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“I guess, but I like helping you. I used to help my dad with stuff around the house.”

“So he’s the one who taught you how to use a miter saw?”

“Yep.” I smile.

“Hey, did you get that hardware for the doors upstairs?” I hear an unfamiliar voice say behind me.

I spin around, landing on the mirror image of Cole’s eyes minus all the sparkle. This must be Brett. He’s a tad taller than Cole but just as gorgeous. Damn. Their mama made some beautiful men.

“Oh.” Cole moves toward him. “You finally decided to show up?”

Brett’s eyes remain on me. “I got stuck in Miami. The guy from Kardio King and Queen’s wanted to go out for drinks after the meeting, then—” He stops. “I’m sorry, you must be Harper, Willa’s niece. I’m Brett.”

“Yes, I gathered that.” I laugh. “It’s nice to meet you finally. My aunt speaks very highly of you.”

“She’s a wonderful lady. How is she doing?”

“Good. She should be home in another week or so.”

“Glad to hear it. She’s thankful to have you here to take over things.”

“I don’t know,” I say, stealing a look at Cole. “I messed everything up with the first run.” Shit! I have to stop saying that!

“No, you didn’t,” Brett says, maintaining eye contact with me. “The people we deal with, the situations and outcomes, we have little control over it all. She’s okay now. You’re safe. That’s all that matters. Besides, Willa wouldn’t have entrusted you with the task if she didn’t think you could do it.”

I smile. Not convinced but appreciative of his kind words.

“I hope my brother has been a good host these past couple of days?”

I laugh. “Yes. And he’s a good cook.”

“That’s one thing all of the Daxons are good at.” He turns his attention to Cole. “You going to make it to see Mom tomorrow?”

“Yeah.” Cole’s eyes slide over to me. “We’ll figure something out.”

“Alright.” Brett nods. “Now, that hardware?”

“It’s in the far-left back room.”

“Thanks,” Brett says. “Nice meeting you, Harper. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.”

“Yes,” I reply as he walks away, remembering what he said. I look at Cole. “You’re going to see your mom tomorrow?”

“Yes. I thought I’d drop you off at the rehab so you could visit Willa?”

“That sounds good. I haven’t seen her yet, not since I’ve come back. So you’re visiting your mom in prison, right?”

“Yeah, my brothers and I take turns each weekend to stop and see her.”

“That’s nice.”

“She’s our mom.” He shrugs.

“Who did you say you lived with after she, ah…”

“We didn’t have an aunt or anyone to take us in, so we went into the system. We all stayed with a nice couple for the first year and a half, but then our foster dad got sick, and they had to let us go. Brett ended up in Miami. I landed in Hollywood. Lix never made it out of Fort Lauderdale. He jumped around in different foster homes until he was arrested for a misdemeanor and ended up in juvie.”

“Oh, that’s awful. Did you stay in contact with each other?”

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