“I’m thinking we can leave behind this sir business. Thomas, Tom, Dad.” He shrugs. “But no more sir.”

  Jay seems as shook up by my father’s words as I am, but he simply nods. My dad seems to notice, and steps forward, offering his hand before pulling him in for a hug. “I know now they are safe,” he tells Jay and I have to turn away. I allow them to have their moment and escape to the kitchen to put on a fresh pot of coffee.

  “Kitchen is beautiful.” My father’s voice from behind me makes me jump in surprise. Turning around I find it is only him and when he notices me looking, he smiles. “He’s in his office, got a phone call from Georgia.”

  “Coffee,” I ask and he takes a seat at the center island. Its then I notice he’s holding an envelope in his hand. Placing a steaming cup in front of him I point to the counter. “What’s that?”

  “Just something for you and the girls,” with two fingers he pushes the envelope toward me. “Open it,” he directs and I pick it up noticing its from the bank.

  “Dad—”

  “Open it, Zoey,” he insists.

  Carefully I tear the edge and pull the papers from inside. As I start to unfold them, I can see it’s a bank statement. Several deposits, but never any withdrawals.

  “What is this?”

  “Every penny you ever tried to give me.” Immediately, my stomach feels like it drops.

  “No.” I try to hand him the paper as if that makes it all go away.

  “Yes,” he insists. “I told you in the beginning I didn’t want you paying me rent. I argued, you argued, and damnit Zoey you wouldn’t budge, so I gave in. I accepted the money, but I never agreed to keep it. I never used it for anything, I just held onto it for the three of you.”

  “Dad.” My eyes are so full of tears I can barely see a thing.

  “You take that money and you put it up for the girls, buy them cars when they need it, help pay for college, whatever. But I said it before and I’ll say it again now. I am your father and it’s my duty to take care of you when you fall.”

  Tears roll over my cheeks.

  “You may be an adult, but that will never change. I know now you have the right man by your side. I know the chances of me needing to step in are thin, but if I have to, I will always be right here to save you.”

  I round the counter and hug him, holding him tighter than I should but this man is my hero. Always has been and always will be.

  “Thank you,” I whisper through my tears and look up to find Jay standing in the doorway, my mother and everyone else behind him.

  “Momma, are you okay?”

  I release my father and turn toward my daughters, bending down before them. “I’m good babies, I’m good.”

  And that is when I notice what they are wearing.

  “Are those leopard print?”

  “Yup,” Jay says and I glance up to find him trying to hold it together. “Seems Aunt Sarah thought they’d look adorable.”

  I try not to laugh at the displeased look on his face. He is already going all daddy bear.

  “I wanna wear this to church, Gigi.” Riley spins in a circle and I hear my father cough through a laugh behind me.

  “How about we save these outfits for dress up,” Gigi saves me. “I’m not sure the ladies at church are hip enough to handle your style ladies.”

  She links her hands with them both and leads them to the kitchen table, helping them up into their chairs.

  “We brought goodies from the bakery,” she announces before grabbing a box and taking it to the table.

  When there is no one but Jay and I close enough to hear he leans in. “I’m burning those tonight after they fall asleep.”

  It’s my turn to hide my laughter as I join my girls at the table where we share a huge cinnamon roll and an apple danish.

  bonus chapter

  Jayson

  “Where are we going?” I drive up the gravel drive that is bumpier than I remember. My SUV shifting around from side to side, making my headlight bounce around like crazy.

  “I remember this field,” I glance over just in time to catch the mischievous grin on Zoey’s lips. She bites her lip, as if lost in the memories and I too can’t help to remember the last time she and I were here.

  A few nights before I left for college, we broke curfew that night after we’d gotten so lost in each other we’d lost track of time. The windows of my truck so fogged up you couldn’t see a thing through them, both of us sweaty and sated.

  It was so hard to leave her, and I pulled over five times before I’d made it one hundred miles, wanting more than anything to come back to Magnolia Grove and ask her to come with me.

  But that was impossible since she still had two years of high school to finish and coming back would have only made it harder to leave.

  As I make it to the top of the hill, the setup I’d planned came into view as the lanterns glow in the darkness.

  “Jay.” Her whisper fills the space between us, as she reaches out and takes my hand.

  The girls are with Gigi, and I’d had Emma and Lucy busy all day with the preparations for tonight.

  From the look on her face, I’d say it has the exact effect on her I’d hoped for.

