glanced appreciatively at them.
Since weekends were Mackenzie’s busiest days, she left her brothers in charge of visits, only now with her mother’s flu, her father needed her help. At two hours before her normal closing hours, she turned the sign around in the front window to ‘Sorry, we’re closed’ and tucked her keys in her pocket.
Running upstairs to her apartment, she unplugged the crockpot and tossed a few items into a reusable grocery bag. Hopefully her mother would appreciate the gesture of dinner. Mackenzie set the pot on the floor, opened the door, and picked up the soup again and headed toward her Prius.
Once the food was nestled on the floor of the backseat, she jogged back to lock up. The rumble as a familiar black truck pulled into her lot had her wishing she could forget about family obligations and fall into bed with the sexy man behind the wheel.
It had been too long since she’d been with a man. Last summer maybe, when Cameron Glidden took her out to dinner and a movie? He’d been doing a news report on Rocky Harbor’s Strawberry Festival and they hit it off instantly. Too bad his personality shone better on camera than in real life. After a handful of dates and some okay moments in his bedroom, she’d called it off.
Blake parked next to her and rolled down his window. “Wanna go for a ride?”
“Can’t. Busy. I have plans.”
His eyes smoldered as his gaze landed on her mouth, then traveled lazily down her front. His lip quirked while his gaze lingered on her chest.
“‘Drink Coffee. Do stupid things faster and with more energy.’ Nice shirt.”
She hadn’t thought about her wardrobe before leaving. Her mother would definitely scowl at this one. “I guess I should change.”
“Hot date?”
“Hardly. I’m going to my parents’. My mom’s not feeling well. I made her some chicken noodle soup.” Mackenzie’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She lifted it up and frowned. Her father only called her in emergencies. She slid her finger across the screen and answered. “Dad?”
Mackenzie listened as he went on about her mother being in a foul mood—not a shocker.
“Something’s wrong with the water heater. I need to run to the hardware store but the one down the road is closed. It’s going to take me an hour to get to Lowes and back and in the meantime—”
“Dad. Take it easy. I can help. Tell me what you need. I’ll go pick it up.”
He rattled off too many items and she needed to write them down. “Hang on. A continuity tester? What’s that? Never mind. I’ll figure it out. What else?” She turned her phone to speaker and typed in the notes on her screen about heating elements and all the possibilities of what could be wrong.
“Do you mind?” She didn’t even notice Blake had gotten out of his truck and stood before her. He took the phone from her, turned off the speaker, and talked to her father, nodding and using words like “voltage” and “circuit breaker.”
He’d walked to his truck, her phone tucked between his ear and his shoulder, and leaned in the passenger side door. Mackenzie frowned as she watched him scribble something down on a piece of paper.
Blake ended the call and handed back her phone. “I’ll head out to Lowes and meet you at your folks’ place in a bit.” He kissed her swiftly on the lips and hopped back into his truck.
“Wait. What? You’re not…I…what?”
“I’ll pick up what your dad needs. Sounds like a straightforward project. Save some soup for me.”
“You don’t even know where they live!” she called after him.
“Your dad gave me the address. See you in a bit, Mack.” He winked and backed out of his space before she had time to curse him.
Mackenzie got into her car and slammed the door. The man had graciously offered to help her father and she was pissed at him. How messed up was she? Mood swings weren’t her thing, but between her mother’s memory loss and Blake’s easy charm, she never knew if she should laugh, cry, or sleep.
Maybe she just needed to get laid.
When she pulled into her parents’ narrow driveway she’d hoped one of her brothers would still be around. Granted, if one of them were there her father wouldn’t have needed Blake’s help. Mackenzie hefted the crockpot from the backseat and shoved the door closed with her hip.
Her dad, tall and thin, wearing baggy jeans and a white T-shirt, was waiting on the porch and held the front door for her.
“Hey, honey. Thank you for coming over. Your mother will be happy to see you.” She hoped her mother was in a better mood now. Being sick had to have made her feel helpless. And cranky.
“We don’t have any hot water and your mother wants a bath tonight. I hope your friend is able to find the right parts.”
“Me too, Dad.” She set the soup on the counter and fell into the comfort of her father’s arms.
“Long day of work?”
“It’s okay. The shop is closed now.”
“Your mother is out back hoeing the garden.”
“She’s what? I thought she had the flu.”
“She does. You know your mother. She wants to get it ready to plant soon. I offered to help, but…”
“I know my mother.” Mackenzie shook her head in frustration and went out the back door in search for her. She found her on her knees, hands deep in the dark soil. Her mother had been pleasantly plump through the years. Not overweight, but a little thick around the middle as most women tended to get as they aged. Only the past year she had lost her comfortable weight and her clothes began to hang loosely on her.
