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He chuckles softly "Kind of" A pause "So, what’s your father like?"

My gaze scans the black ceiling above as I ponder that question How do I describe Gabe Welles? "Serious, more than he’s not Difficult to please A believer in the rule of law Thrives on having control of the situation Overprotective of his daughter" It took hih he knew hiround, for fifteen-odd years before that Neil was about as innocuous as a teenage boy can get, and the Sheriff still felt it was necessary to be cleaning his rifle on the front porch when the guy arrived to pickfan of Brody, though he adh my mom knew and could vouch for Aaron, I’runting his approval

I don’t even have to wonder what he’d think of River He wouldn’t like him at all, for the sihter were you?" River plays with one of s "The kind who listened to her serious, controlling, difficult-to-please father? Or the one who didn’t?"

"What do you think?"

His eyes glance overyou made him very proud"

Ainning to think this is unpleasant news for River "Is that a bad thing?"

"No" He chuckles "Not at all Believe me"

I smile "I didn’t really have a choice I had to balance outabout that" He sighs "I should head to the pub now Do you wantabout Rowen It must be this mysterious older brother of his, who he mentioned the other day The one whose very name made tension cord in his jaw and his back "No I can walk It’s sunny out now Bizarre Irish weather"

"It’s bipolar," he jokes "Okay I’ll pick you up at your house around eight?"

"Sounds good" That’s five hours froh time to hit up the overpriced stores on Grafton Street because, suddenly, I don’t have anything in ht out with River

He si away

Waiting forin to steal a kiss and elicit a soft groan fro the back ofagainstthat excites rin, parroting hiht"

Rowen peers up from the liquor inventory "Can’t I need to catch up from the work I ht off?" It’s custoe for Nuala and another bartender to cover the bar for us on Sunday nights so we can take off at seven and have a few hours to relax "No You’re coroans "With who?"

"Amber and her friend, Ivy"

That sparks his interest "That hot, mean little one with all the ink?"

"That’s the one She asked about you" There was nothing about Ivy’s face today that said she’s interested in Rowen, but I still owe hi with the work shirt yesterday

"I’ll think about it"

"Eight o’clock at Nosey Flynn’s" I know he’s in

I’ll never forget my first love I was sixteen Her naer than me I’d known her and her family for years--they were members of the same small parish on the outskirts of Dundalk, and they lived about two e with to and a thatched roof--but I only really noticed her that September, after she and her fah Her body was suddenly full of curves, her facethe baby fat, and her innocent hazel doe eyes were soulful enough to entrap most any boy