  “This is beautiful.”

  I park and get out, walking around the front of the car, to open her door. Helping her out, I led her to the tent and pushed back the door. Inside there is an oversized air mattress, and more lanterns are lighting the area. In the middle of the outstretched blanket there’s a basket. The tent is large enough to move around in, as it was the largest one I could find.

  I’d been planning this night for weeks, wanting everything to be perfect.

  “So we are camping out huh?” She glances back at me.

  “Dinner, movie.” I point toward the laptop in the corner and she laughs. “Then naked fun under the stars,” I point up and she tilts her head back.

  “Oh wow!” The entire top of the tent is netted, and I left it open so we could get a clear view of the stars. “I think I’d like to go straight to the last item on the agenda.”

  “We can’t,” I say and she redirects her attention to me.

  “Are you telling me no?” She arches her brow which makes me smile.

  “I’m telling you we can’t skip one step,” my heart races and I already know, or hope I know how this night will go. But it doesn’t tame the nerves rocking me from the inside.

  “What step would that be?”

  Instead of telling her, I show her. Kneeling down, I take a deep breath and hold the ring box out before me. Mattie and I made up a story about a guy’s weekend so I could go to Mobile and get any of my things that were in storage. But the main reason was so I could ring shop for Zoey. The damn thing has been burning a hole in my pocket since then. I’ve hidden it at the office, trying to find the perfect time to propose.

  “The steps were, I ask you to marry me. Then I ask you to allow me to adopt Riley and Regan, and you all take my last name.” Tears fill her eyes. “That’s the step where you make me even happier than you’ve all made me over the last six months. I want to spend the rest of my life loving the three of you. Marry me, Zoey.”

  She takes a shuddering breath then leans over and grabs my face, kissing me. “Yes,” she whispers against my lips and I stand wrapping her in my arms, lifting her and spinning around in a circle. She laughs, as I lower her to her feet and pull the ring from the box. Sliding it onto her finger she watches in awe.

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “You’re beautiful,” I correct her and toss the ring box to the side. “Now, about that naked under the stars option.” She smiles wide as I lift her and carry her to the mattress. “I love you so much!”

  “We love you too.”

  I found my forever in the one place I wasn’t sure I ever would. I was young when I left Magnolia Grove, thinking there was an entire world out there to explore. It took thirteen years of nothing special to lead me back to the one girl who has always held my heart.

  We both have scars, but together we are stronger. We are a team and never again will Zoey feel alone. Never will our girls feel unwanted or unloved. They may not be my blood, but they are and will always be my daughters.

  another bonus

  1 year later

  Zoey

  “What do you mean you can’t do Wine-Down?” Emma places her hand on her hip.

  “I can still participate in the event, just can’t drink the wine.” I nibbled my lip nervously. I haven’t even told Jay yet; I can’t spill the news now. “I’ll drink water or juice."

  “Zoey?” Lucy steps up to my side. They’ve flanked me and I can feel my strength fading fast.

  “Is there something you need to say?” Emma challenges me. Immediately I look down to my feet. “Oh now, we aren’t playing this game. Spill!”

  “I can’t,” I say in a rush trying to turn around and flee, but soon realizing the counter is too close and there is nowhere to run.

  “Nice try,” Emma laughs. “We can do this all night if you want to, or you could just accept the fact that we’ve outwitted you and stop dragging this out.” She shrugs and Lucy and Emma share a knowing look. They know me too well; they know if they push, I’ll cave and the next thing, I’m bursting at the seams.

  “I haven’t even told Jay yet!” I yell and even stomp my feet in full Riley fashion making them both snicker.

  “Oh we can keep a secret,” Emma says and I glare at her. Granted my glare does absolutely nothing to intimidate her as she crosses her arms over her chest and just waits.

  “Jerk,” I mumble and she nods in agreement, motioning with her hand for me to continue.

  “I can’t drink your stupid wine because it’s not good for the baby.” I grit my teeth and speak while doing so.

  “Awe a little Lincoln baby.” Lucy claps her hands with excitement.

  “Now will you two keep it quiet until I get the change to tell my husband?”

  “Tell me what?” I spin around to find Jay standing in the doorway still wearing his running gear.

  “Oops,” Emma says and I shoot her another glare making her laugh harder.

  “Momma says the wine isn’t good for the baby,” Riley announces and until then I had no idea she was even there.

