“Her dad showed up while we were there. He sent me and Linden outside and had a very short chat with her,” Trent explained. “She didn’t want to talk about it. Matter of fact, she didn’t talk at all on the ride back here.”
“Let me go check on her,” Kellen said as she stood.
“Trent and I are gonna unload that trailer right now.” Kyle pointed up at the dark clouds gathering overhead.
“Okay, go ahead,” Kellen said quickly before she rushed inside. She found Stevie standing in the living room leaning against the wall, arms folded with her head down. “I know we need to talk right now, but it’s about to rain and the guys are gonna bring your furniture in. Um…the garage smells like a dead animal, so do you want to go into the laundry room?”
“Do you realize all this started in that laundry room a week ago? One week, and you’re rolling around on the ground laughing.” Stevie met Kellen’s gaze. “How can you do that?”
Kellen swallowed hard. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“I’m pretty sure your dad said something hurtful, and I’m sorry. I’m sure it didn’t help to come home and find me laughing like an idiot…sniffing your purse,” Kellen said as thunder rumbled.
“I’m not mad at you, but I really need to know how you can be so relaxed. I was this morning, but then Trulee questioned our sanity, and that kinda made me feel like I was waking up from a sweet dream. Then Dad told me he could never forgive me for wrecking the family over someone I haven’t even known for a month. I think he would’ve choked me if I would’ve admitted it was actually a week. Kellen, that was a slap of reality right there. I’m moving in with you today.”
As if on cue, Kyle banged on the front door and yelled, “Hey, Kellen, open this.”
Kellen held up both hands. “Don’t go anywhere, I’ll be right back.” She raced to the front door, opened it, ran back to Stevie, and took her by the arm. “Come with me.”
Stevie’s brow rose when Kellen led her into the hall closet and closed the door. “What are we doing?”
“We needed privacy, and I think the laundry room might be an anxiety trigger right now,” Kellen said and pulled the blankets off Mr. Sealy. “Here, sit on these.”
Stevie slid down the wall and stared the seal in the eye. “Oh, dear God, you really do have that thing.”
“He’s clean—no gum—you don’t have to worry.” Kellen sat crossed-legged in front of Stevie and took her hands. “Tell me about your second thoughts, and don’t spare my feelings. Cards on the table.”
Stevie thought for a moment or two. “I’m not having any, but after listening to them today, I feel like we should…shouldn’t we? Do you worry that next week you’re going to wake up next to me and wonder what they hell you’ve done?”
“No, I had the moment.”
Stevie’s hands began to sweat, but she held on to Kellen’s tightly. “Explain the concept to me again, please.”
“The night we danced and you asked me if we were having the moment, I told you something like it could be a start. I didn’t want to scare you off, but that’s when I had my moment. My internal GPS had already told me I’d arrived at my person. I dreamed about it and I wanted that moment so much, but it scared me, too. It only took a week of knowing you to put me at ease, and I don’t have one single reservation. That’s why if moving in with me is too much right now, I’ll be happy to wait until it isn’t.”
Stevie released a heavy breath and leaned her head against the wall. “I don’t know how to put into words what I’m feeling.” She chewed her bottom lip for a moment. “You know how there are certainties in life?”
“Death and taxes?”
“Not those.” Stevie’s cheeks puffed as she blew out a breath. “I can’t tell you the exact moment my GPS went off. When you chased me after the incident in the laundry room, I had this weird feeling that if I turned around and went back to the house with you everything was going to change, and it did. I know where I belong, and I’m thrilled it’s a certainty. It freaks me out when people remind me it’s only been a week, then it seems illogical.”
Kellen nodded. “I get it. What can I do to reduce the pressure you’re feeling?”
“I don’t want you to do anything. I just want everyone else to shut up about it only being a week.”
“Well, next Saturday, it’ll be two weeks.” Kellen grinned. “If you can hang on for a few more, it’ll be a month. Before you know it, years will have passed, and you’ll be ready to smother me with a pillow. So can you hang in there with me until next week?”
