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July 15 - July 17, 2025
I don’t have a problem with letting a guy take the reins. There’s something about a man who is decisive and knows what he wants that I’ve always found attractive.
snort. “I thought you weren’t interested in any of the guys.” “I’m not. But I have eyes, Ronnie, and these eyes tell me that those men are hot. Objectively speaking, of course.”
I’m not alone. I have God, Indy, my family, the Dragons . . . and the two women who are currently screaming my name.
The Screaming Peach,
Mrs. Woodhouse,
I’m feeling incredibly stupid at the moment, holding a dozen cupcakes for a man I’ve known for years, yet don’t really know at all. Just because the thought of him celebrating his birthday alone made my heart ache.
No, Ronnie. You will absolutely not get any fuzzy feelings for Archer, I scold myself. You literally just dumped Buck.
Shuffling comes from beside me and I look up to see one of the older guys, Ivan, standing there. His expression is thoughtful as he studies me. “Son,” he says softly, “take it from someone who also lost the love of his life . . . you don’t want to taint your wife’s memory by not living. I’m sure she wouldn’t want that for you. Or your daughter. Would she?”
“As long as we’re breathing, repentance is never too late. And neither is forgiveness. Don’t you think?”
“If you hurt the lass, you’ll have us to deal with.” He motions around the room.
“I know you have to watch your figure, Princess, but a little real chocolate every now and then isn’t going to mess with those rock-hard abs of yours.”
“You know that you can survive your entire life without having chocolate, right?” His brown eyes crinkle around the corners as he grins. “What a miserable life to live,”
But when I step into the living room and find Archer sitting on the couch while Indy stands in front of him so he can braid her hair, I can’t stop the way my heart stutters. Oh boy, I’m in big trouble.
Ronnie looks genuinely surprised as she blinks at me. “You’re dying Indy’s hair?” “Like yours,” Indy chimes in as she runs into the bathroom. My gaze finds Ronnie’s, and now she’s blinking even faster. “What?” I ask, worried that I’ve done something wrong. She looks between me and Indy. There’s a suspicious sheen to her eyes as she clears her throat. “You’re letting her dye her hair? Like mine?” I shrug. “Is that bad?” Ronnie shakes her head. “That’s the sweetest thing. You really
Ronnie is starting to become a true friend. And I haven’t had one of those in a long time.
Pulling her sleeve back down, she beams at me. “See? We match!” She throws her little arms around my neck and says, “I love you.”
“Oh. Um . . . they kind of go hand in hand. I loved phoenixes when I was little. You know, because they represent rebirth and hope? I guess I was fascinated by them because of what my mom did to us and I wanted to show that I’d withstood the ashes her abandonment left behind.” I trace the tattoo with my finger. “The cross represents life and hope, too. And it reminds me that Christ is the One who pulled me from those ashes.” My throat tightens with emotion.
Heat rushes to my face. Oh my goodness. Archer Sullivan made me a PMS-care basket.
walk to the living room, but the sight in front of me has my feet glued to the floor and my heart fluttering faster than a hummingbird’s wings. Archer is sitting by the fireplace, cuddling Denny to his bare chest while murmuring soothing words to him. Be. Still. My. Heart.
Or maybe in God’s grace, He gifts us with another chance. And if He does . . . well, I would want to snatch it and hold on for dear life.”
He shoots me another grin, and I’m glad I’m sitting or my knees would have definitely given out. “To get messy.” And then . . . the man winks at me before turning back to the road and I am DONE FOR. Done. Stick a fork in me D.O.N.E.
My chest tightens as I pull out his jersey. If he’s not ready to move on, I can’t force it on him. I would never want to. But I‘m going to make darn certain he knows what I want. To be his.
Archer turns to Buck. “The lady has spoken. Now leave.” Anger flashes in Buck’s eyes as he shouts at Archer. “You have no right. Who do you think you are? You can’t tell me I can’t talk to my girlfriend!” The door swings open behind me, and the entire team pours out of Dad’s house and takes a protective stance behind me. Archer turns, stepping beside me.
“He’s one of us. Even if he’s been an eejit,”
Archer didn’t just break my heart. He ripped it right out of my chest, threw it to the ground, and watched it shatter into a million pieces. I’m not sure I’ll ever recover.
“It was a bad few years. Drug addiction. Homelessness. I wasn’t in a position to come home.” Glancing around her apartment, I ask, “What changed?” Her lips lift in a bright smile. “Jesus.
Ronnie didn’t just embed herself into every area of my house. She’s embedded herself under my skin, into my mind, and into my heart.
She’s filled the hole that losing June left behind and though there will always be a spot there with June’s name on it, my heart now beats for Ronnie.
“You, Veronica Reynolds, are the sunshine that broke through my darkness. You’re like the first spring morning after a cold and harsh winter. When I’m with you, I feel alive for the first time in years. You bring the sweetest chaos to my life. You’re all things warm, vibrant, and colorful.” Pressing his forehead to mine, his warm breath dances across my face, and I sink into his touch. “I love you, Ronnie. I want to build a life with you. You and Indy . . . heck, even the mangy dog.”
“I love you too . . . Princess.”
