“Umm…”
“McKenzie?”Raven asked, in the same tone she used when Wren and McKenzie were younger and she knew she wasn’t getting the whole story.
“She didn’t do as well as she thought she would in one of her classes,” said McKenzie.
“And?”
“And she says she’s sure she won’t get into vet school, so she may as well quit.Get a job.And this guy…”
“And this guy?”
McKenzie took a deep breath.“Raven, I don’t like him.He’s… I don’t know, not really right for her, but she’s down on herself right now so, you know…”
“No, I don’t know.”
“He’s the kind of guy who just takes life as it comes, doesn’t have a lot of ambition,” blurted McKenzie.“Kind of expects Wren to want some traditional role.Not to get a career.Just to get a job.You know?”
“That doesn’t sound like Wren.”
“I think she’ll come to her senses soon,” said McKenzie.“It’s just right now she kind of thinks she’s in love, I think.And he’s taking care of her…”
“Is that why she isn’t texting me?”
“If she isn’t texting you, it’s because she thinks she’s already disappointed you.And she doesn’t know how to fix it yet.”
“Well, next time you’re in touch with her, tell her I want to talk to her, and maybe mention that I failed calculus myself the first time around.The world is still revolving around the sun.”
“I’ll tell her,” promised McKenzie.
“Thanks.And text me this guy’s name and, if you have it, his address.If I don’t hear from her soon, I might come out for a visit.Not to interfere, just to see her.”
Raven had flown across provinces for less.
“Okay,” said McKenzie, receiving the message Raven was sending loud and clear.Raven had demonstrated in the past that where Wren was concerned, she would not hesitate to fly out and confront the new boyfriend.She hated that she was that predictable.
But Wren could be predictable too.She would do anything to avoid having Raven swoop in.Raven was confident that as soon as McKenzie spoke to Wren, Raven would get a call.
The news story on the television shifted to one she’d already heard, about a pipeline no one wanted, and she flicked through the channels, looking for something else.Not finding anything, and deciding she’d had enough alone time, she picked up her phone to call Lance.
“Hey.”His warm voice vibrated over the line.“I was just going to call you.We didn’t have that coffee date yet today.”
“I think you might be right about the couple who adopted the Tumble Twins.There’s a definite spark.”
He chuckled.“Maybe you can expand the business.”
“What?To Pages, Paws, and Promises?”
“Or Pages, Paws, and Passion.”
Her smile slipped as her mind wandered to what that could look like.“What are you doing tonight?”
“I’m free tonight.”
“Do you feel like driving out?I could make us some dinner.”
“Or, better yet, I can bring Indian food.”
“You do know a way to a woman’s heart,” she said, pleased he knew her well enough to know her favorite dishes.And a little afraid, too.He had become so indispensable in only a few short weeks.
