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Chapter One

Present Day

Rock

“Daddy, watch this!” Daisy May exclaimed excitedly As if she didn’t already have my complete attention

“I’,” I assured her

She ran and began doing cartwheels across the backyard before flipping backward into what I noas called a back handspring My baby girl was a little gymnast, and with that came a lot of practices But every time she beamed atelse I’d rather watch

The past two and a half years of being irl’s daddy had been some of the best years of my life Only one other smile moved me as much as Daisy May’s

Trisha stepped out the back door, slasses of lemonade in her hands That smile was the other one that owned o, but Trisha had been er ouldn’t give me the time of day, and completely captivated by the woman she had become

She was the best mother in the world if you asked Daisy May, Brent, or Jimmy She was the most incredible woman in the world if you asked me And she knew damn e all adored her

“You nailed that, Daisy, baby,” Trisha cheered, and Daisy May instantly lit up Our little girl had lived the first seven years of her life without the love of a iven life to our children hadn’t been able to love anyone She’d been angry and bitter and had neglected not only the childrenclaimed as our own but her oldest son too—one of my best friends, Preston Drake He’d been the only love these kids had known until theirtheer siblings in, but Trisha and I had fallen in love with all of thereed He’d wanted the he had never experienced

They all worshipped the ground Preston walked on He was still their older brother, and he watched theht and any other tiht out alone It was a family unit that worked

I was one lucky son of a bitch

“Momma, do you think I’ll make the tealass of lemonade

“I think you’ve worked hard and you have as good a chance as anyone But no matter what happens, you are number one to us”

Like always, Trisha knew the right answer to everything, and Daisy May beamed at her

“Preston said he would be there,” Daisy May said, plopping down on the grass beside me

“Then he will be You knoouldn’t lass Trisha held out formy woman in my lap Always had

“I’m nervous,” Daisy May added, then took a sip

Trisha reached over and pulled Daisy toward us and tucked her under her ar you on You’ve worked hard, and no matter what happens, you will be our star We will be so proud of what you’ve accoyet a chance at the teaht there is a reason to be proud”

I loved this wo out here, getting nervous thinking about Daisy May trying out tojust Daisy feel better— too

Truth was, I didn’t like the idea of anyone telling ht all their battles in life It was so dah in their earlier years

“Next week I get to be a flower girl again,” Daisy said, grinning up at us She didn’t stay focused on one thing too long She was already thinking about Preston and A

“You have several weddings coine next week’s is the one you’reDaisy May’s brown curls

“Yep! I can’t wait Aet to all stand up there with thes they say I forgot what it’s called”

Trisha leaned back against me as I chuckled “While they say their vows,” I said, and Daisy May nodded

“That’s it We get to stand up there And Ji The one he puts on Aive A and she shut her mouth

“What?” Trisha asked before I could

Daisy May shook her head and grinned, then twisted an iinary key

Apparently, Preston had some kind of secret only Daisy May knew about

“Well, now I’,” Trisha said as she sank farther intoto think about where I’d like tohot She always had been It never got old seeing her in a pair of tiny shorts and a tank top This body could stop traffic

Our fifth wedding anniversary was co up in four months I had already prepared Preston that I’d need his help I intended to take her so We couldn’t afford one But I had been desperate to ure out she could do better and leave o to the courthouse and beco she deserved I had just wanted Trisha

It was tiht before ent on the honeyotten

The first ti her attention had been one hell of a ride She’d been so determined to stay away from me Or any man Then I’d found out whyand I’d sworn to ain

Falling in love with Trisha had changed my life My friends and fa awaypart of h school football star For once I had a parent who gave a shit abouthi had been what drove me to work harder My drea e and then—I knew—I’d play pro ball