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“You are so good with her.” Dylan shakes her head as I walk back to where they’re standing. “I’m way too much of a pushover.”

Kimmie’s hand is in mine, and she frowns up at me. “Are you really never going to eat sugar ever again, Miss Allie?”

It’s such a little kid thing to worry about, I almost laugh. Only, Garrett is in the room now along with most of his brothers, including Jack, which has my senses on high alert.

“It’s probably better to stay back here,” Zane tells him. “It’s filling up with parents out there.”

Jack takes off his ball cap, scrubbing a hand through his soft, dark hair. “Yeah, I’m beat, and Kimmie needs to get to bed.”

Ocean blue eyes roam the room until he finds his daughter holding my hand, then he looks up at me, and it’s like a mini-explosion.

I blink quickly and manage a smile before looking away, my neck all hot.

“I agree with Kimmie,” Garrett announces loudly. “Diets are not allowed at the Coot-Shoot.”

“What’s that?” Liv frowns at me, taking her sleepy baby from Garrett’s arms. “Why are you dieting, Allie?”

I literally want to die. On the spot.

“I’m not.” I do my best to speak quietly, not wanting to discuss this in front of Jack. “I’m just monitoring my sugar intake and not adding more to my food.”

“Oh.” Liv nods, patting Gigi. “Diets never work. The minute you go off one, you go right back to what you were doing before.”

Jack has moved closer to where I’m standing with his daughter, his blue eyes holding mine in a way that has my stomach squirming.

“Are you sick?” Concern laces his tone .

“No,” I answer quickly, wishing I’d never said a word. “It’s just this nutrition study I read.”

“You don’t need to lose weight, Allie.” His brow lowers, and the gruff way he says it is hot as hell. “You look good.”

I swallow air, and it doesn’t matter that he might be fussing at me without raising his voice. I’m hot all over because he just said my body looks good.

I want to thank him and say right back atcha, big boy . Jack Bradford’s body looks so good.

Instead, I feel six pairs of eyes locked on us, and these meddlers have enough ammunition as it is.

“Okay.” I huff a laugh, turning to open the refrigerator door and hoping the cool air will calm my blushing. “I’m sorry I even brought it up. I didn’t know it would turn into a federal case.”

“Trust me when I say this…” Craig leans closer. “ Healthy is not a word people like at the Coot-Shoot. I’ve been trying it for years.”

“You make it sound like I serve unhealthy food,” Dylan argues. “Peppers are very good for you!”

“I know, I know.” Craig waves her away. “Keep your shirt on, Pepper Spice.”

“It’s all about portion size,” she continues.

“And you saw what happened when I tried to cut back on the portion sizes for French fries.”

“Well, you can’t skimp on the fries.” She returns to her iPad screen. “People get mad.”

“Buddy Outlaw gets mad,” Craig gripes.

Jack takes Kimmie’s hand. “Bedtime.”

“Goodnight, Aunt Deedee!” Kimmie calls. “Goodnight, Miss Allie! Goodnight, Uncle Cray-cray, Goodnight, Uncle Grizz, Goodnight, Major Tom?—”

“Okay, okay,” Jack grins, interrupting her.

Peeking over my shoulder, I love the way he handles her. I love that dimple in his cheek. My lip goes between my teeth, and I wonder what it would be like to take his hand and go home with him. I’d eat all the sugar he wants. I’d cover him in chocolate syrup and lick it off.

Hell, I’d do anything for him.

“Night, guys,” he says, leading his daughter away.

All the eyes fly to me, and I lift my chin, closing the fridge.

“You’re right,” I say, ignoring all the pointed stares. “It was a silly idea.”

“What’s a silly idea?” Rachel’s bright voice enters the room, and I almost groan.

“Allie wants to cut sugar out of her diet,” Liv says, almost getting it right.

Rachel’s eyes light up, and she smiles. “That’s a great idea, Al! Y’all wouldn’t believe how much sugar is in our food—even in things that don’t really need it—and sugar is linked to so many health problems, obesity, diabetes…”

“Here we go again.” Craig snorts a laugh. “Spoken like a true wellness guru.”

“You think I could be a wellness guru?” Rachel lights up even more. “I talked to Zane about recording my yoga classes and putting them on YouTube. He said their producer could help me, and there’s a real market out there!”

Craig narrows his eyes at her. “Just don’t get weird and start a cult.”

“Craig!” Dylan shoves him with her foot. “I think that’s a fun idea, Rach. I love your yoga classes.”

“I think that’s a cool idea, too.” I walk over to her. “I should do more of them. Lord knows when school starts, I don’t get nearly enough exercise.”

“Speaking of school starting, Mrs. Laverne’s at it again.” Dylan grins at Liv.

“The principal?” My brow arches. “What did she do?”

