Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
She’d gone to work with Devin because it was the right thing to do. After everything he’d done for her, the least she could do was make sure the front office was completely organized and ready for whoever he hired when she was gone.
She was expecting a typical morning, but apparently word of her leaving had spread like wildfire.
“I guess now that the reunion and festival are over, there’s no other news,” she murmured as she got ready to check Zeke Garner out.
“Moving on to your next big adventure, huh?” he asked as soon as she slid the glass window over.
“Adventure’s a strong word…”
“Well, just be sure you take the proper way out of town,” he told her.
“Um…proper? I was just going to cut across the road by the post office and then over Teal Street to get to the highway.”
Zeke shook his head. “No, no, no…you’ll end up sitting in traffic forever that way. Too many lights. If you go around the back way and go up to Fuchsia and make a left, you’ll meet up with the entrance to the highway about five miles down. No lights that way.”
“Oh. Thanks! I appreciate it.”
“No need in frustrating yourself trying to get out of town. You’re going to be stuck driving for days as it is.”
“Yeah,” MacKenzie agreed. “Definitely not fun.”
With a curt nod, he took the receipt she was handing him. “Thanks for all your help and have a safe trip!”
And that was the conversation that was on a continuous loop all morning. It bordered on bizarre. Everyone had an interest in how she was getting out of town, and she wasn’t sure if they were truly trying to be helpful or just really wanted her to leave.
“Hey, Mac,” Will said as he walked over to let her know Gail Tanner’s Honda was finished. “We appreciate you coming in today. I’m sure you have a lot to do with packing and everything.”
“Not as much as you’d think,” she said, forcing a smile. “I really didn’t have a lot of stuff, so other than doing some laundry later and tossing it all back in my suitcase, I should be good.”
Nodding, he leaned against the doorway. “I hear you’re going to lunch over at Books & Beans with the girls.”
“I am! Would you like me to bring you guys something back?”
“Nah. That’s okay. We’re slammed here today, and I’m thinking of ordering an early lunch and having it delivered.” He rested a hand on his stomach. “Kind of hungry already…”
“You could always order pizza and go next door and get it,” she suggested.
“After finding out that Cindy was seeing that other guy, I’m thinking I might need to find a new place to eat.”
“There’s always the café. You always said how much you love their burgers.”
“Hmm…you have a point. Unfortunately, they don’t deliver, so…”
MacKenzie looked at the clock. “Tell you what, they don’t open until eleven, so we have some time. Call in your order when they open, and I’ll go pick it up for you. Just…make sure you order for everyone.”
“I don’t want to make you late for lunch with the girls…”
“You won’t. I’m not meeting them until noon, so we’re good. But that just means you’ll all be responsible for the desk for a little longer.”
“Dude, we’re going to be responsible for the desk starting tomorrow until the end of time,” Will joked. “Devin’s never gonna hire someone. He hasn’t in all the time we’ve been open.” He glanced around. “Although now that you have it so neat and organized in here, maybe it won’t be so bad.”
“Why wouldn’t he hire someone? That’s just crazy!”
He shrugged.
“I don’t understand that.”
“Do you know how to get back to the highway from here?” he asked.
“Oh, my goodness, believe me, I definitely know how to get there. It seems your little town has a bit of an obsession about the right and wrong way to get to the highway!” She laughed. “That’s the advice I’ve been getting all morning!”
“We just want to make sure you’re making the best use of your time,” he told her with a grin. “You already have way too many days of driving ahead of you. Might as well make sure you’re taking the best route.”
“I guess…”
“Whelp, I’ll let you know when I call the lunch order in, and thanks for offering to pick it up. You’re the best!”
That’s not what you were saying a few days ago…
But she waved and watched as he walked out of the office, only to have Devin walk in. “Hey, beautiful. How’s your morning going?”
“Busy,” she said. “And yours?”
“Well…I just finished a certain Mustang and took it for a drive myself to make sure I’ve worked out all the kinks. If you want to take it to lunch, she’s all yours.” He held the keys out to her with that boyish grin that she loved so much and…
Love.
She was in love with Devin.
Not just in like or seriously attracted to him, but in. Love.
Dammit!
“MacKenzie? Are you alright?”
Reaching out, she took the keys from him but put them down on the desk.
