page38 (2/2)

“I’ll give you a shot in a second, Aunt Dahlia,” Leo called over to s on him, and he wasn’t afraid to use them I’d discovered he liked to talk at a louder decibel than everyone else, as if he thought we all had hearing difficulties “I want to get past this level, and then I’ll show you how it’s done”

My dad and I shared a grin

Leo was full of confidence I’d learned over dinner he was a pitcher in the junior baseball league “I’hetti “Like, really good”

He was also in a tae kwon do league and could “kick butt”

Levi was quieter, a little shy even It could be his age, but I think he was more like his mom in nature Physically the boys were the perfect e dark eyes, and long hair she wore in tight braids The boys weren’t as dark as Krista but had a beautiful tawny-beige skin tone, their dad’s hazel eyes, and their ht waves, Levi’s was a wild, aeous little boys

“Another coffee, Dahlia?” Darragh asked from the kitchen door “Dad?”

“Not for ood,” Dad answered

I got up from my chair “Let me help”

Krista stayed out in the sitting room, and I found myself alone in the kitchen with my brother for the first time Immediately, I went to him and put my arms around him

Darragh hugged me close, and we stood like that for a few seconds

My hug said I was sorry for all the years I’d wasted

His hug said he understood

Pulling back, I gave hih”

My big brother grinned “Yeah, we did all right there, huh?”

“You did” I leaned against the counter as he set aboutus coffee