“Always.” I want to lean in and kiss her. I almost do, but I think better of it. I know that my sister and Stephanie are close by. I settle for touching the tip of her nose with my index finger before turning and heading back up the hill.
That’s how the rest of the afternoon goes.
The girls take a few turns on the rope to get cooled off, but they spend the majority of their time soaking up the sun, and I’m sure talking about my sister's engagement. As far as the guys and me, we do what we do best—goof off on a warm, sunny afternoon. My eyes wander to McKenna often. It’s damn good to have her home. I can feel the change in me with her here, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Chapter 8
McKenna
I’ve spent the last three days with my nose buried in a book. I’m so close to my dream of becoming a lawyer, I can taste it.
Me.
I’m going to be a lawyer.
I’ve dreamed of being just like Gramps since I came to live with them. His knowledge of the legal system kept me with them. He saved me from my drug-addict mother. I would say parents, but dear old dad eventually bailed. Apparently, I ruined his life. Gram and Gramps have paid for countless therapy sessions for the messed-up insecurities and feelings I have toward my biological parents. My grandparents are my parents; they raised me and showed me love. I shudder every time I think about how my life would have turned out had my grandparents not fought for me.
“McKenna Dawson, Attorney at Law,” I answer the phone.
“Mac,” my best friend replies.
“Hey, Lara.” I’d know her voice anywhere.
“Good to see you’re practicing. Are you hiding from me?” she inquires.
“No. Why would you think that?”
“I haven’t seen you since the lake on Saturday.”
“That’s because I’ve been buried in books. Studying my life away for the bar exam.”
“I know. McKenna, you’ve got this. You’re wicked smart, but there is such a thing as studying too much.”
“Are you feeling neglected?” I tease.
“Yes. I am. You and me, we’re going to the Silver Star tonight for dinner and drinks.”
“What time?”
“Seven.”
“Okay.”
“Good. I’ll pick you up.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Mac,” she sighs. “I’m picking you up. I’ll see you at seven.”
“Is this a date?” I joke. “You know I don’t kiss on the first date.”
Her laughter greets me through the line. “Stop it,” she splutters. “I’ve missed you so much. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“See ya then,” I say, ending the call.
“Did I hear you right? You have a hot date tonight?” Grams asks.
“No. Not unless you count dinner and a drink with Laramie?”
She nods. “That’s a date with an old friend. The best kind, in fact.”
“I couldn’t agree more. I think getting away from all of this”—I motion to the dining room table where my books are all spread out—“might do me some good.”
“I think that’s a great idea. You’re going to burn yourself out. Your grandfather says you know the information. He said you did great when he was quizzing you last night.”
“Yeah, well, Gramps is biased.” I laugh.
“I think he’s both.” She grins. “Speaking of,” she says as Gramps walks in the door, “what are you doing home so early?”
“Court was canceled, so I thought I’d come on home and see my girls.”
“Good, you can tell this one she’s going to overload that brain of hers,” Grams teases.
“She’s right, you know. Go on, get out of here. Get some fresh air.”
“Are you getting sick of me, Gramps?”
“I’ll never have enough of you, but I would like to spend more time with my wife.” His eyes crinkle at the corners. “It’s time for me to sit back and enjoy life and let my granddaughter take over the reins.” He winks at me, and my chest swells with pride and love for them.
“Are you really going to trust me with your legacy?” I ask him. I know this is what we’ve always talked about, and a part of me still feels as though I’m not worthy. That little girl in me who was told she was a mistake is still inside me.
“McKenna—” He releases his hold on Grams and comes to stand next to me, bending to wrap his arms around me. “The office isn’t my legacy, sweetheart. You are.”
Hot tears prick my eyes. I nod as it’s not possible to speak with the golf-ball-size lump of emotion clogging my throat.
“Now, now, enough of that. Don’t be crying on me. Your grams will have me sleeping on the couch, and I didn’t get married to sleep alone, Mac.” He winks at me and smiles his familiar smile.
Gramps is one of those people who loves with his entire heart. He refuses to go to bed angry, and my grams is the moon and the stars in his eyes. He loves her fiercely and with a passion I’ve only witnessed between them. I dream of finding a man who loves me half as much as Gramps loves Gram.
She’s the same with him.
Sure, I’ve seen them argue, but they’re always respectful with one another, and no matter what the argument, the love between them is undeniable.
“Why don’t you go out and get some fresh air? Call your friends and see if they want to do something? Get you out of this house and away from these books for a little while,” Gramps suggests.
“You trying to get rid of me, old man?” I place my hands on my hips and try to glare at him, but it’s impossible. We both know there’s zero heat behind my words.
“I know what law school is like. I also know what the stress and worry over the bar exam are like. Trust me on this. Getting out of the house will do you some good. Clear your mind.”
“Actually, Gram was saying the same thing. Laramie called, and we’re going to dinner tonight.”
“Wonderful. Here.” He reaches into his wallet and hands me some cash. “Tonight is on me. Tell Laramie I said to show you a good time.”
“This is Laramie we’re talking about. That’s a given.” I laugh. “Thank you, Gramps. I love you.” I kiss his cheek.
“Never a dull moment when that one’s around,” Gram says affectionately.
“Definitely not,” I say, thinking about my best friend. I’ll never forget the day we met, and we’ve been joined at the hip ever since. She’s more than my best friend. She’s my sister, and it has nothing to do with how I feel about her brother.
It’s early afternoon, and after an hour of studying, I need a break. I still have hours before I meet Laramie for dinner, so I decide to see what Grams is doing. Tossing my books to the side, I make my way downstairs, following the noise to the kitchen. Gram is frosting what looks like a cake. “You need some help?” I ask Gram.
“Oh, I think I’m good, but I would love the company.” She smiles.
“Who’s the cake for? It’s adorable.” I point to the bear cake she’s working on.