Page 98 of Kane's Awakening
I looked at the man and was a bit taken aback by his appearance: tall with short black hair, a short graying beard, and wearing a plaid shirt and blue jeans. The man was pure country. He even had chewing tobacco in his mouth, which he proceeded to spit some in the bottle he held.
“Hello, sir,” I greeted, sticking out my hand. Kane snorted beside me, and I shot him a peeved look. “I’m Ryker, Kane’s boyfriend. You must be Scott.”
“Mhm,” was all he said, scrutinizing me.
“Dad!” Kane stepped forward and bopped him on the arm. “Leave him alone.”
Scott cracked a smile and looked at me again, but with a warmer expression. “It’s great to meet ya. You’re the first man he’s ever brought around, so I wanted to be like other dads meeting the boyfriend for the first time and scare ya a smidge.”
It worked.
Once the initial meeting passed, my stress trickled away, and I found myself not only enjoying my time with Kane, but with his family as well. Dinner wasn’t ready yet, so we moved to the living room where we sat and chatted.
Scott sat beside Tracy on the bigger couch, while Kane and I shared the loveseat.
They were amazing people, and it was clear where Kane got his caring nature from. His mother’s kind heart reflected in her eyes as she spoke about Kane as a child and how proud she was of the man he’d become. Then when her focus turned to me, her friendliness was genuine and her interest in my life was honest.
Talking to Scott showed me exactly where Kane got his humor. The man constantly cracked jokes and poked harmless fun at everyone.
Kane hadn’t told them about my children, though.
During Tracy’s questioning, she asked, “Have you ever thought about starting a family? I keep telling Kane that there are so many children in foster care that need good, loving homes.”
Kane raised his brows and grimaced at me before mouthing, “Sorry.”
I cleared my throat and looked at her. “Um, I love kids… and I have twins. A girl and a boy. They’re eight and will be nine in September.”
Tracy gaped before shooting Kane a glare. “Well, our son failed to mention that.” Just as I was on the verge of inwardly panicking, she smiled. “I think that’s wonderful. Where’s the mother? Or are they adopted?”
So, I explained my relationship with Anna, about how I’d known her since we were kids and how her family had taken me in when mine became unbearable.
“We dated for a while, but there was a point when I couldn’t lie to myself anymore, and we broke up. We still have a great relationship,” I further explained. “And Brian, her husband, is accepting of our sort of unconventional family and he understands that she and I are a part of each other’s lives and always will be. He’s become a good friend of mine over the years.”
Tracy beamed. “I’ve always wanted grandchildren.”
“Ma!” Kane groaned and covered his face with his hands. “Rye and I’ve only been together for two months.”
“So? It only took a month for me to know I loved your father,” she retorted, putting a hand on Scott’s knee. “Love happens when we least expect it. It can take a year, a month, or even a day. There’s not a required time limit for love.”
“Will you stop saying love?” Kane said, giving her an incredulous look before flashing his green-eyed gaze to me. “I knew they were going to embarrass me.”
I moved my hand to his back and rubbed in small circles. We shared a smile before he looked back at his parents. My eyes stayed on him. How he visibly changed before me. Became happier. Even shy.
“I haven’t even met his kids yet,” he said. “So sorry, Ma, but it’s gonna be a while for the grandkids thing.”
I was worried that he didn’t want to meet the twins, but his use of the wordyetgave me hope.
The timer on the oven beeped, and Tracy stood to go check it. She called from the kitchen about a minute later that the food was done and told us to go sit at the table.
Plates on red and white checkered place mats marked each seat, with silverware and a napkin beside each one. Kane sat in a seat by the window, and I took the empty chair next to him, resting my hand on his leg.
Once the food was placed on the table and Scott and Tracy sat down, Scott said, “All right, let’s bow our heads so I can say grace.”
Kane stiffened beside me and his hand gave mine a reassuring squeeze. His eyes met mine, and I nodded to let him know it was fine. As Scott started talking, I moved my gaze downward.
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the food we’re about to eat. Thank you for bringing our son to us on this day and for helping him find Ryker. We are blessed to have them in our home and at our table. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
Tracy and Kane echoed with an “amen”and raised their heads.
