An embarrassed smile peeked out before she responded, “Oh.”
He raised a brow. “All true.”
“Mac,” she breathed out, her confusion clear.
Mac reached for her, and she went into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Kinda had a soft spot for you for a while,” he said against her hair, looking over her head at the three below him.
Silas stood next to his wife and caressed her back, but he addressed Mac and Cassidy. “She’s afraid for our girl.”
“I know.”
“We wouldn’t be in your business if it weren’t for our girl,” Marge grumbled.
“Our girlis right here,” Cassidy pointed out. “I appreciate your concern, and I do know where it’s coming from, but I don’t know what you think you’re going to gain by coming here and yelling at us. This is ours to figure out, and we will. We’ll figure it out as we go, but let us move forward at our own pace.”
Marge looked between the two of them, then settled back on her; again, with motherly fear and concern all over her face. “We don’t want to see you hurt. Again.”
“No one wants that,” she replied. “Least of all Mac. Well, me, then Mac.”
“Had it right the first time, sweetheart,” Mac corrected her. “Marge, she’s my priority, but she’s right—it’s for her and me to work out. This is our first night; we don’t have all of your answers for you.”
Marge and Silas faced one another for a few minutes, their silent communication seeming to calm. Eventually, she turned back, saying to Cassidy, “I want you safe.”
“I am. And I appreciate you and everything you’ve helped me through, but you do not get to battle the man next to me.”
Mac turned his head and kissed the top of hers, looking off toward the woods, giving her a squeeze.
“Please,” she begged.
The night fell quiet. With her tucked against him, he waited for the judgment from the people most important to her. And even though his words might not hold sway, they needed to hear from him.
Mac humbly addressed them, his eyes begging Marge, “I’m holding a second chance in my arms; really want to keep her. Kinda feel like I can’t do that without your permission.”
Cassidy turned her face to his chest.
“I might not deserve it; probably don’t. But I need to believe I do. Certainly going to work my ass off to deserve her. For both of us.” He swallowed hard. Nothing he said could express what he was feeling; his fear and hope tangled in this moment.
Did they need their blessing? Maybe not. Maybe they were strong enough without it. But their approval sure would make moving forward a whole helluva lot easier.
The crickets and cicadas were vocal while everyone weighed his words; the decision.
Finally, Marge looked up, looking between the two of them. Without venom, she said, “I care about you Mac, I do. And I love you, Cassie, but this isn’t what I would want for you—for either one of you.” Sighing, she half turned away from them as though she couldn’t look at them. “But it’s just like the both of you to do something like this, so best of luck to you.”
Mac narrowed his eyes. “What does that mean?”
“It means I’ll be watching you like a hawk,” Marge warned, looking back at him, shifting her eyes to Cassidy. “Make sure our girl is taken care of.” She smiled at her. It was strained, but it was a smile.
The jury was still out for Marge, but she wasn’t going to make it more difficult. She’d be supportive with her brand of tough love. He respected her more for that, for sticking to her guns. She’d ride his ass and keep him in line.
“She will be,” Mac assured him.
Grady looked relieved to be off the hook. He sighed out, “Well, thank god that drama’s over.”
Marge and Silas both turned toward him with matching expressions of exasperation.
“Because now, it’s all about me.” Grady grinned.
“What are you talking about?” Mac asked.