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Noelle was bundled up in an infant carrier that doubled as a car seat Only her knit cap was showing, above a yellow blanket Mack hurried to meet Mary Jo and took the heavy carrier fro down at the baby Noelle stared up at hi--at least, he chose to interpret the sound as one of recognition and greeting A smile broke out across his face He was sure that what he felt for this baby was love, pure and si phenomenon and wondered if he’d been susceptible to it, since he’d brought her into the world Maybe she’d imprinted herself on his heart when she was born

And Mary Jo…He found hi about her far one out with plenty of women, but no one had captivated him the way she had He realized she wasn’t ready to enter into a new relationship, but he wanted her to understand that he was nothing like Noelle’s father

"I’lad you could meet me," Mary Jo said as they reached his truck

"I am, too," he murmured He tucked the baby carrier in the back and buckled it in place, then helped Mary Jo cliot in hi warm air, he waited for Mary Jo to tell him why she’d found it necessary to escape in the middle of the week "So, are you here for any particular reason?" he asked, which was probablyreally," she said "I needed to get away for a while I hope I didn’t interfere with your plans I represumptuous?"

"Not at all" He wanted her to know her company was alelcoood idea"

"Your brothers?" Mack asked Linc, Mel and Ned were often a topic of conversation between the in his direction, nodded

"I thought so"

"I hope you don’t ht Noelle was born and…" She let the rest fade A moment later she resumed the conversation "I’ve kept in touch with Grace and Cliff They’re the nicest people"

Mack shared her opinion He was beginning to s were people he wanted to know better "I was surprised--but definitely pleased--to get your lad I like texting you," she said "It’s as if I’ood friend"

"I feel the same way" Generally she initiated their conversations, which was fine with him He knew he had to let Mary Jo set the pace

"Anyplace you’d like to go?" he asked

"Would it be all right if we stopped at the library and visited Grace?"

"Of course" Grace had opened her home and her heart to Mary Jo on Christmas Eve; it was only natural that she’d want to see the woo"

The drive around the cove took about thirtyher three brothers She didn’t sayher with their concern Mack was properly sympathetic but careful not to see to Mary Jo, Noelle see less with colic these days The doctor had said it could last as long as three months but rarely beyond that

When they entered Cedar Cove, Mack pulled up in front of the library and helped Mary Jo and Noelle out Then he went in search of a parking spot in the adjacent lot By the ti with Grace, the head librarian Grace smiled at him

"I called Olivia," she said, "and told her Mary Jo was co in for a visit She asked to join us"

"Great" He tried to sound enthusiastic, but he was slightly jealous that these ladies would have Mary Jo and Noelle to the alone with theed for tea and cookies in the break room," Grace added "I hope you’ll stay"

Noas expected to be part of a tea party If the crew at the fire station heard about this, there’d be no end to the razzing The whole situation was just too…feminine "Why don’t the three of you visit while I run a few errands," he suggested

Mary Jo’s eyes begged him to reconsider "Please stay"

"Well…okay Unless I’"

"You wouldn’t be," Grace told hi, and Mack didn’t see how he could decline Without further protest, he joined Grace and Noelle in the back room

As Mary Jo unbundled Noelle, Olivia Griffin arrived She wore a knit cap over a head scarf, but it was easy to see that she was bald underneath Still, despite the cancer, despite the treate exuded vitality He’d ht of the birth, and he’d always heard good things about her His parents only had praise for Olivia, as a friend and as a judge; he could certainly understand why This was one impressive woman

Grace and Olivia paid plenty of attention to Noelle The baby laughed and cooed, and Mack experienced a sense of fatherly pride he had no right to feel Noelle gripped his finger, apparently detero

"I asked Mack to pick me up at the Bremerton ferry this afternoon," Mary Jo explained as Grace poured tea all around "I had to get away for a few hours The boys are drivingforward