“Yeah, sorry. And it seems silly to drive two blocks when I can walk. And with all the driving ahead of me, I should take advantage of the time to stretch my legs, right?” The nervous laugh was out before she could stop it.
“Oh, I told Will I’d pick up lunch for everyone before I go to meet the girls, so be sure you get your order in from the café.
You should probably get that bacon cheeseburger.
It was so good the last time, and we’re having salmon for dinner tonight, so it’s not like you’re eating something similar. ”
He took a step closer and felt her forehead. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’re acting weird.”
That’s because I just realized I’m in love with you!
Ugh…so not the time for that revelation.
“I…I guess I just have a lot on my mind,” she said. “And…I think I’ll take the car out after work. Maybe we can take it out together?”
His smile made her heart ache. “That actually sounds great.” Then he leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. “I need to get back to the garage. Betty Riley’s Ford truck is up next.”
“You got this!” she called out as he walked away, and then gently banged her head on the desk because things just got a lot more complicated.
“Dude, you have to stop moping! Everything’s going as planned!”
Devin glared at Will. “Really? Because that’s not how it looks to me! As of right now, MacKenzie’s still leaving in the morning, and I have no idea if I’m supposed to be begging her to stay or not!”
Actually, after her admission last night about her mother, he knew he couldn’t beg. She needed to go and try to reconcile with her mom. Family was very important and if they were finally going to have the opportunity to make amends, then he didn’t want to be the one to stand in the way.
No matter how much he wanted to.
“And how are you so certain that whatever you’re planning is going to work?” he demanded.
“There are no guarantees, but I know you, Dev. You’re going to let her go.”
“I have my reasons,” he murmured.
“I’m sure you do and I’m sure they’re very admirable, but…I’ll know more after lunch.”
“Lunch? What does that have to do with anything?”
“Avery’s running recon for me. I’m hoping to get a little more information so I can finalize my plan.”
“No,” Devin told him. “Just…no. You shouldn’t have people trying to pump her for information or spying or whatever it is you want to call it. MacKenzie has her reasons why she needs to leave, and we should respect them.”
All Will did was shrug, but there wasn’t a doubt in Devin’s mind that he was still going ahead with his plan.
“Look, we’ve got a lot of cars to handle today, and I’d like to get out of here a little early. As a matter of fact, I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind opening the shop tomorrow. I have no idea what time she’s leaving, but…I want to be there.”
“No problem. There’s nothing big on the schedule. A lot of the same old, same old, so me and the guys can handle it. Take your time.”
“Thanks.”
“Lunch is here!” MacKenzie called out a few minutes later before she stepped out into the garage. “I put everything in the breakroom, the waiting area is empty, so close the bay doors and go eat while it’s hot!”
No one had to tell them twice, and five minutes later, he and his crew were sitting down to eat.
“Thanks for picking this up, Mac,” Eric said. “We really appreciate it.”
“No problem. It was my pleasure.” She leaned in the doorway, keeping an eye on the front door. “And I heard that the café may start doing deliveries! How sweet would that be for you?”
“Wow! How’d you hear about that?”
“While I was waiting for the order, Mary Gainey told me. She said with all the new businesses, they were looking into doing it. I told her you guys would love it if they offered that service.”
“I don’t mind picking lunch up most of the time,” Will said, “but on days like today, it’s nice to have options.”
They talked about the festival, the weather, and MacKenzie’s route across the country until they were done eating. That’s when she told them she was heading out for her own lunch. “I’ll be longer than an hour,” she said to no one in particular.
“Take your time,” Devin told her. “You’re not really on the clock anymore.”
All she did was shrug before going up on her toes and kissing him. “I’ll see you later.”
And then he watched her walk away and braced himself for when it was going to be for the last time.
“Surprise!”
MacKenzie’s eyes went wide as she looked at the balloons and streamers and the group of familiar and smiling faces staring at her. “What in the world…?”
“It’s a little going away party,” Billie said before walking over and hugging her. “A plain lunch would be boring, so we decided to jazz it up a bit with decorations!”
“I can’t believe you guys did this! I just thought we were going to have some sandwiches and cake and…you know…hang out.” Tears stung her eyes. “This is amazing. Thank you!”
Avery led her to the seat at the head of the table before sitting down beside her. “We were going to suggest going out to the Mexican restaurant, but we all agreed we’d be too tempted to drink all the margaritas and wouldn’t be able to go back to work.”