“Oh, that’s not necessary. I don’t have anything that has to be done today. I meant if there was an emergency or something.”
“We’re supposed to go get our Christmas tree today,” Brinkley whined.
“I know, sweetie. But we can put up the other decorations today and do the tree tomorrow.”
“But Candy won’t come until we finish the tree,” she cried.
“I’ll see what I can do, but I’m not making any promises,” Mackenzie said and placed a plate of French toast in front of her daughter.
Brinkley shoved a syrup-covered bite of toast into her mouth as huge crocodile tears ran down her face.
And it damn near broke my heart.
Under the guise of making another cup of coffee, I made my way over to Mackenzie and asked, “Who’s Candy?”
“Her Christmas elf,” Mackenzie whispered.
“Ah,” I said as recognition dawned. After I heard Savior’s kids talking about an elf, I asked him about it, and he filled me in on the Christmas tradition. “And the tree has to be decorated in order for Candy to come?”
Mackenzie scrunched her nose. “I think that might be specific to our elf.”
I nodded as though I understood, even though I didn’t. “I see. Well, the offer still stands. If you’d like to use one of the club’s loaners, you’re more than welcome to.”
She was quiet for a few moments as she considered my offer.
“They sit there and rarely get used, so you’d be doing us a favor,” I added. “Plus, it’d be safer for her.”
She snapped her fingers and pointed at me. “Well played.”
I laughed and dropped a kiss on top of her head like it was the most natural thing in the world. And it was. Until I realized what I’d done. Which happened to be when I looked up and saw Brinkley staring at us before she erupted into a fit of giggles, providing a welcomed distraction.
Drew arrived with the loaner SUV shortly after we finished breakfast. Mackenzie picked up her keys and put on her jacket. “Brinkley, stay in your play area while I move your car seat to the new car.”
“I can move it for you,” I offered.
“Thanks, but I need to grab a few other things as well,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”
“Stay alert,” I mouthed to Drew and nodded toward Mackenzie.
He nodded once and straightened his shoulders before he turned to scan the area while Mackenzie got her things from her car.
She returned a few minutes later and jingled her keys. “Who wants these?”
“I’ll take them,” I said and extended my hand.
She dropped them into my open palm as she passed by me on the porch, inadvertently backing into me when she stepped back to open the screen door.
“Sorry,” she squeaked and quickly shimmied through the small space, wiggling her firm ass against me as she squeezed by.
I exhaled slowly and tried to focus my thoughts on Drew and Mackenzie’s car instead of Mackenzie’s ass and my cock.
Fuck it. I tossed the keys to Drew and waited for him to turn toward her car before I readjusted my hard dick. Then, I walked out to her car and gestured for Drew to roll down the window.
With my hands braced on the roof of the car, I leaned down and lowered my voice even though Mackenzie and Brinkley were inside. “Call me if you notice a four-door white sedan tailing you or lurking around at any point while this car is in your possession.”
His eyes widened for a moment before he nodded once. “Will do.”
“Thanks, man.” I tapped the top of the car twice and stepped back to watch him leave before I went back inside.