Page 25 (1/2)

"I think he’s very handsome," she said

The alarm of their arrival had somehow been sounded, probably by Jack froht out Mike, Preacher, and froeneral’s house, Walt, Joe and Paul By five o’clock theto show their faces--the Carpenters, Connie and Ron of the corner store, Joy and Bruce, Harv, the county lineht wasn’t as pure as it ht have been ordinarily, but her mood was lifted by their presence At a little after five, Luke Riordan made his appearance and Mel noticed that Shelby’s eyes took on a very fas at the bar had been extrerieved But with the presence of theseemed just a little bit better

Luke elcomed by the brothers and drawn in with friendly approval The conversation quickly turned to ure out if they had mutual friends or had served in coan to arrive and Luke watched curiously as the irlfriend When Paige came out of her quarters with the new baby, the tot was passed around from man to man, each of whom took her close and affectionately, praised her beauty and snuggled her like any fond uncleon various shoulders while Paige was being embraced

Brie came in from the RV behind the bar, her home until her house was finished, and damned if each one of those men didn’t have his hands all over her belly like he’d been the one to put that baby in there After a quick feel, they’d co a good one here, brother," Josh said "Baby, you are eous than ever!" said Tom

Then caain, with bone-rattling hugs and sloppy kisses It was a whole new experience for Luke Even in his own fa like it But it interested him, the way these h it was expected As if they idolized each other’s wives asthem with a fondness that was hardly superficial; an intimacy that was at once deep and completely respectful The trust was ienuine The security they felt in their relationships was obvious

Luke had never lived in this kind of world

Preacher was poaching fish, stea out snacks The rin was bigger than Luke had ever seen Drinks and food were served, the noise grew louder as the evening grew later Then slowly, the woan to disappear to take care of their children

Luke had gratefully allowed himself to be pulled into the brotherhood It scratched an itch he’d had for a while; he’d beenhis own un to depart, he stole a glance at Shelby Mel had put on her jacket and with Jack’s help with the children, sheShelby mo up when Doc died In the couple of weeks since he’d had his arms around her now and then, but she only laid her head on his chest and sighed heavily, tired and sad The load of Doc’s passing had been heavy, both emotionally and ise It derailed ould have been a serious seduction froht up in conversation with soave him a lift to see her smile

"I haven’t seen as much of you as I’d like," he said

"It’s been a difficult tiotten a lot done without you to distractthrough Doc’s things It hasn’t been easy for Mel I think her heart is breaking, but she’s so strong"

"How about your heart?" he heard hiather their relationship was intense, huave each other so ht--but they loved each other She’s been tellinginto the backwoods to ca to help the about his own neck About the way he used to bend the rules to be sure everything would work out for his town, his people Really, he was an icon I’er along her soft cheek

"It’s hard work I don’t knohat Mel would do without ht now, lucky I happen to be here How’s the house co back out to help," he said, s "But I’ve sanded and varnished the floors, textured and painted the walls, put in new doors, s and baseboards in the house, installed new cupboards and countertops The porch is solid and the cabins all have new roofs, thanks to crews Paul could give ht and the bathrooh I have to do a lot in there to ood little home next door He’s real proud of that It’s the first tih Doc’s things, I’ll come check it out"

"We need soood But there’s hunting…"

"There’s hunting," he confir"

"I’ve committed to Mel and the clinic every week-day," she said

"I’ to be fine"

"Then follow et o"

"That’s the best part ofout the door with hione, the cards and cigars caether and hands were dealt Luke pulled up a chair and eagerly accepted a fat cigar Everyone sat down except Jack "I’uys," he said "Mel told h a hard ti," said someone else

"Tell her we love her," a third chimed in "This crap’s hard on the heart"

"I’ll tell her," Jack said "She’s real tough, but there are ti around helps Four am?" he asked

"Four am Loaded," Preacher said

"Listen, if I’m not here…" Jack said

"No need to explain, buddy," Paul said "Mel comes first"

"She hates it when I shoot at animals And ordinarily, I’d shoot at thee," Joe said "This is one of those ti for his jacket

A few tense and disappointing weeks passed for Caether Story of ht It seemed that every time he found a woman who came to life in his arms, a woman he could fall in love with, she disappeared before he could grab hold of her

He went back to the Davenport when the same bartender was on duty Cameron didn’t know the bartender’s na, Doc? Get you so?"