Chapter 6
McKenna
Havenwood at Christmas is every Hallmark movie set come to life.
From the twinkling lights strung in front of every storefront to the giant wreaths on the clocktower to the fifteen-foot tree in the middle of the square, this town is made for the big screen.
All that’s missing is the snow, and the likelihood of that happening in Georgia is slim to none.
Even still, it’s easy to see what the community loves about this sleepy little town.
Do you want to know what isn’t beautiful? The sound of my mother crying over the phone because her baby girl is no longer coming home for Christmas.
“Mom. Mom.” When she doesn’t reply with words, I sigh.
A tension headache is blooming at the base of my skull.
This is why I kept putting off the call home.
I wanted to avoid the inevitable guilt trip and sobs that my mother is famous for.
“Dad, a little help, please,” I say a little louder, hoping he can hear me over my mother’s tears.
“Nora, sweetheart. Why don’t you help the boys in the kitchen while I talk to McKenna?” Dad’s quiet voice rumbles over the line as he soothes Mother.
As she finally complies, dad and I release a collective sigh. “Sorry, dad. I wanted to avoid the waterworks as long as I could.”
“I know, honey. Your mother just misses you.”
“She saw me at Thanksgiving, and I’m still planning to come down for a long weekend next month.”
“She’s sentimental and outnumbered. Your brothers are here, and all of them are apparently single again.”
“Ah, so she’s on about the grandchildren thing again?”
He chuckles. “Always.” He pauses before continuing. “So, you’re staying with that old flame of yours, huh?”
“Dad!” Oh, the embarrassment.
“Fling. Ex. Secret boy toy.”
I laugh. “Please stop before one of the twins hears you. I’ll never hear the end of it.”
“Didn’t hear you deny it, Kenna.”
“Yes, Dad. I am staying with my best friend’s brother, who I just so happened to have a thing with previously.”
“Alright, honey. I’ll let you get back to your friends. We love you.”
“Love you, too. Tell everyone the same.”
As we hang up, I sigh.
“You okay, Kenna?”
I jump. “Geez, Reece. Warn a girl next time,” I say as I wipe any remaining moisture from my face. My laugh must come across as forced, because Reece doesn’t buy it.
His eyes dart around our area before he steps closer and pinches my chin between his thumb and index finger, lifting it.
The silence is almost enough to make me break.
The wagon and the giant butts of Butterbean and her pal Sweet Pea are doing a fine job of blocking us from view, but as the square grows more crowded, we no doubt need more space between us.
I try to step back but am met with the barrel that serves as our check-in for the carriage rides.
“If your sister sees—”
“If my sister sees what? Me worrying about her best friend?”
“Someone could see,” I whisper, my voice low enough Reece has to lean even closer.
He uses the opportunity to pin me in, and I hate how much his cedarwood scent affects me.
My eyes slip closed as I try to filter out everything around me, knowing the man before me has the ability to see right through me.
“I don’t give a damn if someone sees us, McKenna. I never have. But something made you cry, and I need to know what.”
Sucking a breath between my teeth, I say, “You can’t be sweet right now.”
“Watch me.”
The squealing laughter of nearby children breaks the trance. My head falls forward, chin dipping to my chest.
“Just tell me one thing,” he whispers, the warmth of his body still radiating against mine. “Do I need to make anyone disappear?”
I can’t help it. I laugh. I think that’s why he said it. “No,” I say just as quietly, my lips tilting up for the first time this evening. “Just missing home.”
“Then it’s a good thing you’re about to be too busy to think about it,” he says, nodding toward the crowd of people heading our way. “Butterbean. Sweet Pea. You’re up, ladies,” he says as he walks around them, double-checking the couplings and harnesses.
The evening rolls on, kids and grown-ups alike wanting a ride in the wagon. It really is a cute idea. The wagon floor has hay bales lining the sides with blankets thrown over them to keep everyone from becoming covered in it.
As I load up one of the last groups in line and give Reece the okay to pull away, I finally let myself take in the sights without my stress clouding the view. It isn’t just the decorations or the time of year.
I can’t stop myself from glancing at the small empty storefront on the other side of the square, wishing like anything that it was mine.
When Jett and Noah walk up, I can’t help it. I am not an impulsive individual, so I have to think this means I’ve subconsciously thought it through.
“Hey, Slater.” I quietly get his attention while Jett is distracted. “Still looking for a tenant for that little storefront with a loft?”
“Told you. It’s yours the minute you decide to give into the dark side and move to Havenwood.”
“I need to figure out a few more things first. Don’t mention it to Jett, please.”
“You have my word. Look forward to it, McKenna.”
Jett turns back to me, a peppermint mocha in her outstretched hands.
“You are an angel,” I say as I sip the deliciously minty caffeine, the liquid instantly warming my body. While it may not be freezing temperatures, fifty degrees when the sun goes down is still chilly.
“So, what?” Jett asks, her eyebrow raised as she pops her hip out, hands on her waist. “You go to my brother’s house a week ago, and I don’t hear from you again. Then you’re helping with his horses? How did he rope you into this?”
“Wait, his horses? I thought they belonged to the Flynns.”
“Most of them do, but those two are Bubba’s. He rescued the pair not long after he started working for Declan. If you ask me, I think they are why he moved here to begin with. He loves those two beasts.”
“He didn’t tell me that part.”
“Of course not. I didn’t even know about them until recently,” she says with a shrug. “Besides, it’d be too much proof that he has a heart. Talk about ruining the frenemies-to-lovers thing you two have going on.”
I nearly spew coffee all over both of us. “I’m sorry. What?”
She waves me off. “Oh, please. I used to think the two of you really hated each other until I realized something crazy. He has a nickname for you.”
“So?”
“So, you’re the only person in his life that has one. Ever. And seeing as I was usually glued to his hip and hated the only girl he was ever serious about, I know he never had one for her.”
“You are delusional, my friend.”
“I am many things, including occasionally delusional. But you mark my words, sister. My big brother has a thing for you. And I, for one, think it would be pretty dang cool.”
“Let’s go, chaos,” says Noah as he comes back around with a bag of goodies. “Sadie has probably already knocked the tree over again.”
“Again?”
“Three times, actually.”
“The first time wasn’t entirely her fault,” Jett adds. “Noah threw the tennis ball. It bounced off the wall and rolled toward the tree. Sadie couldn’t stop in time.”
“The only reason we have a tree is because you wanted to look at the pretty lights from the couch.”
“Well, yeah. Because you love me and think I’m awesome.”
Noah sighs, but I can see the way he hides a smile. I am beyond grateful that my best friend found someone like him. Jett deserves it after how her ex treated her.
“See you in the morning, Kenna!” Jett says as she loops her arm through Noah’s and skips—yes, skips—away.