Page 91 of Steps

“Gran never told me that. What happened?”

Mom shrugs and lowers her brown eyes from mine.“It was to see my father. Things didn’t go too well, and we never brought it upagain.”

“Oh.”

I feel the urge to ask about my own father, but it’sterrible timing. She’s getting married in a week. I don’t want to ruin thisgreat vibe we have going.

They announce that our flight’s now boarding. Asmile stretches her lips. “Here we go.”

Mom sashays back to her chair and grabs hercarry-on. Daniel puts his arm around her shoulder. Everyone gathers theirthings and starts moving.Damn.Daniel has many friends. At least tencouples are flying to Scotland with us, and he says a few more will make thetrip closer to the wedding.

I’m slow to retrieve my duffle bag, growing moreand more nervous as I think about being in the air.

Varen lingers behind with me. “You go to thatfield and stand under them all the time,” he teases.

I roll my eyes. “It’s not the same thing.”

He brushes my arm. “I’ll ask Ali to switch seatswith me so I can hold your hand.”

At this, I look ahead at our parents and theirfriends. They’re handing boarding passes to the attendants.

“Sure that’s okay?” I ask, turning back to him.

Varen nods. “Yeah. Just play it cool.”

He manages to draw a smile out of me as always.

We depart Baltimore soon after for a ten-hourflight to the UK. The plane ride is more horrifying than I imagined, so I tryto sleep while squeezing Varen’s hand for dear life. He doesn’t let go once.

I didn’t even care if we looked suspicious,resting our heads next to each other in the seats, while Alison sits across theaisle beside one of Daniel’s doctor friend.

Arriving in Edinburg the next morning, Daniel’ssupporters take a shuttle to their hotel, while the rest of us are driven tohis family’s property in the countryside.

I’m exhausted from the long journey but stillamazed by all the natural beauty. The greenery is endless, stretching formiles, dotted with horses and sheep here and there.

My mouth falls open as we arrive at the Kirbycastle. Mom and I glance at each other, both in awe. It’s straight out of astorybook, surrounded by spectacular landscape. Their home isn’t as massive asthe Royals’ dwellings, but it’s still an actual, freaking castle.

Daniel’s parents are waiting outside with anotherman and woman. Perhaps members of their staff. Varen told me they haveemployees that care for the property.

Grandma Kirby is a petite lady withshoulder-length, blonde hair, crinkly light blue eyes, and a sophisticated aura.She’s like a renowned actress from old Hollywood, especially in her chic dressand low heels. Her and Grandpa Kirby seem jovial, bouncing in place.

As we come to a stop and I observe them better, Isee where Daniel and Varen get their height and handsome features. GrandpaKirby has foxy gray hair, steely eyes, and the same infectious smile as his sonand grandson.

“Màthair, athair,” Daniel sputters excitedly inScottish when we file out of the van. He kisses his mom on both sides of thecheek before hugging her and his dad.

Alison receives a loving hug from her grandfather.Then he ruffles Varen’s hair before giving him a tight hug as well. The Kirbysgreet Mom and me in a Scottish drawl.

“Welcome, Lisa, Latoya,” Grandma Kirby says. Shetows my mom in for a tender hug and kisses her on the cheek.

I’m a bit awkward at first, not used to greetingpeople like this, but it’s sweet of them.

“You all must be tired from your long journey,” GrandpaKirby remarks. He motions for us to enter his home.

The driver of the van, along with the man whoworks for them, help us with our luggage.

Walking beside Varen into the colossal residence,I whisper to him, “So your dad comes frommoney?”

He shrugs coolly. “This place is inherited, but,yeah, a little bit of money.” He wiggles his brows and whispers, “I havesomething to show you later.”

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