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“And you can count on Aunt Meg. Now let’s go back out to Grandma and Grandpa’s party. Did you see that big cake I brought?”
“We did,” Danni said. “But I bet Papa’s going to make us eat”— she made the cutest little quote mark with her fingers and rolled her eyes—“real food before we can have any cake.”
“Well, then, I guess we’d better get this party started so you have time for both real food and cake.”
These two were adorable, and they were a couple of my favorite humans, so I wouldn’t normally rush them, but all I could think about was poor Nash left by himself out there with my family.
“Daddy said we were having barbecue.”
“That sounds about right for a get-together of this size,” I said. “Let’s go check it out.”
We left the barn and made our way back to the arena. As soon as we were out the door, the kids took off, probably to try to rope someone else into looking at their horses with them. I looked around for Nash, and when I spotted him, I realized all of my worries had been for nothing. He stood there, surrounded by basically my entire family, while they listened to him tell a story.
I walked over to where he stood and stepped up beside him. I thought I would have to say something to let him know I was there, but without me saying a word, he slipped his arm around my waist and tucked me to his side, continuing his story without missing a beat.
“She should be ready for adoption soon, I would think. It’s almost magical what Murphy can do with those horses. I don’t know what Cruz and Nolan would do without her.”
“Or what they would do without you, either.”
Nash chuckled and kissed me on the top of the head. “You’re a little bit biased, I think.”
“Nope, I’m friends with Nolan, remember? He tells me all the time how much they depend on you.”
“It sounds like a fantastic operation,” Grandpa Mike said. “Now I think they’re ready to feed us, so let’s all go get some food.”
We all filled our plates and sat around talking until it was time for the cake and presents.
Gramma Patty teared up when she opened the star chart, and she passed it around the table for everyone to exclaim over.
Nash squeezed my hand and whispered in my ear, “You did good, baby boy,” and I felt a zip of joy at having all my favorite people in one place.
I’d been nervous about Nash meeting my family, but he fit in with them perfectly, talking ranch stuff with Grandpa, sharing funny horse stories with the kids, and talking to Lincoln about his firefighter brothers and the challenge of life as a first responder.
When Dad busted out the photos of an awkward teenage Spencer in front of the youth center, I dragged Nash away.
“It’s time to go,” I said with a laugh. “I don’t want you all scaring him off.”
He reached over and ran a finger up my arm. “Like they could do that.”
A few hours later, we were headed back to River Gorge. I was exhausted, but it had been so amazing to see Nash interacting with my family. They’d all taken to him right away, especially Danni. Once she heard he saved horses, he became her own personal superhero.
“So…” I let out a breath. “That’s done. What did you think?”
He reached over and took my hand, giving it a squeeze. “I think your family loves you, especially your grandmother, and she really loved the star chart you gave her. I think she even teared up a bit when she opened it.”
“She’s awesome, but she was pretty taken with you, as well, if you didn’t notice.”
“I enjoyed meeting everyone. Being around your dads, well, Lincoln in particular, was like being with my family. Those first responders are just made of different stuff from the rest of us.”
“Yeah, they kind of are.”
What I didn’t think he realized was that he was made of the very same stuff. That’s why he hit it off with my dads so quickly.
“It was a nice party. I wasn’t sure what it would be like meeting your whole family at once, but it was good. I’m really glad you found them.”
“I think they were the ones who found me. I was pretty lost for a while there. It makes me sad for the kids who don’t have safe places to be themselves. I never would have met Nathan and Lincoln without the youth center, and I honestly have no idea what would have happened to me.”
“You’re really worried about that kid who came into the clinic, aren’t you?”
