Two

As they walked into Tonio,s Mackayla sighed as the cooler air hit her, then smiled at the decor of the little restaurant. "I see why you like this place reminds me of Maxine's."

Leon smiled and nodded at Mackayla, Maxine's had been the families favorite stomping ground for a while. "You still go there?”

"Occasionally Mom, I and the girls will go but Dad won't."

Leon frowned "I am sorry I never meant for any of that stuff to happen much less in such a public place."

"It’s okay Uncle, Mom and I forgave you a long time ago." Leon smiled and hugged his niece as the waitress came up to seat them.

As they sat at the booth in the corner the waitress introduced herself. "Hi I am Debborah. What may I get you to drink" she asked with a smile at the two little girls, winked at Leon, and gave Mackayla a grin.

"Can I get a chocimi Shake Daddy?"

Leon nodded "go ahead order whatever you would like. I'll take my usual Debbie."

"What's a chocimi shake" asked Mackayla?

"It's chocolate, cinnamon, whole milk and mint ice cream mixed it's very good."

"Okay I will have one of those with a small glass of apple juice please."

"Okay I will be back shortly with your drinks."

As she walked away a young man walked up and set five glasses of water on the table, "hey Leon" he said.

"Hey Toby" Leon said back "what's up with you today?"

"Not much work till two then headed out to hit a few balls with Stan" he replied then walked away. Debbie came back with the drinks.

They order their food, talked comfortably while Aerina colored and Brenda babbled to her dolly, received their food, ate and drink. Debbie came back a few times to refill their drinks and ask if everything was good. She and Leon flirted a bit. "That was actually a very interesting and good shake. This food is fantastic. Wow I could really see me getting used to eating here."

Leon chuckled "we come here at least once a week. I told you would like it. The food is good the service very friendly and very reasonable price too."

Debbie came back again with the check and Leon handed her the credit card before she could even lay it down. She took it laughing and shaking her head. "As always the food was amazing Debbers. We really should get together sometime soon"

Leon said with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Yeah I don't think Chuck would like that too much" she replied with a wink as she walked away.

"Chuck is Debbie's husband." Mackayla just shook her head with a little smile, her uncle was obviously still the flirt he had always been. "She knows I was joking" he said. "Debbie and Chuck are very good friends of mine and I love them both and would

never do anything to hurt them."

"I figured that out Uncle but thanks for clearing that up," Mackayla said laughing.

"So what's on the agenda for the rest of the day ladies? Shopping, playing, or swimming."

“Shopping" three voices cried out. Leon laid a $20 on the table and picked up Brenda then offered his arm to his daughter. Pushing the stroller and walking with the girls as they walked to the strip mall just down the block. They shopped for the next few hours walked to a little stand and brought some drinks and snacks. Then walked to a little park where the girls played for a bit and Mackayla turned to her uncle, "so how did you come to find out about Aerina?"

"Through Sasha actually she was doing a home visit with a patient when Aerina's current foster mom dropped by with her. They got to talking and then some test where run and as they say the rest is history. My life has changed pretty drastically but I love it and love her so much that I won't go back to the way I was."

"I know the feeling" Mackayla said with a smile and loving look at her own daughter. Leon smiled and put his arm around his niece and pulled her closer.

After they arrived home and put the things they had brought away, Mackayla fixed some pasta salad and a few burgers for supper. They sat down and ate then they went into the living room to watch the news and relax. Mackayla picked up her phone and dialed a number.

"Hey Mom how are you?.....I am doing great....Yeah we went to lunch at a place called Tonios it's almost the same as Maxine's, it was absolutely wonderful. Then we did some shopping, I picked up a few things for me, Brenda, and Aerina. I got some

pictures done, and then picked up a few more things....Yeah." They talked for a while more and then said goodnight.

"Aerina you need to go take your shower."

"Okay daddy."

