Page 197 of Contentious

“He really does,” Spencer said with a guffaw. “I play with him anyway, but only because I have to, as he’s my grandson and all that.”

“Haha,” Carson said as Cresley giggled in the passenger seat. “You’d be very sad if I quit our weekly game and stopped bringing you milkshakes from In-N-Out.”

“I love In-N-Out, but Mom says I can only have it once in a while.”

“Your mom is very wise, and you should listen to her, but if you wanted to come with Carson on Wednesdays, I could make him get some In-N-Out for you, too. But don’t tell your mom.”

“I can hear you, Spencer Remington.”

“Ma’am? What did you say? I’m a little deaf, so you need to speak up.”

“He’s not at all deaf, so don’t let him fool you,” Carson said.

Ty’s laughter had become one of Carson’s favorite things. “If Carson is my dad now, what does that make you?”

Cresley gave Carson’s hand a squeeze as he tried to control his emotional reaction to the sweet, innocent question. His emotions had been ramped up to the highest setting since he nearly died, making him feel more alive than ever.

“Your great-grandfather, which makes me sound really old.”

“But aren’t you…”

“Don’t you dare say it.”

Ty laughed again. “Isn’t ninety-four kinda old?”

“I’m ninety-three for a little while longer, so watch your mouth, smarty-pants.”

Spencer hadn’t lost his touch with kids, Carson thought as he listened to the two of them go from strangers to best pals in the span of two hours in the car. He was so delighted by them that he hadn’t taken the time to feel nervous or uneasy about a big family get-together with his recently reconciled parents.

Several of his siblings had told him that his two recent brushes with death had been a reminder that life was short and it might be time to mend some of the broken fences in their family. Not that anyone was prepared to completely forgive and forget, but as far as Carson knew, they were all coming to Santa Barbara for the day, even Roman, who’d been home in LA for the weekend.

“What should I expect at this family thing?” Spencer asked.

“I believe my mother promised food and swimming.”

“Do you swim, Grandpa Spencer?” Ty asked.

“I haven’t in a while.”

“I could remind you of how to do it if you want.”

“I may take you up on that. It’s been a minute since I went swimming.”

“I’ll help you.”

“This is a very fine young man you’ve chosen for a son, Carson.”

“I think so, too, Gramps,” Carson said with a smile in the mirror.

“I’ve never really had a dad before, and Carson’s pretty cool. He’s teaching me to surf. So far, we’ve just been practicing in the yard on the same board he learned on, but as soon as he’s feeling all better, we’ll go to the beach, and I’ll get to wear my new wet suit.”

“He’s a very good surfer. I’m sure you’ll be riding the waves in no time.”

“I can’t wait for that.”

They arrived at Kate’s house to see a driveway and street full of familiar cars.

“Looks like the band’s all here,” Spencer said.