Page 64 of His Tenth Dance

He got to his feet and went over to his granddad, because walking over grass—especially in low lighting—was hard for him.

Granddad finished shaking Hunter’s hand, and Mission steadied him with a hand to his elbow as they started across the lawn toward the house.

Mission waited until they’d both gotten in the truck and he’d driven off the farm before he asked, “You feelin’ okay, Granddad?”

“Yep.”

Mission’s heart squeezed, but what could he do?

Pray.

That was about it.

So Mission did that as he drove his grandfather home, helped him inside his modest house, and made sure he had everything he needed for the evening.

Mission checked his grandfather’s medications—all seemed good there—and the food in his fridge. Also good.

“You don’t need to mother me,” Granddad said as he shuffled over to his recliner and sank into it.

“Someone’s got to.” Mission turned away from the inspection of his grandfather’s living conditions.

He moved into the living room and sat down on the couch near Granddad. “I’m just worried about you.”

“You’re worried about yourself,” Granddad said.

“Both can be true,” Mission said.

“You’ve got the whole farm, boy,” Granddad said as he flipped on the TV. “A good life, full of people.” He looked at Mission. “You’ll be okay after I’m gone, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

Mission nodded, his heart suddenly so full. The way Granddad spoke, he’d been thinking about his time on Earth too.

“Things goin’ okay with Kristie?”

“Yeah,” Mission said. “Good enough.” He looked over to Granddad. “She’ll need someone to walk her down the aisle if we get married.”

Granddad sighed and let his eyes drift closed, though he’d just turned on the TV. “Something to hold onto, then.”

“I’m something to hold onto too,” Mission murmured.

“Both can be true,” Granddad said.

Mission chuckled and stood up. “I love you.” He leaned over and hugged his grandfather, wishing he could keep him withhim forever. He knew he couldn’t, but that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.

Mission squared his shoulders as he straightened and held his head high as he headed for the front door.

“I love you too, boy,” Granddad called after him, and Mission grinned his way out of the house. Being loved by a good man meant a great deal to Mission, and he sat in the silence with that feeling as he drove back to the farm.

He loved the Fourth of July, and he let himself get swept up in the festivities around the fire pit, eating s’mores made of peanut butter cups and Oreos, singing campfire songs, and watching the kids draw words with sparklers.

Eventually, he settled onto a blanket with Kristie in his arms. The two of them looked up into the dark, country sky, and Mission felt nothing but content and comfortable with her—and with his life.

The first firework screamed through the sky, exploding into red sparks, and the crowd cheered.

Mission included.

twenty-one

Kristie stood right at Lady’s right side and clicked her tongue. “Come on, sweet girl. You can come out.”

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