Her straw gardening hat had seen better days, but Renee wasn’t one to spend money unless absolutely necessary. Her plaid button-down shirt, rolled up to her elbows, hung limp on her shoulders and around her thinning waistline.
“Mom?”
“Mackenzie. What a wonderful surprise. And on a Saturday.” At least she got the day right. “Come help me prep the garden. It’s time to plant the lettuce and green beans.”
“I made some soup. Why don’t we eat first? It’s after six.”
“Oh. I guess I lost track of the time.” Renee stood and brushed the dirt off her knees.
Mackenzie looped her arm through her mother’s and walked her up the three steps to the kitchen door.
“Dad says you’re not feeling well. You should rest.”
“I’ll have plenty of time to rest when I’m dead.”
Her mother had been saying that for years and it never bothered Mackenzie until now. Renee’s declining health was a constant reminder that life didn’t go on forever.
“I made soup.”
“And bread?”
Mackenzie held the door open for her mother. “I brought some garlic bread I had in the freezer.”
“Homemade bread is much better than anything you can get at a store,” Renee said as she stepped through the door and made her way to the kitchen sink to wash her hands.
“I worked all day and didn’t have time to bake. Next time I’ll check with Rachael to see what she has fresh.”
“Nonsense, I can bake my own bread.” Renee dried her hands on a towel and slowly dropped it on the counter, her shoulders slumping forward.
“Mom?”
“Mackenzie Anne, wash up and prepare the table for dinner. I’ve been working all day in the garden while you and Maggie were in your room gossiping about boys.”
The glossy confusion in her face and circles under her eyes were back. The divot between her brows deepened, the struggle to recall what they were doing evident in her face.
“It’s okay, Mom. Dad said you’re not feeling well.”
“That’s because I’m doing all the work around here. Cleaning up after three boys, and your father keeps me busy enough without having to manage the rooms at the Seaside Resort.”
Mackenzie’s mother hadn’t worked there as a chambermaid in over ten years, about the time Mackenzie started slacking with her chores and spending more time with Maggie gossiping about boys.
The slamming of a truck door had them both turning their attention to the front door.
“I’ll get it,” her father called as he bounded up the basement stairs and rushed to the door.
“I didn’t know you were expecting company,” her mother reprimanded.
“It’s Mack’s friend. He picked up some parts for me at the hardware store.”
“Oh.”
Mackenzie squirmed under her mother’s stare.
Simon opened the door and ushered Blake into their tiny house. The modest Cape Cod home had served them well. The downstairs was boxed out into four small spaces, and the living room bled into the kitchen, which was just large enough to house their table and six chairs. Mark and Logan had shared the bedroom off the living room and all six of them fought over the one downstairs bathroom.
Upstairs were two bedrooms, a larger one for her parents and another just large enough for a twin bed and a dresser. It used to be Richie’s bedroom until he moved out after high school. Until then Mackenzie had shared her parent’s bedroom. She was six when her brother left for college and she thought it was the coolest thing in the world to have her oldest brother’s room.
Mackenzie studied Blake’s frame as he crossed the threshold into the living room. His eyes crinkled around the corners when he saw her standing in the kitchen and she worked away the flutter in her belly.
Blake held out his hand to shake her father’s. “You must be Mr. Pratt. It’s great to meet you. I’m Blake Riley. We spoke on the phone.”
“Blake. Nice to meet you, and call me Simon.” He turned and gestured toward her mother. “And this is my beautiful wife, Renee.”
“Ma’am. I know you’re not feeling well. I’ll help get your water heater up and running and then get out of your way so you can rest.”
“Nonsense. If you trouble yourself to fiddle around with that ancient machine then the least we can do is have you over for supper. Mackenzie and I are about ready to get started on it right now.”
“I brought soup, remember? You don’t have to cook for anyone, Mom. You’re not feeling well.” Mackenzie placed her hand on her mother’s forearm and tried to steer her toward the table.
“Why do you all keep saying that? I can rest when I’m dead. Now let the men do their thing.” She pointed to the refrigerator. “I have fixings for a salad. Wash your hands first.”
Twenty minutes later Renee pulled the garlic bread from the oven and Mackenzie placed the dishes on the table.
“It isn’t much, but it’s the least we could do,” Renee said as the men came up the stairs.
“It smells delicious, Mrs. Pratt.”
“The bathroom is right there if you’d like to get cleaned up.”
Blake nodded and tossed a wink at Mackenzie before walking away. Not that he had far to go. The bathroom was only two steps from the basement door, which opened up into the kitchen.
Chad had often commented on her cramped house, not wanting to spend much time there, with no privacy if they wanted to make out on the living room couch while watching a movie. It had made sense and she was more than happy to hang out at his parents’ home. The basement was finished into an impressive Man Cave and his parents always gave them privacy.