“I can do that,” Stevie said with a smile. “Okay, let’s smell each other’s armpits. I’ve been sweating, you’ve been sweating, let’s just do this.”
Kellen pursed her lips. “Baby, let’s not rush things.”
“Oh, right, let’s cross the little milestones like cohabitation and finances before we get to the bigger ones like pit sniffing,” Stevie said with a laugh.
Chapter 20
“Wake up,” Stevie said and gave Kellen a nudge.
Kellen refused to open her eyes and frowned. “It’s Saturday, baby,” she whined. “We just went to sleep an hour ago because you wanted to rearrange all the furniture again and have sex on it. I told you the bistro table wasn’t sturdy enough. Now I have bruises everywhere.”
“It’s seven weeks.”
Kellen’s frown faded, and a slow smile took its place. “Happy anniversary,” she said and opened her eyes. “I guess I better get up since we have a big celebration planned.”
“I’m so excited. I checked the weather, it’s definitely gonna be sunny, and look, I’m already dressed.” Stevie tugged on the sleeve of her flannel shirt.
“Are you sure you wanna do it in front of everyone?”
“Yes, because Linden bet me a hundred bucks I wouldn’t go to the top.”
Kellen sat up. “You’re not going to the top, we’ve discussed this and agreed on fifteen feet.”
“Change of plans,” Stevie said defiantly.
“You’ve only been up the tree twice, that’s not enough practice for a climb that high. Trust me, your legs tire out quick. It’s happened to me even after years of climbing.”
“Okay.” Stevie gave Kellen a quick kiss. “Get up, we have a lot of stuff to do before everyone gets here.”
*******
“What is that?” Kellen asked when she opened the door to Trulee, who was holding a large dish.
“Potato salad, and it’s heavy. Take it.”
“This was supposed to be one of those rare occasions where you don’t cook anything.” Kellen took the dish from Trulee.
Trulee stepped inside. “I appreciate the kindness, but when Trent called me this morning and asked if I boiled the eggs before I put them in the potato salad, I told him I’d take care of it.”
“Where was Kyle? He was supposed to make it,” Kellen said as she put the dish into the refrigerator.
“Now that Walt has his sight, he’s developed a love for shopping, so Kyle went to look at a boat with him.”
“Is he coming today?” Kellen asked with a bit of an edge.
Trulee sighed. “He said no. Now, Kellen, you know his stubbornness irritates the fire out of me, too, but this is a big change for him. He hasn’t put up any more signs, he’s not mentioned Dave at all, and though he doesn’t have much to say when we all get together for dinner, he isn’t rude to Stevie. I’m sure you can understand asking him to come over here and mingle with Stevie’s brother and sister is a little much at this point.”
“I get that, but I wanted him to know he was welcome, and that’s why I invited him,” Kellen said as she poured Trulee a glass of tea. “We actually talked the other day. It was about mice getting into the birdseed he had stored in his tool shed, and the conversation lasted less than five minutes, but it was a start.”
“Hey, Trulee,” Stevie said with a bright smile as she walked into the kitchen carrying a box. “Kell, I found the steak kniv
es you ordered. You stuck them in the closet of the spare room.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did,” Stevie said with a nod. “The keys to the four-wheeler were on top of the box, and you drove it last.”
Trulee chuckled. “You know you’re settling in as a couple when you argue over who put what where.”
“One of us put ice cream in the refrigerator instead of the freezer last night.” Kellen tipped her head toward Stevie and grinned.
“I don’t know who that could’ve been.” Stevie took Trulee by the arm. “We took your advice about the living room, did you notice?”
“I hadn’t even looked,” Trulee said with a smile as they strolled over to her desk in the corner by the window where a low-standing bookcase had been. She leaned her head close to Stevie’s. “Did she balk about rearranging again?”
“Not until we mounted the TV over the hearth and she had to go find her drill bits,” Stevie whispered.
“She’s right behind y’all, and she doesn’t like that y’all conspired to move every single thing of hers out of the living room.”
Trulee laughed. “That’s not true, that is your TV mounted on the wall up there.”