Leon's phone rang "Hello....Oh, how bad is he.....Shoot, send him home ....Mackayla could you keep an eye on Aerina for a few hours for me. “

“Of course Uncle Leon”

“Ok I will be there in a little bit." He hung up the phone and looked at Mackayla with a frown "I am sorry, had taken the weekend off. But Jimmy got sick and everyone else Jenny tried was busy. Being the boss and it being a Saturday night..."

"Don't worry about it I understand. Plus, we have a while to get reacquainted. Are we still on for the volleyball tomorrow?"

"Of course, okay I gotta get going. Love you." Leon walked over and kissed her lightly on the cheek, than did the same to Brenda. He walked down the hall and explained what had happened to Aerina and then left. A few minutes later Mackayla

heard the rev of a motorcycle.

After Aerina finished her shower the three girls colored for a little while longer then Aerina got up and hugged and kissed her cousins said good night. Mackayla got Brenda in her jammies and changed herself then settled in the chair to nurse her. Half an hour later Brenda was asleep so Mackayla kissed her on the forehead and

whispered good night settled her into the play pen turned on and clipped the monitor to her belt. She did the dishes and picked up the kitchen and living room then pulled out her laptop and set it on the end table.

She settled down on the couch pulled it on her lap and turned it on then wrote a letter. Finished with the letter she went to check on Aerina then into her new room checked to make sure Brenda was all right then crawled into the bed and fell asleep.

She awoke several hours later to birds singing and the sun shining across her face, heard the soft babble coming from the playpen smiled and sat up. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed she looked at the clock it was 6 am, a little bit early but given the time difference it was about the normal time when they awoke. She stood and walked over to the chair where Siammy was perched and stroked her for a little bit Brenda peeked over the edge of the playpen "Ma, Ammy, uv a."

Mackayla went to pick her daughter up Siammy trotted along after her. She blew a raspberry on Brenda's cheek then took her to the chair sat down and nursed her, Siammy jumped up on her lap and curled into a ball to sleep. She finished feeding Brenda and then set her down stroked the kitten for a bit and then she put on her robe and slippers and walked to the kitchen Brenda crawled

after her. "Good morning mousies, how did you two sleep" Leon asked?

"Great" Mackayla replied with a smile. "Hey is there a church somewhere close."

"Sure Rock of Right is down the block to the left opposite the way we went yesterday. Services start at 9 with Sunday school at 9:15. I try to go with Aerina every chance I get." Mackayla nodded and smiled. "So how you liking it down here so far?"

"I am liking it a bit warmer this time of year then I am used to."

"Ahh yes I forget sometimes what it was like in Wisconsin especially compared toTexas."

"I'll get used to it."

"So other than church and volleyball what are our plans for today."

"Well I was thinking I should start unpacking some of our clothes and a few of Brenda's toys but that shouldn't take long."

"Great maybe I can give you a tour of our little town."

"That would be wonderful."

"Okay." Brenda crawled up on Leon's lap as Mackayla went about finding something for breakfast. Soon after Aerina woke up and after a small breakfast they all went to wash up and change for the upcoming service. It's was a good service the preacher did a small children sermon and then a young woman led the children out for Sunday school. Brenda went with her cousin but came back a short while later whimpering.

"She still seems a little shy" Aerina told Mackayla and then ran back to join her classmates. After the sermon Leon introduced them to Pastor John and they talked for a short bit. Then went into the kitchen for some snacks and juice everyone fawning over both Brenda and Aerina.

They walked around town, stopping at Dee's for lunch, brought a few more things. "So, what do you do at home?"

"Much of the same things we are doing now. Every other day or so I go volunteer at Mabel's for a few hours, usual when Mom's home so she watches Brenda for me. I read and play games with Punkie."

"Oh, you can't tell me you don't have guys falling all over you."

Mackayla smiled "they may but none of them interest me." Leon shook his head. They headed to Sampton Park and the volleyball courts.

