“Yes, she is.” Landon looked around his dad’s shoulder to make sure they were still alone. “When she was in high school, she gave up a daughter for adoption. The child has recently come back into her life.” He explained about what was happening with Stella and Kelly. “Amanda is going to step up for her, and I guess that means I will, too.”
“That’s a big deal. How do you feel about that?”
“If you had asked me a few months ago if I was ready to be a father figure to anyone, I would’ve laughed. But now there’s nothing funny about it, you know?”
“I do know.”
“Right,” Landon said, laughing. “Ten kids.”
“I’ve always said it takes a very special man to become a father to someone else’s child. I thought that with Gray and Simone, and now Lucas and Savvy. It’s a beautiful thing to open your heart to a child because you want to, not because you necessarily have to. Not that I ever felt like I had to with you kids, but I think you get my meaning.”
“I do. And from what I’ve seen and heard so far, Stella is a delightful kid. We’re going to Albany to meet her in person the weekend after the wedding.”
“It’s good that you’re going with Amanda for that.”
“I’d never want her to do that alone. She’s been so emotional since the fire. She says it’s because the brush with death surfaced all the crap from after she gave up Stella. She was just starting to deal with it when she got the letter from the adoption agency.”
“It’s a lot for anyone to cope with, especially when starting a new relationship.”
“Yeah, it is.”
“I wouldn’t be your dad if I didn’t tell you to look out for yourself in the midst of her emotional tsunami.”
“I am.”
Lincoln tipped his head and gave Landon a shrewd look. “You sure about that?”
“I’m trying.”
Linc nodded. “Don’t take your eye off that ball, son. I understand the desire to be there for her, especially with what she’s dealing with. But make sure she’s there for you, too.”
“I hear you.”
“Good, then my work here is finished.”
“Is your work ever actually finished?”
“No. Never.”
Landon laughed at the emphatic way his dad said that. “It’s your own fault for having ten kids.”
“Believe me, I tell myself that every day. All kidding aside, though, I’m here if you need me.”
Landon gave his dad a quick hug. “Thanks. I always know that.”
Amanda came hobbling into the mudroom. “There you are. I wondered where you went.”
“Sorry. I was borrowing my dad’s keys so I can teach you how to drive a stick. You ready for your first lesson?”
She clapped her hands with delight. “Sure.”
“Go easy on my clutch,” Linc said over his shoulder as he returned to the kitchen. “She’s delicate.”
“What’s a clutch?” Amanda asked in all seriousness.
Linc spun around, looking stricken. “Oh my God.”
Landon laughed at the face his father made. “Relax, Dad. We’ll take good care of her. Don’t worry.” He retrieved their coats off the row of hooks that were labeled with each of their names. His was second to last.
“I know I’ve said it before, but those hooks are the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Landon held her coat for her. “Ever?”
Amanda turned her back to him and slid the coat on. “Ever. I love your family.”
“They love you, too.”
She turned back to face him. “Do you think so?”
He scooped her hair out of the back of her coat and let it slide through his fingers. “I know so. They tease you like you’re one of us. That’s always a good sign.”
“They do make me laugh, that’s for sure.”
They walked outside to the Range Rover that was his dad’s pride and joy. Landon helped her get settled in the passenger seat. When he was seated in the driver’s seat, he pointed to the pedals on the floor. “Note the presence of the third pedal.”
“What is that?”
“The clutch. Pressing that allows you to change gears. I’ll show you.” He wiggled the stick shift to take it out gear and fired up the engine. “Watch.” He pushed in the clutch and shifted the car into Reverse. “The secret to driving a stick is releasing the clutch slowly as you give it gas.” The car began to roll backward. “See?”
“I think so.”
At the end of the driveway, he brought the car to a stop. “I’m pressing the clutch again to go from Reverse to first gear.”