Page 48 of Rumor Has It

I can’t erase the smile eating my face right now, nor would I want to, watching my dad and daughter embrace for the first time at my childhood home. I bat away a stray tear. Never in a million years did I think coming home would make me so happy.

“There’s my girl.” Grandpa Mack wraps me in his arms, and all I can do is smell him. It reminds me of my dad and a happier time. I’ve missed being here more than I care to admit.

I kiss his cheek before releasing him. “I’ve missed you.”

“Do you ever eat, baby girl?” He grips my wrist. “Can you even handle a wrench?”

“Better than I could when I was five.” I wink at him. “I’ll show you later.”

He tucks me under his arm, and we make our way into the house. Dad did exactly as I knew he would. There is a spread of food enough for twenty people. It’s been ten years since I’ve been at this table for a family meal, and I lost it more than once.

“Hellooooo!” A familiar voice rings through the house, freezing me to the spot. “Where’s my girls!” Maisyn comes running around the corner, arms wide open, knocking me out of my chair.

“Oh, my lawd!” I cackle, locking my legs around her as we lay on the floor, hugging. “Are you trying to kill me?”

“I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed your face!” She screams in my ear, and we continue to laugh until tears spring to our eyes. “Wait… I have people!” She rolls off me, pointing to her delish husband and children.

“Hey, Lachlan.” I wave from the floor. “Hi, ladies!”

“Auntie Mack!” Hope and Faith dart at us, stopping long enough to grab my girl and dive on top of our pile.

Here we are, my best friend and our girls, lying in the kitchen floor, rolling around. I can’t remember the last time my heart was this full. Then again… I do, and my breath hitches.

“Lachlan, let me have that baby.” My dad coos as he reaches for Lansyn, Maisyn and Lachlan’s newest offspring.

Our pile of hair and girl power starts to pick ourselves up off the floor, and I can’t resist patting Maisyn’s ass. “Dang! There’s some junk in that trunk, woman.”

Lachlan pulls her up and into his arms. “I happen to love her junk,” he says with a Scottish accent, and I swoon. Yes, while sitting on the floor of the kitchen. “And her,” he throws in with a swirl. Swoooooon…

“What can I say?” Maisyn lifts her shoulders, letting them fall effortlessly. “I’ve got good junk.”

I lose my footing, sliding back down into a fit of laughter. “Dear Heavenly Father, what have you allowed Lachlan to create over there?”

“Jealous?” Maisyn quirks her brow, offering me a hand.

I nod with a wink. “Without a doubt.”

“I’m so happy you’re home.” She yanks my arm, and we clash, hugging it out.

“Girls, let’s go outside and give your mothers a chance to talk.” Lachlan gathers the gaggle of raucous girls and ushers them outside, but not before greeting me. He leans in, kissing my cheek as he always does, smelling divine and looking delicious. “Welcome home, lass.”

Maisyn and I watch him as he walks out, tilting our bodies so we can have a clear line of sight. I elbow her. “So that’s what that means.”

“Huh? What, what means?”

“Buns of steel.” I waggle my brows. “Dayumm, he’s so fine.”

“Hey!” She jabs her finger at me as I turn to walk away. “Stop ogling the goodies!”

I hold my hands up. “I’m only window shopping. Nothing wrong with checking out what the place has to offer.”

“You girls, I swear it’s like you’re still teenagers.” Dad shakes his head, walking out the door with Grandpa close behind.

“Pull up a chair, and fill your hood since your trunk is already full.” I push a chair at Maisyn with my foot.

“You got the rack, I got the ass.” She narrows her eyes, slowly sitting across from me. “And the man.”

I flip her off. “That you did, gorgeous.”