Bobbi’s words faded as she stared at McKenna the next several seconds in silence. Then with a sigh, she unzipped her coat, tossed it over the back of the chair next to McKenna, and rounded the table to sink into the seat across from her. “It’s because of me, isn’t it?”
When McKenna met her gaze, Bobbi nodded as if McKenna had spoken. “I’m holding you back.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” McKenna reached for her hand. “You’re my sister, and—”
“Exactly. I’m your sister. I get that you’ve practically raised me. You’ve been my steady rock for as long as I can remember, but...” Bobbi softened her words with a smirk. “Don’t you think it’s time to cut the umbilical cord? Maybe let me have your back for once?”
“Oh, so now all of a sudden you’re Ms. Independent, are you?”
“I will be. Once you get out of my hair.” Bobbi kicked off her boots and stood. “Ready for some soup?”
“I thought you were going over to a friend’s house.”
“Pretty sure we have more important things to discuss here this evening. Starting with... well, something I’ve realized for a while now that I needed to say. I just wasn’t sure how to say it.” She blew out a breath. “I owe you an apology.”
“For what?”
Bobbi grabbed two bowls. “I’ve been taking you for granted for years.”
“You were just a kid most of those years.”
“Well, I’m not a kid now,” she said, ladling soup into each bowl. “I’m engaged to be married. Not too long from now I may be having kids of my own. Trust me, I’m not a kid anymore. But I do owe you an apology for acting like one when we were in Tennessee. I was terrible. I didn’t even consider what was going on between you and Nate when I begged you to come back to Nebraska. I was so freaked out about the idea of Oliver breaking up with me, I couldn’t eventhink straight.” She set a bowl in front of McKenna and slid into the seat next to her.
“You weren’t terrible. You were tired.” McKenna picked up her spoon. “And okay, terrible. You were sort of that, too.”
They both shared a laugh, digging into their soup.
“Go see him, McKenna. He’s more than proven how much he cares about you. Don’t you think it’s time to prove it to him? At least go see him for Christmas.”
“I’m not leaving you alone for Christmas. Besides, he’s visiting here right after Christmas.”
“I’ve got friends. Plus Oliver and I already have a schedule for when we’ll FaceTime and play Scrabble together. I’m not going to be sitting around twiddling my thumbs. Don’t worry about that. Just go see him.”
McKenna swirled her spoon in her bowl. She supposed she could take a peek at plane ticket prices once she finished eating. She knew Nate missed her. And don’t even get her started on how badly she missed him.
“What? What is it? I can tell you’re thinking something by the way you’re biting your lip. What aren’t you telling me?”
McKenna stopped chewing her bottom lip and met Bobbi’s narrowed gaze. “I’m thinking that if I fly to Bugle this Christmas, there’s a good chance I won’t be coming back. I got an email last week, and let’s just say I’m pretty sure I’ve got a job waiting for me there if I want it. One I’d really like to pursue. All I have to do is say yes.”
“Well, then.” Bobbi dropped her head on McKenna’s shoulder. “Sounds like it may be time for you to say yes.”
Nate gripped the back of his neck. “Listen. I’m not telling you how to do your job. It’s just that I’ve heard this story before and I’m pretty certain my luggage is here.”
Against his better instincts Nate had flown into the small airport close to Bugle for Christmas. And now here he was back at the customer service desk with Ms. Doing My Best, who looked rather festive in her Santa hat and green sweater vest with a red turtleneck. Of course when he tried telling her that, she told him to knock off the sarcasm.
Nate leaned his elbows on the counter.
“Too close,” she said.
He straightened. “Do you mind just taking a quick look wherever it was that you found my carry-on the last time you said it went missing only for it to be here all along?”
“I do mind. I’m busy.”
Nate glanced over his shoulder to where a few workers and a handful of people—all with their luggage—departed the terminal. “Place is really hopping.”
Without changing her expression, Vivi made a slow half circle, pulled open the door behind her, and disappeared inside.
Nate couldn’t afford to lose his luggage again. Once Christmas was over, he planned to hop on a plane to Nebraska and spend the rest of his winter break with McKenna. And this time he hoped to leave her behind with a very expensive and important ring on her finger.
