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Kenna nodded, obviously touched. “The more the better. If it’s too much, I can distribute some to the elementary and middle school.”
Cyn nodded. “Great idea. So we’re talking snacks, fresh fruit... Anything else?”
“Cereal. I pick up an extra box every week for one of my kids. Sometimes she doesn’t get breakfast or dinner. Lunch is provided free to her at school. This way I know she’s got something to eat at home for several days. It’s not ideal, but it’s something.”
Cyn sighed. “I’ll start spreading the word right away. I’m opening a shop in Blackrock Falls, too. I can do the same there and talk to the principal of their school about a food pantry, too.”
“That’s above and beyond.” Kenna choked up. “Thank you. I keep thinking about how I lost my brother, but this morning I have a whole family willing to help with something that means so much to me. I’m so appreciative and humbled by you all showing up this morning.”
“Get used to it.” Max handed Lana off to Cyn, then kissed Kenna like he might never kiss her again.
The room went quiet.
He didn’t care that all eyes were on them. He ended the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers. “I love you.” He wanted her to hear it, for his family to know it.
“I love you, too.”
Max surveyed his family. They were all smiling at him, barely containing their joy. “So I love her. She loves me. What of it?” He didn’t know why he suddenly felt embarrassed.
“We’re just happy for you,” his dad said for all of them.
“Okay, well, great. I need to get to work.” But first, he took Cyn’s and Shelby’s hands. “Thank you both for accepting her with open arms and helping her with her kids. They mean everything to her.”
“No child should go hungry,” Cyn said.
“Not when we can buy a few extra groceries and ask those around us for help.” Shelby kissed his cheek. “I’m off to work, too.”
Shelby, Hunt, and Cyn said goodbye, then Hunt and Cyn helped Shelby take the kids out to her car so Shelby could drop them at day care while she worked. She’d pick them up at the end of her workday and take care of Lana for Cyn and Hunt while they were on their honeymoon.
Chase, Remmy, his dad, Kenna, and him remained in the kitchen.
Max looked to his dad, who sat at the table, an amused and content look on his face. “You good, old man? Want some more coffee?”
He held up his mug. “I’m good. This is perfect,” he said, meaning having them all here this morning. “I just wish your mom was here to see how this family has grown and how happy her sons are now.”
“She knows,” Chase said. “But she always liked Kenna and thought she’d be the first to join us. Nowthat it’s happening, I think she’s smiling down on Max, happy to see he finally got her back.”
“No one is happier than me about that,” Kenna said, smiling at all of them as she refilled her mug.
Max grabbed his jacket off the hook by the back door. “Let’s get to it,” he said to Chase. Their dad would join them when he was good and ready, because he and Chase had taken over the bulk of the work on the ranch and managing the crew who worked here.
He couldn’t wait to get through this day and be back with her.
Halfway across the yard to the barn, Chase stopped and turned to him. “She’s going to be okay. The women in our lives are tough. Look what Shelby and Cyn went through and survived. Kenna is a lot like them.”
“I nearly lost her twice. I know she’s okay, but now every second I’m away from her, I worry.”
Chase squeezed his shoulder. “I know exactly how you feel. It gets better. That hyperaware thing you’ve got going will dissipate as you two settle in here together and start living some ordinary days.”
“I’m looking forward to that.” No matter what, he knew that whatever came at him and Kenna next, they could handle it, beat it, and live the life they wanted together.
Chapter Thirty-One
Max woke Kenna with a soft kiss on her cheek. He loved seeing her in his bed. He spent every free moment with her, soaking up the feeling that he was living the life he wanted with the woman he loved.
He wanted to say the difficult times were behind them, but he knew better. Now, though, they’d face them together, head-on, by each other’s sides.
They spent last evening together on the couch binge-watching a comedy series, though Kenna had to hold back some of the laughter due to her injury and cracked ribs. Still, it lightened her mood and brought them closer together.
