“Do you girls all remember Sharon’s son, Max?” Mom continues, ignoring Mindi.
“Mom, the Millers have been our neighbors for nearly a decade,” Kendall says, emerging from the screen door.
Jameson’s attention moves to her, following her to where she collapses on a patio chair. If I didn’t know from years of watching my sister suffer from jetlag, you’d think she was nursing a hangover with the way she’s squinting into the clear blue sky and shading her scrunched face with a hand.
“It’s been a couple of years.” I can tell by Mom’s tone that our hospitality skills are severely lacking tonight. “His friends, Jameson and Landon, are here for the summer. Boys, this is my oldest daughter, Mindi, and her husband, Kyle, and their daughters, Jade and Emily.”
Mindi gives a halfhearted smile that even with her obvious effort looks like a grimace as she pops another sugar-laced marshmallow into her mouth. Kyle offers a smile and nods, as though silently apologizing for both Mindi and the formal introduction.
“Savannah is our second oldest, and her husband, Caulder…” Mom tries to locate where he is and perks up, pointing to him as he steps out from my dad’s work shed.
“Our middle daughter, Jenny, and her daughter, Lilly, weren’t able to make it tonight but I’m sure you’ll meet them soon. And, this is Kendall.”
Jameson’s eyes have barely left Kendall through the barrage of introductions.
“And our youngest, Ace, and her best friend Abby. And then of course Zeus,” she adds with a wave of her hand as Zeus rests his head against my thigh.
Abby steals a glance in my direction, her eyes growing bright.
“Who’s ready to eat?” Dad announces, loading the last of the grilled chicken onto a platter that’s already covered with several steaks.
My family gathers without further instruction, creating a short line where plates, napkins, and silverware have been stacked.
I carefully balance my plate and cup with Zeus trailing so close I can feel his cold, wet nose on the back of my calf with every other step I take.
I sit beside Kyle and Abby, catching the tail end of a joke I’m sure Kyle’s been dying to tell without Mindi around, since it’s rather crude. Their laughter draws attention that even Zeus seems to acknowledge as he releases a loud sigh and stretches, resting his large head on my feet.
“He sure looks happy to have you home.” Sharon smiles at me as she takes a seat beside my mom.
“There is no doubt he’s her dog,” Mom says, glancing down at Zeus.
“He’s a mammoth.” Jameson joins my mom and Sharon, followed by Max and Landon. “How much does he weigh?”
“About one seventy-five.” Jameson’s mouth drops at my response, making me laugh.
“The way Mr. Janes talked about being concerned with you running alone with your dog, I pictured a Chihuahua.” Jameson earns laughter from the table, which he soaks in with a grin as he glances to Kendall, checking her reaction. She’s engrossed with her cell phone and nursing a beer, making her hangover facade a little more condemning.
“He’s a gentle giant. Mr. Janes is probably right,” Kyle teases, leaning forward in his seat to ruffle Zeus’s fur.
“That is the most faithful dog ever. If any one of the girls were in trouble, he’d spring into action,” Dad says confidently as he sits across from Max.
“Dad, Savannah and I had already moved out by the time you guys got Zeus,” Mindi challenges.
“He still knows you’re family.”
“What do you think, boy? Would you bite Marshall if he ever got a little too creepy?” Kyle jokes, referring to a neighbor down the street.
“If?” Kendall cries, finally setting her phone down. “Have you seen him lately? He’s surpassed the too creepy mark.”
“Kendall!” Mom chastises, “He’s just shy … and a bit awkward…” As she continues, it’s apparent she’s not buying her own words. “Y’all should probably stay away from him, but I’m sure he’s…” She drifts off and my dad gives a few dramatized nods, making us all laugh.
“So, Max, you still like cars?” my dad asks casually as he begins salting his salad.
My attention drifts back to Max as I wait for his response.
“And motorcycles, too,” he confirms. I wait for him to say more, focusing on his voice. It’s warm and deep, masculine and rugged. I didn’t know a voice could sound rugged.
“You’ll have to come check out my old Chevelle. She’s turning out beautifully.”
“She’s orange, Dad.” Kendall’s tone is sarcastic, reflective of her distaste for the authentic color choice he made.
“Which is why she’s named Clementine.” Dad grins.
I love that old car. I’ve spent countless hours watching my dad create her from just the body, slowly adding parts and pieces until she became a working vehicle.
Abby knocks her knee against mine, drawing my attention. She raises an eyebrow then nods toward the patio table to question my interest that’s apparently not as inconspicuous as I’d hoped.
I quickly shake my head and work to move my focus to what she and Kyle were discussing. With some effort I engage in their conversation and avoid my curiosity as to what Max and my dad continue conferring about.
Shortly after eating, Max stands with his empty plate. “We’ve got to get going or we’ll be late,” he says so quietly that if I wasn’t turned around listening to Kendall and Jameson bantering with one another, I would’ve missed it.
“I’m sorry to eat and run, but we’re supposed to be meeting some people,” Max says to our parents.
“Don’t worry about the plates,” Mom says, waving her hand across the table. “It was so good to see you and Jameson, and to meet you, Landon! Sharon’s been so anxious to have you boys home this summer. Please feel free to stop by anytime.” Mom delivers an Oscar-worthy smile.
I feel relieved and strangely disappointed with their early departure.
Continue Reading Becoming His
About the Author
Mariah Dietz resides in North Carolina with her husband and three young boys who are the axis of her crazy and wonderful life.
Mariah grew up in tiny town outside of Portland, Oregon where she spent most of her time immersed in the pages of books that she both read and created.
She has a love for all things that include her sons, good coffee, books, traveling, and dark chocolate. She’s also obsessed with Christmas ornaments and all things Disney.
www.mariahdietz.com
[email protected]
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Acknowledgments
I love this book. I loved writing it. I loved experiencing it. These characters truly consumed me in the best way possible, and I adored going on some of these adventures to really round out Brooke’s blog and expereince this book.
Thank you so much to my husband, who listened to me talk endlessly about these characters and my fears and concerns that sprang out at the most inopportune times, which were generally around 2 a.m.
To my three Littles, who are my constant source of love and chaos.
A very special thank you to my dear friend Terri Peterson who loved Levi and Brooke from the very beginning, and forced me to continue writing their story—albeit not as quickly as she would have preferred. Ha!
To Amy Everetts, Louisa Brandenburger, Samantha Lloyd, Lisa Greenwood, Misty Duncan, Shelby Baker, Tammy Mabey Burton, Christina Bauer-Fleming, Jessica Locke, Vera Green, and Maija Padelford who read this book more than once and are all my special unicorns.
Hang Le for creating this amazing cover, and the army that is behind me, editing and polishing this book and fixing all my random and strange thoughts.
Thank you to every blogger and reader who read this early, and shared it. You guys are so so so amazing, and I truly can’t thank you enough!
And to every person who picks up this book, I want to sincerely thank you for reading Levi and Brooke’s story. It truly means the
world to me.
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