Page 69 of Saving Grace

With dishes atop and more candles than I can count, the table looks set for royalty.

Louisa and Harry stand in front of the table.

Then I see him.

Mack.

Standing by one of the long bench seats. Hand clasped behind his back, like he’s standing to attention in a morning lineup. But his face is soft, happy, and a smile pushes his lips up as my eyes find his. Butterflies take flight in one big swarm, and I cling to Ruby’s arm.

She leans in. “Happy birthday, Gracie.”

I stare at her, scrunching my nose up to stifle the tears that threaten again. Oh boy, it’s going to be a long night.

Something tells me it’s turning out to be one of my best.

The tree moves, and Lawson appears with a large chair, placing it at the head of the table.

“Hi!” I gasp. He came all the way from New York for me? My chest tightens. He winks at me and moves to stand by Reed. Now Mack steps forward, gesturing for me to sit.

This is too much.

He pulls the chair out for me, and I release Ruby’s arm and take his hand. His eyes never leave my face as I sink into it, and he tucks me in. A moment later, everyone is seated at the long table. Me at one end, Harry at the other. Hudson, Addy, and Lawson on my left. Louisa, Reed, and Ruby to my right. Mack pulls out another chair and sits beside me.

I open my mouth to thank them all. They most certainly didn’t have to do all this for me. Harry stands, tapping a fork on his glass tumbler. The amber liquid at the bottom swishes and he clears his throat.

“Now, around here, we believe that family is the most important part of life. It builds a good life. Makes the hard days a little easier.” He pauses, glass in hand. “It wasn’t long ago, our family was shook to the core.” His gaze settles on Mackinlay. I find his hand under the table, and he laces his fingers through mine. I squeeze his hand, hoping the rest of the table doesn’t notice the expression he’s giving me right now. Because there’s nothing employee and employer about it. At all.

Harry smiles. “However, with every storm, a rainbow follows, almost always guaranteed.”

Reed shakes his head. “Jesus, Harry, that’s damn corny.”

Harry’s crooked smile is aimed at his youngest son. “Maybe, but sometimes the right words don’t matter. It’s actions that matter.”

“Sure.” Reed grins.

Louisa pats his face like he’s a little boy. Ruby plants a kiss to the other side. The whole table cracks up. “There’s your actions, Reedsy,” Ruby says, leaning into him.

He plucks his whiskey from the table and takes a sip.

“Yeah, Reedsy, where would we all be without Rubes’s actions?” Hudson winks at him.

Reed chokes on his mouthful. Louisa slaps his back and more laughter spills over.

“Now, the preschoolers have had their say.” Harry dips his head, eyeing his two sons. “I’ll continue.” His attention drifts back to me. I hold my breath.

“Gracie, we consider you our rainbow after the storm. You will always be part of this family, no matter where you decide to go next. Or where your dreams lead you. I think that about sums it up. Happy birthday, darlin’. Let’s eat!”

“Finally,” Reed drawls.

Ruby slaps his shoulder. It’s playful. He’s always the joker. He’s kind and funny. I see so much of him in Mack. More and more each day, I discover the incredible man he was before and is coming back to. From the moment I saw him stranded amidst the floor covered in laundry detergent, unable to move and so damn angry, to now, strong and healthy, but most of all, happier.

“Mackinlay, did you want to say something for Grace?” Louisa asks.

The table quiets instantly.

His jaw feathers but he stands, and all eyes are on him. All but Ruby’s, whose stay on me, her smile soft. It’s as if she can read my mind, or maybe Mack’s.

Mack picks up his glass of whiskey and drops his gaze to me. “Grace—Gracie.” He hesitates, but when he glances at Harry, it’s as if every person holds their breath. “If anyone at this table deserves happiness and a life well-lived, it’s you. You literallyscraped me off the floor and gave me the kick in the ass I needed. You put me back together, one mangy piece at a time. You’re part of me now, Gracie. Here’s to being your first mate.”

---