As she followed her father out the front door of her vet office, Kennedy realized that although the conversation hadn’t gone the way she would’ve wanted, she found herself feeling a little lighter now that her father had opened up to her.
She hadn’t realized just how much she’d needed that until this moment, which was why she texted Sawyer and informed him she’d be home later than she thought. She needed some father-daughter time.
chapter TWENTY-FIVE
The following evening, Sawyer and Kennedy arrived at his parents’ house as everyone was pulling in for Sunday dinner. He climbed out of his car and walked around to the passenger side, opening Kennedy’s door for her and helping her out. Once she was beside him, Sawyer made his way over to Kaleb’s truck and snatched Mason from his car seat before Kaleb or Zoey even managed to climb out, making the little boy giggle.
“I’ve missed you, kid,” he told Mason, kissing him on the cheek before lifting him up above his head. “Nice boots, by the way.” Mason was decked out in a cowboy hat and Wranglers, likely Kaleb’s wardrobe contribution, and he looked just like a miniature version of his daddy.
Hoisting the little boy close to his chest, Sawyer introduced him to Kennedy as they headed for the house. He watched her more than he watched his nephew, enjoying the light that shone from her beautiful eyes as she peered over at Mason. He hoped one day he’d be carrying their son to Sunday dinner.
“Hey, buddy,” Kennedy greeted hesitantly.
Mason latched onto Sawyer’s shirt, watching Kennedy closely as though he wasn’t quite sure of her, but in a way that said he didn’t want her to go far.
Once inside, Sawyer crossed the kitchen and stopped in front of his mother, watching as her face lit up when she looked at Mason. Lorrie gave Mason a huge kiss on the lips before offering Sawyer one as well, only his was on his cheek. Mason began wiggling, anxious to get down on the floor. When Sawyer let him down near the sofa, Mason made a beeline—on shaky legs—for Curtis, clinging to Curtis’s legs and saying, “Papa!” One of the few words the thirteen-month-old could actually say.
Sawyer turned back to the others in the kitchen and made his way to Kennedy. Taking her hand, he made the rounds, introducing her to the group of women congregating as they cooked. They both greeted V and Jessie, who were chatting quietly, so he only interrupted long enough to give them both a hug before joining the others in the living room.
“Dad, you know Kennedy,” he said when they approached his father.
Curtis got to his feet and smiled. “Good to see you, young lady. How’s your father?”
“He’s well, thank you,” Kennedy answered politely.
“Good to hear. Well, make yourself at home. We’re all just family here.”
His father returned to his recliner, leaning forward so he could listen to Mason babble while holding up the truck he was clutching in his tiny fist. The little guy was growing so fast, and although he was just a little older than a year, Sawyer still couldn’t believe how big he was and how much more he seemed to be doing every time Sawyer saw him.
“Boy,” Curtis said to Sawyer, sparing him a quick glance before returning his attention to Mason. “Take a load off.”
Sawyer glanced at Kennedy, smiling. “He gets nervous when we hover over him.” Turning his attention to his father as he lowered himself to the arm of the couch, pulling Kennedy close, he said, “Pop, how’re things goin’?”
“They’re goin’,” Curtis said, his eyes tracking Mason’s hands as they moved wildly, his excitement about that little truck reflected in every move he made.
“Jared here yet?” Sawyer glanced around the room, taking note of who was there.
“Not yet, but he will be.”
“Hey.” Sawyer glanced over his shoulder to see Travis and Gage making their way over, Travis clutching his daughter in his arms.
“Hey. There she is,” Sawyer said, getting to his feet so he could look at Kate. When Travis passed her over to Sawyer, he didn’t balk, taking the little pink bundle in his arms and holding her close. Sawyer watched her. She smiled up at him and he couldn’t help but smile back.
Lowering himself to the couch, moving so Kennedy could join him, he mumbled to Kate while the others chatted around them. The noise level increased relatively quickly once all of his brothers arrived, each one greeting Kennedy as though she’d been a member of the family forever, which made Sawyer’s chest swell. If he had anything to say about it, this was the first of many Sunday dinners they’d be having with his parents and he wanted them to welcome her, to make her feel comfortable.