Forever After All

“Hey, beautiful. You ready? This is your last day, just a few hours, right?”

“I feel sick,” she confesses. “And yes, today is the final day.”

“Hey, now, none of that. You know this information. Your gramps has quizzed you. You’ve aced all of the practice tests. You’re going to ace it. I know it.” I wish I was there to hold her, to look into her eyes, and will her to believe me. I want to be the one to help calm her fears.

“I just want to pass.” She laughs. “I don’t care about acing it. Well, I mean, that would be nice, but I just want to pass. I want to start the next chapter in my life. The next six to twelve weeks is going to be torture just waiting in limbo.”

“You’re going to start helping out at the firm, though, right?”

“Yeah, but I can’t do anything. I can do research and type briefs, etc., but I can’t practice law. I busted my ass in high school to get a college degree at the same time as a high school diploma, then the rest of the undergrad and law school I did, the same to be where I am. I’m just ready to put this dream of mine to work.” She chuckles.

“McKenna, you’ve got this. Go do your thing. Be amazing, then relax. I have a surprise for you, but you don’t get it until after the test. Laramie will give you all of the details.”

“What did you do?”

“You’ll see. Go kick ass, baby. Call me after?”

“Yeah. I will. Thanks for calling. You actually helped calm my nerves.”

“Good. I’ll talk to you soon.” Quickly, I pull the phone from my ear and end the call. I would sit here and listen to her voice all day long, but we both know today is not that day. She’s going to go pass this test, and in six to twelve weeks, all of her hard work and dedication will have been worth it. And when she comes home to me, McKenna Dawson is who I want. When I think about my future, it’s always been McKenna standing next to me. Now all I have to do is make that happen.

Standing, I slide my phone into my pocket. I’m too distracted to get any actual office work done. No, today is definitely a day to be spent doing manual labor. I won’t be able to think straight until I hear from her. From the way my stomach is churning, you would think that I’m the one taking the test. I had this same feeling the day she left for college. If that’s not a telltale sign that we’re meant to be, I don’t know what is.

“Hey, boss,” Cliff, one of our farmhands, greets me. “What are you doing out here?”

“Couldn’t focus.”

“Thought getting your hands dirty might help?” he teases. Cliff and I went to school together. He’s one of my oldest friends, and he knows me too well.

“Something like that,” I reply vaguely.

“Well, I’m ready to ride out and check the fence. You want to ride along?”

“Definitely.” Together we load up the tools into the back of the UTV, double-checking we have what we need before riding out and checking the fence. We have cattle that we raise and sell, as well as horses that we breed here at Callahan Farm. Grandpa started the farm with just cattle. When my parents got married, Dad expanded to breeding horses too. The two together have made the family farm lucrative. It’s provided for my family for years, and it will do the same for my family, and hopefully the next generation too.

I hope that my kids, at least one of them, one day want to take over. If not, well, it was good while it lasted. I would never force them or make them feel guilty for following their dreams. I won’t shame them for not wanting the family business, but I hope that they do—at least one of them. I laugh out loud when I realize the conversation I’ve been having in my mind. When have I ever daydreamed about kids and the next generation of Callahan?

Since McKenna came home.

The answer is easy and enlightening at the same time. Those kids I’m thinking about, she’s their momma. I just need to get her on board with this elaborate plan I have in my head. Easy-peasy, right?

“What’s so funny?” Cliff asks.

“Nothing. Just thinking. Up ahead.” I point to a spot in the fence that needs to be mended. “These damn cows are rowdy fuckers,” I say, shaking my head.

“Always looking for an escape,” Cliff agrees.

We work side by side for the next few hours. We talk about what’s on the agenda for the coming weeks, and McKenna is never far from my mind. I know today is a short day for her, and it’s finally over. After two and a half long days of testing, she’s finally done and gets a break, which is why I planned my surprise for her. I get to spoil her and my little sister at the same time. It’s a win-win situation for me. I might have told Laramie that I didn’t need her help where McKenna is concerned, but it doesn’t hurt to butter her up a little just in case. Not that I need to. My sister wants to see us be together almost as much as I do. Almost.