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"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 kno long Willoould 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’ 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 frouess you could say she’s about as far away fro her at ar 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, Ma intih," I countered

Her blue eyes flashed defiantly at me "And I kneanted to marry your father after three days e hadn’t even kissed What’s your point?"

I closed ined s for each other that ran any deeper than friendship "Would you listen to yourself? I just walked through the door, and you’re giving irl I barely know and one you’ve just h hell and back"

"You left in thereception 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 ht 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 telllater?"

I nodded The truth was, I had so ine 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 "Overour son Diesel or Axel," Alexandra huffed as she stepped into the kitchen