I glance up, into his stormy eyes as he adds more details to the drawing.
I take the drawing when he’s done. “Is this what you want?”
“It’s more than I ever hoped to dream of.” His eyes train on the doodle. “Happiness that was always just out of my reach.”
“Same. But maybe together, we can do this.” She sighs. “We can make it work.”
10
KELLAN
Months Later
The air is brisk as I walk out to the mailbox, not enough to go back inside and grab a jacket. Just a reminder of what’s to come.
I tell myself it’s just another day—bills, maybe a catalog, the usual junk—but my gut knows better. Today’stheday.
I flip open the metal door, and there it is: a plain white envelope with the testing center’s logo in the corner.
With Rus getting in just an hour ago, it seems like this was somehow planned, yet what happens if…
I stop myself from tearing open the envelope. Who am I to shield Greer from hurt feelings? Especially since no matter what score is in this envelope, it means nothing.
After only a few short months, Greer’s already managing a successful grooming business and is getting ready to learn how to shear sheep.
Still. I know how much this means to Greer, and I pray that tucked inside this envelope is good news.
I head inside, finding Greer and Rus still at the table, talking over the remains of their lunch. Gerry is perched on the back of an empty chair, watching the conversation unfold.
“I still can’t believe they’d pull you out of school like that.” Rus shakes his head. “I should have been there.”
“Don’t you dare take credit for our parents’ shortcomings,” Greer scolds. “Especially since they’re meddling resulted in my happily ever after.”
“I’ll say.” Rus looks over at me and shakes his head. “When you said you were gonna take care of my sis, I didn’t think you’d buy her an actual Range Rover. I should have demanded that you take care ofmewhen negotiating your little domestic situation.”
“Ain’t hindsight a bitch.” I toss the white envelope down in front of Greer without a word, watching as her features transform from curious to panic.
“Is that it?” Rus asks, forehead furrowed.
Greer picks up the envelope with trembling hands. “Yeah.”
Rus leans back in his seat and crosses his arms over his chest. “Well, no point in waiting.”
“You know I failed the first two times…” she says, her voice trailing.
“Yeah, when you were working 60 hour weeks for your parents.” I tap the table. “Not that it matters whether you pass or fail. I’ll still be here for you, and you’ll still have a thriving business.”
Greer sucks in a breath and releases it slowly. “Let me call Willa first.”
She toggles through the contacts on her phone, hitting TALK when she finds Willa. She picks up on the fourth ring, and Greer puts it on speakerphone.
“I got it!” Greer blurts into the receiver.
“And?”
“I haven’t opened it yet.”
“Whatcha waiting for?” Willa chirps.
