to get real uncomfortable. At least that’s what Jed figured.
He started to move back to the hall leading to the sanctuary when Mack called Clarissa.
“Hey, Clarissa. Come closer.”
Clarissa, so far completely game for Mack’s antics, bent over close enough for Mack to put her hands on each side of her face and say, “You’re a good best friend. See you in a little bit. And don’t be afraid, ‘kay? No one’s mean here.”
How had a five-year-old little girl known she was afraid?
Clarissa marveled at the insight, the almost unreal ability of Mackenzie to zero in on her emotions. Strange.
And now she was alone with that little girl’s father, and everyone would think they were dating because they were at church together and this was so not a date, not a date, not, not, not.
Although, she had to admit, he looked good. Too good. The kind of good that led to trouble. His dark hair needed a cut, but the length looked nice on him. He’d left his hat in the truck. His robin’s egg blue shirt was starched. His jeans pressed. And he smelled entirely too enticing.
“Thanks for coming with her today,” he said. “It means a lot.”
“She’s pretty special,” Clarissa said, wishing she hadn’t ruined the effect of the words by practically coughing at first.
“You’ll have to excuse her talking so much. She’s just excited you’re here.”
Give her a break, dude. She’s a kid. “I don’t mind. It’s funny. And cute.”
“Tell that to her teachers,” Jed said then he waved away his own words. “They’ve got their hands full. A hyperactive kid who’s already read all their books and is bored to tears can’t be easy.”
Are you taking a break, cuz my momma took a break and...
Mackenzie’s words pingponged around in Clarissa’s brain. Her momma had taken a few breaks over the years—of course, that turned out to be a blessing. Her heart softened a little more and she felt herself falling and then she slid right on in to crazy.
“Bev was saying something about you needing a sitter next week.”
“Hmmm,” he said acknowledging her comment but not really taking her up on the obvious suggestion. She was nuts for volunteering, but no way was he going to just toss the offer away.
“I’m not a serial killer or anything. And we’d just hang out at Pete’s and color or something.”
“You don’t just color or something with Mack,” he said, and for the life of her Clarissa couldn’t figure out what she’d done to upset him, but she couldn’t really get into that since they were standing outside the door to a Sunday School class, and it was time to find out if Mackenzie was right and people weren’t mean here or if this would be one more replay of past church experiences.
They weren’t mean. In fact, most people recognized her from Pete’s and welcomed her unequivocally. Of course, there were plenty of speculative glances at the two of them together, but she took care of that by repeating Mackenzie’s oft quoted explanation of “Mackenzie invited me so she could get 100 points and beat the boys,” and that always ended in a knowing nod and smile followed by “smart girl,” “precious,” or “she’s a handful, but she sure is a sweetie.”
Jed stiffened at the last one almost imperceptibly, and Clarissa felt her heart go out to him even though he was way too tough on his daughter and somewhat of a jerk for assuming she couldn’t handle a couple hours alone with his kid.
After church ended, they picked Mackenzie up and she told them she was marrying one of the twins one day and then yawned great big and promptly fell asleep in the truck on the way back to Pete’s. Clarissa worried at the hem on her shirt sleeve before finally saying what she’d been thinking for hours instead of listening to the Sunday School leader or the preacher.
“She’d be fine with me. We wouldn’t even have to leave the restaurant if that would make you feel better.” As she said the words, she asked herself why it mattered, why it was so important. It was his problem. Not hers. Getting involved was a colossal bad idea. And his reluctance was her out. She should let this go.
“If you kept her cooped up in Pete’s for two hours after school he’d fire you and possibly kill Mack.”
At least his reluctance was tempered with humor this time. Humor didn’t make her feel so bad.
“You do know he’s a total