“So do I. If I haven’t mentioned it lately, thanks for bringing her and my daughter to Gossamer Falls. I owe you.”
“I’ll take ice cream as payment.”
“Excellent.” Cal lapsed into silence, and Bronwyn dropped her head to Mo’s shoulder.
They rode that way until Cal pulled to a stop beside Meredith’s 4Runner and a 1965 Ford Mustang. Bronwyn knew next to nothing about cars. But she knew that Mustang.
Doug and Jacque sat with Meredith by the firepit.
Cal turned in the driver’s seat. “Give them my love. I’m going home for a few minutes. I’ll be back.”
Mo climbed from the truck and Bronwyn followed him. He took her hand, and they walked toward the firepit.
It was awkward for all of three seconds. Then Jacque hopped to her feet and ran to them. Doug wasn’t far behind. Soon Bronwyn was surrounded by hugs and kisses and warmth and concern.
At some point, they disentangled themselves for one-on-one hugs. Jacque pulled Bronwyn close and whispered, “I’m so happy to see you, sweetheart.”
Then Doug pulled her away and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Come here, darling girl.” Everyone in the family talked about Mo’s hugs. He’d learned his technique from his dad. Doug squeezed her tight, then stooped to look into her eyes. “I’m only going to say this one time, so I want you to listen good.”
Bronwyn nodded.
“If things don’t work out with you and Mo, that will be hard on all of us, but it will not mean you lose me or Jacque. You got that?”
The tears she’d fought for days streamed down her face. “Yes, sir.”
He pulled her in for another hug. “But do give him a chance, okay?”
That made her laugh through the tears.
“Dad! What did you say to her?” Mo pulled her away from his dad and tucked her protectively under his arm. “You’re supposed to be Team Bronwyn.”
“I am, son.” He winked at her. “All the way. Just making sure she knew that.”
“Come over here and fill us in on what happened.” Meredith waved at them from the firepit. “Gray won’t tell me anything, but you can.”
They spent the next thirty minutes filling in the two people who’d done the most to teach Bronwyn what parents were supposed to be. When Mo got to the part about Corbin and the senator, Jacque Quinn lost her cool. She stood up and stomped around the firepit for a full minute.
All Bronwyn could understand of her words were “can’t believe” and “should have known,” and “but who would ever?” and several occurrences of, “I’m going to give Lacey Pierce a piece of my mind.”
“Mom, when you go talk to her, please, I beg of you, let me wire you with a camera. Please.”
Jacque shook her head at her son. “Oh no, Mo. When I finally say what I need to say, it would be best if there’s no documentation.”
Bronwyn soaked up the love for the next ten minutes until Doug and Jacque left with promises of Sunday lunch and admonitions that they keep them informed, particularly if anyone got shot again.
Mo watched his parents drive away. Meredith tucked her arm in his. “We hit the jackpot in the parent lottery.”
“We sure did.”
“I’m going to change clothes.” She was still in her work scrubs. “Holler if you need me.”
After Meredith left, Mo studied Bronwyn as she sat by the firepit. She looked like someone who’d lost a puppy and had been given a new one on the same day. Grief and joy comingled.
Her eyes met his. He pointed to his house. “I’m going to do what I do.”
“I’m going to sit by the river for a few minutes.”
He didn’t stop her when she walked away from him. He couldn’t keep her tied to his side 24/7. Although the idea did have some merit.