As Mackayla was pulling out some snacks and drinks for them all, a red pickup pulled up to the curb parked and two men got out. Mackayla felt her body tightened at the sight of the passenger he was tall about 6' 8", his light brown hair fell more than an inch past his shoulders, he was clean shaven, and his dark sunglasses covered his

eyes. His nose was a little crooked, and his chin was smooth and round, to contradict and make his face look more angular.

The other guy was almost as handsome he was also tall though just a tad shorter than his passenger. He had short black hair, but he also wore shades and he had a goatee. Mackayla estimated they both weighed about 215lbs. They both had some tattoos on their wrist that looked like bracelets with wings.

As they walked up Leon stood and clapped them both on a shoulder. "Mackayla these are my good friends Blake Northman (the brown haired one nodded), and Carson Westsmith. Gentlemen this is my niece Mackayla Anders and her daughter Brenda."

"Howdy ma'am" Blake said with a deep southern drawl and offered his hand. As Mackayla took it she felt a warm shiver course through her.

"Nice to meet you" Carson said with a soft drawl and a handshake. "Heard a lot about ya how you liking Texas so far?" Carson asked with a wink and a smile.

"All good I hope. It's definitely different but so far I like it," Mackayla replied with a soft smile.

Brenda squirmed not wanting to be forgotten said "hiiii." Mackayla was a bit shocked by the reaction Punkie had known few men in her life and had never been too outgoing with them.

"I'm going to go get the bags" Blake said gruffly as he turned and walked away quickly to hide the hard-on that had come with Mackayla's touch and voice. He had never reacted so fiercely to a woman before and he was a bit shaken. Mackayla

watched him as he walked off.

"Did I say something wrong” she asked with a frown.

Leon shrugged and Carson said "doubt it" knowing his friend like he did he knew what had happened. They sat down as Blake leaned over to get the stuff out of the tail-gate. Mackayla noticed his shorts pulled a bit tighter and the man had a stunning ass. Carson coughed to hide his laugh at the thought.

As he was doing this, two cars pulled up John got out of red Toyota and a young man got out of a yellow mustang he was average height with a red mohawk. As they walked up Leon introduced her to Matthew Ortang. Then a white corvette pulled up and out got a man who Debbie later introduced as her husband Charlie.Then a hot black hair woman pulled up on a rascal scooter Leon introduced her as Susan. The three younger women smiled at each other which started a friendship.

"Sure you don't want to play Mackayla we could always use another player."

"Not today Uncle Leon I'd probably wind up doing more damage than anything else."

So, they started practicing razzing each other good naturedly. After the girls finished their snacks Aerina asked if they could go play on the playground. Mackayla nodded and said "lets race" with a raise of her brows.

"Okay" Aerina replied with a giggle.

So Mackayla knelt in front of Brenda who immediately climbed on with a hearty giggle, "hang on tight, you ready Aerie, ready set go."

Aerina was off like a dart "go mommy" cried Brenda.

So, she loped lazy after her cousin her longer legs closing the distance steadily.

She was unaware of the eyes watching her till she heard "heads up....hey keep your eyes on the ball and quit ogling my niece Carson...Good Lord you think he had never seen a woman before."

"Not one like that man." Mackayla blushed and giggled with Aerina as they reached the swings.

After several minutes of swinging and sliding Aerina squealed as a blue minivan pulled up "Daniella."

Aerina ran back to the courts and Mackayla followed her just as they were getting there the game stopped with a yell of water break, and the doors of the van slide open and a total of six kids jumped out all with various cries of daddy. As they rushed to Blake knelt and welcomed the kids a young girl stepped out of the car, along with

another man. "Mackayla these are my kids; Daniella, Dustin, Matthew, Duncan, Tanner

and Morganna. These are my neighbors William Howerd and his daughter Molly."

"Sorry we are running a little late Dad had to chase the dogs back in the house."

Everyone laughed "no worries we were just hitting the ball around. This is my niece Mackayla and grand-niece Brenda." Leon said gently placing his hand on Mackayla's back and picking up Brenda. Brenda tugged on Leon's ear and stuck her

thumb in her mouth.

