The Guest Book Read Online Free

thought of her dad and Buzz, the man Macy had always thought of as their family’s “beach friend,” returning from a day of fishing, their faces red and their eyes dancing as they pretended to chase her with the fish from the cooler.
    “I’m not sure our good times should’ve ended just because Dad died. I think that’s what’s wrong with all of us.” She smiled at Emma, who had roused from her nap, her eyes looking far too tired for a backyard campout. “Someone told me earlier today that I need to move forward. Well, I think we all do. I agree that I definitely do, but it would be really nice to move forward together, doncha think?”
    Only silence came over the cell phone line. “Max? You there?”
    “Yeah.”
    “I’m going to support Mom on this. I think it sounds fun. A real vacation would be nice. I hope you’ll come.”
    “Doesn’t sound as if I’ll have much choice,” he grumbled.
    “There! That’s the spirit!” She laughed. “Glad to hear you’re jumping on the bandwagon! I love your enthusiasm!”
    “You’re crazy.” She could hear the smile in his voice.
    “Yeah? Well, I hear that craziness is a family trait. So I get it honestly, big brother. Have a great night with your
friend.
”
    The female giggle was getting louder, and Macy heard the sound of another beer being popped open.
    “I plan to,” he said, and hung up. Macy hoped she wouldn’t be getting one of Max’s infamous midnight calls later.
    As her hand reached for the door handle, headlights swung into her driveway behind her. She had no choice but to plaster a smile on her face as she opened the door. She couldn’t help but whistle a few bars from “Time in a Bottle,” imagining ocean waves and sandy beaches as she helped her daughter out of the car and turned to face the rest of her evening.
    Macy heard the sounds of the door downstairs being opened and heavy footsteps crossing the linoleum.
    “That didn’t take long,” she said aloud, rolling off her bed and tossing aside the magazine she’d been pretending to read as she waited for the inevitable.
    While they’d been sitting around their campfire, Chase had thrown out enough hints about his plans for after Emma was asleep that Macy had expected this. She knew he wanted to get to know his daughter, but his motives for coming over weren’t exactly pure. Part of her was flattered, as desperate as that made her sound. She had missed the companionship of having someone around. But she’d promised Brenda and Max —andherself —that she’d try to be wise about this relationship this time.
    She met him on the stairs, intending to talk, but he covered her mouth with a kiss, halting her words. She used both hands to push him away, smiling as she broke free and brushed past him. She headed to the kitchen before he could grab her again. He followed her, his body exuding heat even though it was cold outside.
    “You can’t leave her out there like that. What if she wakes up?” Macy asked, peering out the kitchen window into the tiny backyard where the small tent stood.
    He wrapped his arms around her from behind and pressed his lips into her hair. “You’re such a mom,” he teased.
    She turned to face him, their noses nearly touching. She could feel his breath against her face. He smelled smoky and sweet — like fire and singed marshmallows.
    “I’ve been a mom for five years,” she said, a reminder of the time he had missed, the length of time he’d stayed out of her life—and Emma’s. She crossed her arms in front of her and pressed her back against the cold glass of the window, creating as much space between them as possible.
    He wrapped his hands around her forearms and pulled her closer, erasing the space she’d just created. “You know, you could be a little happier that I’m back. That I chose to come back. For you.”
    She jerked her thumb in the direction of the tent where their daughter slept. “For her. You came back for her. Don’t forget