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“I’m almost there.”

“I know.”

“I won’t be able to?—”

“Iknow.” I kiss her, hard, my thumb moving faster. “Ever consider I’m doing this on purpose? You go first, always.”

She smiles against my lips. “Okay.”

She comes a beat later with a shout I capture in a kiss. She pulses around me, milking me to my own orgasm. I can barely breathe as I come down and rest my forehead against hers.

I feel my cum leaking out of her.

“I like that game.” My voice is husky.

Sally laughs. “I do too.”

A few days later, we head for the Wallace Ranch for a good old-fashioned barn raising. Really, the town is coming together to repair the barn that was partially destroyed by that fire. There will be music, kegs, tons of food, and of course some dancing.

Sally and I are excited, mostly because Ava and Sawyerwill finally get to meet. Sawyer said he’d be bringing Ella with him, and Sally told me Ava planned on bringing her daughter too.

“Really, it’s kind of perfect when you think about it,” Sally says as she climbs out of my truck. “Think they’ll hit it off?”

“I do, yeah. Sawyer gave me some pretty great speeches about falling in love and shit, so I think he’s at the very least open to dating.”

Sally smiles, grabbing my hand. “I think Ava is too. She’s such a lovely person, and I’d love for her to end up with a good guy like Sawyer.”

The barn raising is in full swing. A band plays beside a nearby corral while a long table, covered in a checkered tablecloth, is set with more food than I think I’ve ever seen—and that’s saying something, considering the epic spreads Patsy puts out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day on Lucky River Ranch.

Sawyer is already here, tool belt hanging from his hips as he works inside the barn. I can just glimpse him and Ella through the open doors. His daughter is at his side, holding a pink plastic hammer in her hand. So freaking cute.

“Oh! There’s Ava.” Sally waves at her. “Great, she’s coming this way. Let’s introduce them.”

“Hey, y’all!” Ava says brightly. “Thank you so much for coming. We’re blown away by this turnout!”

“Welcome to Hartsville, where everyone’s nosy as hell but always willing to lend a hand.” I nod at the kegs. “The fact that there’s free beer doesn’t hurt.”

Ava smiles. “Least we could do.”

“So, Ava”—Sally cuts me a look—“Wyatt and I would like you to meet someone.”

“Oh?” Ava’s brows pop up. “This sounds fun.”

“It’s Wyatt’s younger brother. He has a three-year-old too,” Sally says.

Ava’s smile deepens. “Let’s do it.”

She follows us inside the barn.

“Sawyer!” I bark.

“Uncle Wy! It’s Uncle Wy and Auntie Sally!” Ella cries, running over to wrap each of us in a bear hug.

Turning away from the framing he’s working on, my brother smiles when he sees me. “Hey, Wyatt. Sally, it’s always a pleasure seeing yo…” His voice trails off as he looks up and locks eyes with Ava. His eyes go wide, and a flush erupts on his neck and works its way up to his face.

“Hey!” Ava says, and that’s when I notice she’s blushing too.

She looks like she’s seen a ghost.

“It’s…good to see you.” Sawyer tugs a hand through his hair. It’s his tell, the one that saysI’m nervous as fuck. He laughs. “Been a minute.”

“Yeah.” Ava laughs, too, but it sounds funny, like she’s out of breath. “Wow. What are the chances?”

Stomach twisting, I pull my brows together. “Wait, do y’all know each other?”

Sawyer’s running his hand up the back of his head now. “Funny enough, we do.”