Page 55 of Mack

“Because I told her you could. She said you wouldn’t fit in my bed.” He picked up Blue from the table where he’d apparently already been stationed. “So, I said you could sleep with her.”

Mack looked down into his coffee cup and said nothing.

A moment later Mallory appeared in the doorway in an old T-shirt and bare feet, hair down, and he forgot what he’d been about to say entirely.

“You didn’t mention,” he said, “that T.J. had already approved the sleeping arrangements.”

She pointed at him. “He is three. He means something entirely different than you do.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He brought the cup to his lips to hide his grin.

She narrowed her eyes at him and went to get the coffee.

He leaned over and kissed her temple. “I should head out. It’s coming down and I need to clean the barn.”

“I know.” She glanced at T.J. “You should go before it gets worse.”

Mack put his cup in the sink and crouched down beside T.J.’s chair.

“I’m heading home, buddy. You be good for your mama.”

T.J.’s face fell. “I don’t want you to go. I want to build a snowman.”

Mack looked at Mallory. She gave him nothing.

He turned back to T.J. “We’ll do that. I promise.”

T.J.’s bottom lip trembled, which did things to Mack’s chest that he hadn’t been prepared for. Then the boy looked at him with those big brown eyes.

“You promised. So, you have to.”

“Yes, sir. And I don’t break my promises.”

T.J. considered this, then nodded. “‘Kay.”

Mack ruffled his hair and stood. “Walk me out?”

Mallory nodded. “Think about breakfast, T.J. I’ll be right back.”

“Cocoa Puffs.”

“Of course.” She sighed. “I’ll be right back.”

“‘Kay. Bye, Mack.”

“See you later, T.J.”

He took Mallory’s hand and led her to the front door, then wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips to the top of her head.

“I’ll call you later.”

“Okay.” She looked up at him. “Be careful going home.”

“Always.” He kissed her, let it linger a moment, then lifted his head. “Bye for now.”

“Bye.”

He put his hat on, stepped out into the cold, and made his way to his truck. The roads were already covered and getting worse. He kept his attention on his driving and thought about nothing else until he pulled onto the ranch drive and cut the engine.