Page 160 of Unexpected Redemption

Leo cups his hands around his mouth and shouts, “Sawyer, come on. You look like a dead fish out there.”

That taunt spurs something in Sawyer, and in an impressive flurry of knees, elbows, and hands, he’s reversed their positions and pins her to the mat.

“Fuuuck,” Kri drawls, pain tinging her tone.

“Do you yield?” Sawyer sounds as if he’s barely out of breath.

Poor Kri.

My lip rolls into a pout. I wanted her to kick his ass.

“Yes. Fine. You fucker,” she whines, stomping her only free-ish foot into the mat, tantrum style.

Sawyer lets her go and stands, raising his arms in a wide V. He spins around, gloating like a dickhead. “Let’s gooo,” he hollers, adding a bounce of his heels and an incredibly loud and higher-pitched, “Woooo!”

Tomer laughs more raucously than I would have expected.

My head cricks to the side. “Was that another impression?”

Still chuckling, Tomer nods. “Nature Boy Ric Flair. An old pro wrestler. Before your time.”

I flash a fake, toothy grin at him. “Thanks, you old geezer.”

When Sawyer turns his back to Kri, her intrusive thoughts must win. She shoves her foot into his backside, sending him flailing to the mat. Cackles and guffaws mingle in the air with the sound of raucous applause.

“That’s what he gets for being a showoff,” Sammy says, clicking her tongue and shaking her head at him.

Once he’s picked himself off the floor, Sawyer turns to Kri, offering his hand. She takes it, allowing him to help her to her feet. They share a hug and some whispered words. Shep bounds over to her, likely checking to ensure she’s okay.

Ten minutes later, everyone’s cleaned up and ready for supper. Madeline rings the proverbial dinner bell via a group text.Together, we head upstairs to the breakroom.My little caterpillar is thrilled to see what she’s made tonight.

Coming in hot with asemi-related musing, my ADHD squirrel taps the mic. Being pregnant might be my new favorite thing. Last night, over my third bowl of Madeline’s gumbo, it dawned on me that I have a built-in excuse to eat as much as I want.Yay gluttony!This pregnant and barefoot idea Tomer’s been floating is starting to sound damn good to me.

However, my thoughts ricochet as Sammy falls behind the group, wheezing like she needs to be put on oxygen. Let’s start with one baby and see how it goes.

Dinner’s a pleasant affair, with amiable conversation, more laughs, and my failed attempts to stifle my moans of delight as I gobble up Madeline’s green peppers stuffed with beef and rice.Son of a butterless biscuit. This woman needs her own cooking show.

When we’re done, Leo stands, pats his belly, and starts clearing the table. He narrows his eyes at a few of the guys. “Mom cooked it, so everyone else cleans it. Those are the rules.”

Pushing my chair back, I attempt to stand, ready to help. Tomer presses my shoulder gently. “I got it, sugar bear. You and our caterpillar need rest.”

I bat my lashes at him and blow him a kiss, all too happy to sit this one out. I’m not even close to theI shouldn’t be on my feetstage of pregnancy, but if he wants to start practicing for it, I won’t stop him. It’ll be here soon enough.

“Madeline and all the pregnant females are hereby excused from dish duty,” Boss Dad decrees. “Everyone else, get off your asses.”

Despite a few grumbles of protest, they all get up and make quick work of the cleanup.

A contented sigh escapes me, and I lean back from the table to give myself some room. “Madeline, where did you learn to cook like this?”

Her smile brightens, beaming like the moon on a clear night. “My grandmother. She taught me and my...” Her cheeks wobble as an unknown emotion passes behind her eyes.

“You and who?” I ask quietly, assuming she lost her train of thought.

She glances down to the table, wrinkling a napkin in her fingers. “My sister Tilly. We were very close once.”

Oh, my heart.

Sammy shakes her head. “You could give her a call, Mom.”

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