When A Man Loves A Woman(34)
“Hi Delilah. I’m doing pretty well. I just wanted to call to say I’m headed to New Hampshire in the morning with my brothers.”
“I’m so excited for you. Please keep me posted with any news.”
“I will,” he agreed.
A moment of silence stretched out between them.
“I missed seeing you today,” Mac admitted.
“Me too,” she said, feeling relieved that Mac had said the words she’d been thinking.
“When I get back from New Hampshire I’d like to take you out again.”
She raised a hand to her flushed cheeks. “I’d like that too, Mac. Only this time I’d like to plan things, if that works for you.”
Mac chuckled over the line. “Who wouldn’t love that?”
Delilah joined in with him and they laughed in unison.
“Wishing you safe travels, Mac.”
“See you soon, Delilah,” he said in a tender voice that felt like a caress. After ending the call Delilah pressed the phone against her chest and closed her eyes. She wouldn’t be seeing Mac again for a few days at the very least. The very thought of it bummed her out. On the positive side, Mac’s sweet phone call had lifted her spirits and reinforced all her good vibes about him. Moment by moment he was showing her that he might just be a keeper.
“Love and be loved. At the end of the day that’s what it’s all about. What I’ve discovered is that it’s a good blueprint for life.”
Wyatt Donahue
Chapter Six
Wide, green fields stretched out for miles across the New England countryside. Mountains loomed in the distance. The sky was a corn flower blue, dotted with puffy clouds that resembled cotton balls. The sun, although brilliant, wasn’t oppressive. It was a balmy spring day, perfect for taking a road trip with the Donahue boys.
This trip with his brothers was a surefire way of keeping his mind off Delilah, Mac thought as they crossed the state line into New Hampshire. The seven of them had split up in two SUVs to make the trip. Four in one car. Three in another. Ryder was driving the SUV Mac was a passenger in. Because of his long legs he could always justify his seat in the front passenger side.
A few hours into the trip—right around lunchtime—they stopped at a diner called Happy’s Place. After filling up their bellies they continued on the road to Hanover. According to Mac’s calculations, they should be arriving at Mrs. Worther’s place in just under an hour. He tried to think of all the questions he had for Mrs. Worther, but his head was all a jumble. Although he knew it was a long shot that she might have some information to share about Callie, he still felt something pulling him toward reconnecting with Mrs. Worther. It was the oddest sensation, one he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
When they pulled up outside 44 Olive Street, Mac looked out the window on the passenger side. The residence was a large, white Victorian that looked as if it had seen better days. The paint was badly peeling on the house. The purple shutters were faded and cracked. The walkway had broken bricks. Tall weeds had taken possession of the lawn.
“This is where Mrs. Worther ended up?” Wyatt asked in a surprised voice. “The place looks…kind of abandoned.”
“After a lifetime of service I can’t imagine it came to this,” Ryder said with a shake of his head. “What a shame!”
“Parker said she’s living here, so I’m going to go ring the bell,” Mac said.
“Want some company?” Ryder asked as he unbuckled his seatbelt.
“I think that I should go first and introduce myself. It might be intimidating if seven men show up at her door,” Mac said. He knew that the sight of all seven Donahue brothers was a sight to behold for most people. It was best that he approach her solo at first.
“I think you showing up at her door is intimating enough,” Brandon laughed.
Mac hauled himself out of the car and stretched his legs. He cast a quick glance around the neighborhood. None of the other residences were in poor shape. With a ragged sigh he walked up the steps to her front door, then cast a look over his shoulder. All of his brothers had gotten out of the two SUVs and were leaning against the cars. He let out a chuckle. They looked like something out of an old western. Gun slingers who were waiting for a showdown. It was a good thing they hadn’t all followed him to the door. Poor Mrs. Worther might have had a heart attack at the sight of all of them.
Mac turned back around to face the door. For the first time he noticed a foreclosure notice posted on the white, peeling door. The sight of it caused his stomach to clench up. Mac rang the bell as his mind swirled with thoughts about the state of affairs with Mrs. Worther. Had she fallen on such hard times that she was being forcibly ejected from her home?