Page 112 of My Three Hometown Alphas

As he walked away from the table he added, “All of you might be my sons, but if any of you hurt that sweet girl, I will…” He made a slashing motion across his throat.

Message received.

On the other hand, my mom looked at all of us like it must have been our first day here on Earth. “Duh,” she said, then went right back to peeling the potatoes she was prepping for dinner.

It was clearly not brand-new information for her. I think we all know where Lyla gets her stealthy detective skills from.

My parents would never try to replace Avery’s parents, but I love how she has them in her life now. In much the same way, Avery will never fill the hole losing Liv left in my parents’ hearts, but having her around is like having a bonus daughter. They’ve told me as much, multiple times.

So lost in my thoughts, I startle when Avery touches my arm. “Your mom says we’re staying for dinner.”

“Oh, are we?” I laugh, shaking my head.

“Yup,” she says, popping the “p.” “Your mom said her chili is your favorite.”

I wrap my arms around her. “It is.”

“Mmm…” She snuggles in against my chest. “I guess I’d better learn how to make it.”

I don’t know why that hits me straight in the chest, but it does. I don’t know what to say, so I just kiss the top of her head.

“I’ll call Owen and tell them to come over,” she says.

We both know she’s calling Owen because Miles isn’t the most reliable at keeping his phone on him.

“Avery,” my mom calls from the kitchen. “Do you want to help me make the cornbread?”

“I’ll be right there, Shana,” Avery shouts, but she keeps hugging me. Just as she’s pulling back, she whispers, “Love you.”

“I love you, too,” I say, letting her hand go. It doesn’t hurt like it used to when I’d have to let her out of my arms, even for a few minutes.

The difference now is that I know she isn’t going anywhere. This isn’t some fleeting romance that will come to a crashing demise. This is the real deal.

It’s the kind of love I grew up seeing my parents have and always wanted for myself. It might not be perfect, but it’s damn near close.

I walk into the living room and plop down on the couch. My dad is watching a baseball game with two teams I know he doesn’t really care about.

“It’s real, isn’t it?” he asks.

He doesn’t need to specify. I know what he means. “Yeah, it is, Dad.”

He nods a few times. “I could tell when all of you told us you were together, but I swear every time I see her with any of you….” He swallows. “I’ve never seen you or your brothers like this. You boys deserve it.”

His eyes dart toward the kitchen. “So does she. She might deserve it even more than all of you.”

There’s a softness in his gaze that warms my heart.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Avery

I glancedown at my phone.Only 3:00.

Miners’ Day is a time where most people in town get to relax and have a good time. At its core, it’s a celebration of the mining culture that started this town.

At a more surface level, it’s a town fair with a parade, mining-themed competitions, and booths selling everything from jewelry to delicious food.

I’ve spent the majority of my day at the booth where Hadley is talking to the people of Aspen Springs about the things that matter to them. With each person she talks to, I can see how deeply she wants to do what’s best for the residents of this place.