The McKinneys must know everyone, have contacts everywhere. Hannah couldn’t believe what they’d pulled together in such a short time. Word had spread beyond anything she could have imagined. To their family, which was enormous, and friends, including the kids’ schools. She knew her students had all done the same, but she never expected this. And not just them, her brothers too.
A tempting smoke billowed into the air from the grill where Zach and three of his fellow firefighters were serving up hamburgers. Two of the McKinney men did the same with hot dogs.
The horses were spiffy, Hazel especially, as she’d let Gracie, Lola, and Allie have their way with making her beautiful. She wasn’t sure the other horses appreciated their froufrou appearance, but Hazel seemed pleased with hers, even the ribbons and beads adorning her mane. A line of children stood waiting for a ride.
The city may have taken their stand, but there were more than a hundred people taking theirs today. Standing with her. Playing horseshoes and Cornhole, and eating funnel cake.
Hannah stood between Luke and Nick as the news van drove away. “I’m so glad that’s over.” She thought it had gone well, even if it was seriously nerve-racking.
“Looks like Whiney’s not getting her share of attention,” Luke teased, standing beside her.
“Her name’s Winnie, moron.” The horse stood at the fence by the nearest turnout pasture tossing her pretty head for her adoring fans. “Did you see the sketch Stephen made?” Everyone had stopped and studied the amazing design he’d given her last night. Some offered to make donations, but that’s not what this was about. It was about convincing the city to let her keep it, to abide by the wishes of an elderly couple even if they hadn’t followed the legally recognized course.
“Yep. Very nice,” Luke said.
Nick grunted. “Maybe.”
She glared at him.
“Fine. He’s not all bad.”
She smiled, knowing that admission had to burn his tongue. “You know, you two are a lot alike. You could be friends.”
“Don’t make me ill.”
Luke smirked, took a drink of the soda in his hand. “He’s just moody because the good doctor’s walking around in tight shorts.”
Hannah followed the men’s gaze to Mia, who was currently working a face-painting station with Abby and Lizzy.
“You going to talk to her or just shoot daggers across the grass?” Luke went on. “If you want her, why aren’t you doing something about it?”
Hannah had noticed her brother watching Mia. Wondered if they’d talked, if maybe Nick was thinking about taking her advice and making things right.
Nick’s gaze never wavered. “I don’t need your input.”
“Oh, I think you do. Unless you want to stand here looking like a damn stalker.”
“Shut the hell up,” Nick said, and headed off in the opposite direction.
“Maybe you shouldn’t give him such a rough time,” she said.
Luke made a sound under his breath. “And why the hell not?”
“Because…” She’d started to say because she was afraid it was her fault they’d broken up in the first place. But the cycle of blame had to stop somewhere. “Never mind.”
“Here comes the object of your affection now.” Luke pointed at Stephen, ambling across the clearing, a little girl on each arm.
“Hey.” Stephen gave her a sheepish smile.
She smiled back. “Looks like you’ve got your hands full.”
“We do,” Lola answered, assuming Hannah was speaking to her, which made them all laugh.
“He’s our chariot,” Allie added.
She tried to fake disappointment, when really she couldn’t have been more proud.
Lola looked between them. “Is she still not your girlfriend?”
Hannah flicked a quick glance at Stephen, avoiding her brother’s eyes.
“She is his girlfriend,” Allie said. “As long as he doesn’t kiss anyone else.”
Stephen’s eyes met hers. “Definitely not kissing anyone else.” To emphasize that, he bent and planted a kiss on her lips right there in front of everyone. Her stomach did a little flip. So much had changed since that day at the boardwalk. But she read, she watched TV. A man wanting a woman, even needing, didn’t equal happily-ever-after love. She really needed to talk to Mia.
“Okay, gorgeous ladies. Where to?”
“Games!” they both said at once.
—
The day was winding down and Stephen looked around amazed at the way his family had come together for Hannah. He owed them. But then again he didn’t, because that’s what family did.
Everything had gone well other than the several hours he’d been forced to spend with her brothers. At least his own brothers had been there in case it became the Montagues versus the Capulets—which it almost did during a cutthroat game of horseshoes. Though his own brothers seemed to get along annoyingly well with all the Walkers. Screw it. He only cared about one Walker.
Was there anything sweeter than waking up with Hannah? Her soft-as-silk body cuddled against his?
Stephen looked up, surprised to see Mia walking purposefully toward him.
“Hi,” she said when she got within a few feet. “I wanted to talk to you before I left.”
Hannah had introduced her as a friend, but she’d also told him she saw her professionally. Another bit of insight into Hannah’s past.