Page 43 of Hearts Don't Lie
“Yes.” Her heart was heavy. It was their private code for serious things to examine and discuss, just between them.
He cracked a weak smile and then launched himself at her, hugging her tightly, an unusual display of public affection. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you more.”
Lost in their own thoughts, Mac and Hardin walked companionably along Main Street, which was already bustling. The green space ahead of them was empty.
“I know you need to be at work, but can we take a few minutes? Discuss what happened back there? Please?” He indicated a bench in the dappled shade.
“I’d like some more coffee.”
“We’ll get it, even if I have to go for it after dropping you off.”
She sighed deeply and removed her sunglasses, facing him. Hardin removed his too and smiled, remembering how Mac demanded he never “talk to her through his shades” during their first of countless discussions and some passionate arguments. It had become ingrained in him when he quickly realized that communication was more authentic when people were looking into each other’s eyes unobstructed.
“You remembered,” she said, smiling.
“I never forgot. Our son—”
“Stowe was miserable. He’s not normally sullen. I think that when Beck said you look like Stowe, well, it got him thinking. He knows.” Tears escaped from her shimmering eyes. “I wish… I wish I didn’t have to work today. He needs me.”
Hardin wiped at her tears gently with the pads of his thumbs. “Maybe it’s good he’s fishing with friends? As much as I’m stunned, I can’t even imagine what he’s feeling or thinking.” He pulled her onto his lap and kissed her forehead. “I’m fucking reeling.”
She relaxed against him and felt their combined tension ease. It felt so good. So right.
After a few minutes, Hardin sat up straighter and lifted her chin, pinning Mac with a deep look, his eyes full of unshed tears. His voice cracked. “This isn’t even enough, but… thank you. He’s beautiful,” he whispered.
Mac’s torrent of held-back emotion erupted. What she felt for her son overwhelmed her, as did finally sharing him with his father. All she could manage between crying and sniffling was an enormous smile and to bob her head.
Mac was thirty minutes late for work, puffy-faced and physically drained. What could no longer be contained had cleansed her. Euphoria and renewal filled her.
Hardin’s hand was at the small of her back as he opened the door for her, and they entered Intrepid. “I’ll be back with your coffee, honey, and to help.” He kissed her soundly in front of the Intrepid staff in the front office.
She really could not have cared less. “I—”
He winked at her. “I know what you want.” A confident smile covered his face as he left, leaving her head and body zinging like crazy.
“Sorry I’m late. Something came up.” Mac glanced around, taking in the surprised expressions.
“I’ll say.” Cori chuckled from her seat at one of the two desks. “Youwillfill me in later.”
She ignored her and addressed Chase, Van, Jess, and Emory, who watched wide-eyed. Mac cocked her head and regarded each of them in turn, then sat at her desk. “What? Let’s get to work. Where are we with today’s bookings?” she asked, opening her laptop.
“A heads-up, Kenna. Cori. I need to lead first. I’m on the late shift,” said Emory, who worked in rescue and recovery with Mike, Cori’s husband.
“Can do. Thanks for filling in again, Em,” Cori said. “You’ve been a lifesaver.”
Emory cracked a grin and rolled her eyes. “Weak one, Cori.”
“You’re packed and ready, Em. Your group should be arriving any minute,” Chase said as the door opened again, on cue. “I’ll drop your group off with Jess’s.”
“Where’re Lee and Shep?”
“I took them out with a larger group earlier. Dropped them off at Salt Creek. They’re doing an all-day with lunch and fishing.”
Mac nodded. “Perfect.”
“Hi, maybe you can help me. Do you by chance know Ma—Kenna Eliot?” Hardin asked the blonde manning the register.
