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She didn’t get to Ja room and kitchen walls had been washed with bleach and water, and she’d taped all around the s, cupboards and doors To over to help

That would be good, having so One

He’s awfully cute, the female Holy Rollers said

“Shush, you guys” But lass and went outside, where Ja up there?” she asked, handing hi out at the harbor—not at his shirtless glory, no, of course not

“Good” He took a long pull of water, then duh his thick, wavy hair God She was going to need a pulsating showerhead, and soon

“Uonna take a shower,” she said That sounds like an offer, the HRs advised “I’irls”

“Maggie and Chantal?” he asked

She kept forgetting he had roots here “Yeah Well, Maggie I don’t know about Chantal”

“Have fun”

“Thanks You all set for, u? Dinner?”

“All set”

Pretty soon, Parker told herself, she should confront the elephant in the rooonna happen again We’re both copacetic with that, yes? So even if you look like a chocolate lava cake and I haven’t had dessert in three years, it’s not gonna happen I’m almost positive

An hour later, Parker was clean and sweet-s the dark interior of a shabby little bar decorated ooden lobster traps and the occasional lobster claw There were about ten tables, a few booths and a counter

“Parker! Over here!” There was Maggie, at a table in the back Or it was the other one, her twin They waved in unison A busty redheaded wo a baby, and four or five men watched unabashedly Beth, the woman from the animal shelter, was also there

Parker went over “Hi,” she said, suddenly feeling shy

“I’ie said Parker assuie, because she had on a Hello Kitty tiara “Have youC branded onto her forehead so people can tell us apart Really, Christy, you’re so difficult sometimes This is Beth, who says you’ve already met her, and Chantal, our sister-in-law, and Luke, our nephew Isn’t he beautiful?”

“Oh, he is,” Parker said, though ad at Chantal’s boob, which apparently was the thing to do

“Glad you’re nursing, Chantal,” one of the men said “Best for baby”

“Oh, ayuh,” the others murmured from their trance

“How’s Beauty doing?” Beth asked Parker

“Oh, she’s good Very shy, but she’s getting there” Parker s be put down”

Christy gave Beth a look “I thought you never put animals down”

“Sorry, Parker I lied,” Beth said with a grin

“Ah, well She’s a great dog,” Parker said

“Okay, girls,” Christy said, “let’s get our new pal here a drink Dewey!” Parker ju our friend a mojito!”

“Coe man behind the bar Didn’t look much like James, not that she could tell, anyway

Christy leaned forward “While ait, ladies, let uy in the world today, outside of my own husband, of course—”

“And Malone,” added Maggie

“And your brother,” added Chantal

“Disgusting,” chorused the twins, and all three of thehed

“Anyway, as I was saying,” Christy went on, “the hottest guy Now, Parker, you don’t understand This town is rather difficult I had to import my husband from away But locally, if you like surly alpha ot him”

“It’s true,” Maggie confir up the last of her mojito “He’s my surly alpha male”

“And if you like irritating, lazy, annoying but cute guys,” Christy went on, “there was exactly one, and he’s our brother, and for soodly reason, Chantal married him Otherwise, there’s Crazy Dave, named that for a reason, Pete Duchamps, our local alcoholic, and Mickey Tatuuy in town…this is big news”

“This is incredibly exciting,” Beth said “I can tell he’s my soul mate already”

“Yes” Christy nodded sagely “Who is he, and how can we get him to marry Beth?”

Parker had a feeling she kneho the hot guy was Howaround a town of 1,400 people? “Dark hair? Red pickup truck?” she asked

“Yes! You know him? Is he yours?”

“He’s mine My nephew,” said the bartender, who’d arrived with a round of drinks He looked down at her “Hello You must be Parker”

She stood up “Hi Are you Dewey?” He nodded “It’s really nice to meet you, and thanks for your help with the house You’ve been great”

“My pleasure, dear,” he said “The least I could do for Jamie’s friend”

“Oh, osh! That was Jamie Cahill?” Christy said “He turned out so nice!”

“He’s a good kid,” Dewey said “Notyou at last,” he added to Parker, then lumbered back to the bar

“I’ve already seen Jaed him and copped a feel,” Chantal said “Sorry, Christy, old news” She popped the baby off her breast and covered up “Show’s over, boys,” she said to her audience “Who wants to burp him?”

“You take hiie I have my own little burp machine at home” Christy smiled at Parker “I have a two-year-old and a two-h tonight Shoved both of theot in the car and floored it”

Maggie practically lunged for the baby and kissed his fat little cheek before assu the baby on the back

“So how do you know Jamie?” Christy asked

Parker took a sip of her drink “He worked for las Point”

“The hovel just before the Pines,” Chantal supplied