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Maybe because she’sglowing.Eyes bright. Cheeks pink. Shiny, clear skin.

She’s a bundle of happy, smiling energy, despite the fact that it’s four fucking a.m.

She looksgoodin a pair of broken-in Levi’s and one of the Lucky River Ranch sweatshirts Mollie and Wheeler designed.

“Ranches need swag,” Mollie had explained.

Wheeler had nodded. “Cute swag. The best swag.” Then she’d asked Duke to be the model for the men’s stuff they designed.

They should’ve asked Sally to model for them, too, because she fucking rocks this shit. Paired with a ponytail and a pair of Ariats, the shirt and the jeans scream cowgirl.

Because Sallyisa cowgirl. It’s less an occupation and more of a state of mind.

“You all right over there, Dad?” Sally asks, curling an arm around my waist before she rests her head on my chest.

My pulse skips several beats.

“I’m all right,” he says. “Y’all be smart, okay?”

Patsy cuts him a look before turning back to us. “Y’all be whatever you want. Obviously, safe sex is good sex?—”

“I think it’s time to make breakfast.” Sally glances up at me. “Don’t you, Wyatt?”

“I do, Sally. I could eat a horse.”

Sally’s eyes ignite. Her mouth curls into a secret smile. I know the reply is on the tip of her tongue—Eat me instead.

I know that because I know her.

I know she’s quick and witty and she has a salty sense of humor.

Now I also know that she really likes it when I eat her pussy.

Yep. Next time she’s thinking about that, we’re gonna be in my kitchen, at my house. Instead of unpacking the groceries and helping her mama make bowls of cheesy grits, topped with fried eggs and brisket, I’m gonna sit Sally on the counter, I’m gonna get on my knees, and I’m gonna give her what she’s asking for.

I’m gonna make her come, my name on her lips.

CHAPTER 20

Sally

A CROWDED TABLE

“Aw,hell yeah. My brother finally grew a pair and asked you out.” Sawyer holds out his arms, a gigantic smile on his face as he walks into the kitchen for lunch later that day. “Welcome to the family, Sal.”

Wyatt finishes the last bite of his collards and shakes his head. “One, only I call her that. And two, she’s always been part of our family.”

“You can call me whatever you want, Sawyer.” I rise from my spot at the table beside Wyatt and wrap his brother in a hug. “And thank you. We’re thrilled. How’d you find out?—”

“Oh, your mama’s just a wee bit excited.” Sawyer nods at Mom. “She might have shared the news earlier without necessarily meaning to.”

She just shrugs from her perch by the stove. “How could Inotbe excited? Two of my favorite people are finding happiness together. It’s a dream, isn’t it?”

“Mom—”

“It is a dream, yeah.” Wyatt looks at me and smiles.

I can’t believe he’s not more freaked out by Mom’s big mouth and Sawyer’s insinuation that I’d actually, legallybecome part of the Rivers family. That’s a big step. A huge one.