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tragedy that day and turned it into the best moment of my life.
It s funny how life works.
It s beautiful how it sounds.
B L A K E
I
used to sleep like a dead dog buried under six feet of winter snow. Not a sound
could rouse my sorry ass out of bed. And now the slightest twitch sends me flying to my
feet. But I wouldn t want it any other way. A soft rasping sound comes from the front as
my lids struggle to unglue themselves this morning. The sun is out first time in a week.
It s rained on and off as a big cloud cover squatted over all of North Carolina, but today
that spotlight shines down from the sky and my eyes can t quite adjust.
The knock at the door becomes more animated, and I head over before they wake up
Ben. I peer into his bassinet a moment. He s sound asleep with his perfect tiny lips
smacking away just the way his dad used to do. His hair is coming in thick and black, he s
unmistakably a Daniels. I know it for a fact because the paternity test came in. That was
me removing any shadow of a doubt. Now that the air is clear, I can breathe easy and
focus on raising my son. Olivia hasn t come around once, and there s a sickening ache in
the pit of my stomach wondering if this is her big debut in the role of mommy.
I look through the peep hole. Nope, better. It s Annie the only woman I ever want
Ben to view as his mother.
Here s the morning sun, I say swinging the door wide open. Baya and Roxy stand
behind her. An estrogen ambush before eight a.m.? Get in here, girls.
Annie plants a kiss on my lips and gives my ass a discrete tweak before filing in. I do a
double take as she strides on by. Hot damn. This girl is smoking with her black leather
jacket tight as all hell jeans.
What s going on ladies? Annie doesn t need to dress to impress. I m already hers in
every single way. But leather before breakfast has my suspicions aroused.
Where s my boy? Roxy gravels it out, as she heads straight to the bedroom. It s an
odd friendship we ve developed Cole, too, although I can relate to him a little better.
Annie wraps her arms around my neck. I have a surprise for you. Her bright red lips
press together as she holds back a smile. Annie doesn t normally wear lipstick, so already
I m intrigued.
Can we pause for a minute so I can tell you how drop dead gorgeous you look today?
What s the surprise? You in a beauty pageant this afternoon?
Ha, ha. Annie s voice has smoothed out, even and seamless. You would never know
that she s only been using it on a regular basis for the last few weeks. I am doing
something beautiful this afternoon with you.
That s right! Baya sings. Baya is always a little overloaded with energy. Roxy
balances her out nicely. Now go on and get. She motions for us to shuffle out the door.
I ve got a baby to snuggle with.
Roxy comes out of the bedroom with a freshly changed, and bright-eyed Benji. Look
who s awake! Baya and Annie flock to him like he s a lead singer on a full house night.
Annie is determined to teach him how to sign, and I m all for it. It s about time I became
proficient in it as well. Annie says it s ingrained in who she is. She still does it with her
mother and brothers.
I remember when all the girls in the room used to flock to me.
Annie rolls her eyes. I d better get this guy out of here before his ego blows off the
ceiling. Bye sweetie. She pecks a kiss to Ben s cheek, and my heart melts. Annie guts me
each time she loves all over Ben. I can get used to this. For the first time since losing my
brother, I m starting to feel whole again hell, I do.
By the way Roxy hands him off to Baya as she makes her way to the kitchen and
plucks a bottle out of the fridge I ll be watching him tonight while you play at the Black
Bear.
Sounds good, but I don t play at the Black Bear anymore. Haven t in months.
Annie slings her arm around my waist. Yes, you do.
Says who? I m hoping she ll say her brothers because I wouldn t want them hitting
me over the head with my guitar when I show up.
Says me. Her brows hike. And Bryson and Holt may have agreed to it. They also
may have groveled a bit. It turns out nothing sold more beer and bourbon than your
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