Page 52 of Crossing Lines

“I’m not sure just yet. I think so. Could be wishful thinking and all. He was talking to Gabe about someone the other day in the office. It’s always loud in there, so you can’t hear squat, but they were talking about a ‘her.’” She used her fingers to cross the air before her.

“Well, that’s something to look forward to. Lori coming back into Dad’s life the way she did was good for him. He’s less grumpy now. A little more relaxed.” Dani Lynn’s smile said it all. Her dad was happy and honestly, we all wanted that for them.

“Some of that has to do with you being here, close by in case something happens. You know they all worry. We’re not just their kids. We have the next generation to bring up. Who better to watch over them than their grandparents?” Kris says, grinning fondly.

“Hear, hear!” Shelby said, holding up her glass.

“To the men in our lives. May they be young or old,” Anna remarked, her glass going up.

The rest of us held up our glasses and clinked them together. After a big sip of the sweet tea, I set my glass back down and smiled. This had been exactly what I’d needed. Time away from Dad’s house and everyone there. They meant well, but they were driving me batty. Girl time was the best medicine money could buy.

“Y’all…” I chewed on my lip and sighed. All eyes had turned to me.

“You alright?” Shelby asked, ready to stand up.

I waved my hand and looked out to the field, giving myself a minute. I needed to clear the air, but I was scared. Yes, me, Stella-freaking-Malone was scared to tell my best friends that I was beyond freaking out.

“I’m all over the place. The pregnancy. The adoption process for Ethan. Carter having a somewhat girlfriend. The prospect of my dad possibly having a somewhat lady friend. It’s all so much.”

“Girl, I know those feelings all too well. Let me tell you, it’s going to be okay. Carter is allowed to grow up and find love, in any form he can. You did. The ogres did.”

“Hey!” Anna laughed hard. “I love one of those ogres.”

“I know, but you see my point. When Derek and Alana became more than friends, I was scared. They were young, and then life threw then a curveball. We’ve all been through the feelings. If you need to talk them out, you have us.”

I shouldn’t have worried about telling them I was scared. It was a lot, but I had them to help calm my nerves and worries. They were the best. I’d be lost without any one of them.

Chapter 22

Tracey

“How canyou not say yes to this one?” My sister’s voice carried to where I stood.

A frustrated sigh left me as I looked around the open room again. I’d just stepped down from the staircase that led to the upper floor. The openness was nice. The windows, and there were a lot of windows, allowed the natural light to fill the space both upstairs and down.

I turned to my sister, who was glaring daggers at me. “I think it’s okay, but?—”

“No buts, dude. Come on. She will freaking love this place. It’s like, what, two miles from her dad’s? Stop overthinking everything. You know Stel better than any of us, but I know her well too. She’s a simple girl at heart. This open floor plan is gorgeous.”

I looked around, giving the living room a once-over. Again. I was trying to make sure this would be what she wanted. The paper in my hand had a handwritten list of the house’s amenities on it.

4 bedrooms upstairs

2 bathrooms upstairs

Master bedroom on bottom floor with walk-in closet and attached bathroom.

Full-sized Jacuzzi tub

Walk-in shower

Toilet closet

Spacious kitchen with breakfast nook

Formal dining room with built-in hutch and cabinetry

Downstairs half bath

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