Shameless(89)

What the?

This is so strange. “Tor, seriously. Why is Dad being so formal?” I whisper.

She winks at me and motions for me to pay attention.

My dad shifts uncomfortably, and I’m afraid he’s gonna tell us he lost his job or has cancer. Mentally, I start calculating how much money I have in the bank to pay their rent.

“Margie and I are so grateful to have Katherine home with us.” Everyone turns to stare at me again, and I give an awkward wave. “In a few hours, it’ll be a new year, and we wanted to kick it off with something good.”

He pulls out a big black bag and motions toward me. “I’m sure everyone knows that my daughter is an incredibly talented public relations and marketing… type person.”

Poor Daddy. I smile. He’s trying so hard.

He clears his throat. “But did you know she’s also very talented with perfumes and making bath soaps and lotions? What do they call that oil stuff, Margie?”

“Essential oils.”

“Yes, essential oils. Katherine is real good with essential oils.”

Where the hell is he going with this?

Dad slowly unzips the bag. “In fact, she made all of these products.” He pulls out some soap and lotion and bath gel.

From the farm.

My mouth drops open, but I can’t speak.

He gives me a little smirk. “And I have enough for everyone to take home some of these beautiful… productos. It’s a belated Christmas gift from a family friend.”

“Dad, where did”—I swallow hard—“where did you get that?”

The chair next to me scrapes the floor and a familiar deep voice rumbles in my ear, “From me.”

Chills break out on my arms, and I close my eyes.

You know that feeling you get when you’re at the top of a rollercoaster, about to take the plunge? That moment where you’re not sure you’ll survive if you move forward but certain you can’t go back?

My heart is in my throat when I turn and see those black jeans.

I look up until I reach those intense green eyes and Brady’s beautiful face. Izzy grins in his arms, and I launch out of my seat and into their embrace.

My family is aww-ing and ooh-ing and clapping behind me. I ignore them and bury my face in Brady’s neck.

He’s here.

Blinking back the heat in my eyes, I kiss Izzy, who claps and squeals.

“Missed you guys,” I sniffle.

One of my aunts reaches for the baby, and the moment both of his arms are free, Brady lifts me into another hug.

“What are you doing here?” I whisper as I fight back the tears.

His hand sweeps through my hair, and he says the sweetest words I’ve ever heard. “Had to come get my girl.”

As he sets me down on the floor, all of the reasons we couldn’t be together come rushing back to me. “Aren’t you leaving?” I ask, my voice wobbly with emotion. “Aren’t you selling the farm? What about your family?”

For a moment, all I see is him. The sounds of my family fade in the background as he cradles my face in his calloused hand.

“I can’t go, Kat. Not with you here. Because you’re my family now too.”

My knees go weak and I grip his shoulders. He smiles, dimple and all. “I love you, Kat. I love you so damn much, I can’t breathe without you. I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. Hell, I can barely function. When you’re with me, I love the farm and all the broken things I have to fix and those scary-ass chickens and that ridiculous raccoon.”

A ripple of laughter sounds around us, but I’m riveted by the look in his eyes. He shrugs. “I don’t have answers. I don’t know how I’m going to help my parents or save the farm. Trust me when I say nothing makes sense in my life. Nothing but you. So no, I’m not leaving, not if you’ll have me. And maybe you can help me figure out a way to keep the house for Izzy.”

Tears are streaming down my face when my sister yells, “Would you kiss him already before he changes his mind?”

Everyone laughs, and I lean up on my toes and wrap my arms around his neck. “I love you too, Brady. But I kinda think I have for a while.”

“Thank God.” He chuckles, looking relieved. He brushes my hair out of my face and leans closer to rub his nose against mine. “What do you say? Wanna help me make a go of it on the farm?”

I fight a smile. “Only if you promise me one thing.”

“Whatever you want.”

“You gotta give Texas football a chance.”

He rolls his eyes with a laugh and nods. “Well, if my parents disown me, we know you’re to blame.”

And then he kisses me while my family hoots and hollers around us.





60





Katherine





The next afternoon, I bounce Izzy in my arms as we hug my family goodbye and load up Brady’s truck. As it turns out, my sneaky parents hid Brady and the baby in their bedroom for an hour last night so they could surprise me.

Once we’re on the road, I let out a big breath. While I’ve enjoyed seeing my family and introducing Brady to everyone, I’m really glad to finally be alone with him. After dinner and fireworks last night, he and Izzy slept in Tori’s room, and my sister bunked with me. And then we had another big family breakfast this morning, so we really haven’t had more than a few minutes alone since he arrived last night.