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It didn’t even register with Mack to be disgruntled with the statement his brother had made about Lacey. He’d simply snapped his focus in the direction where Noah nodded.

Sure enough, Lacey was coming toward them from up ahead, Bridger in tow.

A smile stretched across Mack’s face. It didn’t look like Angela was anywhere near them. Was this his chance to get Lacey to agree to a date? He’d been slowly wearing her down over the last couple of days. While the woman had still refused, she seemed to be taking longer to do just that.

“I knew it was her,” Noah muttered under his breath as the two of them slowed.

It was at that moment that Lacey noted their presence. Her eyes narrowed even as Bridger hollered with glee. “Mack!” He dropped his mother’s hand and threw himself at Mack, pulling him into a hug at the waist.

Mack chuckled, ignoring the lifted brows his brother gave him. “Hey, kid. Looks like you’re feeling lots better.”

Bridger nodded, pulling back with a wide grin. “I am.”

Ruffling Bridger’s hair, Mack risked a look in Lacey’s direction. “Lacey,” he drawled.

“Mike,” she muttered back.

Bridger shot a confused look at his mother much the same way Noah sent one in Mack’s direction. A chuckle slipped past Mack’s lips, and he shook his head. “We’re back to that, are we?”

She shrugged, though he could see the delight hovering in the depths of her gaze. Too bad her plan to get under his skin wouldn’t work. The fact that she deliberately called him something else meant she was thinking about him.

“You working tonight?” Mack asked.

She stiffened, and her eyes narrowed. Then they darted to Noah, who seemed unable to hide just how enthralled he was over their interaction.

It was Bridger who spoke first. “Yeah. But she’s not happy about it.”

Mack glanced in her direction, smirking. “Oh? Why’s that?” He could see just how hard it was for Lacey not to step in and tell her son not to say anything. Thankfully, the kid didn’t notice.

Bridger sighed. “Aunt Angela had to go back to Billings today for a meeting. And my babysitter is sick. Mom can’t find anyone to watch me.”

“That’s not true.” She was too quick to jump into the conversation. “I was going to call Sammie and Caleb to see?—”

“But you said they’re busy with their new baby,” Bridger interrupted. “You said they shouldn’t have to worry aboutkeeping an eye on me when…” His words trailed off when he finally caught sight of his mother’s flushed face and sharp gaze.

Lacey glanced up at Mack, clearly uncomfortable. “It’s fine. Nothing I haven’t had to deal with before. We’ll figure it out.” She took ahold of Bridger’s hand. “I’m sure you two are busy running errands, and I have a couple of calls I have to make.”

“But—” Bridger started.

“I can watch him.”

Noah choked or coughed. Either way, he couldn’t catch his breath, and he had to take a few steps away to put distance between himself and their little group.

Bridger’s eyes flew wide, and Mack had never seen a smile so wide.

Lacey looked about ready to rip Mack’s throat out.

It was harder than Mack thought possible not to laugh at the situation. Lacey was up against a wall. He was certain she wasn’t willing to skip a shift—not with how much importance she’d placed on taking care of her kid. Based on their small apartment and her fury that he took up a table for most of her shift while at work, he’d imagine she was as frugal as they came.

“You wouldn’t even have to pay me.”

That caught her attention. She pulled her lower lip between her teeth and gave him a contemplative look. Then she shook her head. “I can’t.”

“Lacey—” he argued, but the kid stepped in.

“Why not, Mom? You know where he lives. And he’s Uncle Caleb’s brother. Sammie likes him. And he’s nice.”

To her credit, she looked as though she was going to be sick. This was not something she was comfortable with. He couldn’t blame her. And yet, at the same time, he was a little wounded by the realization.