Brendan entered the estate and found Alex locked in an intense conversation with and older woman. When they both whirled defensively, he felt recognition pull through him.
“Dottie?” Surprise and pleasure filled his voice as memories flooded him. Doris “Dottie” Pearson had been trainer, teacher, and mom to the six of them.
“Oh, my little sweetheart.” She crossed the room quickly and wrapped him in her arms. “How have you been?”
“I’ve been pretty good.” He stooped to press a kiss to her cheek. She hadn’t changed in the near twenty-five years since he’d known her. No one would have guessed that the 5’1 powerhouse standing before him was pushing fifty. In fact, she still looked the same as when he first met her.
“How is it you still look so
