Page 76 of Saving Her Heart
"We're not the same us, though."
"No. We're better. Older, hopefully wiser."
"Definitely more stubborn."
"That, too." He's quiet for a moment. "What do you want, Kendall? Not today or tomorrow, but long-term. What's your goal in life?"
I think about it. "I want to rebuild Building 3 better than before. I want to help Mrs. Parsons and other residents of her age with dignity. I want to make Hibiscus Harbor a place where people take care of each other."
"That's work. What about life?"
"Work is my life."
"It doesn't have to be."
"Says the man who's been at the station for fourteen hours straight multiple times this week."
"Fair point." He shifts to face me fully. "Okay, let me try again. Where do you see yourself in five years?"
"Where do you see yourself?"
"Nice try, Kendall. I asked first."
"I asked second."
He sighs. "Fine. Five years? I want to make detective. I want to help train new officers to be better than just by-the-book. I want to matter to this community."
"You already matter to this community."
"I want to matter more. And..." He pauses. "I want to get married, buy a house, get a dog, and have a family."
My heart stops. "Family?"
"Kids. Maybe two or three. A big dog. Soccer practice every night and science fairs on the weekends. All of it."
"You've thought about this."
"Haven't you?"
I have, but it's been abstract. Someday dreams that never had faces or names. "I'm scared I'd be terrible at all of it. My own parents were disasters. I didn’t have suitable role models."
"Your grandmother was an excellent role model."
"Yes, but?—"
"Buts. You practically raised yourself, and you turned out incredible. Imagine what you could do with an actual chance to be a mom." He takes my hand. "You take care of everyone, Kendall. You'd be amazing at taking care of your own kids."
"Our kids," I correct quietly.
"Our kids," he agrees, and the smile on his face could power the whole town.
"But not yet," I add quickly, pointing at him. "There's too much happening. The rebuilding, the trial?—"
"Of course, not yet. But someday?"
"Someday."
We sit in comfortable silence for a moment before he speaks again. "We should probably talk about the trial."
