Page 34 of Keg's Revelation

“But you went and even dressed up. Black tie and all.” I touched the picture. Reed had on a black jacket, white shirt, and black tie. I was dressed in a silver strapless gown that was fitted down to my waist, then flared out. “God, I felt so grown up.”

“You looked beautiful that night. And I went because you wanted to go.”

“I wanted you to have that memory. And it ended up being mine. I didn’t go to my junior prom because I left to help Mom and finished the year homeschooled. Th...”

“And then you did homeschool for your senior year because you were pregnant with Ry,” Reed said, finishing what I was started.

“Yeah.” I looked over my shoulder at Reed. “I wouldn’t go back and change it, even if I could. Well, maybe the part of keeping him from you. But you know what?”

“What?”

“If I’d done it differently, I wouldn’t have Reagan. I can’t imagine my life without her.”

The look on Reed’s face was one I caught several times when he looked at me, I wished I knew what he was thinking or that he’d tell me, but each time, he stayed silent. “Let’s go see if Dad and the kids left us any food.”

As we reached the kitchen, I caught the last of what Wild Bill said, “—across the field in front of all the families who attended to see their sons and daughters graduate.” Then Ry’s laughter and Reagan’s little girl giggles followed.

“I know you did not tell them that story,” Reed said, looking at his dad, shaking his head. Wild Bill replied with laughter.

“Uh huh, he said he was dared, so he stripped down to his skivvy and ran across a field where people were graduating, then they called him Wild Bill for doing it,” Reagan said through giggles, which made me smile because I was sure she had no idea what skivvy meant.

“Reagan, you don’t even know what skivvy means. It’s underwear.” Ry chuckled.

I should have figured Ry would know the meaning and share it with his sister. He was enthralled with military movies, cowboy movies, and the television series with bikers even knowing I didn’t want him to watch them.

Reed and I joined them at the table, and when everyone had what they needed, we ate in silence for approximately one minute.

“Now, can you tell us how you got your name, Reed?” Ry asked.

“Yes! You said you’d tell us later,” Reagan reminded him.

I raised my brows at Reed, and he smiled. “Yes, I did. So eat, and when you’re finished, I’ll tell you.”

“Okay!” Reagan picked up her burger and took a big bite.

“Slow down before you choke,” I scolded, looking between Reagan and Ry, so they knew it included them both.

“Raven, how’re Doc and Gretchen doing?”

I told Wild Bill about Gramps’ plan to retire and that both were doing well. Reed asked if I would miss being a predominantly large animal vet. We talked about the area and how it had changed in the time I’d been gone. Wild Bill even asked about Raleigh and if I’d enjoyed living there.

Visiting with Wild Bill had worried me when Reed asked if Reagan and I would like to spend the day with him and Ry. I knew he offered for Ry’s sake, but I didn’t want to bring tension into the first outing Reed and Ry shared. The worry I’d felt had been unwarranted. It felt like having a typical lunch with family, enjoyable and relaxing.

I was glad I’d agreed to come

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