“Is she the reason you left?”

“No. She isn’t.” I turned off the water and grabbed a hand towel. I realized then that no one had told her about Breakneck and Sarah. Since I didn’t know how long Willow would keep Annabel occupied, I gave Mama Beth a condensed version of the story.

When I finished speaking, her kind eyes were filled with tears. “I had no idea.”

“It hasn’t been made well known because it’s his story to tell. I’m sure Breakneck will be letting the rest of his brothers know soon.”

Mama Beth chewed her bottom lip like she wanted to say more—it was a trait Bishop had inherited. I was sure I was exasperating her with my short responses.

Finally, she couldn’t keep it in any longer. “She isn’t like us.”

“Excuse me?”

“What I mean is unlike Sarah, Annabel isn’t from an MC family, is she?”

“No, I guess you could say she’s about as far away from us as is humanly possible.”

“Is that why you’re keeping her at arm’s length?”

Tossing the towel back on the counter, I replied, “What is it with all the questions?”

“I watched you two out there. The way you look at her, the way she looks at you. You care about her very deeply.”

“Yes, I do care about her, but it’s not what you think.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“I’ve known her less than a week, Mama. And there’s been nothing intimate between us. Not after what she’s been through,” I countered.

Her blue eyes flashed defiantly at me. “And I knew I wanted to marry your father after three days when we hadn’t even kissed. What’s your point?”

I closed my eyes and tried to control my temper. I’d never imagined my mother would think Annabel and I had feelings for each other that ran any deeper than friendship. “Would you listen to yourself? I just walked through the door, and you’re giving me the fifth degree about a girl I barely know and one you’ve just met. A girl who has been through hell and back.”

“You left in the middle of your brother’s wedding reception and told no one where you were going or why. Then when you do show back up, it’s with a strange girl! A beautiful one, I might add, but one who looks two steps above even Alexandra. Considering all that, I think I deserve to give you a little grief.”

“Not when that girl is just down the hall.”

“Then you will tell me everything later?”

I nodded. The truth was, I had so much to tell her, more than she could probably imagine. Once I had told Bishop, I realized I should be honest with Mama Beth and Deacon, and I would do that just as soon as I could get a moment alone with them.

Our conversation was thankfully interrupted by the back door blowing open. “Over my dead body are we naming our son Diesel or Axel,” Alexandra huffed as she stepped into the kitchen.

“Just what the hell is so wrong with those names?”

Alexandra didn’t respond. Instead, she just threw him a death glare. Deacon’s eyes lit up at the sight of me. He crossed the room in two long strides to meet me. “When the hell did you get back?”

“About an hour ago.”

Deacon gave me a tight hug. “Glad you’re home.”

I thumped his back, appreciating his show of emotion. “Thanks. It’s good to be back.”

Once Deacon released me, Alexandra quickly replaced him. When she pulled away, she tenderly kissed my cheek. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

I could see the concern for me in her eyes, and I hated that I had been the cause of it. “I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“It’s okay. Just don’t do it again,” she replied with a smile.

“I’ll do my best.”

She smacked my arm playfully. “You’d better.”

“So what’s this I hear about a boy?” I glanced between her and Deacon. “You two have some news for us?”

Alexandra shook her head. “Not yet. But we did get to see the baby at today’s appointment.” She thrust a grainy black-and-white image in front of my face. Once her hand steadied, I surveyed the picture of my future niece or nephew. My heart swelled with pride at the sight of the new life.

“Looks strong and healthy.”

Beaming with happiness, Alexandra replied, “The doctor said everything looks great. The baby is even measuring a few days ahead of its due date.”

I smiled at her. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“Tell him about the heartbeat,” Deacon urged.

With a slight roll of her eyes, Alexandra huffed, “Just because the ultrasound technician commented it might be a boy because of the heart rate, Deacon has it in his head it’s one hundred percent a boy.”

Deacon grinned as he placed a hand on Alexandra’s stomach. “I’m telling ya, that’s my son in there.”

Jutting her chin out, Alexandra countered, “It could just as easily be a girl.”

Deacon grunted. “We already have a girl. We need a boy—a son to carry on the Malloy name.”

“You’re impossible,” she muttered.

“But you love me anyway,” he countered. He then wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her closer to him.

She grinned up at him. “Yes, I do.”

It was at that moment Willow came into the kitchen leading Annabel by the hand. From Annabel’s lighthearted expression, I could tell she enjoyed being around Willow. That wasn’t surprising to me. Despite all the horrible shit she had been through in life, Willow possessed a carefree nature that was infectious.