Page 210 of Heartbeats & Highways

“Sure.”

I set the timer and turned to give Iris my full attention. “What about Fern?”

She looked over her shoulder toward the front door. “She—ah—didn’t pass.”

“I see,” I said, my brow furrowing.

“Dad’s talking to her now, but I think she could use some cheering up. Or at least a brownie sundae.”

“Ooh, that sounds delicious,” I murmured.

Rapid footsteps pounded on the stairs and my youngest appeared. Twelve years old and not only the spitting image ofSavage, but had his father’sask-for-forgiveness-not permissionmotto stamped into his DNA.

“Hey, Iris,” Wylder greeted. “Did you get it?”

“Yep!”

“Awesome. You think Duke would let you take his Mustang for a drive?” Wylder queried.

“I don’t know,” Iris said. “Should we go ask?”

Wylder looked at me. “Mom, can we?”

I smiled, tamping down my worry. “Sure thing. Head across the property and ask him. You’ve got an hour before dinner. And no music while you drive. I want your eyes on the road. Promise me, Iris.”

“Promise. Let’s roll.” Iris looped her arm around her brother’s shoulders and the two of them headed for the front door.

Nerves blasted through my belly. You couldn’t stop children from growing up, but God, where did the time go?

Iris exchanged a few quick words with Savage and then I heard the heavy trudge of his motorcycle boots before he appeared, Fern trailing behind him. Her face was despondent.

“Hey,” I said.

“Hey.” Savage kissed me on the lips before wrapping his arm around me and hugging me into his side before letting go.

“Hey, kiddo,” I said to Fern.

Without a word, she flung herself at me and buried her face into my shoulder. I kissed her red hair and held her.

“I’m a loser,” she muttered.

“You’re not,” I said, shooting Savage a look. “I’m sure your father told you he’s proud of you.”

“But I failed.”

“Failing is okay.” I gently maneuvered her away from burrowing into my body, so she was forced to look at me. “You just need more practice.”

“I got nervous,” she admitted.

“And you accidentally went too fast?”

She bit her lip. “I accidentally went tooslow.”

I let out a laugh and Savage started laughing too.

Fern glared at me. “It’s not funny!”

“I’m sorry.” I hastily covered my mouth. “I’m not laughing at you. I swear. It just reminded me of the time when your father was teachingmehow to drive.”

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