"I think somebody's tired Ma Ma" Leon gently placed the baby on his shoulder and patted her back. She promptly fell asleep with a gentle sigh "I think I'm gonna have to sit this one out. Molly wanna take my place."

"Yeah" she cried excitedly. So, after a few more minutes and some light chatter they walked back on the field this time both Molly and William joining in.

"You could probably put her in her stroller if you would like."

"Are you crazy I enjoy doing this didn't get to do it enough."

"Does Sasha play?"

"Yeah but she has to work till 4 so she'll be here around 4:30." Leon replied with a grin and a wink.

"Mackayla can we go play on the swings again."

"I don't know hon, don't you wanna stay and play with Daniella."

"Maybe she and her brothers and sister can come with us."

"Hey Blake, Mackayla wants to take the kids over to the park area."

"Okay that's fine."

"Yeahhhhhhh."

"If you get tired of holding Brenda you can put her in the stroller when she falls out she stays out through pretty much anything or at least she used to." She grabbed a couple of water bottles and walked with the kids to the play area.

Mackayla pushed the kids on the swing, joking around with them she had Tanner and Morganna in stitches, the other three boys laughing occasionally and Aerina and Daniella giggling up a storm. Then they went and did a train down the big slide

Morganna being first and Mackayla behind to gentle bump her off the slide then came Tanner, after him was Duncan, then Aerina, then Matthew, then Dustin, then last Daniella then the process started all over again. They did that for a little bit then went over to play in the sandbox and on the carousel. Mackayla felt heat flow through her body turned to see Sasha, her uncle pushing the stroller, Blake, and Carson coming toward them. It was a bit hard to tell what was going on, but she wasn't too concerned since they all seemed to be chatting. So, she continued running along the carousel getting it going pretty good much to the delight of the kids then jumping on and riding with them.

"We are on another break" her uncle said as they came to a stop a few feet from the carousel. "We were hearing a lot of noise coming from over this way and figured we'd come see. Looks like your all having a grand old time." He flashed a smile at

Mackayla as the carousel made it's circled and faced him.

"Nice look" Carson said with a wink as he saw Mackayla's pinked cheeks and rapid breathing. She blushed as she looked down and noticed her shirt was a little translucent from sweat and the water the kids had been dousing each other with.

Blake jabbed him in the side with his elbow while Leon shot him a murderous look.

"Hey if you don't sweat then you aren't playing hard enough." Mackayla said easily with a soft laugh. "Or at least that's what I am told" she smiled at Carson.

"Daddy push us fast" came cries from the carousel.

So, Blake walked over "hold on really tight."

"I'd liked to hold something really tight how about you?" Mackayla heard Sasha say in her ear catching her with a wink as she checked out Blake's butt in his tight short’s. That made Mackayla blush even more and her nipples harden a bit. She wondered why she reacted that way with him, yet she could banter with his friend and

not worry too much. She heard the kids squealing and laughing and snapped herself out of her thoughts.

"Wanna ride too ladies" Blake asked as the kids slowed down.

"No, I think I will pass."

"Sure, why not" as Molly and Mackayla hopped on. So, Blake pushed them around going fast and then standing back as the carousel whirled around. Mackayla laughed out in delight at the feel of the wind on her hot face and almost fainted as she

passed Blake and got a whiff of him, a musky outdoorsy aroma. Her body tightened, and she had a strange urge to jump off and run the other way as fast as she could. As the carousel slowed she heard a few groans from the kids as their stomachs tried to catch up with their bodies, she also noticed that Blake now held Morganna and that Brenda was also awake. And Blake was watching her with a hungry look in his eyes.

"Ma Ma wing pea."

"Okay Punkie but I need to get a drink first." As she stood up a twang ripped through her back making her whimper softly.

Faces turned to look at her in concern "you okay Mousie?"