“You’ve made your mark on this room.” Stevie pointed to a stain on the arm of the couch. “Remember the other night when you demonstrated how you can spit like a llama…but with bad aim?”
“That was a sneeze, and unfortunately, I had a mouthful of wine at the time,” Kellen corrected.
*******
Kellen smiled as she stood at her grill and observed all the activity around her. Trent chased Kenzie and Joanna around the trees. Kyle, Linden, and Stevie were drinking beer gathered around her four-wheeler talking about it. Christine and Jesslyn, both clad in yoga pants, were laughing hysterically about something, and Kellen wondered if it had anything to do with the brownies they were snacking on.
“Are these gatherings gonna become a regular biweekly thing now?” Trulee asked as she joined Kellen and handed her a glass of tea.
“That is an idea,” Kellen replied thoughtfully. “The last one was so we could all get to know one another and mingle. This time, I just wanted Stevie to have time with her family since she won’t step foot in Sealy.”
“How’re things on the Sealy front?”
“It’s in total chaos.” Kellen basted her chicken with barbecue sauce. “Christine and Linden and their families have completely rebelled against the Sealy dress code, there’s yoga pants and sandals with socks going on everywhere. Dave and Joan are so outdone, they hired a house sitter, took a cruise, and didn’t leave any word on when they would be back.”
“I wish Walt would show his discontent with a cruise. Hell, I’d be happy with a long weekend in Branson. How’re you doing with all this change? Your house is completely different on the inside, you’ve been cooking, there’s things in your refrigerator, it must be overwhelming,” Trulee said with a chuckle.
“Sometimes, it really is.” Kellen smiled. “I’m happy, though, and I’m content. I don’t wonder if there could be anyone out there who would be better for me. I’m a woman in love, and tonight, I’m gonna tell Stevie that.”
Trulee’s eyes widened. “You’re sharing a home and a bed, and that moment thing, and you’ve never professed your feelings for her? I’m so confused by the modern dating rituals. She hasn’t told you that she loves you?”
“She almost did when I broke her bistro table, but I stopped her.” Kellen waved her basting brush as she spoke. “That profession is another big moment, and the environment has to be perfect because that’s a special memory we’ll have for the rest of our lives together. I’ve got champagne and a shit ton of rose petals that I’m gonna spread out in front of the fireplace while she’s in the shower tonight. Hopefully, she won’t come out wearing that baby duck outfit.”
“Oh…boy,” Trulee said with a bewildered smile.
*******
Everyone sat at two long picnic tables pushed together and covered with an assortment of dishes. Their hands and some of their faces were smeared with barbecue sauce. There was laughter and multiple conversations going on at the same time. Stevie and Kellen were wrapped up in their own world exchanging smiles and longing looks. Everyone fell silent when Trent suddenly said, “Hey, Walt.”
Stevie was the first to her feet. She grabbed a chair and set it at the head of the table. “Have a seat,” she said with a warm smile. “I’ll fix you a plate. What would you like to drink?”
“Don’t go to any trouble for me, hon. I know where everything is.” Walt smiled too, and waved a hand at her. “You sit back down and eat.”
Kellen and Trulee were too stunned to say anything, so Kyle made introductions. “Walt, it’s gonna take you a while to remember all these names,” he said but pointed to each of the Sealys as he named them all.
“Nice to meet y’all,” Walt said with another smile and wave when Kyle was done and sat.
Kellen leaned over, kissed Walt’s cheek, and whispered, “Thank you for coming, I love you.”
“I love you too. When’re they gonna stop staring at me?” Walt asked.
*******
“So again, why are you climbing a tree?” Christine asked as she shielded her eyes from the sun. She and everyone else sat around on blankets watching Kellen help Stevie put her gear on.
“I wanted to learn how to do it, and Kellen fixed up this dead tree for me. I want to show off my new skills, too, because Linden made fun of me,” Stevie said and struck a pose.
“Be still, I’m trying to connect the climb line to your saddle,” Kellen said, focused on the task.
Kenzie climbed onto Trent’s shoulders and made a face. “Uncle Linden says Aunt Stevie’s gonna break her butt.”
