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Since JT had followed tradition and gone into the family department-store business to help his father and uncle, Ryan had beco He was a partner in a fir himself in ways his sister couldn't while she'd lived at hoth to continue the search for his sister and it had finally paid off He was on his way to irl named Samantha who had been in and out of foster care since her o He planned to rescue his niece froed

He pulled up to a well-kept house in a suburban Jersey neighborhood The clapboard siding was painted a cheery yellohite trin that read Costas Day Spa Evening Hours Available

He shrugged at the absurdity of the sign and turned off the ignition The investigator had given hiround info rmation on the current family Sao, they'da Jersey Shore comedy act based on the Adda in and out, Ryan didn't consider it the ideal place to raise a child

Surely his niece would be thrilled to find out she had a sane and stable uncle and family anted her Well, he wanted her The rest of the family, with the exception of his uncle Russ, wasn't so keen on bringing "his delinquent sister's child" back into the fold He'd have to deal with his uptight parents later In the meantihtened his tie before heading toward the house

Music and laughter sounded from behind the home and when nobody answered the doorbell, he followed the path that led to the backyard He looked around, taking in the sights A disc jockey played loud s, and looked again Dae with a pretty blond teen

He wondered if the girl was his niece and his heart twisted tight in his chest A bunch of kids ran by hilanced up at the clear blue sky and for the first tie trees, a banner that said Happy Birthday, Sa of unease settled in his gut as he realized he wouldn't be waltzing in and rescuing his sister's child fro environment Certain he needed to rethink and devise a new approach, he turned to leave when a light touch on his arm stopped him

"You're here!" a female voice said

He turned to see an attractive wo over her shoulders Her outfit was unique and inexplicable Where he caner dresses and suits He didn't knohat tohireen eyes that made hi smile "You must be the new man from Social Services I know our caseworker is on vacation but she promised she'd send someone in her place to wish Sam a happy birthday— which you can do in a minute Please, first come and meet my husband"

A hint of Greek accented her speech and she spoke quickly without taking a breath, giving him no time to insert a word until she'd finished

He wasn't the man from Social Services and it was best she knew it up front "I think you're confusinghined hi would stop this deteruilt Trained by his parents, Ryan typically behaved above reproach He preferred not to lie or cheat, but this woman had presented hiht he was a social worker, they wouldn't turn him away

Besides, he had no idea how Sa up in her life and he appreciated the chance to observe his niece and figure out a plan that would benefit the hie was done

Unfortunately they didn't get far before they were stopped again