Page 53 of Keg's Revelation

“What did you and Reed do for your sleepover? Did you make popcorn and hot chocolate and watch movies like we do?”

I looked at Gran and Gramps, and they were trying to cover up their grins. Reed snorted, and Ry shook his head. I’d hadthetalk with Ry, so it wasn’t a stretch to think he knew what his mom and dad were up to. I wasn’t bringing it up, but his no big deal attitude about Reed and me came as a surprise.

“Yep, and we watched a scary movie,” I lied, then glared as Reed snorted again.

Reagan’s nose crinkled. “I don’t like scary movies,” she said and moved closer to the trailer where the last of the tie off straps were being undone.

“I think it’s bothering you more than them. They’re fine, Raven. Stop worrying,” Gramps whispered as he stepped up beside me.

“Is what I think under that cover?” Gran asked in a low voice.

“Yes,” I said and sighed, and Gran wrapped her arm around my waist and squeezed my side.

Reed grabbed one edge of the tarp. “Normally, you fold these things as you go, so they aren’t a pain in the ass when it’s put back on. Today’s an exception.” Reed yanked on the tarp and the dirt bike came into view.

Ry’s eyes widened, but that was the only movement from him as he stood there staring at the bike. We all waited for him to find his voice.

“Is it mine?” he asked and turned to Reed.

“It’s an early birthday present,” Reed finished. Ry moved to Reed and hugged his waist. It was the first time Ry had initiated any physical contact with Reed.

It took Reed a second to get his voice back when they broke apart. “Got rules I expect followed, or you can kiss that bike goodbye, hear me?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then let’s get this thing unloaded and get started.”

Ry whooped, then he and Reed worked getting the bike off the trailer.

“So, can I have a dog now?”

I put my arm on Reagan’s shoulder. “It will be the first thing we do after we get into our own place, okay?”

“Okay, but I get to pick it out.”

“You got it, sweetie.”

“Ry’s gotten that down,” Gran said, looking out the window as she stood beside me at the sink where I was washing the dishes from the early Sunday meal. When Gran heard Reed mention earlier in the week he wouldn’t be able to stay as long Sunday, she switched the big meal to a late lunch and said we could pick on leftovers that night if we got hungry. Gramps had given Gran a look, and she started going on about Reed needing to eat, too.

“Ry has done good on the bike. But it’s been the longest week of my life. Those first few days were rough on me to watch him.”

“I know, sweetie. You did good. I went past a window the other day and glanced out in time to see the bike shoot forward right out from under Ry. I thought for sure with how hard he hit the ground he’d broken his tailbone,” Gran said, and I nodded in agreement.

The week had seemed long in one aspect and short in another. Alone time for Reed and I would fly by. I wanted more, but Ry came first. Watching Ry learn to ride the dirt bike, stripped my nerves raw. I didn’t want to be that mom, so I stayed inside and watched from the windows.

Reed had been patient with Ry as he instructed him. Ry listened to everything Reed said with admiration for him. If I’d been worried about the acceptance for one another, it went away with watching them interact. After Reed would leave and head home, Ry would talk about him. Reed said this. Reed said I had to do that. I was getting to witness their father/son bond grow.

“Reed’s good with Ry. He’s also good with Reagan.”

It was close to the time Reed said he had to leave. Ry stopped the bike and swapped places with Reed. After Reed straddled the bike, Reagan climbed on in front of him, and I smiled watching Ry place his helmet on her head, then tap the top.

Reed always gave her a ride around the property after Ry’s lesson was over. Gran was right, he was good with her.

“He always includes her. It doesn’t matter what he and Ry are doing,” I said because Reed had been doing it from the beginning with Reagan when he didn’t have to. She wasn’t his responsibility.

Reed pulled up to the back porch and helped Reagan off the bike. A smile stretched across her face as she looked at Reed.

I went to the back door as Reed started for the stairs while Ry began rolling the bike around the side of the house. Reagan followed Ry carrying his helmet.

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