“You never know until you give them a chance.”
Deep in thought, Melina was silent as they drove the rest of the way to Amityville. The car handled like a dream. It was smooth and powerful beneath her hands and the desire to see how fast the car could really go was strong within her, but she checked the impulse. Mac had just given her this car. No way was she going to allow it to be taken away by the pigs who’d confiscated her other car.
In no time at all, they were pulling up into the driveway. Melina had barely parked the car when the front door opened. Cynthia Maccari rushed out of the house and was soon followed by Mac’s sister, Victoria.
“Here goes nothing,” Melina whispered to Mac.
“You’ll be fine, doll. No sweat.”
He kissed her softly before exiting the car and then opening the door for her. Melina stepped out, and was nearly rushed by Victoria.
“Melina, am I glad to see you. Finally, I’ve got some reinforcement to keep my brother in line.”
Melina hugged Mac’s sister as she tried to suppress her laughter. “Looks like I’m back in the nick of time.”
Victoria stepped away and smiled. “Absolutely. You know how much work it is dealing with him.”
She jerked her head toward Mac, who was hugging Cynthia fiercely.
“I heard that, Vic,” Mac said.
“I meant for you to,” Victoria said sweetly.
“Victoria, be nice to your brother,” Cynthia said.
Victoria rolled her eyes. “See. This is what I deal with. Really glad you’re back, Melina.”
“Likewise. We’ll have to schedule a girls’ day soon.”
“I’m always up for that,” Victoria said.
Melina smiled, nerves fluttering in her stomach as Mac’s mom came toward her. “Mrs. Maccari.”
“None of that, dear. I think we’re on a first name basis now. It’s so good to see you again, Melina. James has been worried sick with you not around. The poor boy would barely eat while you were away.”
“Ma, must you?” Mac asked. He smoothed a hand over his face.
“Yes, I must. It’s important Melina knows how important she is to you and to me.”
Melina raised a brow. “To you?”
Where was Cynthia going with this?
“Melina, I wasn’t sure what to make of you when James first introduced you, but now I am so glad he did. I always worried that he wouldn’t find a woman who could take care of him and make him happy, but I was wrong. His eyes light up when he talks about you and he can’t stop smiling. His happiness is my happiness, so thank you.”
Melina swallowed hard, a sudden welling of emotion rising up in her. It took her a moment to gather her composure.
“You raised a good man. It’s easy to love him.”
“All right, enough of this love fest. Let’s eat, people,” Victoria said.
She motioned them toward the front door.
“Oh, yes. I wouldn’t want dinner getting cold and now that you’re back, Melina, perhaps we could discuss something important.”
Cynthia linked her arm through Melina’s and guided her toward the house.
“And what’s that?”
“Why, wedding planning, of course. I’m sure that’s on the horizon soon.”
Melina’s panic-stricken gaze flew to Mac who followed them. He winked.
Holy freaking hell.
Was Cynthia’s comment an innocent one or was there more to it than simply a desire to see her son settled down?
Had Mac said something to his mother about marriage? As Melina followed the Maccaris into the family home her thoughts ran every which way. Mac had told her once that when he loved it wasn’t just for the moment. It was forever. As Cynthia guided them into the kitchen, Mac took a moment to slip close to her and kiss her cheek softly. The tenderness in his gesture nearly undid her.
Unknowingly, he’d given her something she thought she’d never have again.
A family.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“And I love you.”
Smiling, he slid back her chair to allow her to sit before he took his own spot beside her. Cynthia and Victoria started to bring out dish after dish. Melina’s mouth watered.
Family and good food.
What girl could ask for more?
The best things in life came free, Mac knew. Things like good health, happiness, purpose, family, and love. Sure, a person had to work for those things, but it wasn’t the kind of work that drained a man of dignity and strength.
It was the most honorable kind of work.
Mac had never been more aware of that fact than he was in that moment, standing in the entryway of his mother’s living room, watching Melina, his sister, and Cynthia flip through old family photo albums.
His girl was lit up—she probably didn’t even realize it.
Bright eyes. A wide smile. Genuine happiness.
After the hell that was being locked up, he was grateful he had been able to provide this moment for Melina before real life came around to remind them of the outside world that was still turning … still waiting on them to get back to it.
For now, this would have to do.