Page 38 of Jobe

He lifted his eyebrow waiting for her to explain.

“You know,” she said in exasperation. “That we were…um…just had sex.” This last statement came out in a whisper.

“Babe, they don’t have a listening device in my truck so I don’t think you need to whisper.”

“You know what I mean,” she said, giving him a playful slap on the arm.

He saw her nervousness, and his heart melted again. “Mackenna,” he said, gaining her attention. “We can tell them as much or as little as you’re comfortable with.”

Smiling her appreciation, she nodded. “I think I’d like to talk to my mom first before we make a big deal about anything.”

He sobered, realizing that her mom must surely harbor resentment towards him, although she did not show it the other day.But she’d have to. I mean, I broke her daughter’s heart just when her husband was dying of cancer and then wasn’t around when she had her stroke. If she doesn’t hate me, she must be a saint!

Now nervous himself, he alighted from the truck and walked around to assist Mackenna out. Letting his hand span around her waist, he leaned down to give her a quick kiss.

A scream erupted from the front porch as Rachel turned and called for Penny. “Hurry, they’re here. And praise God, they’re kissing. Our prayers have been answered Joseph—our Jobe has returned to us with Mackenna. Penny, Penny come on,” she continued to scream as she ran down the front steps toward the couple.

“Uh…so much for being able to talk to mom first,” Mackenna said, her eyes worried.

“Oh baby, I’m really sorry,” he blurted, wanting to strangle his mother at that moment. “Ma, shush,” he admonished as she reached them, seeing his father and Penny standing on the front steps now.

“We weren’t ready to let—”

“Nonsense,” Rachel announced, grabbing her son in a heartfelt hug before letting him go so that she could turn and clutch Mackenna in an equally huge hug. “Too much time has been wasted for two people who need each other.”

She tucked Jobe’s arm under one of hers and took Mackenna’s arm under the other, propelling them toward the house.

“Joseph, Penny! Look who’s here,” she yelled.

“Woman, the whole neighborhood can tell who’s here,” he admonished, looking at his son carefully to see how he was taking the attention. Seeing the corners of Jobe’s mouth curve up, he let out a sigh of relief. Clasping Jobe firmly by the hand, he shook it as though he had not seen him in a long time. “Glad to see you again, son. Good to haveyouhome.”

Moving over to Mackenna, whose face was bright red, he bent to kiss her cheek. “My darling girl, I’ve not seen that smile in a long time. It does an old man good to see you like this.”

She felt tears spring to her eyes as she realized how much Mr. Delaro knew about his son’s life. “Thank you,” she whispered. Turning, she saw her mom standing with Rachel holding on to her tightly. Whether to support Penny or herself she was not sure.

“Hey, mom,” she said as she moved to hug her.

Penny patted her back and asked, “Ya a-right?”

She nodded against her mom’s shoulder. “Yeah, I’m great.”

Standing back she allowed Penny to move toward Jobe. He reached out to steady her, enabling her to stare deeply into his gaze. A lopsided smile beamed across her face and he let out the breath he had been holding. Pulling her in, he gave her a hug, whispering in her ear, “Mrs. Dunn, I’m so sorry for all the hurt I’ve caused.”

She patted his back with her right hand and said, “Ya a goo man, Jobe. Ya a betta man than ya were.” Smiling again, she added, “Age brins wisdom.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he agreed, kissing her cheek. “I promise you, no more pain, Mrs. Dunn. I’ll guard her heart with my life.”

Seeing the tears in everyone’s eyes, including her own, spurred Rachel into action. “Dinner! We need to eat. Joseph get your son a beer and the women can head into the kitchen with me. Rebecca, call Hannah and tell her to get her brood over here. We’re celebrating. Miriam, get in the kitchen. We’ve got a meal to fix.”

The dinner turned out to be a crowded affair with nine adults and two children. Mackenna kept an eye on her mom knowing this was much more than she had been used to, but Penny seemed to enjoy the gathering. The Delaro family was loud and boisterous, but the love among the members was palpable.

Jobe managed to get his mother alone for a moment to tell her to not make a big deal about him and Mackenna.

She patted his cheek as she smiled, “I know, baby boy. I was just so happy to see that you two had talked.”

He grinned back, saying, “It’s a start.”

“Ah thin it is mor than a star,” Penny said, walking up behind him smiling.

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