“No problem,” he said. “Thanks for hearing me out this afternoon. I know it’s a crazy story.”
“It’s not crazy at all,” she responded with a shake of her head. “You’d be surprised at how many people have been separated from their siblings in the foster care system. There are some great reunion stories I’ve been a part of. Really moving stuff.”
“That gives me hope,” he said.
“We should always have hope,” Delilah said.
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul,” Mac said in a low voice.
“And sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.” Delilah finished the verse of the poem. She could hardly believe that Mac was able to recite Emily Dickinson’s poetry. It made her feel almost giddy. Most men winced when you even mentioned Emily Dickinson. Every moment in his presence showed her a new facet of him.
Delilah smiled at him. “Emily Dickinson, huh. You’re full of surprises, Mac Donahue. I wouldn’t have figured you for a lover of poetry.”
He shrugged, his shirt pulling a bit across his broad chest as he looked away from her. For a moment he almost seemed shy. “I’m not. Not really. I learned that particular poem in high school and it stuck with me.”
“It’s a good poem to have stuck with you.”
“The things we learn…the beautiful things…never fade away,” Mac said.
“Well, goodnight Mac. I’ll be in touch if I find out anything more about Callie.” With a small wave of her hand she headed off in the direction of her front door. Her front light came on as soon as she stepped onto the pebbled walkway. The flowers sitting in window boxes greeted her like old friends. After she inserted her key into the lock she pushed open the front door and turned back toward Mac. He was standing in front of his truck with his eyes trained on her. She knew instinctively he’d been waiting to make sure she made it inside safely.
A tight feeling pressed against her chest as she watched from inside as Mac got back into the truck and roared off down the road. She couldn’t put her finger on the emotion she was feeling at this moment. She felt as if she could float on air. As she roamed around her kitchen and began preparing herself a cup of green tea, she struggled to figure it out. If she had to put it into words she would say it was a feeling of happiness. And it revolved around being rescued by Mac and being driven home by him.
Tonight there had been a connection between herself and Mac. She wondered if he’d felt it too. It scared her a little bit because it was way more powerful than she’d ever imagined. Before he’d been just a name to her, a connection to her sister and Blue and the awesome Donahue clan. His reclusiveness and quiet vibe had been a bit of a turn off over the years. They’d barely exchanged a dozen words over the years. Yet now in the clear light of day she was discovering that beneath the quiet façade lay a man who exuded a raw strength and dignity. Mac was kind and thoughtful. And he was more of a gentleman than any of the men she’d dated. Opening doors. Riding to her rescue. Taking her hand to help her into his truck.
If she wasn’t careful, she realized, she was going to fall for Mac Donahue. He had all the qualities any woman would desire in a man. Strength. Kindness. Family oriented. Intelligence. She wasn’t quite ready to share it with Sarah, but she couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that this evening Mac had ridden to her rescue in a pair of faded blue jeans.
“Love is a choice. Opening yourself up to someone can be really scary, but in the end it leads you to the best things this world has to offer. It leads you to your other half.”
Remy Donahue
Chapter Three
By the time Mac arrived at the church picnic it was already in full swing. Being present at the event had only been possible thanks to Seth, his sister-in-law Tess’ younger brother. At eighteen, Seth was responsible and hard working. Mac trusted him to watch the shop in his absence and answer any inquiries customers might have. Despite having suffered hardships in his young life, Seth had grown into a terrific young man. A year ago he’d run away from his home in New Hampshire and headed to Breeze Point to find Tess and live with her. Although things had been a bit rocky at the start, Seth had settled in nicely to life in Breeze Point.
The smell of fried chicken wafted in the air as Mac ambled across the green. His stomach rioted against him as more savory smells from vendors assaulted his senses. Hot dogs. Fried dough. Shrimp. Burgers. Buying some food here was a win-win. He would satiate his stomach while donating to a great cause at the same time. He walked over to one of the food stands and bought a Blue Cheese Burger and a soda. One bite of the burger had him almost shouting out an Allelujah. It was fantastic.