“Is that why you’re keeping her at arm’s length?”

Tossing the towel back on the counter, I replied, “What is it with all the questions?”

“I watched you two out there. The way you look at her, the way she looks at you. You care about her very deeply.”

“Yes, I do care about her, but it’s not what you think.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“I’ve known her less than a week, Mama. And there’s been nothing intimate between us. Not after what she’s been through,” I countered.

Her blue eyes flashed defiantly at me. “And I knew I wanted to marry your father after three days when we hadn’t even kissed. What’s your point?”

I closed my eyes and tried to control my temper. I’d never imagined my mother would think Annabel and I had feelings for each other that ran any deeper than friendship. “Would you listen to yourself? I just walked through the door, and you’re giving me the fifth degree about a girl I barely know and one you’ve just met. A girl who has been through hell and back.”

“You left in the middle of your brother’s wedding reception and told no one where you were going or why. Then when you do show back up, it’s with a strange girl! A beautiful one, I might add, but one who looks two steps above even Alexandra. Considering all that, I think I deserve to give you a little grief.”

“Not when that girl is just down the hall.”

“Then you will tell me everything later?”

I nodded. The truth was, I had so much to tell her, more than she could probably imagine. Once I had told Bishop, I realized I should be honest with Mama Beth and Deacon, and I would do that just as soon as I could get a moment alone with them.

Our conversation was thankfully interrupted by the back door blowing open. “Over my dead body are we naming our son Diesel or Axel,” Alexandra huffed as she stepped into the kitchen.

“Just what the hell is so wrong with those names?”

Alexandra didn’t respond. Instead, she just threw him a death glare. Deacon’s eyes lit up at the sight of me. He crossed the room in two long strides to meet me. “When the hell did you get back?”

“About an hour ago.”

Deacon gave me a tight hug. “Glad you’re home.”

I thumped his back, appreciating his show of emotion. “Thanks. It’s good to be back.”

Once Deacon released me, Alexandra quickly replaced him. When she pulled away, she tenderly kissed my cheek. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

I could see the concern for me in her eyes, and I hated that I had been the cause of it. “I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“It’s okay. Just don’t do it again,” she replied with a smile.

“I’ll do my best.”

She smacked my arm playfully. “You’d better.”

“So what’s this I hear about a boy?” I glanced between her and Deacon. “You two have some news for us?”

Alexandra shook her head. “Not yet. But we did get to see the baby at today’s appointment.” She thrust a grainy black-and-white image in front of my face. Once her hand steadied, I surveyed the picture of my future niece or nephew. My heart swelled with pride at the sight of the new life.

“Looks strong and healthy.”

Beaming with happiness, Alexandra replied, “The doctor said everything looks great. The baby is even measuring a few days ahead of its due date.”

I smiled at her. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“Tell him about the heartbeat,” Deacon urged.

With a slight roll of her eyes, Alexandra huffed, “Just because the ultrasound technician commented it might be a boy because of the heart rate, Deacon has it in his head it’s one hundred percent a boy.”

Deacon grinned as he placed a hand on Alexandra’s stomach. “I’m telling ya, that’s my son in there.”

Jutting her chin out, Alexandra countered, “It could just as easily be a girl.”

Deacon grunted. “We already have a girl. We need a boy—a son to carry on the Malloy name.”

“You’re impossible,” she muttered.

“But you love me anyway,” he countered. He then wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her closer to him.

She grinned up at him. “Yes, I do.”

It was at that moment Willow came into the kitchen leading Annabel by the hand. From Annabel’s lighthearted expression, I could tell she enjoyed being around Willow. That wasn’t surprising to me. Despite all the horrible shit she had been through in life, Willow possessed a carefree nature that was infectious.

At the sight of Annabel, both Deacon’s and Alexandra’s brows rose in surprise. Then they both looked from Annabel over to me.

Swinging Annabel’s arm back and forth, Willow said, “This is my mommy and daddy. This is Belle.”

“Actually, that’s Annabel,” I corrected her.

Both Deacon and Alexandra continued to stare at Annabel and me. Finally, Alexandra shook her head slightly like she was shaking herself awake or out of a stupor. “Hello,” she said as she took a step forward.

She offered her hand to Annabel. After Annabel shook it, Deacon came over. “I’m Rev’s brother, Deacon.”

Annabel smiled. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Deacon’s lips curved in his signature smirk. “I hope it was all good.”

“Yes. It was. Your daughter is delightful. She’s been so sweet to show me around.”

Like the proud father he was, Deacon beamed at Annabel’s praise of Willow. “I see she was showing you her good side.”

“Daddy!” Willow protested with a pout.

He reached over and ruffled her hair affectionately. “Just teasing you.”

“Why don’t we all sit down?” Mama Beth suggested.

“Bishop not coming?” I asked as I steered Annabel over to the table.

“Nah, he’s getting shitfaced up at the roadhouse,” Deacon replied.

“David, honestly,” Mama Beth chided.

Unlike with the rest of us, he didn’t dare argue with Mama Beth. Instead, he took a seat next to Alexandra. After we had all gathered around the table, Mama Beth asked Deacon to say the blessing. During dinner, the conversation remained light. Deacon and Alexandra told us about their honeymoon in Hawaii—or at least they shared the G-rated details with us. Willow filled us in on all we had missed while we were gone. Luckily, no one pressed Annabel with any questions that were too personal.

When we finished dinner, Deacon and I went outside for him to have a smoke. I could tell there was something he wanted to say to me in private. I figured it had to do with potential blowback from what had happened with Mendoza. Of course, I should have known Deacon would never cease to surprise me.

“What do you say we go up to the roadhouse and see the boys?” Deacon asked.

“I would, but I really need to get Annabel settled in.”

“My phone was blowing up during dinner with texts. They’re itching to see you, Prez. You’ve been gone almost ten days,” Deacon argued.

I snorted. “You act like the brothers have been pining away for me like some lovesick teenagers.”

He laughed. “They have been deprived of the Malloy brothers all at the same time for the first time ever.”

“What a tragedy.”

“Come on, man.” He glanced over his shoulder back into the house where we had left the girls. “Not that I would want her to know, but I’ve missed being with the guys while I was off honeymooning.”

“Your reputation as the ultimate lover is waning in my opinion if you were missing the guys while with a beautiful and sexy woman on your honeymoon.”

“Cocksucker,” he muttered as he smacked my arm. “Spending all that time just with Alexandra has made me miss having beers and shooting the shit with the guys.”

“I really don’t think it’s a good idea for me to leave Annabel tonight. She’s in a new place with a bunch of strangers.”

“I think I’ll survive a few hours for you to go just up the hill,” Annabel said.

I whirled around to see her propped against the doorframe. “You weren’t supposed to hear that.”

“And according to your mother, you boys weren’t supposed to duck out on drying the dishes,” she replied with a smile.