Liv shakes her head. “Mrs. Laverne will have us all working at that high school before she retires.”

“She’s the best,” Rachel sighs. “She was so kind and welcoming to Edward. I never worry about him when he’s at school. ”

“He’s one of the smartest students we have,” I tell her. “He just doesn’t like assemblies. Or fire drills. Or pep rallies…”

“And she never makes him feel bad or weird for it.” Rachel’s green eyes shine as she smiles at Dylan. “She’s a great lady.”

“She’s definitely a great recruiter,” Liv grumbles.

“What if you did it for one year?” Dylan hops off to the table, taking Liv’s hand. “Remember how much fun we always had on game days? It’ll be like old times.”

“Yes, game days are fun, and the rest of the time, it’s all work work work.” Liv slides her hair behind her shoulder so Gigi can rest her head. “I have a baby now, Dee, I’m trying to establish my law practice…”

“Okay, somebody has to catch me up.” I look from Dylan to Liv. “Mrs. Laverne wants to hire Liv?”

“The drill team coach had to retire suddenly to take care of a sick relative,” Dylan explains. “And since Liv was the drill team captain in high school, Mrs. Laverne thinks it’s meant to be.”

“It’s not meant to be.” Liv’s tone is firm.

“But we need you!” Dylan gives her sister-in-law a look that’s pure guilt-trip. “You know everything about the team, the school?—”

“What Dylan’s not saying is if I don’t do it, she’ll have to do it.”

My brows rise, and I press my lips together. “Oh.”

“That is not why!” Our friend cries. “I’d be glad to do it, but ballet is completely different from precision dance.”

“If I remember correctly, you helped me prepare my audition tape for college.” Liv does a gentle rocking motion, patting her daughter’s back.

“I helped you with the switch arabesque and the pirouettes. You did all the rest.”

Garrett walks up, placing a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “Want me to take Gigi home? She’s falling asleep.”

“No, I’ll go with you. ”

“Garrett, tell Liv she needs to coach the drill team.” Dylan grabs her brother’s arm.

“Oh, no.” He hugs his little sister, lifting her off her feet. “You’re not roping me into this one. Liv does what she wants.”

Dylan’s bottom lip goes out, and I can’t help a snort. “You really are the original Kimmie Joy.”

“Right?” Garrett gives me a wink. “I’ve been saying that since Jack brought her home.”

He puts an arm around his sister, and she blinks her brown eyes dramatically at Liv, causing her to laugh.

“It’s time you and Logan had a baby,” Liv says. “Then you’d see how much work it is.”

“Gigi can come with you! We’ll get her a little dance costume, and she can be our mascot…” Dylan reaches for my hand. “Allie can help us, since it’s Austin’s senior year. Wouldn’t it be fun to cheer for Jack and Austin and the team?”

She arches her eyebrow at me, and I confess, “It does sound fun. I don’t know squat about dance teams, but I’ll already be at school, and I love the pep rallies.”

“Yay, Allie!” Dylan bounces on her toes. “That’s the spirit.”

“Traitor,” Liv quips at me. “Now I look like the bad guy.”

“Just think about it.” Dylan holds out a hand. “Don’t say no so fast.”

“I’ll think about it,” Liv grumbles, going to where Garrett is walking out with Zane and Rachel.

“While you’re thinking, can I catch a ride home? Austin’s staying with the guys.”

“Of course.” Liv slides a hand in the crook of my arm, leaning into my ear. “Too bad Coach Jack already left.”

I don’t answer—mostly because I’m thinking the same thing. Although, after everything that happened this evening, I’d probably be as awkward and obvious as hell.

As it is, I follow them out, hopping into the backseat of Garrett’s big ole truck and helping Liv get Gigi settled in her car seat .

Country music plays softly on the short drive, and when we stop in my driveway, Garrett gets out to walk me to the door.

“Want me to come in and check the place with you?”

My heart beats a little faster, and I look at the kitchen light I left on when I went to work this morning. “I’ve been using my security alarm.” My tone is tentative. “But… if you don’t mind?”

He smiles, gesturing to the front door. “It’ll only take a second.”

Tapping in the code, we enter my small house. I hate this new feeling of fear creeping up my shoulders every night. I’ve always felt so safe and at home in Newhope, and I hate Rip Sinclair for taking that from me.

“I’m pretty sure he has no idea where I am.” My voice is quiet.

I lead Garrett down the hall, and he looks in Austin’s room, opening his closet door and checking under the bed. We repeat the process in my room and in the bathroom, looking behind the shower curtain.

When we’re satisfied it’s all clear, he returns to the door. “I’d be on everybody’s shit list if I didn’t check. I’d deserve it, too, if something happened.”

“Thanks, Garrett.” I hold the door, giving him a grateful smile.

I wave to Liv then close it again, turning the lock and rearming the security system.