"I just moved to fast after that ride" Mackayla told her uncle. She walked over and knelt behind the stroller to get to the diaper bag and her pills she also got a nose full of an unpleasant aroma and a small whimper from Brenda. "I think somebody

needs a change, so I'll do that first" she said as she put the diaper bag back and stood up.

"I'll come with you."

"Me too."

"Me also."

"So, what about you Morganna?”

"Yeah." So, the five women walked up to the pavilion and into the ladies room.As they walked back down to the play area Mackayla notice that Chuck, Debbie, William and a new woman had joined the group. "This is Jennifer Schreedy" Leon said indicating the gorgeous blonde dressed in a tight red tank and skin-tight skimpy red

shorts.

"Hello" she said with a sexy drawl.

"Hi" Mackayla then began to push Brenda playful grabbing at her feet when her daughter kicked at her.

"Daddy we’re hungry" came a few cries from the other swings.

"Well we have at least another set to do."

"I brought some apple slices and grapes just let me run up to the van and get them." Molly quickly dashed off to get the snacks a few minutes later she returned with a black cooler bag set it down and the kids rushed to the picnic table to grab some.

Carson walked over to Mackayla and asked "may I push Brenda for a little?" Brenda shot him a goofy smile so Mackayla stepped out of the way. She went and sat on one of the swings the other kids had vacated next to Aerina smiled and started to pump, "bet you can't swing as high as I can" and so began a small competition that Susan joined in on with a little coaxing from the guys. After about 10

minutes Leon said it was time to get back to volleyball so Mackayla stuck out her tongue

and blew raspberries at him. But they all started back to the courts "so why don't y'all come back to Varrow for a BBQ" William asked? Sounds like a great idea, yeahs, sures and okays were heard

all the way around.

"I'll have to go back and get my truck" Leon said.

Blake walked to the truck pulled a basket out of the back seat that was filled with sand toys gave it to Daniella and said, "stay on the off side" and she rushed over to the other kids. Mackayla walked over to settle in the sand with Brenda to watch the game. They played for a bit she sighed dreamily as the Carson, Matthew, and Chuck took off

their shirts, a few minutes later Leon, John, William and Blake followed suit, and she couldn't help but smile as she noticed that Carson and Blake had similar eagle’s tattoos on their left shoulders. But she also noticed the black jaguar that ran mid-back on Blake and the lion on Carson.

Mackayla heard her daughter giggle she looked down to see that Morganna had moved across from where she and Brenda sat and had placed her feet parallel to hers and was rolling a ball between them to Brenda who was pushing it back. She smiled at the little girl who grinned back and leaned back on her elbows to enjoy the sun. She

was startled a bit by a soft hand on her shoulder "I am going to go get the truck, why don't you stay here with Blake and the kids and I'll be right back" Leon said with a soft smile and then walked away.

She glanced toward Blake as she straightened up he was watching her and he gave a half-hearted smile then quickly looked away. He was still a little piqued at his reaction to her Carson walked over to Mackayla and squatted down next to her and

reached out to stroke Brenda's hair she smiled at him. "What is it about me that upsets

him so?"

Mackayla asked Carson "he’s not upset sweetie just a bit uneasy but you've made quite an impression on his kids. They absolutely adore you."

"Well they are pretty easy to like" she replied "my daughter seems to like you."

"Well what about her mama”’ he asked with a voice as smooth as silk.

"Oh, she thinks you’re pretty swell."

Carson chuckled "I do seem to have a way with the ladies." He stood and offered his hand Mackayla took it and rose to her feet, as she went to pull it away Carson brought it to his lips and lightly kissed on the second and third knuckles and walked away. He heard Blake's growl in his head and smiled easy man.

As her uncle pulled up in the truck Mackayla was still a little dumbfounded. As the men loaded the trucks up and the kids picked up the toys and the garbage, Susan and Debbie walked over to where she sat. "So, what brings you all the way to Texas?"

"My uncle, a new start, and the warmer weather."

"Nice" the three women chatted for a little bit more before they all got in their vehicles and drove out to William's ranch.