Page 59 of Mac
Then I won't wait up hoping you come back.Take care.
Sleep well; and will do.
Headlights approached and Mac watched them, wondering if they were the guy he was waiting on, but the car made a turn a few blocks down, leaving him sitting in the the darkness again.He pulled up a game on his phone to help pass the time, but not one that he'd get so absorbed in he'd forget to keep an eye on the house.
Aknock on the side window of the car startled Mac.He jumped and reached for the pistol he'd tucked under the arm rest beside him as he spun to see who had managed to sneak up on him.He released his grip on the weapon when he spotted the grin on Tuck's face.A glance at his watch told Mac it was approaching six a.m.
Mac shook his head, took a deep breath and opened the door."You did that on purpose."
Tuck's grin grew."I did, but it wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done.You're pretty alert for having been up all night."
Mac shrugged.If Tuck didn't already know Mac had gotten Jake, one of the prospects, to bring him a thermos of coffee the night before, then Mac wasn't going to tell him.As Mac saw it, it had simply a good use of his resources.Jake didn't know what Mac was doing there, much less why or for whom.It had just been another of many random errands Mac requested of him.
"Anything?"Tuck asked.
Mac shook his head."Nope.I got here about eleven, no one even came down the street, at least not this far.About four o clock lights started coming on, about five they started coming out and leaving."He glanced up and down the street then back to his friend."There will be a lot more out soon.You want me to keep hanging around?"
"Nah.I'm here to cut you loose.You can take the car back before anyone notices it missing."
That would be good.While the customer the car belonged to wouldn't be coming in, the replacement starter wasn't due in for a couple more days yet, his staff would be coming in, and he wanted to get it back before anyone noticed it missing.The fewer people who knew he'd 'borrowed' the vehicle, the better.
"Thanks."Mac crossed his fingers and turned the key, hoping this time it would start without an issue because his having to pop the hood would be a lot more memorable than just the car's presence.Thankfully, the starter caught, and the engine roared to life."Need anything else from me?"
Tuck gave his head a brief shake."I'll call later if anything else comes up."
Mac nodded and pulled the car door shut.In his rearview mirror he saw Tuck approach the house Mac had been watching as he drove away.
CHAPTER24
Elyse took a deep breath and let it out in a rush, pushing away the concerns of her workday.She wouldn't have to worry about any of that for two whole days.The weekend loomed large in front of her and she was going to enjoy it.
Talking to Dave last night she'd discovered he was heading home tomorrow, his flight back to Colorado took off at noon.She'd asked if he planned to go out and see their parents before he left.She couldn't have blamed him if he'd refused to after the way Mom had behaved, though that wasn't really fair to Dad.Not that it mattered much, as Dave said he was going out there today while she was at work.When she'd finished her shift and gotten out to the car she'd found a message from him letting her know he was eating dinner with them and wouldn't be back until later.She wondered briefly if that meant seven, ten or even later than that.Sometimes her brother made her crazy.
That hadn't been the only message waiting when she'd gotten off work.She'd also found a text from Mac asking if Dave was still in town and what she planned to do tonight, he'd invited her to stop by if she was free, that was the thought that had her singing along as the radio blasted on her way home.The traffic was a little heavier than usual, which meant she spent more time sitting and waiting.Normally that would irritate her but tonight she didn't care she was too happy looking forward to seeing Mac.Maybe she should stop and pick up some steaks to toss on the grill?What if he had other plans for dinner.
Deciding she'd better call and check, she dialed his number and put the phone on speaker so she could talk no matter what traffic did.
"This is Mac," he said as he answered.
"Hey, it's me.I was thinking about stopping and picking up some steaks to toss on the grill but thought you might have other plans for dinner.This is me checking.Do you have other plans, or do you want to have dinner with me?"
Silence came back for about three seconds, then he spoke."What about your brother, did he already go home?"
"Not until tomorrow but he's having dinner with our folks."
"And you didn't want to go join them?"
She wasn't sure if he was teasing or serious, so she answered as if he meant it."Not after the way Mom behaved this week.I talked to Dad a little this morning, I'm good with him.I'll talk to him but I'm going to give my mom the silent treatment for a while.It's not that I think she'll learn her lesson, I've long since given up on that.But I don't have to put up with being treated like that."
"I wasn't trying to talk you into it, just checking.I'd love to have dinner with you, but don't stop.I've got a couple steaks here, I'll start putting something together to go with it.What time you plan to be here?"
She did some quick mental math, figuring how long it would take her to get home in the current traffic, then adding a few minutes so she could change out of her work clothes."How's forty-five minutes sound?Is that too soon?"
"Now's not too soon,a thasgaidh.Come over whenever you're ready.I probably won't have food ready by then, but I'll take whatever time you have for me."
"Great, I can't wait.I'll be there as soon as I can."She disconnected the call and turned the radio back up.Dancing along and singing as she drove, the trip seem to take as long as it was.
At home, she hurried inside, changed clothes and shoes then went over to Mac's.The music was still playing in her head and she danced along to the unheard tune while she waited for him to open the door.
