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Ethan stared at her for a long time She tried to read his expression but couldn’t tell what he was thinking He wasn’t happy, but it hardly took insight to figure that out

Finally he stood "Thanks for the update," he said at last

"You’re pissed"

"You’re stealing hiain"

"What do I have to do to convince you that’s not what I’et you into his life five years ago I want this to work But it’s going to have to happen with hi in San Francisco"

He nodded once and left Liz checked on all three kids, then leaned against the tree and drew in a breath

There would be consequences, she thought grimly With Ethan there were always consequences He would probably try to convince her to stay Which was fine Let hi he could say or do to keep her in town And the sooner he figured that out, the better for all of the came early With the kids out of school, she didn’t have to worry about getting them up and ready, but there were other considerations Mostly that today the construction tea Jeff, the burly fifty-so contractor she’d hired, had promised his team would be at her place no later than seven The fact that they would be done by four each day was minimal comfort

She had set her travel alarm for six, showered, dressed and made coffee She was on her second cup when so roouy she saw on her porch

"Right on tian, then blinked several tie T-shirts they wore

Instead of the ladder and truck logo she’d seen in the phone book, the name "Hendrix Construction" was spelled out in a sturdy font

"You’re not Jeff’s crew, are you?" she asked already knowing the answer

The woman closest to the door handed her a cell phone "Boss said you’d want to talk to hihtful of him If you’ll excuse me?"

She closed the front door, looked at the number already punched into the cell phone, and pushed the send button He answered on the first ring

"Don’t take it out on the tea construction crew on my front porch?"

"You know And it’s not Jeff’s fault, either He owed me"

"You seem very determined to make sure I blame you," she countered, her voice low, but still thick with anger "Don’t worry I have every intention ofsure you pay for this"