Chapter Sixteen
Once they left the hospital, because of her insistence, Jack dropped Mia off at the car dealership so she could pick up her new vehicle. “You really don’t need to get your car right away. I’m at your disposal anytime to take you around. And Angie has her convertible I’m sure you could borrow.”
“Thank you. That’s nice of you. But I need my car. And Angie doesn’t like anyone driving her Mustang, you know that. I’ll be extremely busy from now on, and it’ll be more convenient having my own wheels. They messaged me yesterday it was ready.”
“Right. Of course, you’re right. I’ll be seeing you both at Angie’s every day so if there’s anything you need from me, just ask. I’m here for you, sweetheart.” He wanted to get through to her, let her know he cared, but the waves of discomfort she’d suddenly began to emit froze him out.
Seeing her anger reignite, Jack backed off and changed the subject. “Then I’ll go directly to the house. Where did you want me to put all these boxes?”
“Angie mentioned that she had the garage emptied, and we can store everything there. That way, I can take my time to unpack. For now, I’ll just grab what I absolutely need and wait until the casita is ready to sort the rest.”
“The garage it is.”
“I doubt it’ll take long for me to settle everything at the car dealership.”
“It might. They’ll need you to set up the insurance and sign all the papers. Did you want me to take Maisie for lunch while you’re in there?”
Gratified with her instant warm smile, he held his breath.
“Would you? She’d love it, and I’ll hurry them along as much as possible.”
Relieved, he winked. “Sure, me and Miss Pretty will be just across the street at the diner. Did you want me to order take-out for you for later?”
“No, that’s fine. I can always whip something up when we get to Angie’s. Thanks anyway.”
Her polite distancing made him uncomfortable to the extreme. She was treating him like a stranger. And after they’d been closer than most people ever were. He couldn’t help it, he reached out to her, his hand waiting for hers. His eyes pleading…
Either she didn’t see it, or she ignored it. Instead, she turned to open the door and was out of the car in seconds. With a quick kiss blown in Maisie’s direction, she disappeared into the dealership leaving Jack to walk across the street holding Maisie’s hand.
“Mia’s mad, isn’t she Jack?”
Surprised at the little one’s sensitivity to tension, he answered truthfully. “I think so, honey. But don’t ask me why. I have no idea.”
“I must have been bad. I twied to be a good giwl, but sometimes I be bad and don’t know.”
Lifting her into his arms, cuddling her close, he whispered words to dissuade her of her mistake.
“Baby, it wasn’t anything you did. You’ve been an angel today. I messed up. She’s mad at me. But don’t you worry, I’ll fix it, okay?”
Cheered from his words, her ponytail bopping as she nodded, Maisie kissed his cheek. “It’s okay to be a bad boy sometimes, Jack. Mia says nobody’s pewfect to me when I do bad, so it’s the same for you. Wight?”
“Right. Thank you, missy. I feel so much better now. I’ll apologize and it’ll be like before, okay?”
“Oh… kay! I’m hungwy.”
Amazed at the resilience of kids, Jack led her to a booth. Soon, they were seated with their food in front of them. A sandwich for him that tasted like sawdust and got pushed aside, and a burger for Maisie that she wolfed down like a trooper.
Watching her eat, he couldn’t help but grin, his heart lightening.
He’d seen Mia remind the child yesterday of her manners, so when she picked up the napkin and wiped her mouth smeared with ketchup, then tapped it at the corners like some diva on the rich and famous, it was all he could do not to laugh. What a precocious darling!
Today the girls wore matching outfits of shorts and blouses.
The tops were knotted in front and were made with a cotton material that didn’t wrinkle.
Maisie looked precious in yellow with bumble bees as the theme and though he hadn’t mentioned anything to Mia about hers, the tiny pink flamingoes on the white background had been cute as hell.
Any man hosting these two would be fortunate. How prideful to be seen with such eye candy. His thoughts made him grin, and Mia arrived just in time to see the tender look of love on his face as he watched his tiny companion.
He didn’t know why her expression had softened. But she sent him a warm smile, similar to the ones he had from her the day before. His heart lightened and the tightened muscles in his stomach smoothed out.
He didn’t care why she seemed happy, wouldn’t question the change. Instead, he reached out to pull her toward him so he could hug her.
That’s when she stepped from his reach and spoke, “Come on, sweetkins. Let’s go home. My car’s all ready, and I put our suitcases in the back.”
Stunned, Jack spoke up. “Darlin’, I would have done that.”
“I know.” She didn’t let her eyes meet his.
Instead she fussed with Maisie, re-wiping her perfectly clean face and urging her forward.
“Angie called and says she wants you to stop by again as she forgot to tell you something important. And I called the rental agency and told them that due to the accident, we wouldn’t be returning the van to their place here in Phoenix until tomorrow, so you can just use that vehicle.
If you don’t mind, we can unpack in the morning.
I’m exhausted, and Maisie and I can get ourselves home and rest up till then. ”
“Sure. Fine. I’m glad to come out and help you first before—”
“No! You need to see Angie, and you should rest after the concussion. See you tomorrow, Jack.”
He watched them leave, feeling abandoned, and copied Maisie’s sad wave before they disappeared.