Mack poured himself a cup of coffee, sat down at the table, and rubbed his eyes. “Guess I’m going to have to wear my glasses for a few days. Damned allergies are already starting, and nothing is pollinating or blooming yet. At least I’m not allergic to goats, so that’s a blessing.” He wanted to slap himself—he should be complimenting her again, not talking about his stupid allergies.

“I rather like a fellow in glasses who makes waffles on Sunday morning and tells me I’m pretty when I look like hammered owl shit.”

He chuckled. “Been years since I heard that old saying, but you are pretty.”

“Mornin’,” Braden grumbled as he sat down at the table.

Holly slid into a chair beside him. “Can we have sausage gravy and biscuits for breakfast?”

“Already have the biscuits in the oven, and the sausage is browned,” Lily replied. “I was just waiting on you two sleepyheads to get down here before I made the gravy.”

“I have a request.” Mack was more than a little nervous, but he really wanted the kids to know that he was there for them.

“If you’re going to ask for scrambled eggs, too, then I’ll take some,” Braden said.

“No, it’s a little more serious than that,” Mack told him. “I want you kids always, always to do exactly what you did Friday night when you feel uneasy about anything. Call me or your mother, or both of us, and if you have to use a phone and call collect, do that.”

“What’s collect?” Braden asked.

“It’s when, if you don’t have a cell phone, and all you can get to is a landline, that you call the operator by pushing zero and tell her that you want to make a collect call. It means that we’ll pay for the call on our end and is easy for you,” Mack explained.

“I promise I’ll do it,” Holly said.

“You don’t have to worry about me.” Braden got out the milk. “I don’t never want to be in a scary place like that again. You can bet I’ll call you for sure.”

So this is what being a real father would feel like.

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

Lily could hardly believe that more than a whole week had passed since the incident with Wyatt leaving the kids at the motel. She still got mad when she thought about it, but that morning when they went to Sunday school and church, she tried her best to get rid of all that negativity and enjoy the beautiful sunshine.

As usual, Sally met Lily in the sanctuary. “Does that invitation to eat dinner at your house still stand?”

“Of course,” Lily said. “But dinner isn’t at the house today. We’re going to the pizza place. Want to join us?”

“Sure.” Sally nodded.