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It seemed that Linnette had found the kind of person she needed, but had he? Mack shook his head

And yet, he couldn’t forget Mary Jo Wyse

Which wasn’t re that their relationship consistedher blood pressure

And yet…

11

Linc drove down Harbor Street, peering out at both sides of the street Fortunately, the snow had let up--Ned was probably disappointed by that He wasn’t sure what he was searching for, other than soive anything to see that long brown coat, that colorful striped scarf…

"Nice town," Ned co around

Linc hadn’t noticed His o all out with the Christmas decorations," Mel added

Ned poked his head between the two of theainst the back of the seats "Lots of lights, too"

"There’s only one that I can see," Lincon the road ahead His brothers were so easily distracted, he thought irritably

They exchanged knowing glances

"What?" Linc barked He recognized that look In fact, he’d already seen it several tihts on every lah town," Ned pointed out slowly, as if he was speaking to a child "The street is decorated with Christhts And that clock tower, too, with the Christnals," Linc snapped

"Oh, signals Yeah, you’re right about that" As Linc drove through the don area, there’d been just that one traffic light Actually, he was going back to it He ?" Mel asked, clutching the handle above the passenger

"Back to the light--the traffic light, I mean"

"Why?" Ned ventured with some hesitation

Linc’s mood had improved since they’d arrived in Cedar Cove The traffic was almost nonexistent and his sister was here Somewhere

He tried to think like Mary Jo Where could she be? It had started to get dark, although it was barely four in the afternoon Twilight had already settled over the snowy landscape

"Practically everything in town is closed for the day," Mel said, pressing his face against the passengerlike an anxious child

"Stands to reason It’s Christ neither Linc nor Mel had discovered yet

Linc waited for the light beforea sharp left-hand turn The road ended at a small traffic circle that went around a totee e,lot situated to his left Directly in front of hin read Passenger Ferry

Linc ih the traffic circle and pulled into the parking lot

"Why are we stopping here?" Mel asked in surprise

"Not that I’ I could use a pit stop"

"Yeah, o, okay?"

"Come on," Mel said "I wanna hit the et to Cedar Cove?" he asked theht? Isn’t that e figured?"

"Yeah, she reed "And then she rode the foot ferry across from Bremerton to Cedar Cove" He pointed to the boat docked at the end of the pier

Linc playfully ruffled his brother’s hair "Give the ar"

Mel jerked his head aside "Hey, cut it out" He coh his hair to restore it to order

Linc swung open the truck door and cli his own door

"It’s not for us to question why," Ned intoned and cla to ask if anyone saw a pregnant girl on the dock this "

"Good idea," Ned said enthusiastically "Meanwhile, we’ll visit thatthe street as he waited for them Unfortunately he hadn’t found anyone to question in the vicinity of the dock The only nearby place that seeinatively called the Cedar Cove Tavern

"I Saw Mo Santa Claus" blasted out the door the instant Linc opened it A pool table do over it, pool cue in hand, while another stood by watching They looked over their shoulders when the three brothers came inside

Linc walked up to the bar

The bartender, who had a full head of white hair and earing a Santa hat, aet you boys?"

"Coke foralcoholic Besides, he’d need a clear head once he tracked down his obstinate younger sister

"I’ll have a beer," Mel said He propped his elbows on the bar as though settling in for a long winter’s night

"Coke," Ned ordered, sliding onto the stool on Linc’s other side

The bartender served them speedily