Page 72 of When Sparks Fly

Maci

Sunday evening after we’ve made it back and showered, Sutton and I enter through the front door for dinner. He follows me inside and closes the door while I pause at the front of the hallway. I’m met with the scent of a home-cooked meal. It’s reminiscent of days at Nana’s.

To my right is a sitting room with low couches in front of windows overlooking the south and east sides of the property. I immerse myself in memorizing every detail of this space, with all its books and light, to avoid the heartache rising up. Grief comes and goes. Moments like this fuel reminders of what I’ve lost.

Sutton reaches for my hand casually as he passes me from closing the door, headed down the hall. I can’t bring myself to move. He turns abruptly, standing before me and cupping my face with both hands. “Hey. What’s going on?”

My eyes are welling with tears and I’m trying to force them away, but it’s no use. His eyes go soft and wide before he pulls me against his chest, wrapping his strong arms around me.

When was the last time I let someone comfort me?

My racing heart calms as I melt into him. A few tears slip down my face, but the threatened flood has receded. I draw in several deep breaths and release my arms from around his torso.

“I’m sorry,” I say on an exhale.

His hands move back to my face and he uses his rough thumbs to gently brush the tears from my cheeks. “You have nothing to apologize for. If this is too much, say the word and we’ll leave.”

I exhale and give him a soft shake of my head. “No. I’m ok.”

“Are you sure?” He takes my hands in his.

“Sutton?” A familiar voice comes down the hall.

“One sec,” Sutton calls over his shoulder. His features remain soft, waiting for my decision.

“Yes,” I tell him confidently, forcing the tears to dry by blinking repeatedly. I take one more breath and squeeze his hand. “Come on. ”

I’ve never worried about impressing someone’s mother before. I don’t even worry about impressing my own. But the part of me that’s honest enough to admit I’m falling for Sutton knows how vital his family is to him. Them liking me is important to him, whether he says so or not. Andi may like me as Ruthie’s granddaughter, but will she like me as a partner for her only son? What about his dad?

And why does any of that matter, when my plan is still to be gone for good in a matter of weeks?

At the end of the hallway, the living room spans out to the left. We enter the kitchen on the right. Andi is at the oven, fiddling with something. She smacks a dish towel onto the counter and turns to us in mild frustration at whatever is going on there.

“Maci!” she cries when her eyes meet mine. She crushes me into her arms and I let her squeeze me for as long as she wants. This is a hug like Nana’s. A mother’s. I cherish every second of it, willing my arms to soak in the love and my eyes to keep the tears at bay.

She pulls back and looks me over at arms’ length. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Her eyes lift to Sutton behind me. He’s leaning against the doorway of the kitchen with his arms and ankles crossed and a smug look plastered on his face. She studies him quietly and looks back at me with glassy eyes. I’m positive I’m missing something. Something important, but I can’t bring myself to ask.

My heart flutters. “How can I help?”

She shoots me a look. “You will not. You’re a guest. Sutton, get Maci a drink and you two go sit down. Dad will be in soon, I’m sure.”

Sutton doesn’t balk and leads me into the dining room.

“So, Maci, how did the photos go yesterday? I’m sorry I couldn’t stop by and say hi,” Andi speaks from the kitchen, dishes clinking against each other. The table we’re seated at is beautiful and I run my hands along the grain lines of the wood. Sutton watches my fingers dance along the top.

“They were wonderful. Thank you so much for helping me get in there.” I glance at Sutton. “Did Sutton tell you I put him to work, too?” I can’t help but put him on the spot. He runs his tongue between his lip and upper teeth, smiling from the corner of his mouth at me.

“He didn’t! Only that he brought you something.” She looks at him expectantly.

“Maci wanted to borrow a trailer, so I took her one of the white ones.” He leans back in his chair, crossing his ankles straight in front of him and his arms over his chest. He has on a fresh tee, and once again, it’s stretched over his fabulous body in a too-inviting way.

“Sutton.” Andi stands in the doorway between the kitchen and dining room, giving her son a stern look. “You did not take her a dirty cattle trailer.” She is appalled.

He grins and I know before he speaks that he’s about to tease her. “Now Mama, I told her it was full of manure, but she wouldn’t listen.” His voice is as low and calm as always and it takes everything in me not to smack him in the arm where he sits next to me.

Andi’s mouth pops open and her cheeks turn red. She’s embarrassed of him for no good reason and he’s going to give her an aneurysm.

---