Welcome to Kissler, Georgia. 

“Daddy!” Bella pointed at the welcome sign ahead. She bounced in her car seat, a huge smile on her beautiful face—a face nearly identical to my own. “We’re here!” 

I slowed my SUV and flicked on my turn signal. “We are,” I turned left onto Magnolia Street. “In less than a minute, we’ll be at the new house.” 

“Will Aunt Hope and Uncle Evan be there?” I opened my mouth to answer her, but she kept speaking, cutting me off. “What about Clara? I want to see Liam and Declan!” 

My heart skipped at the mention of Clara’s name. 

Like I’d told Bella earlier, I wasn’t sure if she’d be there or not. When I’d asked Evan if her and Hope had plans for the day, he’d changed the subject, evading my question. I didn’t have a clue what his deal was, but every time I asked him about Clara or the boys, he steered the conversation in a different direction. 

It pissed me right the hell off. 

“I’m not sure, princesa. We’ll find out soon.” 

A second later my brother’s house, followed by ours, came into view. When Isabella saw both homes, she clapped her hands together and kicked her legs wildly. “Daddy!” she yelled. “Lookie! There’s our new house!” Leaning forward as much as her car seat would allow, she pointed to the faded grey SUV parked in front of my brother’s house. “And there’s Clara’s car!” 

My grip on the leather steering wheel tightened. 

She’s here. 

Heart pounding, I scanned my brother’s yard for any sign of her. When I didn’t see her anywhere, agitation set in. 

I’d spent every moment of the drive anticipating the moment my eyes would lock with hers again. The last time I’d seen her in person was over three weeks before when my nephew, Ryker was born. The twenty-four godforsaken days since had been torture. 

Going that long without seeing her made me twitchy and unsettled. 

I was as bad as an alcoholic pining for a drink. 

I craved the melodic sound of her laughter, the beauty of her sparkling green eyes, the smell of her sweet, berry-noted perfume and her smartass mouth. 

A smile crossed my face when I thought of the sass she regularly tossed my way. Her fiery spirit and low-tolerance for my bullshit flirting amused the hell out of me. 

I loved every bit of it. 

As I parked my car along the curb in front of our new house, I wondered if she’d been waiting for us to arrive. My chest tightened at the thought. I can’t tell you how many nights I’d laid awake wondering if she thought about me as much as I did her. 

Messed up as it may be, I hoped she did. 

“Daddy, hurry, open my door. I want to see everybody!” 

I unbuckled my belt and climbed out of the car. When I opened Bella’s door, she jumped out and straightened the glittery pink tutu she wore around her waist, along with the silver princess crown she wore on her head. After pushing a lock of dark brown hair that had fallen free from her pigtails out of her face, she stared up at me with excitement-filled eyes. “I’m ready.” 

“Alright, beautiful girl,” I said, taking her hand in mine. “Let’s go find—” 

The words died on my tongue when the sound of a scooter or skateboard racing down the sidewalk reached my ears. Without having to look over my shoulder toward the approaching sound, I knew who it was. It was clear by the sparkle that ignited in Bella’s eyes as she peered behind me that it was Liam or Declan headed our way. 

Before I could look over my shoulder to find out which boy it was, Isabella ripped her hand free of mine and took off running like a bat out of hell. Her pink Converse sneakers slapped against the concrete sidewalk as she ran in the opposite direction, her arms outstretched in front of her. “Declan! I missed you!” 

I turned, watching her run toward Clara’s youngest son. 

Coming to a sliding stop, Declan jumped off the silver scooter he was riding and dropped it to the grass covered ground beside him. “Bella!” He screeched in return, running full speed ahead. “You’re here!” 

I held my breath as their bodies collided, their arms wrapping around one another. When neither of them tumbled to the concrete in a heap of broken bones, I exhaled. 

Declan turned, his eyes meeting mine. “Hey, Brantley,” he called out, waving at me. “My Mama has been watching for—” 

His words died on his lips when Liam yelled, pulling our attention to the place where he stood in Hope and Evan’s yard. “Mama!” His eyes moved from Declan to Isabella to me. “They’re here!” 

