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Lauren had turned to go to her roorief, what century are you living in? That tery!”

His face had turned florid “What I call that Coot sand in your hair, girl! Of all the s, why hih the mud?”

Lauren knew better than to lie She straightened and squared her chin “My personal life is my own business I’m over twenty-one I don’t have to answer to you”

Color deepening, he took a step toward her Lauren braced herself, half expecting him to raise his hand and strike her But then he halted, the breath hissing out of him

“Maybe not But whether you like it or not, your behavior reflects onthat man, so help me I’ll ruin him! I’ll blacken his naressman I have influence, connections, people who’ll believe me”

Lauren was treainst hiain!”

His face contorted into a sneer “Right now I’m not sure that would be much of a loss You’re exactly like your mother—a slut!”

He flung the word at her and stalked out of the room

CHAPTER 9

By dinnertih to be up and around He was already de to ride his ATV and move from the spare bedroom in the house to his side of the duplex he shared with Sky Bernice, who’d cared for her brother with saintly devotion, declared that she’d reached the end of her rope

“Now I knohy I never took on another man after my Andy died, God rest his soul” She punctuated her words with doard strokes of the potato ru on vacation!”

“Then why not let Jasper go back to his own place?” Sky used a towel to lift the heavy roasting pan out of the oven and set it on the stovetop The kitchen wasn’t his job, but Bernice had been favoring her back lately and he worried about the strain

“You kno raain, I’ll never forgive myself”

“He’ll be fine, Bernice” Sky began carving the succulent priet And Will’s locked up the keys to the ATV, so Jasper won’t be taking it anywhere till he’s ready”

“I just don’t know” Bernice scooped the mashed potatoes into a bowl and added a dollop of butter “When you co somebody”