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"You always say that It’s not possible to have too e is important"

"Not when it’s about ie said "You have the Ridge sports equipment, as my dad used to say to me"

Sam felt the familiar sense of hopelessness that always seemed to s him when his parents were around It wasn’t that he didn’t love them; it was that he didn’t kno to survive them

Taryn leaned close "Maybe Kenny or Jack could flash her," she ood one"

She patted his hand and took his elass was full

"You’re a good woie "Now that your father is retired, he can travel withand that makes it fun This country is so beautiful and we’ve been to theplaces You wouldn’t believe all the places we’ve had sex outdoors"

Reggie chuckled "We’ve been caught a few ti of a headache

Kenny leaned forward "Like where?"

Jack laughed "Any arrests?"

Reggie shook his head "We had cops tell us to uy ade still did it Plus, Lark is a beautiful wolanced toward the door and thought longingly of Mexico

Conversation continued for another half hour or so Sam lost track of the number of martinis Taryn poured for him Finally his friends said they had to leave Kenny and Jack both said they’d be walking and co, which et, I want to talk to you about that new technique," Lark told her

"I can’t wait," Taryn said

Lark looked around the roolanced at each other, as if not sure what to do Taryn was already following Lark and Reggie For Sam, it was a no-brainer He headed for the front door and didn’t once look back

"I LOVE IT," Dellina said, feeling so, she could count on her sisters to be there for her It was, she thought, one of the advantages of fale crisis alone

Ana Raquel preened as she tore off a s took it delicately, woofed down the piece, then spun as if to say not only was it delicious, she would very much like some more, please

Fayrene ree These drinks are perfect," she told her twin "With all the different ingredients, the kids can ure out what they like"

"Using different juices is genius," Dellina told Ana Raquel

"I’ to use what’s left over to flavor the sorbet for the next night so the children can tell their parents how they squeezed juice or used the juicer to extract liquid"

She reached for a hot dog puff and bit off two thirds of it, then handed the rest to Caraht?" she asked

Fayrene patted the Po in the people food department and her stomach is rock solid" She scooped Cararaceful roll and settled so her tu

"I love the sorbets, I love the mocktails and the appetizers are both kid-friendly and delicious," Dellina said, happy to check so one over the ite to be a make-it-yourself sundae Messy but fun Heidi had delivered her menu for Sunday; the kids’ band and theater troupe was confirram twice more, then tossed the sheets into the air

"I am officially ready for at least half this weekend and it’s only Tuesday"

"You’re more than half-ready," Fayrene told her "I’ve seen your other list You gotdeliveries today The rest come tomorrow Which ht "I have dinner tonight at Henri’s for the final refinement on the menu and then that’s it except for the details"

"A dinner?" Ana Raquel asked "Not a tasting"

They were all seated on the floor of her living rooht boxes spilled out of her office into the hallway Her dining roos and her head i with details It took a second for her sister’s question to sink in

"It was supposed to be a tasting, but then it grew Sa the parents," Fayrene teased "You’re rushing things"

"It’s work and you know it"

"Sa," Ana Raquel told her "Ihed "I’m sure he would be desperately flattered by that assessment" She scrambled to her feet "Thanks for all your help"

Fayrene picked up Caraot that"

Ana Raquel rose and then hugged Dellina "You’ll do great CallOtherwise, I’ll be up at the hotel at noon on Friday prepping"

Fayrene hugged Dellina, too "What she said You’re prepared"

Caramel offered a quick kiss on the nose

Dellina walked them out, then returned to her office where she studied her master list It was very possible she was ready She had her eency supplies--sunscreen, aloe vera, a jumbo first aid kit, an assort from auto repair service to the cell number for a private pilot who lived in town and ran an air service out of the local airport

Ana Raquel was handling all the food and drinks the hotel wasn’t, she’d coordinated with Heidi for the afternoon on the ranch and she and Greg were ready for the wine tasting Fayrene had the children’s schedule memorized, had helped confirm all the vendors and had verified the extra babysitters would be in place The olf course reserved and--

So her doorbell She turned and left her office only to start walking faster when she heard pounding on her front door

"What?" she demanded as she pulled it open

Sam stood there His hair wason his feet

"They’re here," he told her "They’re here and it’s worse than I thought"

DELLINA GOT SAM inside She moved papers around until there was room on the sofa, then pointed to a cushion He stared at it blankly

"Are you okay?" she asked

"Fine No, I’ about your parents, right? Not an alien landing? Because if lizard people are taking over the world, I want to be paid in advance of the party"

His head snapped up and he stared at her "You think this is funny"