Page 36 of Renewal After Dark

“That wasn’t fair with hours to go until you can finish what you started.”

“Something to look forward to later.”

“I’ll think about it all day.”

“When’s your vasectomy follow-up appointment?”

“Next week and let me tell you how much I’m looking forward to that.”

“Your sarcasm is duly noted.”

“I’m looking forward to having fun with my sexy wife, no condoms required.” He kissed her again and then gazed at her gorgeous face.

“What?”

“You’re just so pretty. I never get tired of looking at you.”

“You know just what to say to me.”

“I only tell you the truth. Call me if you need me today. I can be home in a few minutes.”

“I will. Love you. Be safe out there.”

“Love you, too. Be safe in here.”

“Haha, it’s a jungle in here.”

“And you’re the queen of the jungle.”

Their daughter Hailey came into the room, her hair tousled and her cheeks rosy with sleep. “Baby Mac is awake, Mama.”

“Thank you, honey.” Maddie got out of bed and bent to hug their tiny girl. “Did you sleep well?”

“Uh-huh. Can we watch Bluey today?”

“As long as we keep power.” Maddie took their daughter by the hand and went to get Mac.

“That mean old storm took Bluey,” Hailey said.

As he got up and got ready for work, Mac chuckled as he listened to his family through the monitor. Maddie was so great with them, and they were lucky to have her. She was right about him managing the stress and that he was only one man.

He would try to remember that as the post-storm demands stacked up.

Chapter8

“After I show you the shop,” Duke said, “we’ll go home and see what we can salvage from your cabin.”

“I’m sure you have better things to do today,” McKenzie said.

“Not at all. It’s our day off, and I’m happy to help you. Besides, you shouldn’t be over there by yourself. It’s not safe.”

After a period of silence, she said, “I thought I was being so independent coming out here to start over and to figure out what’s next for me and Jax.” She sighed as she looked out the passenger-side window. “We all know how that’s worked out so far.”

“Blame it on Ethel. She’s the one who messed things up.”

“How could I have come here with a baby and not known there was a hurricane in the forecast?”

“You didn’t have Wi-Fi, TV or a good phone connection. It’s not your fault. I should’ve gone over there to make sure you were okay, but I didn’t want to freak you out by just popping in.”

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