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Chapter 34

Sadie

Sitting on the Mackenzie’s front porch swing holding hands with Ellie was low-key becoming Sadie’s favorite thing to do on summer nights. They’d spent the day at the lake with Ellie’s family before coming back to the house for a barbecue. Sadie had never had such delicious food, and wanted every future meal to be made by Isla and Vera. As her bare feet gently touched the concrete porch floor, Sadie gently set the swing in motion again. Ellie rested her head on Sadie’s shoulder and yawned.

“I’m so sleepy.”

“Then go to bed,” Sadie giggled.

“It’s not even nine.”

“But you have a big day tomorrow.”

Ellie had been talking about shadowing Vera at work for days. Her excitement was so cute to Sadie, and she couldn’t wait to hear all about Ellie’s day. Like Sadie, Ellie was still undecided on a major. She thought she might want to go into the medical field, which was when Vera suggested shadowing her at work.

Sadie knew that Ellie would be great at whatever she did, but she could definitely picture her in scrubs. Ellie was a natural helper and loved people, so the career made sense for her. At least to Sadie. But she knew it would have to be Ellie’s call.

As for Sadie, she was still leaning toward education. It would be a career that would allow her to coach softball on the side, which she definitely wanted to do. Or at least that was the plan for now. The truth of the matter was Sadie had no clue what she wanted to do with her softball career after college. Hell, evenincollege.

She hadn’t dared to vocalize her new concerns over going away to college to play softball. Would she have time to come back to the Cove and see Ellie and her family? Would she even get playing time as a freshman? Was it really worth it to travel a thousand miles away to college when she only had a vague clue as to what major she wanted to pursue?

Sadie lacked answers to any of her questions, so instead she focused back on Ellie.

“I can’t wait to hear about your day tomorrow. You’re going to have so much fun.”

“I hope so.” Ellie smiled as she pulled her legs up onto the swing, hugged her knees to her chest. “I’m excited. Mama said Alexis has an appointment tomorrow, so I should be able to sit in on hers. And you know Molly Jaymes? The photographer?”

Sadie nodded.

“She’s pregnant and has an appointment too, so I’ll get to see a baby.” Ellie’s little high-pitched squeal when she said the wordbabywas beyond adorable to Sadie. “I just hope it helps me figure out what I want to do.”

“I hope so too. And the good thing is, your mama can always let you shadow her more if you think you might be interested in it.”

“Yeah, totally. And Mason’s already said I can be there for her next procedure.” Ellie paused, shrugging. “I still don’t think I want todeliverbabies, but maybe being a nurse or an ultrasound tech would be cool.”

“And besides,” Sadie playfully bumped her shoulder against Ellie’s, “you’d look hot in scrubs.”

Ellie blushed in the fading sunlight. “Stop it.”

“I’m serious. And if you put a stethoscope on and dramatically badge yourself into an authorized personnel only door?” Sadie dramatically fanned herself with her hand as Ellie giggled. “Hot, babe.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“For what it’s worth, I think you’re gonna love it.”

“Me, too.”

Turning her head toward Sadie, Ellie leaned in and kissed her. Sadie had been keenly aware that Ellie hadnotinvited her up to her room after dinner. And after the events in the backseat of her of her Mustang the night before, Sadie understood why. While she was glad they were both on the same page, Sadie wasn’t going to rush things. Especially not with Ellie having such a big week. Between shadowing her mama and her eighteenth birthday party, Ellie had to have more on her mind than sex with Sadie.

Granted, Ellie’s hand casually slipping down Sadie’s inner thighmightcontradict that assumption.

Sadie thought about asking Ellie if she wanted to go up to her room, but before she could, the front porch lights flickered on and off twice. Ellie dramatically groaned as she jumped up from the swing and ran to the front door. As she opened it, Sadie heard Everleigh giggling on the other side of the door.

“Evie, are you spying on us?”

“No,” Everleigh laughed as she stepped out onto the porch. Her service dog, Willow, was close behind her. “Mama told me to go check on you two.”

“Ahh.” Plopping back down on the swing, Ellie planted her feet on the ground to keep it from moving. “Well, you can report back that we’re just swinging on the front porch.”