“Coal is my babysitter!” Brinkley announced.
“He is?” Bear chuckled.
“Yes! He plays hide and seek with me. Mommy, can Coal come over to play today?”
“Not today. We’re making Christmas goodies tonight.”
Bear was still chuckling. “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to know how Coal became your babysitter.”
“Brinkley was around nine months old the first time we went to the clubhouse. As an infant, she didn’t like anyone other than me. Until we met Coal,” I smiled at the memory. “After I made a joke about him being a biker babysitter, he told me to call him if I ever needed one. When I came down with a stomach virus a few months later, I was too sick to take care of Brinkley. So, I called Coal for help, and here we are.”
“Sounds like Coal. He’s a good kid.”
“Mommy! I gotta go potty!” Brinkley shouted and crossed her legs for emphasis.
“Okay, sweetie,” I replied automatically and reached for her hand. “I’m sorry to rush off. I don’t have much time on the clock that just started ticking. But it was nice talking to you.”
“Bye, Mr. Bear. Bye, Mystical,” Brinkley waved.
2
“Nice talking with you, too,” I said and waved goodbye to Mackenzie and her daughter as they hurried back to her car.
I’m not sure why I kept my eyes on them, but I was glad I did. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have seen the only other vehicle in the lot leave right after Mackenzie did.
I noticed the car arrive shortly after Mackenzie and didn’t think anything of it at first. But after over a decade in prison, it was second nature to pay close attention to my surroundings. So, I also noticed that no one got out of the vehicle.
I’d planned on staying to visit with Nicole for a while longer but decided it wouldn’t hurt anything to cut my time short and follow the car. It was likely nothing, but I’d taken my chance with likely before, and it didn’t end in my favor.
Mackenzie turned into a grocery store parking lot a few miles down the road. As did the person I suspected was following her.
Parking near the rear entrance, I kept my eyes on the sedan. To my surprise, it circled the lot once before turning out onto the road and driving away.
“Wasn’t expecting that,” I mumbled to myself when the excitement I’d been gearing up for came to a sudden halt.
Since I was already there, I went inside to pick up a few things I needed. At least, that’s what I told myself as I entered the store. It had nothing to do with the beautiful, captivating woman and her charismatic daughter I’d just met.
“Mr. Bear!” Brinkley shouted when she saw me—which took far longer than it should have for either of them to notice me. Something I wanted to mention once I figured out how to do so without it coming across as offensive, or creepy.
“Hello, Miss Brinkley,” I said and pretended to be surprised to see them. “Are you helping Mommy shop?”
“Yes,” she said proudly. “We’re making Christmas goodies.”
“You are? That sounds like fun.”
“Mommy! Can Mr. Bear come over and make Christmas goodies with us?” she asked, yelling her question for everyone in the vicinity to hear.
“I don’t know,” Mackenzie said. “You’ll have to ask him.”
“Do you want to make Christmas goodies with us?” Brinkley asked excitedly.
“I’m afraid I can’t tonight, but thank you for inviting me.” I didn’t have any plans, but I didn’t want to put Mackenzie in an awkward position.
“You’re welcome. Merry Christmas, Mr. Bear!”
“Merry Christmas,” Mackenzie and I said at the same time.
“Bye, Mr. Bear!” Brinkley waved, and continued to do so until Mackenzie turned the corner to the next aisle. “Bye!” she shouted one last time.