Page 148 of The Surprise Play

The older girl’s chest pops out with pride. “I helped decorate your birthday cake too.”

“Oh, she did,” Satch’s mom pipes up. “This girl is a whizz in the kitchen.”

“Unlike her mother.” Satch’s cousin grins, giving his wife an affectionate smile.

She bats his arm for teasing her, but they end up sharing a kiss. I watch in fascination at this motley bunch, so unlike the sophisticated crew I’m used to being around. The only time a family function gets as boisterous as this is when a football game is on.

Football Frat is different, of course, but it’s fun seeing the way Satch’s family interacts with one another.

“And this is from us.” Her grandfather, who must surely be in his nineties, holds out a shaky hand while his wife sits beside him in her wheelchair, blinking at what look to be tears.

I wonder if she’s all right, until I realize it’s just emotion at the joy of seeing their granddaughter open the card.

“Fifty dollars?” Satch gapes as if she’s just won the lottery. “Wow, you guys! That’s so generous.”

I have to bite my lips together.

Fifty bucks?

That’s lunch money.

Getting up from her seat, Satch rushes over to them, gently kissing their cheeks and specially thanking them.

“You deserve it, sweet girl. We’re proud of you, honey.” Her grandma’s comment is met with a room full of agreement, and I’m pretty sure I’ve never been in such a warm, loving space in my entire life.

This is a trip.

“Okay, Wily, you go next, sweetie. I want to save my gift for last.” Darla bobs on her toes as she points to the box waiting at Satch’s feet.

“Sure.” I pass over my wrapped presents, and everyone leans in.

Shit. I hope they’re okay. Are two presents that probably cost more than half the things in this room going to be able to compete with the meaningful, handmade stuff she’s been getting all night?

“Oh, wow.” Satch loses her breath the second she unwraps my first gift, then sucks in a gasp as she flips over the two books I bought, skimming the backs and then swooning over the covers. “This is amazing!” With a squeal, she throws her arms around me. “I’ve been wanting to complete this series! How did you know?”

I rub her back, stoked by her excitement. “I had a look at your bookshelf.”

“Oh my gosh!” She plunks back into her seat, still giddy as she brushes her hand over the foiled covers. “These hardbacks are so expensive. I can’t believe you bought me both! I’ve been saving up for these.” She holds up the books and shows them to everyone in the room.

“Very pretty,” her grandma muses while her mother nods, then winks at me.

Her thumbs-up means everything.

“And this one.” I catch the smaller box that just slipped off her knee and hold it out for her.

For some reason, I’m even more nervous about this one, and I can’t seem to breathe as she takes forever to carefully unwrap the paper, not wanting to rip it.

Her dad reaches forward, collecting the other wrapping and folding it, obviously set on reusing it.

“Thanks, Dad.” Satch smiles at him before handing over the last of the wrapping, then opening the box with trembling fingers.

“You good?” I check, reaching forward to help her.

“Thanks,” she squeaks, and then her lips part again, her eyes bulging at me. “It’s a… You bought me a… It’s…”

“A necklace. It’s called a necklace.” I wink at her, grinning at the way her cheeks splash pink. Leaning in, I softly whisper, “It’s a coyote.”

Her giggle is adorable, and I will forever remember her face as she gazes down at the silver emblem around the chain and whispers, “I love it.”