Chapter 16 MJ
MJ
“Are you ready to go home to your papa?”
June Bug wriggles in my arm while I pack her things with one hand Thursday morning. Lindsey called from work to let me know the puppy’s owner is back in town and on his way to pick her up.
The pup sneaks a kiss on my chin, and my heart gives a little tug. “I know, girl. I’m going to miss you too.”
I have to admit, I’m sad to see her go. That first day was rough, but we found a rhythm together.
She only peed on my rugs a couple more times and did manage to leave some pretty impressive bite marks on one of the legs of my dining table, but she made up for it with lots of kisses.
I enjoyed holding her while she slept, curled in a tiny ball in my lap.
It was nice to have some company during the day, and I kind of dread the familiar echoes of emptiness that are sure to return once she and eventually, Lindsey, go home.
About twenty minutes later, I’m soaking in our last cuddles when the doorbell chimes. June Bug lets out a shrill bark to warn me in case I somehow failed to hear it.
I tuck her into the crook of my arm and head to the door, swinging it open. My stomach jumps into my throat when I lock eyes with the man waiting on my doorstep.
I didn’t expect him to be so…attractive. He has a strong nose and jaw. His sturdy build is clothed in a pair of gray slacks and a cozy sweater, and he has the kindest eyes I’ve seen since…well, in a long time.
“There’s my girl,” he says with a grin, and June Bug’s tail spins like a ceiling fan. “You must be Ms. Haggerty. Ron Phillips.”
“Please, call me MJ.” I hand the squirming pup over to her dad and smile. “Nice to meet you, Ron. You want to come in? I’ve got her stuff all packed up and ready to go.”
He wrinkles his brow. “She didn’t have anything when I left her with your daughter.”
I laugh and clasp my hands together. “Well, now she does. That’s Lindsey for you. Between her and Lucy, they made sure June Bug would have lots of toys and things to go home with. There’s a crate here too.”
“Your daughters are special people,” he says, following me inside.
“And so are you. Lindsey told me she needed your help to take care of little Junie after the fire, and you were quick to pitch in. I’m just so glad everyone’s safe and that her house will be okay.
When I saw my neighbor this morning, he told me about it. He’s a firefighter here in town.”
“Oh, yes,” I say. “I know Oliver. He’s such a like a lovely young man. I think he’s taken a liking to Lindsey.”
“Ah, that makes sense. He definitely got a little flustered talking about her,” he says. “Well, I haven’t known Oliver long, but he’s a good kid. He introduced himself when he moved in and let me know he was around if I ever needed anything. I’ve had to take him up on it a couple times.”
“He really is a sweet guy. Lindsey thinks so too.”
Ron nods. “Life’s dealt Oliver a tough hand. It’s nice to hear that Lindsey sees how great he is. That kid deserves some happiness.”
I smile. “They both do.”
“Well, I don’t want to hold you up. I’m sure you’re a busy lady, but I can’t thank you all enough for everything you’ve done. ”
I lead him to the living room where I’ve gathered June Bug’s things. “It was my pleasure.”
“I hope she didn’t cause you too much trouble.”
“Just enough.” I decide not to mention the rugs or my loafers. “Honestly, I’m going to miss her. This house gets quiet now that I’m the only one in it.”
“No Mr. Haggerty?” he asks. “Or Mrs.?”
“My husband Henry passed five years ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you.”
“That’s why I got Junie here.” He scruffs the top of her head.
“Living alone can be, well, lonely. I’m divorced, and my son and daughter-in-law moved to Cincinnati to be closer to her family, so I don’t get to see them as often as I’d like.
I have friends around here, but it’s not quite the same as having someone that shares the day-to-day with you, is it? ”
I shake my head, and June Bug stretches her tiny paws toward me. “No, it isn’t.” I scratch behind her ears, and my hand accidentally brushes Ron’s, sending a shiver up my arm.
He clears his throat. “Well, I appreciate your kindness, MJ. I can tell you took great care of my girl. Looks like she might rather stay here with you.”
A giggle bubbles up from inside me, originating from a place I thought I locked up years ago.
“She’s a doll.” I beam, leaning over to let the pup lick my cheek.
“So, um, MJ, maybe you’d let me take you to dinner?” he says. “As a thank-you.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” I answer, raking my fingers through my hair and pushing it forward in an effort to hide the blush that’s crept onto my cheeks. “Truly, it was my pleasure.”
Even if he is offering to be polite, he’s still the first man to ask me out since Henry died. And for reasons I can’t explain, that makes my stomach turn squishy like the Play-Doh the grandkids leave all over the house when they visit.