  “She’ll drink juice though,” Regan adds as she enters the room holding Lucy’s phone in her hands. “I want juice too.”

  “Baby?” I glance up to see Jay staring at me, and I’m thankful to find a smile on his face.

  “I was planning on telling you later,” I confess. “But these yahoos wouldn’t let it go.”

  “We’re having a baby?” he says, and I nod.

  The girls start dancing around jumping up and down singing we’re having a baby over and over. Jay grabs me, and lifts me, hugging me close. “I didn’t think I could be happier than I already was, but this.” He lets out a breath, chuckling. “You are a dream, Zoey. One I had over and over and now here we are, living it.”

  ***

  Next in the Magnolia Grove Series

  Fake Southern Fiancé by Brittany Holland

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  ***

  WELCOME TO MAGNOLIA GROVE!

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  Did you know there are 12 books within this series? 12 books by 12 different authors. Meet and read about the stories of the side characters in this book.

  MAGNOLIA GROVE SERIES

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  about the author

  She has always had a love for reading. Enjoys a good mystery, a saucy romance or even a sweet love story. Like her music, its all about the kind of mood she’s in.

  She is a mother of two, and married to her high school sweetheart.

  When she is not ready or writing, she enjoys crafting. Favorite places to visit, Tennessee, tucked away in the mountains, where its beautiful and peaceful.

  also by c. a. harms

  All the Wrong Choices

  A second chance romance packed with emotion!

  Being left at the alter on your wedding day is devastating.

  But when the man you are supposed to marry has run off with your younger sister, well, that’s an entirely new form of hell.

  Everything I believed in, everything I envisioned for my future, was nothing more than a lie. I was a fool. The poor girl who couldn’t hold onto her man. Everyone pitied me, but I didn’t want nor need their pity.

  Never again will I be the vulnerable one.

  Never again will I allow myself to fall in love because let’s face it, love and commitment are nothing more than a waste of time.

  Never again will I fall for a man’s lies.

  I’ll remain distant and unattached and I will not falter. Not even when a tall, handsome, and incredibly hot man makes me question the plans I’ve made for myself.

  I can’t give in, no matter how perfect he appears to be. I know better and all good things always come to a crashing, destructible finale. I know it will end and when it does, I’ll be the one left shattered.

  I’m not sure I’ll survive another fall.

  All the Wrong Choices, lead to heartbreak…

  And my heart couldn’t take another hit.

  Part of a 5 book series — Kissing My Crush

  Amara

  Tyler Collins has always been the object of my affection. He just doesn’t know it.

  I’ve spent years admiring him, fantasizing about him, but never once making a move.

  That is until I see him across the room, already a few beers in and drunkenly decide to press my lips to his. One minute I’m sharing a drink with a friend, and the next, I’m Kissing My Crush.

  Now I’m trapped at a beautiful resort with the man I so desperately want to avoid, to celebrate the nuptials of our dear friends.

  I can feel his eyes on me. He’s watching. Waiting for what I’m not sure. The fear of rejection is too strong for me to mention the kiss. That night is on constant replay in my mind. I often wonder how he would react if I could confess that to me, our kiss was not a drunken mistake.

  Tyler

  Quiet, sweet Amara, the one woman I never expected to crave and the one I can’t seem to shake. One unexpected kiss, and now all I can think about is her lips pressed to mine.

  I’ve managed to avoid attachments, keeping things casual and enjoying one day at a time. Yet, a timid blonde marches across a hazy bar and grabs hold of my hair, giving me the kiss that changes it all. Changes me.

  She wants to pretend it never happened, but I never was much for playing games. She might want me to believe the kiss was forgettable, but we both know better. Hands down the hottest kiss of my life.

  That moment with her wasn’t nothing. It was everything.

  It was the turning point and the start of something I know without a doubt will be more than we both ever could have expected.

  Grab your copy of Ryan’s Love

  One of the hardest things I have ever had to do was bury my wife.

  The second hardest thing would be watching my twelve-year-old daughter fall to her knees as they lowered her mother into the ground to rest.

  A heart-wrenching vision that will forever be etched in my mind.

  Claire was my best friend—she had been since we were barely old enough to talk. I always knew, one day, I would marry her. I think I may have even told her that a few times while we were growing up.

  Never did I think I would lose her so suddenly.

  I knew at that moment…

  Our life would never be the same again…

 

 

  C.A. Harms, Sweet Southern Memories

 

 

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