Page 92 of Finding Redemption

“Good.” I bite my lip. “To be honest, nervous.”

“About?” She turns to me, leaning against the counter.

“Would I sound ridiculous if I said everything?”

“Reese, you’re talking to me. Not at all. Would you like a drink?” She reaches for the refrigerator door.

“Water?”

“I’ll have one, too.” She grabs two bottles and motions to the couch. “Let’s sit down. They’ll be a while. Southern men and their grills, it’s like an altar to them.”

I follow her over, sitting on the opposite end, so I can see Walker out of the window.

“So, you and Walker? I think it’s a good thing.” She smiles at me, curling up in a blanket.

“You do? I mean, you don’t think it’s strange?”

“Strange. How so?” She sits back on the couch.

“Look at him. And he comes from money. I grew up as poor as they come.”

“You’re beautiful.” I grimace. “What? You are. Walker thinks you’re damn near perfect. And I was raised without much. My parents died when I was young and my grandmother hated me. Brannon and his family raised me. But this family, the Pennington’s have never treated me differently.”

“I thought you grew up with them?”

“I did but I didn’t have much. They’re not like that.”

A feeling of warmth sweeps over me. “How did you and Riley end up together?”

“That man. He’s too good for me.” She watches him out the door. “He loved me for a long time and after my million mistakes in life, still found the strength to love me. He’s a helluva man. But I have a feeling, you know the pull the Pennington men have. Wait until you meet Ian.” She winks with a grin.

“Oh, is that Andi?” I spot a picture on the table behind her. The little brunette is beautiful.

She spins, picking it up and handing it to me. “It is. She’s mine and Brannon’s. She swears she’s gonna marry Walker.”

“I can see why she’d say that.” I return her smile. “She’s perfect.”

“She’s her mother, a hurricane on steroids. They ready, babe?” Riley leans in, kissing Ava.

“Yeah, in the Tupperware.” She pats his hand before he lets her go. “And she is her mother.” Ava laughs.

“Leave my baby alone,” Walker says from the kitchen.

“Which one?” Ava grins.

“Both!” He saunters over, leaning down to kiss me. “Don’t let her scare you. She’s all talk.”

Ava smacks him on the head with a pillow. “You keep walkin’, asshole.”

“I’m goin’. Riley, get your woman.” Walker takes the pillow from her and tosses it back.

“Hell, no. That’s your problem.” Riley smirks and steps out the door with Walker following him. I sit, shaking my head with a huge grin on my face.

“What?” Ava tilts her head, watching me.

“I can’t believe this. He has my head spinning.” I hold my stomach to keep from losing it as the butterflies’ flop around.

“Is that bad? I mean, these boys are intense. I can understand any hesitation you might have.” The corner of Ava’s eyes crinkle.