“You outdid yourself, lass,” Jack told Maggie, taking in the remodeled playroom. It resembled a studio-sized, modest man cave. The walls had been painted a calming blue, the windows fitted with remote-controlled, light blocking shades. A full-sized, adjustable bed with half a dozen pillows in deep tans, greens, and blues dominated one side of the room. There was a massaging, heated recliner, side table, and mini-fridge on the other. A thirty-two inch flat screen was mounted on an adjustable arm, visible from anywhere in the space.
Thankfully, Michael had given him a heads-up that Maggie had gone a little overboard. Had he not been forewarned, his first reaction would have been, “What the hell have you gone and done all this for?” Then Maggie’s feelings would have been hurt, and he would have felt like an arse.
“Do you like it?” Maggie asked hopefully.
“Aye, but you shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble.” Michael shot him a warning look. Jack ignored it. He had to say something to that effect, or Maggie would know he’d been coached and primed.
Maggie beamed at him. “Anything for you, Dad. We are so glad you agreed to stay with us. Michael didn’t believe you would.” She shot her husband an I-told-you-so look.
Jack, wisely, kept his mouth shut and said nothing.
After a couple of days, Jack had to admit, it wasn’t as bad as he’d thought it would be. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Ryan, who had just started Kindergarten, couldn’t wait to tell his grandpa all about his day and the things he’d done the moment he got off the school bus. Ryan reminded Jack a lot of Ian at that age, brimming with energy and mischief. The baby, Colin, was very much like his father, Michael. At only a year old, he already gave the impression that he was quietly processing everything around him.
Maggie respected his privacy, too. He’d been worried that she’d dote on him constantly, but she didn’t. In fact, he often found himself wandering out to her big kitchen for some company and to sample her latest creations. Baking was how Maggie dealt with stress, but since his heart attack, she’d been experimenting with healthier foods. He appreciated the effort, but his son Ian, who was addicted to Maggie’s gooey, homemade bear claws, shot him angry glances whenever he came by and found baked apples or whole-grain muffins instead.
Maggie’s kitchen was also the central hub of family intel, he’d learned. Not a day went by when someone didn’t stop over for coffee or one of Maggie’s homegrown herbal teas. He learned a lot about what was going on that way.
“You are positively glowing,” Maggie told Lacie one such afternoon.
“Thanks,” Lacie replied, blushing. “Is it that obvious?”
Having wandered into the kitchen at the sound of Maggie’s Basset hound’s welcoming bark, Jack had no idea what they were going on about, but Lacie did look exceptionally happy.
“Does Shane know?”
“Yes,” she confided. “He’s thrilled! We just took the test this morning.”
Realization dawned. He was going to be a grandfather again. Shane was the only one of his sons who hadn’t had a child yet. It was understandable; Lacie had gone through some awful things at the hand of a psychotic family friend. She’d come a long way with the help of his quiet, empathic son, but the journey had not been an easy one.
“Congratulations, lass,” Jack beamed.
“Thanks.” She grinned shyly. “I don’t know how everyone does it. I’m excited and terrified at the same time.”
“You’re more prepared than most of us were,” Maggie laughed. “You teach Kindergarten.”
Lacie gratefully accepted the tea Maggie handed her and shook her head. “It’s not the same. I get to go home at the end of the day and unwind. I won’t have that option with a child of our own. What if I can’t handle it?”
“You will,” Maggie assured her firmly. “You are going to be a wonderful mother. I can sense it. And don’t worry. You’ve got all of us to help.”
Lacie turned to Jack and grinned. “This must seem pretty silly to you, huh? I mean, you raised seven boys, and they all turned out so well. That is some quality parenting.”
“I didn’t do it alone,” Jack told her. “My Kathleen was an amazing woman. She’s the primary reason those boys became fine men.”
“Don’t sell yourself short, Dad,” Maggie said. “Michael often says you are his role model.”
“Shane says the same thing,” Lacie agreed, nodding. “You make it look so easy.”