“What did Jace say?” That last one’s from Cody.
“He’s processing,” I say, honestly. “It’s going to be a change and we’re farrowing soon. I don’t intend to leave him holding more than his share of the weight.”
“That’s not your farm,” Mr. Lawson says, surprising me. “They’ll figure it out.”
I smile over at him. My ribs feel too small for my body.
I glance sideways at Cody as Ethan hits play.
“Proud of you, Chuck,” he says softly. “I knew you’d get it.”
“Thanks,” I tell him.
His smile is warm and genuine. He doesn’t shift his focus to the show either. We just hold one another’s gazes and I’d swear something passes between us, but it’s probably just my crush being loud enough for the both of us.
I nestle back into the couch, closer to McKenna than Cody, but when I pop my feet up onto the coffee table next to his, he kicks playfully at my foot and I nudge him back.
“Big stuff,” he says softly while Kevin Costner chews out a ranch hand on screen. “Really.”
“I’m nervous,” I say quietly to Cody.
“Don’t be. You’ll do great. They’ll teach you what you need to know. And if anyone can learn something fast and put a bunch of men to shame, it’s you.”
“Thanks,” I whisper.
He nudges my foot again.
“Stop playing footsies with my bestie,” McKenna says, leaning around me to scold Cody.
I’m pretty sure my face turns the color of a summer tomato.
We keep our feet to ourselves the rest of the night, all the way through an episode ofYellowstoneand the entire movie ofThe Proposal. My foot still buzzes in the few spots where Cody tapped it.
I help Mrs. Lawson clear the popcorn bowls and drink glasses into the kitchen after the movie ends.
“It’s good to have you coming around again,” she says, dumping the popcorn kernels into the trash and rinsing the bowl in the sink.
“It’s good to be here.”
“When McKenna leaves, we lose you too,” she says with a soft smile.
“I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
“Well, just know you’re always welcome.”
“Thanks.”
“And I think you’re going to be a wonderful addition to the fire department.”
“I appreciate your vote of confidence. My family is still digesting the news.” I hand her the glasses and she rinses each one before setting it in the dishwasher.
“They’ll come around,” Mrs. Lawson assures me. “You and Jace have been on the farm since each of you were born. Mr. Lawson and I had to adjust when Cody decided to join the department. And—leave it to McKenna to stretch me to my limits—she really taught me about letting go.”
I smile. “She always comes back.”
“So far.”
“Yeah. So far.” I don’t even want to imagine a time when McKenna doesn’t come back to Tennessee.
