Page 56 (1/2)

“Just taking it all in,” she admitted

“We’re soethers?”

McKenzie laughed “Not even close”

“How so?”

“I won’t bore you with my childhood woes”

“Nothing about you would bore me, McKenzie I want to know more about you”

She started to ask ould be the point, but so, warlass of tea, took a sip, then whispered, “I’ll tell you some other time”

That see Everyone, men and women, helped clear the table The kids had eaten at a couple of card tables set up in the kitchen and they too cleared their spots without proether so cohesively

The e family room while the women put away leftovers and loaded the dishwasher All except Lance He seemed reluctant to leave McKenzie

“I’ll be fine I’m sure they won’t bite”

He still looked hesitant

“Seriously, what’s the worst that could happen?”

What indeed? Lance wondered He had rarely brought women home and never to a Christ hi her home to Christmas with the family He’d tried to explain that he and McKenzie had been coworkers and friends for years, but the more he’d talked, the more he reminded them that he’d already met and lost “the one,” the more they’d smiled By the time McKenzie arrived, he’d been half-afraid his fa

He didn’t think she’d appreciate any implication that they were more than just a casual couple

They weren’t Just a hot and heavy two-o nowhere because McKenzie didn’t do long-term commitment and his seventeen-year-old self had vowed to always love Shelby, for his heart to always be loyal to her memory