“Mind your business, little sis. Focus on your running game. I expect you to take over for me and at least end up in the top five percent.”
Salome looked horrified. “How about ten?”
Adanne shrugged. “I will shoot for top fifty percent.”
Her father shook his head. “You’ll be lucky if you see me cross the finish line at all.” He added, “From what I studied on the map, that new bakery I want to check out is right along the path.”
“Daddy!” Kenya exclaimed.
He sighed. “Don’t worry, I won’t let the Stewart name down.”
Mama stepped closer, closing her arms around her, patting her on the back. She appreciated the condolences and the loving care, but this made her too emotional.
Kenya responded with a few pats of her own on her mom’s back. “I’m going to be fine. I’m almost healed. I’ll be back running in no time. At least you guys can go run for me.”
This gave her the chance and the vantage point to make sure everything was in place from where she was at. And this was the motivation she needed for the upcoming wedding. Solomon had assured her everything would go well with Robert Bluestone. Even though this wasn’t how she had intended these weeks onher calendar to go, at least she was still going to hit the bull’s-eye. She was going to make a comeback from this setback. How was that for an inspirational poster quote?
Not only would she become the next creative director, but she might even have someone by her side in the middle of it. And there he was now, looking handsome in athletic pants and a polo with the hospital’s logo as he strode over.
“Doctor.” Daddy reached out his hand and shook Solomon’s, a little extra hard, by the way his whole arm was shaking.
“Just Solomon.” He chuckled and turned to her mom, who narrowed her eyes and gave him a hug.
“It’s so good to see you again,” she said. “I hear you’ve been taking good care of our girl.”
Solomon turned to Kenya, but she wouldn’t coach him or give him a signal on what to say. Her mother could be referring to helping with the physical therapy referral, keeping her occupied, or the suspicion she had about their relationship.
Kenya didn’t know what to say either. But she knew she didn’t want this extended second date they’d been on for weeks to end.
But no need for all those thoughts now. She lifted her left hand, forming the L shape, and pointed in that direction.
“Okay, family, the starting line is that way. Solomon, if you would do me a favor and take a picture of all of us, then they will be on their way to hopefully do the Stewart name proud.”
Adanne raised her hands. “I guess the Pope/Pomponio name can be done proud too,” she said.
Kenya smirked at hercousin.“Except I don’t know how much since your other half is not here with you.”
Salome smiled. “I guess it’s okay since he’s got that location-scouting project and all.”
Adanne beamed at the mention of her husband.
Kenya glanced at Solomon, her heart quickening when she saw that he was already looking at her. Maybe it was just because he was waiting for her to get into the group shot as well. Or maybe,maybe, there was a certain something with them that would last beyond this moment—and her foot’s recovery.
Maybe when it was all said and done, she would be able to stand on solid ground, for more reasons than just getting good physical therapy.
“Go get in.” Solomon nudged her on with his head. “And make sure everyone is standing in a window,” he called out.
“A window?” She blinked.
“Find a spot between shoulders. So everyone can be seen in the photo.”
Warmth bloomed in her chest. “So intentional, Doctor.”
He grinned. “That’s the only way to be.”
She nestled in with her family. All of them were so strong, so smart, so much at ease with what they did. They made her proud for just signing up because they normally did not crave getting up at the crack of dawn to run a race. But she hoped she, too, could make them proud. They had all put up with her random ways, her sporadic ideas, her spur-of-the-moment activities. They had all been there to pick her up when she failed and to cover for her when her numerous risks turned out to be mistakes.Oh,God—she grinned at the count of three—please help me make them proud.
After a few pictures, her family gave her thumbs-up and goodbye hugs as they left to take their positions at the front of the race. She gazed after them, wishing she could be there too. But this was no time for regret. Solomon stepped up next to her, nudging her side.
