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“Have at it. The kitchen is yours,” I say with a sweep of my hand. She blinks in surprise. “Thanks, I appreciate that,” I hear the sincerity in her voice.
As she walks over to hug Connor, she suddenly stops with a wrinkle of her nose. Connor looks up at her and states, “We’re ripe.” Then he gives her a wave and yells over his shoulder on the way into the bathroom, “I’m gonna take a shower.”
“Good,” Anna calls after him in a teasing tone.
I involuntarily smile. Then, as soon as I realize it, I frown. She looks at me as if I’ve lost my mind. “You okay?” she asks warily.
“Yeah, our son just wore me out. He’s so full of energy, and I’m suddenly feeling my age.” I say with a sigh. Anna smiles, “Been there, done that.” She looks up at me with an apologetic smirk, “Hate to tell you, but it only gets worse.”
Then she cocks her head and says knowingly, “It’s worth it, though, isn’t it?” She looks at me with a thoughtful gaze, “I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re both bonding so quickly. But I am.”
“Bonding. Yeah, if that’s what spending time with Connor does, then yes. It’s totally worth it.”
She gives me a sweet smile and looks like she wants to say more. I notice she has a smudge of flour adorably across her cheek, and I feel the urge to brush it from her. Instead, I abruptly turn on my heel, kicking myself for almost falling under her spell again. Then I stride to my bedroom and into a shower. A cold shower.
It’s five thirty and Connor and I are waiting in the living room for Anna. We both hear a door open, and she steps into the living room, a vision in white. The light sundress whispers against her skin as she walks over to us. Its intricate purple flowers around the hem swirl around her legs. The delicate scent of lavender, perhaps from her shampoo, wafts past me.
“Mom, you look pretty,” Connor says, a wide smile breaking across his face.
A light blush blooms on Anna’s cheeks. “Thank you, honey. I made a little effort,” she says, her gaze flickering nervously as she licks her lips.
She’s pulled back her chestnut hair on both sides with combs, the style highlighting the light smattering of purple eyeshadow that deepens her clear gray eyes. With shiny lip gloss highlighting her full lips… Kissable lips? What the hell? Seriously, Carson?
I sigh, the sound escaping my lips before I can stop it. As I follow them out the door, I force myself to relax my shoulders, the tension momentarily forgotten under the weight of my traitorous thoughts.
I’m moodily silent on the way to my brother’s house. “Dad!” Connor says loudly, as if it isn’t the first time he’s tried to get my attention. My eyes dart to the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of his expectant face.
“Sorry, Buddy,” I mutter. “I was miles away. I missed what you said.”
“Uncle Chase is your younger brother, right?”
“Right,” I confirm, forcing my attention back to the road. “There’s two years between each of us. Chase is my youngest brother by four years, and Carter is in the middle. He’s two years younger than me.”
As Connor rattles off their names to himself, I reassure him, “Hey, don’t worry about it. They’ll all introduce themselves when we get there.”
Anna and Connor both nod as I pull up to a large home in the San Marco area. It’s an older historic district, and both my brothers have purchased homes in this area. I get out and open the door for Anna, a gentlemanly gesture despite my preoccupation. Connor is already bouncing on his feet. His hair is combed, and he’s wearing cargo shorts like me. He is wearing a red T-shirt, and I’m wearing a light blue golf shirt. My heart swells with pride as he steps up beside me.
Before I can ring the doorbell, the front door swings open wide, and Chase and Carter stand crowded in the doorway. Val and Kat are behind them, peeking over their broad shoulders to get their first glimpse of their nephew.
Twelve
Anna
Connor’s face breaks into a wide grin, his eyes sparkling with delight as he steps into the entranceway. He’s immediately swept into the large family room, all the adults gathering around him in a circle.
My eyes quickly scan over Carson’s two brothers. All the Knight men have similar coloring. Dark, almost black hair and bright blue eyes. They are all similarly tall, dark, and handsome.
“Damn, if you’re not a chip off the old block,” says Chase with a glance at Carson.
Carter steps forward. “I’m your Uncle Carter,” he announces, “and this is your Uncle Chase,” right before wrapping Connor in a hug. As he lets go. Chase steps forward, his voice husky with emotion. “Welcome to the family, kid.”
Then, each of the women steps forward and follows suit. Kat, with her dark hair and cat-like green eyes, engulfs him in a fierce hug. Val comes up with the baby. “I’m your Auntie Val,” she says, her dark wavy hair framing her dark eyes with deep dimples on both cheeks. She pulls him in with one arm for a side hug. “And this is your cousin, Gabriella. Gabby, meet Connor.”
Gabriella reaches out with her baby hands and pats Connor’s face. We watch as his eyes soften as he looks at her. He leans toward her, “Hi Gabby, I’m your cousin.” He leans down and brushes her cheek with his hand. Little Gabby looks up at him with total fascination. Then she holds out her hands toward Connor, wanting to go to him, surprising both her parents.
“Oh, my gosh,” Val exclaims. “Gabby never wants anyone else to hold her.”
Connor’s chest puffs out a little as he gives Gabby a lopsided smile. She gurgles and returns a toothless grin.
