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"It was nice of Dylan and Aidan to treat us to dinner tonight"

Claire knew it took a lot out of her father to say that, and a lot more for him to actually say their naht have actually done it Officially won Ron McKinley over

Then again, when you made reservations at the best steakhouse in the city for a man who loved steaks more than life itself, you had a solid chance for success

She picked up heramount of ht-ounce peppercorn or the--"

"You really love the up "What?"

Ron reached for his beer, took a big gulp, then set the glass down on the rustic wood tabletop The entire restaurant had a cookhouse-type feel to it, masculine to the core, with ani out of the speakers

"You love them," he repeated "Dylan And Aidan"

"Yes I do"

Her father shifted in discomfort "Those boys adore you"

She set how it’s ever going to work, Claire-Bear"

"We’ll make it work," she said simply

"It’s not that easy"

"Yes, it is I know it doesn’t make sense to you, but it works, Daddy It really does And I truly hope that in time you’ll be able to accept it, and thehtful look in his eyes "Well, they do know their football It et their advice next season about"Oh, Dad, I love you"

"I love you too, sweetheart" He sounded choked up as he said the words

Their heart-to-heart was interrupted by the arrival of their waiter, a burly oatee "Excuse lanced over her shoulder in confusion Her jaw dropped when she spotted Dylan and Aidan advancing on their table

With her mother sandwiched between them

Her father looked equally stunned "Nora?" he exclai here?"

Claire’shesitant "Claire’s…ued for me to fly in" Nora suddenly smiled "I flew in a Coast Guard helicopter It was very exciting"

Claire noticed that Aidan and Dylan were fighting grins She also noticed that her father looked extremely nervous as he rose from his chair and walked around the table toward her ruffly "What does that ht now itto sit down and have a nice dinner"