Page 53 of Forever Enough

“You both are amazing parents, and thank you for always letting us follow our dreams and being there for us. I don’t know what I would do if I ever lost any of you.” I said this as I looked at not only my parents, but also Avery.

Avery blinked rapidly as my mother wiped a tear away. Dad’s eyes were filled with tears, and when he went to speak, nothing came out. He cleared his throat and tried again.

“The only thing your mother and I have ever wanted was for the two of you to be happy. You’re both the greatest gifts that we’ve ever received, and not a day goes by that I don’t thank God for each of you, your mother included.”

Avery walked over to my father and fell against him when he opened his arms to her.

“My goodness, what is this all about?” Mom asked, reaching for a napkin and blowing her nose.

I shrugged. “I think I’ve realized that when I feel things about something, or for someone, I want to tell them. I think about Granddad and how short life is. We’re not guaranteed anything, and I think when something good is placed in our life, we should celebrate it.”

Dad lifted his mug. “I couldn’t have said it better, son.”

We all clinked mugs. As I took a drink of mine, Avery set hers down.

“So! You and Mackenzie? Can I just say I’m loving this? Tell us everything about yesterday!”

I laughed. “Well, we spent pretty much the entire day together and talked a lot. I feel like I’ve known her forever, and I want to spend every moment I can with her.”

“How does she feel about you being gone as much as you will be?” Avery asked.

“Well,” I said on an exhale, as I looked at both of my parents, then back to my sister. My sister opened that door, so I knew it was time to tell them. “I’ve been thinking of leaving the PBR and coming back home to Hamilton to work on the ranch with Dad. I’ve been feeling that way the last several months, maybe longer.”

Avery’s eyes went wide. “Are you serious?”

I nodded. “I feel like I’ve been gone for too long. I’m missing out on everything that’s important to me.”

“But…” Avery glanced around the table. “You’ve always wanted to ride in the PBR. You pressured Mom and Dad for years to go professional. Is it because of Mackenzie? You hardly know her enough to make that kind of decision, Bradly.”

Laughing, I held up my hands. “Avery, take a breath, will you?”

Mom reached for Avery’s hand. “Your brother had already talked to me and your father, as well as Lewis, about leaving the PBR. Well before he met Mackenzie. We told him to take this time over the holidays to really think long and hard about it. That’s why he’s been home for as long as he has. That, and to heal up from that rib injury.”

Avery’s mouth fell open. “You’re actually coming home?”

“I think so. I mean, I already knew it was what I wanted, seeing all my cousins getting married, all the new babies…but then I met Mackenzie, and it was like fate. That pretty much sealed the deal, regardless of the fact that I just met her. It’s just another reason for me to be here. I’d like to settle down someday, maybe get married and have kids of my own.”

Mom blew her nose again while Dad put his arm around her shoulders.

“Whatever you decide to do, Bradly, no matter how old you get, we’ll always support you,” Dad said with a smile and head nod.

“Absolutely!” Avery added.

“I believe in fate, and I think you were meant to walk into that barn on Christmas night,” Mom said. “Just like I believe Mackenzie was destined to move to Montana.”

I let out a slow breath. “I do too. And the fact that she’s willing to meet the entire gang tomorrow says something else about her. She’s brave.”

Everyone laughed.

Avery cleared her throat. “The bigger question here is—does she know it’ll be family game night?”

I groaned. “No, not family game night. Why does our family do this?”

“It’s a test,” Dad stated. “If they can survive family game night, then they can handle the family. Well, the Shaw family, anyway. The Littlewoods are normal.”

Mom huffed. “Says the man who came up with tomorrow’s game.”

“Oh, no, Dad, what’s the game?” Avery asked. “I really, really like Mackenzie, and it’s funny watching Bradly fall all over himself for a woman. Plus, Lou said she’s a huge asset to the farm. I want to talk to her about growing some flowers.”