Page 41 of Reckless

My lips pull into a smile as I look away. I love that smell too. It’s one of my earliest memories. Playing in the barn with my dad, racing from one end to the other with my arms spread out wide. Breathing in the warmth that you can only find when you’re surrounded by these incredibleanimals.

Makes me miss my father so damnmuch.

Across from me, Logan laughs. “Honey, you are welcome to shovel thatsmellwhenever you’re in the mood. Just let meknow.”

A growl revs low in my chest. Leave it to my brother to reduce everything to a pile of manure. “She’s not shoveling shit, Logan.” Mila giggles at my dirty word, but I’m too tired to care that I’ve cursed in front of my kids. “Tori does enough for usalready.”

“Take it easy, bro.” He holds his hands up. “I was joking.Mostly.”

“Yeah, well, I’mnot.”

Before I can descend into a foul mood, our waitress slides giant plates of steaming chicken fried steak across the table.Thank you,Jesus.

I turn to prepare a serving for the baby, but Tori’s already cutting up Cody’s meal into toddler-sizedbites.

“Want to swap seats with me?” I ask her. “That way I can feed him. Sorry, I hadn’t really thought through the seatingarrangement.”

She helps him take a bite. “I don’t mind feeding the littleman.”

Watching her take care of my son floods me with warmth. As we fall into easy conversation, I can’t help but sneak glances at her from time totime.

Dinner is delicious, and I’m ready to fall into a food coma when two familiar faces pop up over Tori’sshoulder.

“Hey, guys.” I wave to Brady andKat.

Tori’s head whips around, and the smile that breaks out on her face when she sees her sister is ridiculously sweet. She hops out of her chair and gives her sister and brother-in-law quick hugs. “What are y’all doing here? I thought you were barbecuing tonight. I’m glad to see you, though, because I forgot my phone at Ethan’s, and you said to call you thisevening.”

I smile.Tori remembered to pack a bag of toys and diapers and crayons for the kids but forgot herphone.

Brady drops an arm over his wife’s shoulders. “We did barbecue, but Kat wanted some pie, so we decided to make a pitstop.”

“I shouldn’t be eating pie. Trust me, I know this,” Kat says self-deprecatingly.

Brady kisses the top of her head. “You’re perfect, and if my wife and kid want pie, I’m buying thempie.”

She rubs her round belly and grins athim.

The moment between them seems so intimate as they stare into each other’s eyes, I lookaway.

That. That’s what I never had withAllison.

“Where’s Izzy?” Tori asks, leaning over Cody to wipe hisface.

“At my parents’.” Brady motions over his shoulder. “We’re having a datenight.”

Tori chuckles. “I’m coming over tomorrow, so get the ‘date night’ out of yoursystem.”

“Oh, my God. Stop.” Kat blushes and turns her face into herhusband.

“What? You’re pregnant. Like it’s a secret how that happened? Watch out! I’m gonna tell Mom and Dad you did thedeed!”

It’s funny to see how laid-back Tori is around Kat. How much she teases her sister. Makes me realize she’s still a bit buttoned up aroundme.

“Daddy?” Mila scrunches her nose. “What’s ‘thedeed?’”

Tori grimaces and mouths that she’ssorry.

I chuckle and tug on my daughter’s pigtail. “Nothing you need to worry about for, oh, about fortyyears.”

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