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The Reynolds home was the perfect place for Carmen’s bridal shower With the exception of Lori, a childhood playrooroom’s veterinary clinic – and of course, Carmen, the bride; everyone in attendance was a member of the Reynolds family Still, in addition to family ties, the Reynolds farh to accoirls, Joan, Mary and Alice – in that order and each born two years after the other,unexpectedly nine years later All the girls were now married and had children Josh had only been married to Lori a few months Oh yes, that would make Lori a member of the Reynolds family too – technically In actually, she was accepted because she was Josh’s wife Lori’s past was a little too liberal for such a conservative family Since they all expected Josh to marry Carmen, what they considered an infatuation with Lori came as a disappointment

Ma Reynolds - Mums, was the undisputed matriarch of the Reynolds family, and she made it clear that Lori would be treated with respect With the exception of an occasional rehters obeyed

Carer than Josh, so it was no surprise that they had become inseparable playmates In fact, Car up that neighbors began to think she belonged there As they matured, so did their relationship Care Everyone simply assuean to silently question her lack of enthusiasm What Josh represented to her at that ti children had been such a non-negotiable part of her plan for the future AfterAlex, she discovered there could beshe didn’t want to live without

These things were on Carmen’s mind as she settled into one of the chairs set up in the family room Katie came in behind her and sat in a nearby chair

"You look so serious," Katie said, her large blue eyes searching Carhts?"

Car about how all this came to be I’m still a little stunned"

Katie chuckled softly "I know So much has happened in the last threesto to be a mommy in December That’s less than five months away"

Katie and Bill were going to have a baby Before Alex caht to a father – only that she wanted children Now,else, she wanted a baby with Alex It was strange how a person got to thinking that way after they learned to love sohts

"Just think, it was the goat dairy that brought Alex to you, and I was the one who caoat dairy or bringing hioat dairy I didn’t think your dad willed you that 80-acre fared one shoulder, her eyes sparkling with humor "Of course, that’s what it will be when Alex is done with it"

Carmen eyed her silently Alex planned to make it a safari of North Ae, it was a good start It would take a lot of money to complete, but Alex had money How much was a mystery even to her, but that didn’t matter She would have o philosophy i hoant Even so, Alex was a blend of excite forward to winter It would be her first winter in a house that wasn’t cold and drafty The first winter she would be able to do chores without freezing her buns off And, of course the first winter she would have a warm body to sleep with

A waraze riveted on the kitchen doorway Alex was talking to soathering, his gaze ih short curly black hair that didn’t need straightening His chocolate gaze scanned the room full of women uncomfortably as he walked toward her, his square-toed boots clicking briskly on the hardwood floor The large western belt buckle at his lean waist o jeans outlined the long lean hs, and the sleeves of his western shirt were rolled up to reveal tanned muscular forearms

Carhed when she confided that he was the handsomest man she had ever seen, but every eye in the roo her side, he squatted close to her, his head almost level with hers Had anyone else been that close, she would have felt her space was being invaded, but in this case the sne and his close proximity increased her pulse He spoke quietly, but his voice carried well

"We’re all going over to work on the buffalo shed now Do you have your cell phone?"

She gazed at those smooth bronzed features and nodded

"Is it turned on?" Humor put a twinkle in his eyes

She smiled "Yes"

He stood in one fluid o hoet you" His hand rested on her shoulder for a oodbye in front of all of the women Then he turned and strode from the room

Katie rolled her eyes "I swear That would drive h "Me too" Then,her expression into mock co her what to do?"

They all laughed and Joan shook her head "He’s a cutie all right, but I have to agree with Katie It would drive h every ed "He’s a little over protective at times, but he means well"

"Have you ever left your telephone behind – or off when he needed to reach you?" The voice belonged to Mums She must have entered the room when Alex came in With crochet needles in her lap, Mulasses

Carmen squir a phone in the house,a cell phone That was his idea, not ood boy"

"Boy?" Alice said "He’ll turn thirty in a couple months He’s astitches before she responded

"He’s book smart and business savvy, but he’s still a boy in soaze ca looked after, don’t you honey?"

Caruess I do like being protected He did save s, you know"

"So did Josh," Mary said without looking up froh

It was true Josh had saved her life on more than one occasion So why did she feel safer with Alex? Of course, with Alex it went deeper than safety Alex was chivalrous Was that it – pretty words and gentle to forget the history between Car a tablet over her head "I’aze fell on Car answers to these questions They’re just for fun Are you ready?"

"Ready," Carrateful for the distraction

"Onewhat do you consider your fiancé’s best feature to be?"

Carht about the question a moment There were so many choices "Do you mean facial feature?"

"Woooo" went around the rooh "Yes Carmen, let’s liled

"I guess I should have asked whether you meant a physical feature or personality," Car "I’ll say his eyes"

"Hmm, theto the soul," Muhed "Why do roaned "Alice, you do reht?"

"Next question," Joan interrupted again "Twowhat is your greatest fear about getting married?"

Seven pair of eyes landed on Cared

"I guess reatest fear is that he will be disappointed inher co the entire room

"He hasn’t sampled herwaresyet"

Mary’s tone was sarcastic as she glanced up froazine in her lap

"If you can lie on your back for five minutes, he won’t be disappointed"

Carain "Actually, I was referring to the fact that he’s so sophisticated and I’m such a hick"

Much about Alex was shrouded in the past When they e corporation He was accusto around sophisticated people - and she was anything but that Any fears about sex were mostly restricted to the first ti wouldn’t be an issue for most women Maybe if she hadn’t been such a herious didn’tSoht her orthy and which were simply out-dated Everyone seemed to have a different perspective on as morally acceptable – especially when it came to sex That was one reason why they never had a television when she was growing up

"Well," Saundra said, uncrossing her long skinny legs "I don’t think Alex is too iuarantee that"

"Nuain "If he were a tree," she started to giggle and lowered the tablet "What kind would he be?"

Carhed "A tree? Let’s see She gave it soht and then answered "How about a hickory?"

"Why a hickory tree?" Alice asked

Carmen turned her pal - but bends with the wind"

Alice clapped her hands "Very good! But I’d think a petite woman like you would consider him tall He’s about 6 inches taller than you, isn’t he?"

Carmen nodded "Yeah, but he’s still only five-nine"

"And he’s slight of build," Mary added "The two of you together wouldn’t weigh 150 pounds soaking wet"

Actually, 250 coure Carhs that by hiht of build He’s perfect Not too thin and not too heavy I like the fact that he’s not all ," Alice said with a grin "To listen to her talk, you’d think he was six feet tall and bullet proof"

"Oh, I love number four," Joan broke in "What is heRich erman, thief, doctor, lawyer or Indian chief?" She looked up from the tablet "Rehed "I do, but I bet Carmen doesn’t"

Car about, but I don’t reuess I’ll do that now" She recited it in her mind "Of course, we all know he’s a doctor, but I have to say Indian Chief isn’t too far off, either" She giggled

"Neither is richinto a wry shed "His pet nickname for you"

A chorus of "Heidi" filled the roo in her chair as she read the tablet "On the next five questions, you’re supposed to tell us how Alex would respond"

"This should be good," Carhter around the room

"Number six What physical feature does he like best about you?"