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Were they already a couple? he wondered It would only ether And Dr Grant--he see else Her transformation since the first day he’d seen her was remarkable She had arrived here as a skittish and shy runaway fro She didn’t know he had overheard her when she was telling--or rather, trying not to tell--Rawley that first ht know the details, but Spencer didn’t Still, the changes in the girl were iet She’d beco sprite with a quick wit and spontaneous s safer, low about her and he was inexplicably drawn to her

She’s a blonde, he thought His wife had been blonde Maybe he was just hot for blondes

And of course, that was the last thing he was in thewife to rest just a fewillness Noas concentrating on raising his son, starting a new career,a new home There was no roo a weird and mysterious past

Souests, he believed He gave her a half bow that h, held out a hand and took her out in front of the bandstand to dance There was a littleHe found hiood ti creepy or sinister about her--she seemed so transparent, except ical reason whatsoever, he was glad her flight had brought her here, because he believed this to be a safe place and populated with the kind of irl, if that beca the rounds, dancing with the wo passed around pretty liberally as well--lots of cutting in going on out there Then there was Gina and Mac, the needs, locked together in a sweet, close swayuntil they were disrupted by Mac’s aunt Lou and her steady, Joe, and partners were exchanged But that didn’t last long--they were back together for the next song

He looked for Austin, who hadn’t ers, Landon, Eve, Ashley Ja man by the name of Frank When Spencer had decided to come to this town, he had no idea it would include kids like Landon He was an expert on high school kids, especially athletes, and Landon and his friends were A-list, no question--smart, healthy, responsible and very patient with ten-year-old Austin Landon was bunking with Spencer and Austin while Cooper’s parents borrowed the RV as their guestroouest

Spencer wandered over to the outdoor bar for another beer and, while standing there, he talked with a number of folks from town Yeah, this was a town excited about football season and it h school tea about People wanted to warn hi teao over details of performance in previous years and talk about their stars Finally he was dragged out to dance by Ray Anne and, with beer in hand, he spun her around a little bit

"Wow," she said, "you can even dance!"

"I’ve chaperoned a ton of high school dances," he explained

She tapped his beer bottle with a long, pink, er "No beer at those dances, I bet"

"Not where I could see it," he answered with a laugh

"Hard to believe tied so little since I was in school It’s been a couple of years"

"Has it now?" he asked, playing du around with Coach Rayburough, Cliff and Mac The talk was football, of course And his eyes kept drifting to Devon--she either danced or visited omen friends or sat on the blanket It wasn’t late, but inevitably the party dwindled--people started leaving

Spencer was tackled around the legs by his son Austin looked up at hi?" Spencer asked, joking

"Ha, ha You know"

He looked around and saw Landon was saying his goodbyes, shaking Cooper’s hand, giving his sister a kiss on the cheek Then Landon was striding toward Spencer "Eve and I are going to head out We’ll take Austin home in the Razor, if it’s okay with you If it’s not, I’ll walk him and Eve will drive the Razor Or we could leave it for you"

"As long as he has his seat belt on and you go slow," Spencer said "Don’t hit any wedding guests That’s bad luck"

"For sure" Landon laughed

"We’ll swing by and grab Eve and Ashley on the way holanced at his watch "Half hour or so?"

"Co ’eets home" Then he looked at Spencer and said, "There’s no hurry on that"

They alking off in the direction of the far side of the beach, Austin with four teens And then the saxophone player spoke into the ive you a coupleit up"

Spencer handed Mac his beer bottle and said, "Excuse , Get a few beers inIn front of hi with Scott Grant as he folded up that beach blanket "Al out a hand to Devon "The band’s shutting down"

"Aw, that’s nice," she said, putting her hand in his Then she looked at Scott "If you want to go, I’ll see you in the et across the beach on my own"

"Got your whistle?" he asked