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I didn't know why she felt the need to tell me that, but I'd play along. I sank into the back cushion, already warm from the southern sun.
"For what?"
"Just because. Little things she's been collecting because she heard us mention them or she thought we'd like them. Our summer gifts, she said. No reason. No expectations. She's like that. Sweet. Giving."
I sat back, focusing on her. This woman she described was one I wanted to know more about. Pip looked up at me. I had stared some ruthless men down in my lifetime. Not one of them had eyes that made me feel like hers did. Lil Mama was scary.
"If you don't see that, she's still protecting at least part of her heart from you. Ev told us why you said you came here. I think you might even believe it. I don't. Whatever you're trying to accomplish, you better get her to share the summer gift-giving Ev with you, or you might as well go back to Texas," she said.
While I sat there trying to take in what her little mysterious ass was telling me, the front door opened just as a silvery Infiniti QX80 pulled up. A man hopped out of the truck as Emory stood in the doorway hollering.
"Bring y'all asses on! Danny is out here." Her eyes shot to me, and she rolled them. Yeah, she was going to be no help to my efforts to figure out Love. She made her way to the porch steps, and Danny extended a hand to help her.
"How you doin', Em?" he asked in a deep, country-ass voice.
Emory smiled up at him, and I decided I didn't like his ass right then. I didn’t need Emory’s approval, but it just might help.
"I'm fine. It's good to see you back. Have you seen Ev yet?"
His smile widened as he pushed his stupid cowboy hat back. I leaned forward to make sure I could hear whatever his corny ass was going to say, but Pip touched my arm and shook her head once. Before I could ask her what was up, the door opened again and most of the rest of the Miller women appeared, loud and beautiful as fuck. My eyes were glued to Love.
She was back into her cool and composed mode: face made up perfectly, spiral curls hidden beneath the wavy hair of her wig, sporting what was probably a custom-made sundress, designer shoes, and bag. She didn't even look my way as she made her way toward the steps. Seeing Danny, she squealed, then launched herself into his arms. Laughing, he caught her and let her pepper his face with kisses.
Fuck no!I extended my foot, stopping the swing and standing.
"We can kill him tonight. Put him in the hog pen and be done with the shit," Targen said.
I didn't even realize he'd appeared, but I liked the way he was thinking.
"Hey! Negroes! I'm right here. I can hear y'all," Pip grumbled. "No murders."
"Big ol' working farm, pickups and Suburbans everywhere, so when I got asked to pull out the Infiniti, I knew who was here," Danny chuckled, setting her down.
"I been here a few weeks! You the one who's been MIA! I missed you!" she gushed, still smiling up at him.
"Missed you, too, my baby love. How you been?"
His “baby love?” Fuck, no. He wasn’t about to be calling her that.
"I've... been. I have so much—" she began
"Everly Love!" Emory yelled.
Love sighed. She patted Danny's arm apologetically. "Can we catch up later? Pregnancy got her in bitch mode."
Emory gasped. "I heard that!"
"Was gon' say it louder if you didn't. We waiting on Theory, anyway. Danny, you want a ride back to the big barn?"
"Nah, sweetheart. Bruce isn't far behind me to take me back."
They hugged again. I opened my mouth and then let out a grunt as Pip elbowed me. I thought about reaching for my gun again.
"Just chill," she murmured. "Wait a few minutes and follow us into town."
Into town?I swung my gaze to Targen to see if he heard this Wild West shit, but his focus was on the screen door as it pushed open, and Theory appeared. Nigga stared so hard that she blushed as she walked across the porch.
"Ready?" Pip asked her.