Page 85 of From the Start
“Welp. We know where Harper got her grump from,” Zane mutters before wandering away.
“Being grumpy isn’t hereditary,” she hollers after him but he ignores her.
“I was promised potato salad and a burger,” Henry says and I bark out a laugh.
We make our way to the tables and chairs where the rest of the family is gathered. Pearl notices me and rushes my way.
“Uncle Kai!”
I pick her up and throw her in the air. She giggles, and Harper’s eyes soften.
Pearl points at Henry. “Who is he? Why is he in a chair?”
I set her on her feet and Harper takes her hand. “This is my dad, Henry. Dad, this is Pearl. She belongs to Rhett and Dakota.”
“Why are you in a chair? Can’t you walk?”
Dakota gasps and rushes over. “We don’t ask those sorts of questions.”
Pearl’s nose wrinkles. “Why not?”
When Dakota appears to be at a loss, Harper steps in. “Because sometimes the reason why someone is in a chair or can’t walk is very sad and makes them sad.”
Pearl’s bottom lip trembles. “I don’t want to make anyone sad.”
Harper squeezes her hand. “It’s okay. You didn’t make my dad sad. He’s a grump. He doesn’t get sad.”
“I’m not the only grump,” Henry grumbles and Harper glares at him. “What? Kai’s brother said it. Not me.”
“Dad, don’t make me throw you down the porch stairs.”
I chuckle and Harper switches her glare to me. I lift my hands. “Sorry.”
“Do you want a ride in the wheelchair?” I ask Pearl.
Her eyes light with excitement. “Can I?”
I situate Henry in a chair at the head of the table before wheeling the chair toward Pearl. “Hop on.”
Rhett stands. “Out of my way. You are not pushing my daughter around in a wheelchair.”
Pearl tugs on his jeans. “Don’t be a grump, Daddy.”
“Do you remember the time he pushed you around the house in my office chair? You had to get stitches.”
“It was one stitch. One,” I argue but I move out of the way so he can give Pearl a ride with Henry’s wheelchair.
I grab two plates and fill them with food. I tuck two beers under my arm before nudging Harper. “Come with me.”
“Where are we going?” she asks but she doesn’t hesitate to follow me.
“There.” I nod toward a set of Adirondack chairs at the end of the yard.
She sits and I hand her the plate of food and a beer before settling in the chair next to her.
“Wow. The view of the ocean is amazing from here.”
“It’s the reason Mom wanted to build on this land.”
