Cord pushed his large frame out of the patio chair and met Dez halfway. They did the universal male embrace/clap on the back hug.

"I hope so. I need more testosterone in my home, man. With Winter, Andy, Rhea, Val, and Onyx...I'm feeling like I'm trespassing."

"Where is Val? She didn't fly in with you guys?"

"Uncle Dez!"

"Dez!"

Dez looked out over the yard, finding the girls in the pool. The two of them climbed out and came running toward him, dripping wet but with huge smiles. He hadn't seen the girls in person for almost six months.

Rhea got to him first, hugging his right side. Andy wrapped her arms around his left.

"Girls," Winter said as she passed holding salad dressing in her arms. "You're getting Dez all wet. Go. Get dried off so you can eat."

Andy pouted but looked up at him. She crooked her finger at him so Dez bent low to the girl's eye level. "Did you bring them?" Andy asked.

"I did," Dez said.

"The colors?" Rhea whispered.

exact ones you're requested,"

you, Uncle Dez," Rhea said as she kissed him

the best, Uncle Dez," Andy sang, kissing

backed away and ran for the house, passing Fallon on the way in. As Fallon approached, he shook his head.

his eyes as he and Dez walked to the patio

sat beside Cord. "Hey, I'm not like you. I have

he said, "some of us almost have

narrowed her eyes and said, "I fell

incident. Some folk can't move on from

as he took a cola from the cooler

feet. Onyx was a beast of a dog, and if she wasn't

Winter said, frowning, "I thought you were

was a bit disappointed but he understood that Spring had a life before

we fly out to Arizona to drop the girls off at Jacob's folks for summer break." Cord shrugged then said, "Maybe we can all

connection with Fallon and her? I hear she's a beauty too,"

said. "Then we'd have three seasons in

gonna happen," Fallon said as he opened a

Summer in the first place was odd.

doth protest too much, me

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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