Steal My Magnolia (Love at First Sight #3) - Karla Sorensen Page 0,19

the wealthiest Black families in town and a man from one of the wealthiest white families in town, both of those families were relieved every time Bobby Jo Boone turned down J.T. MacIntyre. But what he saw in my momma, from the first time he took her out on a fishing date and she caught a bass three times the size of his own, he knew in his gut that he'd love her for the rest of his life. According to him, she knew it too. She just liked to play coy since everything else in his life came easily.

And it was the hundred and first time he asked (or two hundred and first, depending on the telling) when she finally said yes. Their marriage blazed a trail as the first interracial marriage that Green Valley had ever seen. Even though the Boones and the MacIntyres would've both picked different partners for their kids, they embraced the new family immediately.

When I came into the world at six pounds and nine ounces, with a shock of black hair, I was the jewel on the top of their crown, according to my daddy. And he'd never let me forget that. Not in how he treated me or the people who dared cross me.

"Daddy," I said wearily, "you and Momma walked down that aisle with your middle fingers waving, and you know it. You never let anyone tell you that you shouldn't marry her because she was black. And Momma did the same to you. So, don't tell me that I haven't earned the right to do the same thing in this world, simply because you've erected some sort of shield around my very existence."

I stood, and he watched me with careful, suspiciously shiny eyes.

"I'm not trying to keep you from the world, Magnolia," he said, voice gruff. "But I can't protect you when I'm not around."

"I don't need you to protect me. I need you to trust me. Trust that I know what's right for me."

He opened his mouth, but Momma slid her hand over his. "Let her go, J.T.," she said softly.

A shaky exhale of relief escaped my mouth, because as much as I loved my momma, and I did, we didn't often find ourselves agreeing on things. For the handful of physical features she gave me, our personalities were night and day different. She'd spend all her time outdoors, fishing rod in hand, if given the choice. And while I respected that about her, it didn't always leave room for a strong maternal instinct.

But this was a moment I needed her to take my side, and my heart beat erratically that she had.

I came around the corner and gave her a brief hug, which she returned with a brief squeeze of her lithe, strong arms.

Daddy was staring down at the counter, like he didn't dare look at me. The color was still high in his cheeks, and I found myself tearing up, simply because he was wearing his hurt like a neon sign.

It was unfathomable to J.T. MacIntyre that I might crave something outside of the life he built for me.

But I did.

"I love you, Daddy," I whispered.

He wrapped me up in a fierce hug that stole my breath, and I pinched my eyes shut against the warmth of his chest.

"Love you more," he said into my hair. "Now go before I change my mind about allowing this."

Since no one could see my face, and something about small rebellions felt right, I rolled my eyes.

Chapter 6

Grady

Today would be better.

Today, I would not look like a fool.

I parked my car in an open spot by the curb and took a deep breath. I'd hardly slept the night before, so while I might not look like a fool, I had dark circles under my eyes that couldn't be hidden.

What was I supposed to do? My whole body was a giant mass of nerves and anticipation.

It was her. I was going to go to work and see her every single day while trying not to make an idiot of myself when I'd generally never had a problem with the opposite sex.

With one last glimpse of myself in the rearview mirror, I just had to hope she didn't ask why I looked hungover as hell. Imagining my answer was an exercise in misery. "Oh, no, I didn't have a single drop of alcohol last night. I laid in bed, thinking of you, how I can find out every single fascinating detail about you, earn