“Thanks, Linden,” Stevie said and shot him a look.
“She won’t.” Kyle laughed. “I’ve never seen so much safety equipment in my life. Kell, you forgot to bubble wrap her butt before you put the saddle on.”
“Where’d you get them giant pads from?” Walt asked.
“They’re the ones the track team at the school used to use for pole vaulting.” Kellen adjusted the chinstrap on Stevie’s helmet.
“This is our exercise tree.” Stevie patted the trunk. “I want iron legs like Kellen’s, so she topped it for me, cut most of the branches off, and put out the pads. See how she spoils me?”
“Yeah, she gave you what looks like fifty feet of dead tree,” Kyle said with a grin. “Most people just get flowers.”
Trent snorted. “Nothing says love like a fifty-foot stump.”
Kellen double-checked her own gear just in case Stevie got into trouble and she had to go up for her. “Okay, babe, don’t go past the fifteen-foot mark, trust your saddle when your legs get tired, pay attention to the depth of your spikes.” She patted Stevie’s cheek and whispered, “Now show them your monkey.”
“Go, Stevie,” everyone chanted as Stevie started her climb.
At around eight feet, she rested in the saddle harness. “This is working every muscle I have. I told Kell she should do classes for people who are tired of the gym. She’d make a fortune because it’s a full body workout.”
“I’d try it,” Jesslyn said as Stevie resumed climbing.
“You’re coming up on the mark,” Kellen called up to her.
“I’m going for the gold, Kell,” Stevie said and kept going.
“Oh, do not make me yell at you in front of your family. You’re coming up on a knob,” Kellen warned.
“What’s a knob?” Linden asked Kyle.
“It’s the branch she cut but left about four feet of it. When you’re learning to climb, you have to be able to unhook your lanyard—that’s what she has wrapped around the tree—throw it over the obstacle and rehook it. She’ll be okay if she tries it because Kellen has all sorts of backup lines. I’m surprised Stevie hasn’t gotten caught up in the spiderweb her teacher has rigged up.”
“Stevie, stop!” Kellen ordere
d and was ignored. “Are you really this hardheaded?”
“Have they not met?” Christine cracked up.
Walt laughed. “Kellen ain’t got no room to talk.”
“Don’t you unhook that lanyard—damn it!” Kellen yelled.
“Ladies and gentlemen, for those of you who are easily offended by profanity, you may want to cover your ears and those of your children. We are about to witness Kellen McLin’s legendary temper,” Kyle announced.
Trent pulled Kenzie from his shoulders, sat her in front of him, and covered her ears. Christine tried to cover Joanna’s, but she wiggled away and hid behind Linden who said, “My kids are going to be so sorry they missed this. They thought hanging with the adults would be boring.”
“You’re not gonna get around that knob, now rehook your lanyard. Stevie, remember you have to climb back down,” Kellen said as calmly as she could manage, but she sounded like a drill sergeant.
“I watched you do this a hundred times, and I know I can do it. Have a little faith in me, babe.” Stevie tried to reposition herself.
“Hey, Stevie,” Kyle called out. “You’ve got too many extra lines. I’m sure Kellen didn’t have those when she went around.”
The more Stevie tried to work around the tree and the knob, the more tangled she became. She started working faster when she glanced down and noticed Kellen was climbing toward her. “Stay there, Kellen, I’m gonna do this,” Stevie yelled.
“Oh, yeah.” Jesslyn nodded. “Look at the muscles in Kellen’s butt, we need those for our yoga pants, Chris.”
“Uh-huh, sign me up,” Christine agreed. “Oh, wait, I don’t do upside down at heights. Do you have to come down that way?”
“No, you should never be upside down,” Walt said. “Well, it’s a good thing Trulee stayed behind at the house. She can direct the fire department when they have to come in with a ladder truck.”
“They don’t have one,” Trent said as he watched Kellen getting close to Stevie. “We’ll have to call somebody who has a bucket truck.”
“Is Aunt Stevie gonna die?” Kenzie asked.
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