Page 103 of Samuel

“Oh, but?—”

“No buts. Even if I didn’t know exactly how my brother feels about you, she’d still be my niece because you are a part of this family no matter what.”

“Thank you.”

“My turn! My turn!” Katy rushed towards Evie, both her hands painted with the bright red clay. They landed on either side of Evie’s belly button, and she laughed. “Hello in there, baby. I can’t wait for you to come out so I can play with you!”

The women all joined hands, red paint connecting them to one another as they danced around the field, their laughter filling the air.

It had to be a mirage. There was no way someone looked so goddamn beautiful. So ethereal. So perfect. But he knew it was true. Evie was wearing a tan skirt that was so long it swept up dirt that sparkled in the sunlight as she twirled in a circle. The waist band was slung low under her belly, which was on full display. She’d knotted her shirt so that it sat at the top of her bump, and it was the single fucking sexiest thing Sam had ever seen.

He watched as Evie took his mother’s hands in hers and they spun around together, laughing. A head popped up out of the grass and Sam was shocked to see his sister and Katy join in. Evie mentioned Abby was invited, but usually she wouldn’t be caught dead supporting their mother’s eccentricities.

The women in his family all looked so happy. Carefree.His niece giggled as Evie let her feel her belly. God, his face ached from smiling so hard.

“Well now. That’s a nice sight, isn’t it Boss Man? Haven’t seen Ms. Sylvie that happy in a long time.” Derrick’s hand landed on Sam’s shoulder.

“Yeah.”

“And Abby’s out there with her. Shit. Never thought I’d see that little spitfire indulging your mom.” Zeke halted Jasper.

“I think maybe Evie had some influence on her.”

“She sure is beautiful.”

Sam growled.

“Don’t worry, Boss.” Zeke held up his hands and chuckled. “I’m too old for all that. Besides, it’s been clear since the day she showed up that you’d be claiming her for yourself. Even if she’s not branded in your hat yet. I’ve got a bet going with Derrick though on when it’ll happen.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yep. As long as you do it in the next two weeks, I win.”

Sam chuckled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good man.” Zeke slapped his hand against Sam’s shoulder. “Go get your woman and make sure you keep that dopey, lovesick look on your face. Women eat that shit up.”

“Shut up, Zeke.”

“Sure thing, Boss.”

“I can’t believe you were out there dancing with Mom and Evie,” Sam laughed, pointing his fork right at his sister.

“I loved it!” Katy said as she shoveled more watermelon into her mouth.

“Surprisingly, I did too. I don’t know. There was just something about having all the Cooper women there, together. It felt powerful.

He felt it. The minute Abby counted Evie as a Cooper, she went still. He tightened his grip on her leg and leaned in.

“I like the sound of that. All the Cooper women.”

“Sam…”

“Evie, honey, is there something else you’d rather have for dinner?”

Her cheeks flushed. “No, this is all delicious. I just have to take it slow because I get full faster now that the baby is getting to be so big, and she gives me terrible heartburn no matter what I have.”

Sam’s hand moved from Evie’s leg up to her belly. He could tell Jellybean was being rambunctious from the way Evie kept shifting in her seat.

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