He looked at Sky again. “Sure there’s nothing I can do to help?”
“I’m sure. Y’all go watch the parade for about twenty minutes, then you can help me set the table.”
“Hey, Max,” said John, “hope you don’t mind a freeloader today.”
Max’s smile was genuine as he shook John’s hand, slightly alleviating Sky’s fear that something was wrong.
“You know you’re welcome here anytime.”
Maddie grabbed each man’s hand and pulled them toward the living room. “Mama said we can watch the parade till it’s time to set the table.”
Sky’s heart did a little flip as she watched Maddie pull them from the kitchen, though neither man resisted.
She had just put the rolls in the oven when John and Max reappeared with Maddie in tow.
“We’re ready to set the table, Mama.”
She pointed to the items stacked on the far counter. “Everything is there.”
“I’ll show y’all how to do it,” said Maddie. “It’s not hard at all.”
An unexpected ache jolted Sky’s heart as she watched them set the table. Maddie pointed out what had to go where and made sure each man carried out his assigned task. For so long, it was just the two of them. There were so many things to handle, like bills and Maddie’s health, so there was no time for anything else.
Maybe I should have remarried or dated or something.
It never occurred to Sky until today what a void her decisions had left for Maddie. She had no male influences in her life. No grandfather to dote on her, no father to fix her bike or shower her with fatherly praise.
Sky barely remembered her own grandfather, who died when she was twelve, and never knew her mother’s parents. After her father died when she was ten, her grandfather filled that male role for only a couple of years before he, too, passed away. Then, it was just Sky and her mother.
“No, Max,” Maddie admonished, “the knife goes on the outside.”
He smiled and placed the utensil in its proper place. “How’s that, Tink?”
“Good.”
Sky turned away before anyone saw the tears that threatened to fall. She refused to let anything spoil today.
“Table’s done.”
Immersed in thought, Max’s voice coming from behind her left shoulder made her jump. The sudden movement caused her balance to shift, sending her stumbling backwards. “Oh!”
“Sorry,” said Max as his hands circled her waist. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Mama scares real easy, Max,” laughed Maddie. “I sneak up on her all the time.”
Sky turned and met his amused gaze. “It is never a good idea to scare the cook.”
His hands remained on her waist a beat longer, then dropped away. “Sorry,” he repeated, though the smile in his eyes said he wasn’t.
“What else can we do, Miss Sky?”
Big John’s question sent her scrambling away from Max. “I think we’re about ready.”
The table was too small to hold all the food, so Sky had borrowed a table from Gail to serve as a buffet. The next few minutes were spent arranging bowls and plates on it.
“You will notice that there is not a single bite missing from that peach cobbler,” said Max.
Sky laughed. “You showed amazing restraint, Mr. Logan.” She removed the rolls from the oven and brushed the tops with melted butter.
“But I can’t resist this,” he whispered and grabbed one, eating half of it in one bite. “John, you gotta try these.” He plucked another out of the pan and tossed it to his friend.
Both men were silent as they practically inhaled the yeasty concoction.
“If the rest of the meal is as good as this roll,” muttered John, “I’ll be a happy camper.”
Finally, everything was ready, and it was time to sit down at the table. Max pulled out her chair, and she sat, mumbling a shy, “Thank you.”
John reached around and pulled out a chair for Maddie. “Miss Maddie.”
“Thank you.”
Once all were seated, Maddie looked at Max, then John. “Who wants to say grace?”
Caught off guard, Sky was momentarily speechless.
“I think it needs to be Mr. John since he is the oldest,” said Maddie.
Without missing a beat, John beamed, “I’d be honored.
