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“Just taking it all in,” she admitted.
“We’re something else, for sure. Is this similar to your family get-togethers?”
McKenzie laughed. “Not even close.”
“How so?”
“I won’t bore you with my childhood woes.”
“Nothing about you would bore me, McKenzie. I want to know more about you.”
She started to ask what would be the point, but somehow that comment felt wrong in this loving, warm environment, so she picked up her glass of tea, took a sip, then whispered, “I’ll tell you some other time.”
That seemed to appease him. They finished eating. Everyone, men and women, helped clear the table. The kids had eaten at a couple of card tables set up in the kitchen and they too cleared their spots without prompting. McKenzie was amazed at how they all seemed to work together so cohesively.
The men then retired to the large family room while the women put away leftovers and loaded the dishwasher. All except Lance. He seemed reluctant to leave McKenzie.
“I’ll be fine. I’m sure they won’t bite.”
He still looked hesitant.
“Seriously, what’s the worst that could happen?”
* * *
What indeed? Lance wondered. He had rarely brought women home and never to a Christmas function. His entire family had been teasing him that this must be the one for him to bring her home to Christmas with the family. He’d tried to explain that he and McKenzie had been coworkers and friends for years, but the more he’d talked, the more he reminded them that he’d already met and lost “the one,” the more they’d smiled. By the time McKenzie arrived, he’d been half-afraid his family would have them walking down the aisle before morning.
He didn’t think she’d appreciate any implication that they were more than just a casual couple.
They weren’t. Just a hot and heavy two-month relationship destined to go nowhere because McKenzie didn’t do long-term commitment and his seventeen-year-old self had vowed to always love Shelby, for his heart to always be loyal to her memory.
What was the worst that could happen? He hesitated.
“Seriously, Lance. I’m a big girl. They aren’t going to scare me off.”
“I just...” He knew he was being ridiculous. “I don’
t mind helping clean up.”
“Lance Donovan Spencer, go visit with your grandparents. You’ve not seen them since Thanksgiving,” his mother ordered. “That will give me and your girl time to get to know each other without you looming over us.”
“Looming?” he protested indignantly.
“Go.” His mother pointed toward the door.
Lance laughed. “I can tell my presence and help is not appreciated or wanted around here, so I will go visit with my grandmother who loves me very much.”
“Hmm, maybe she’s who you should list on your references,” McKenzie teased him, her eyes twinkling.
“Maybe. Mom’s been bumped right off.”
“I heard that,” his mom called out over her shoulder.
He leaned in and kissed McKenzie’s cheek. “I’m right in the next room if their interrogation gets to be too much.”
“Noted.” McKenzie was smiling, like she wouldn’t mind his mother’s, aunts’ and cousins’ questions. Lord, he hoped not. They didn’t have boundaries and McKenzie had boundaries that made the Great Wall of China look like a playpen.
“Lance tells me you two have only been dating for a few weeks,” his mother said moments after Lance left the kitchen.
