Bell had zero ego, but she did have amazing skills when it came to furniture restoration. I just hoped the desk could be saved. And that Griffin wouldn’t think I was overstepping. I laid a palm on the carved-up wood as if I could urge it to heal. Laughter coming from the direction of the store had me snapping out of my thoughts. “Come on, let’s go make sure my sisters aren’t destroying your store.”

Bell grinned. “If anyone’s causing destruction, it’s Ford.”

We made our way back into Second Chances to find Ford holding Mia upside down as she giggled like crazy. Ava simply looked on, shaking her head.

“Ford,” Bell chastised. “You could drop her.”

“What? Like this?” He made a move like he was going to let Mia go, and she shrieked with delight.

“I’m never having babies with you if you keep this up.”

He flipped Mia right-side-up and set her on her feet. Crossing to Bell, he pulled her into his arms. “Come on, Trouble. We’re gonna have dozens of kids. Fill that house of ours with them as soon as it’s renovated.”

A familiar burn filled me. The one that spoke of jealousy. I forced my eyes closed for the briefest moment before opening them again. Bell wrapped her arms around Ford’s neck, planting a kiss on his lips. “If you want a dozen kids, you’re going to have to birth at least ten of them.”

Mia giggled. “Boys can’t have babies, Bell.”

Bell released Ford and turned to Mia. “Then I guess Ford’s just going to have to settle for two.”

“I want six,” Mia shared.

“Heaven help us all,” I muttered.

Ford patted me on the back. “Good luck with that one.”

I couldn’t even begin to wrap my head around Mia having her own babies one day. They were growing up too fast. It felt like just yesterday that I was holding Mia’s little fingers as she mastered walking. I gave my head a shake. “Okay, kiddos. Who wants to go to the park?”

“Me!” Ava and Mia answered in unison.

“Let’s get a move on. What do you say to Ford and Bell?”

“Thank you for the muffins,” Ava answered quietly.

“Yeah, thanks. They were the best. Almost as good as pancakes,” Mia added.

Ford chuckled. “Anytime.”

Bell gave the girls hugs, and we headed out onto the sidewalk. Mia skipped a few steps ahead, twirling something between her fingers.

“Whatcha got there, Mi?” I asked.

“A bracelet. I made it last night. It’s for Griffin. Want to see?”

I stopped in my tracks. Mia turned and offered me the woven string. A ripple of rainbow colors. One that looked just like the ones my family wore.

“Think he’ll like it?” she asked hopefully.