When Blake and her father were cleaned up they all sat at the table, her mother serving the soup as they each helped themselves to salad and bread.
“Mackenzie, you didn’t ask your friend what he’d like to drink.”
Blake sat across from her, his long legs stretched out—purposely, no doubt—bumping into hers.
“Friend, what would you like to drink?” she huffed.
“I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
“Two waters coming up.” Mackenzie filled two tumblers with ice and water and set them on the table. A creature of habit, her mother had already poured her father’s coffee.
While they ate, her father rattled on about old wiring and the upgrades needed on the house, Blake offering his advice and help.
“I can’t thank you enough, Blake. I don’t know if I would have been able to fix that darn heater without your skill.”
“It’s called Google and an iPhone.”
“Well, I don’t have either. I’m thankful.”
When they finished eating Blake stood and started stacking the plates.
“What are you doing?” her mother asked.
“You and Mackenzie made dinner, I’ll take care of kitchen duty.”
“That’s kind of you but not necessary. Dishes are women’s work, not for men who have been working hard all day.”
“You and Mackenzie have been working hard all day as well. She put in a twelve-hour day at Coast & Roast and Simon says you were out gardening even though you’re under the weather.”
“It’s not the same.” Her mother picked up the crockpot and set it by the sink.
Mackenzie sat back and enjoyed the show, seeing the spitfire back in her mother and Blake squirm his way from under Renee Pratt’s wrath.
“The thing is, Mrs. Pratt, my mother will…well, honestly, I don’t know what she’d do if she found out I had a delicious dinner at a beautiful woman’s home and didn’t help with the dishes. She taught me to always do my share.”
Oh, the man was good. Now, would her mother interpret the beautiful woman as a compliment toward her or Mackenzie? She looked at her father, who was enjoying the banter as well.
“I met your mother at Maggie’s wedding. She’s a lovely lady.”
“That she is. But you don’t ever want to get on her bad side.” Blake continued clearing the table while Renee leaned against the counter, most likely thinking about his argument. “You’ll be doing me a favor by allowing me to clean up.”
“Where’s Chad?” her mother interrupted, looking dazed and confused again.
The room went silent as Mackenzie and her father passed a knowing look. She’d gone back in time again.
“Mom, Chad’s been gone a long time.”
“He’s dead?”
Ha. Mackenzie wished. “No. We broke up, remember?”
“But your wedding.”
Mackenzie’s gaze flickered across the kitchen and caught Blake’s. She wouldn’t worry herself about the deep furrow between his brows.
“We didn’t get married.”
“Well, why on earth not? He’s a wonderful man.” Not if you considered fidelity important. “You and Chad were just here a few nights ago sneaking kisses on my front porch. You shouldn’t be eating dinner with another man.” Renee put her hands on her hips and tossed her scowl between Mackenzie and Blake.
Simon got up from his seat and stood next to her mother. “Sweetheart, Chad and Mack broke up quite some time ago. This is Blake Riley, a friend of hers who came over to help me with the water heater. It’s fixed now.” He took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. “How about that bubble bath you’ve been talking about?”
Simon led her to the bathroom, leaving Blake and Mackenzie alone in the kitchen. She heard the water turn on in the next room and stood there nibbling her lip.
“These dishes aren’t going to do themselves,” Blake said, filling the kitchen sink with bubbles.
Her mother never wanted a dishwasher, claiming it was a lazy person’s appliance. As Blake washed, Mackenzie dried, putting the dishes away.
“Your dad’s cool.”
“Sorry about my mom.”
“No apology necessary. She can’t help it. Your dad seems to know how to handle it.”
“He’s so good to my mom. I feel bad that he never gets a break.”
“Didn’t sound to me when we were talking downstairs like he wanted one.” Blake rinsed off a bowl and handed it to her. “Think they’d like a getaway somewhere?”
“What do you mean?” The man standing next to her smelled like clean honesty. Not only did he turn her on with his fishhook grin, sculpted arms, and silly jokes, he seemed to care about her parents and wasn’t the least bit offended by her mother’s change in personality.
This wasn’t good. She wanted the comfort of his arms and words but also wanted to rip his clothes off. Mackenzie couldn’t fall for him. She didn’t want to like him so much. Maybe if they turned this thing between them into something sexual she could bypass the friendship crap and use him for his body.
“Maybe being in the house all the time is bringing back memories and locking her into her past. Maybe a weekend away to somewhere they’ve never been would be good for your parents.”
“You saw my mom.”
“She’s nice. I like her.”
“What, you’re like, trying to make friends with her now?” Yes. Sex therapy needed to happen soon. No more friendly conversations and sweet gestures. Those had to go.
He drained the water and rested a hip against the counter. “Sure. Why not?”
Mackenzie smacked his ass with her towel and dropped it on the counter. “You’re so getting laid tonight.”