“Really, I’d like to,” he insists. “You’d be doing me a favor. I just got back in town from staying with my son, and I’ve gotten spoiled having company at dinner. While I love having June Bug, she’s not the best at holding a conversation.”
I chuckle and smooth my hands over my blouse. It’s just dinner. Sharing a meal with someone close to my age that isn’t Rose or one of my few girlfriends. This isn’t a big deal, yet it feels like it is.
Sensing my hesitation, Ron speaks up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“I’m not,” I say quickly. Flustered, maybe. Twitchy like June Bug’s tail when she’s excited, but not uncomfortable. “You didn’t. Make me uncomfortable, I mean.”
He gives me an amused grin. “How about Lovebird Brews, then?”
“Sure,” I say finally, resting my hand on my cheek. “Dinner would be lovely. Thank you. When would you like to go?”
He shrugs. “How about tonight?”
“Tonight?” I blink. “Don’t you need to get settled in?”
“Nah,” he says with a wave of his hand. “It’ll be nice to get out. I love being with my son and his wife, but well, they make me feel kinda old sometimes.”
I laugh. “Well, we can’t have that.”
“Pick you up at six?”
My insides, which are clearly far more limber than I am, are having a full-on dance party.
“Six it is,” I say.
“Well, I should let you get on with your day.”
“Can I help you get everything out to your car?”
“Tell you what,” he says, holding June Bug out to me. “You carry her, and I’ll handle the rest.”
“Deal.” I kiss the pup’s muzzle as I take her in my arms.
Ron gathers her things, and I follow him down the path to his car.
Once he has everything loaded and the puppy secured in the crate, he opens the driver’s side door, his eyes lingering on me.
“It was nice meeting you, MJ.”
“Likewise,” I say. “I guess I’ll see you tonight.”
He nods and climbs into his car.
“It’s a date.” The snap of the door clicking shut is the exclamation point on the sentence.
I wave as he backs out of the driveway, then run inside and shut the front door, leaning against it, my hands on my cheeks.
What did I just agree to?
Am I going on…a date?
“Toasted praline latte with an extra shot for MJ?” the barista at The Southern Bean calls out.
“Thank you,” I say, grabbing the cup from the counter.
After Ron left with June Bug, I wasn’t able to stop pacing. So, I brought my laptop to the coffee shop to catch up on emails to prevent myself from wearing holes in the floor.
I take the mug back to my table and resume staring at my computer screen, but all the words are blurring together.
Did I actually agree to go on a date? No. That’s crazy. I wouldn’t—couldn’t. My heart belongs to Henry. It always will. I can’t go on a date. Oh God. What am I doing?
“MJ?”
The deep voice that materializes next to me causes me to jump and give a loud screech.
“Oliver,” I say, peering up at his wide grin.
“I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“No, it’s so good to see you. How are you?”
“I’m fine—just on my way to the fire hall and thought I’d stop in for a coffee,” he says. “I’m glad I ran into you, though. I was wondering if…Could I talk to you about something?”
I scrunch my brows together. “Me? Sure.”
“Mind if I sit for a second?” he asks.
“Of course.” I gesture to the chair across from me. “What’s going on?”
“Lindsey invited me to Mistletoe Fest on Saturday.” He folds his hands on the table in front of him. “She mentioned the whole family was going.”
My heart hammers an erratic beat in my chest. The news comes as a bit of a surprise, even though I told Ellie they should go without me.
“Everyone except you.” He pins me with a concerned stare. “And anyway, I don’t know if you already have plans, but I would love it if you could come, even just for a bit.”
“Oh.” I take a long sip of my coffee, hoping to quell my dry throat, but I may as well have been drinking a spoonful of sugar. “I, um, it’s not that I have plans, per se.”
I can’t tell him the real reason I’m not going. I’ll be a blubbering mess, and my insides are already mixed up enough as it is, like a deck of cards scattered on the ground.
“I hope I’m not overstepping here,” he says. “But when Lindsey mentioned you weren’t going, she looked kind of…disappointed. Sad, even.”
Fingers wrap around my heart, giving it a squeeze. “She did?”
He nods. “MJ, I really like Lindsey, and I want to keep getting to know her. Part of that means getting to know the people who mean the most to her. And that’s you.”
I blink, a rush of emotion jolting through me like a power surge. “Really?”
“Well, yeah,” he says with a soft chuckle. “You’re her mom.”
I run my fingertip along the edge of my cup.
“So, would you come to the festival?” he asks.
I open my mouth to protest, but he cuts me off.
“Please. It would mean a lot to me, and I know it would mean a lot to Lindsey too.”