6. Larkin

I watchedfor a second longer than I should have as Knox retreated into his house. His physique in those jeans and T-shirt from behind? Just as good as the front.

Even more of a reason to stay away.

Fletcher, Knox’s brother with dark brown eyes and hair to match, pressed up from the table, saying, “I’m going to see if he needs any help with the food.”

After he got up to leave, Ford looked nervously between us and said, “Yeah, me too.”

With all the guys gone, Liv looked at me over Jackson’s nearly bald head. “You sure know how to clear a room.” My cheeks heated, until she added, “Teach me your ways.”

I let out a laugh. I liked her already.

She was curvy like me, had brown hair that fell past her shoulders in waves, and big blue eyes that practically sparkled with her smile. She also had quick wit and a way of cutting to the point, which I really appreciated.

She bounced Jackson on her lap, making him giggle.

“You’re so good with him,” I commented. “And your daughter plays so well with Emily. Usually kids Maya’s age are trying so hard to be cool that they’re annoyed by younger kids.”

Liv cast a smile my way, crinkling her blue eyes at the corners. “We love kids. I was actually a nanny before being a stay-at-home mom.”

“They were lucky to have you. A good nanny is hard to find.”

There was a sparkle in her eye I didn’t quite understand, but then she said, “Look at them, heading inside to cause some trouble.” I followed the nod of her head to see Maya and Emily creeping toward the back door while Leah toddled our way.

“Should I stop Em?” I asked.

Liv shook her head. “Maya loves playing pranks on her uncles. Looks like she’s bringing Emily in on the tradition.”

And by the way Emily was smiling, I couldn’t begrudge her the moment. Leah drew near the table, taking us in with her brown pigtails and big brown eyes, and I smiled at her. “Hi, sweetie,” I said.

“Hi,” she replied in a sweet, raspy voice.

“Want to sit with me?”

Her answer was to grab my knees and climb into my lap.

“Impressive,” Liv said.

I raised my eyebrows.

“She hates everyone except Mom and Dad. Oh, and Knox.”

I chuckled, bouncing her in my lap. “I remember Emily wouldn’t sit still for anyone but me until she was two years old, when we took her to Paris to see my sister. Luckily Jackson’s a little more easygoing.” He was still happy in Liv’s lap, playing with a spoon from the table.

Liv tilted her head thoughtfully. “You know, some friends and I are doing a girls’ night next weekend. Want to come?”

“I haven’t had a girls’ night in... years,” I said honestly.

“Years?”

I nodded. “My ex-husband worked evenings and weekends a lot, and when he was off, I wanted to spend time with him.” Now, I realized how much I’d been missing out. Because I didn’t have a husband, and I didn’t really have friends who weren’t “our” friends. Now I just wanted to leave all of that behind.

Liv reached over, squeezing my arm. “Well, that’s changing next Saturday.”

I smiled. “I can’t wait.” My mind was already turning with ideas. Hopefully my in-laws would be okay with an overnight with the kids.

There was a loud commotion inside, and I snapped my gaze in that direction.

With a chuckle, Liv said, “And that’s the prank.”

The girls bolted outside, giggling, ponytails flying behind them with their speed, and behind them followed... Knox Madigan, his face covered in whipped cream.

“I’m going to get you back for that!” he yelled playfully, making both the girls let out peals of laughter. He caught up to Maya first and picked her up, hugging her close so her cheek got whipped cream on it too.

Emily put her thumbs by her ears and wiggled her fingers. “Can’t catch me!” She darted behind a tree, hiding.

“Oh yes I can!” Knox said, putting Maya on the ground. Maya grabbed onto his shirt, tugging him back. The fabric pulled taut, showing every line of muscle. Knox pretended like the little preteen was slowing him down while Emily giggled loudly behind the tree, and then she snorted.

Liv broke out laughing, and my eyes felt hot with tears for my daughter. This was the happiest I’d seen her since the split.

Leah squirmed out of my lap, moving as fast as she could toward Knox. She tugged on his shirt too, laughing. And Knox said, “Emily, you win this round, but I’ll get you back!”

Laughing, Emily ran up to me, wisps of hair loose from her ponytail and light shining in her eyes. “Did you hear that? I won!”

I smoothed back her hair and kissed the top of her head. “You sure did.”

She ran off to play with Maya, and then I heard Liv say, “That’s Hayes.”

I glanced toward the back door, and my lips parted.

Holy hell, what did they put in the water in this town? Hayes looked like the kind of guy who would give you the night of your life and leave your bed empty the next morning.

He had on a white shirt, tattoos swirling down his muscled arms and up his neck. A ring glinted on his lip, and a dangerous spark glinted in his steel-colored eyes. His lips lifted in a smirk as he pinned me under his gaze and said, “So you’re the new neighbor?”

I had to swallow to find my voice, not sure who caught me off guard more—his professional-football-playing brother or him. Here I thought I’d moved to a sleepy small town where nothing ever happened, but looking at the crowd around me, I had a feeling this place was anything but boring.

“I’m Larkin,” I managed.

He walked up to me, leaning on the table, and said, “Welcome to Cottonwood Falls.”