I swung my gaze to the front door of my brother’s house. Knowing Clara was in there, standing on the other side of the stained glass caused nervous energy to rip through me.

Come on, Clara, my heart plead. Just step outside. 

Let me see you, baby. 

Every muscle in my body drew tight as the door slowly began to open. Swear to God, the world around me slowed, and time seemed to stop as the sound of my erratic heartbeat filled my ears, making it impossible to hear anything other than the thoughts running rampant through my head. 

Unable to bear not seeing her any longer, I took a single step, followed by a second.  When I was about to take a third, the door opened the rest of the way, and she emerged. 

At the sight of her, I lost the ability to breathe, much less move. My brain short-circuited, and my entire body went numb. 

There she is. My gorgeous girl. 

Long red hair pulled on top of her head in a loose knot, she wore a long, coral-colored dress that fell to her ankles. A slit ran up the front, stopping mid-thigh. I licked my lower lip when I glimpsed creamy skin beneath the flowy material. 

Her feet were bare, and a silver bracelet was wrapped around her left ankle. Turquoise polish adorned her fingers and toes, and ruby-red gloss coated her bow-shaped lips. Silver earrings dangled from her ears and a slight blush stained her peaches and cream complexion. 

Thicker than any woman I’d ever dated before, her stomach wasn’t flat, her thighs weren’t slim, and she had more ass than all the women I’d been with before combined. 

I fucking loved it. 

Every time I saw her, my mouth watered, and my fingers twitched with the need to feel her soft skin. There wasn’t an inch of her I didn’t want to explore with my tongue and worship with my hands. I wanted nothing more than to cover her soft body with my hard one, and I ached to feel, and watch, her curves move beneath me as I slid inside her, giving myself to her entirely. 

Movement from the corner of my eye caught my attention. I swung my gaze to the left just in time to see Declan and Isabella dart across the traffic-less neighborhood street, their hands entwined with one another. Warmth filled me at the sight, but it was nothing compared to the lava-like heat that rushed through my veins when Clara hopped down the front porch steps, hiked up her skirt, and ran toward my little girl. She stopped in the middle of the yard and dropped to her knees and waited for my baby to reach her. 

A moment later, Isabella slammed into Clara’s chest, almost knocking her backward. Upon impact, Clara’s arms wrapped around Bella’s little body. 

Body trembling, Clara’s lips moved as she spoke, but I was too far away to make out what she was saying. It didn’t matter though. I was too focused on the single tears that slid down her cheek to pay attention to anything else. 

While watching them together, all I could think was, she loves Isabella like she’s her own. 

I pulled my eyes from the scene before me when someone bumped my arm with their own. I glanced down to see Shelby standing beside me, a look that guaranteed trouble on her face. 

Oh hell… 

“Where did you come from, Blondie?” 

She arched a brow. “Did you forget that I’m your new neighbor? Lord have mercy, Brantley, I thought you were the smart twin.” Her southern accent was thick, her tone filled with humor. “Or did your brain short-circuit when Clara walked outside?” 

I smirked. “I didn’t forget. I just didn’t hear you walk up.” 

Shelby hummed in reply. Then, “Well, can’t say I blame you. I mean, if I was busy watching that”—she pointed at Clara and Bella—“I’d be oblivious to the rest of the world too. Seeing those two together is a beautiful thing. I mean, it sorta looks like they are meant to be together. Like two puzzle pieces they just fit, ya know?” 

I exhaled. “What are you doing, Shelby? I know you’re up to something.” 

She shrugged. “I’m not doing a thing, sugar. Just pointing out the obvious.” 

Without saying another word, she left my side and walked across the street toward Clara. Once she reached her, she tapped on her shoulder and pointed in my direction. 

Clara turned her head; our gazes collided. 

“Jesus Christ,” I mumbled under my breath as her green eyes locked with mine. “This woman will be the death of me.” 

Clara stood, lifting my girl into her arms. Bella wrapped her legs around Clara’s hips and looped her arms around her neck. Then she rested her head on Clara’s shoulder, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. 

My need to be closer to them soared. 

Unable to stay away a second longer, I walked across the street.