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He did like Michelle There had never been a question about that After all, she was the only one who could get hi a recluse And it was because of her that he was finally thinking about his future

But he liked her ether, pretending to flirt in front of his brother, had done things to him They’d struck a chord within hi

There was a reason he was feeling like such a bear today Every ti stabbed with a needle A thousand needles He wanted her to himself Every touch, every smile, every shared expression had wormed their way into his heart He’d always known she was different That she was special Even as kids

And he definitely liked her enough to play Go Fish And to let her win

As the trailer went over a bump in the road, everyone shifted in their seats Michelle leaned against hiain like coconuts He dared nother body next to his, the heat of her skin and the reaction in his gut was all the confirmation he needed

He was falling for his brother’s girl

Chapter Seven

Michelle waltzed around the craft and activity fair between the S of sweet and salty kettle corn Every Novee Farm and this year had turned out to be an especially beautiful and sunny day

A giant pue and white puht red painted barn Kids darted throughout the drying vines, picking the last of the year’s harvest to paint and bring home Pony rides and a corn maze had been set up just beyond the field At the far end of the homestead was a massive metal shed where vendors from local businesses and artisans had set up their booths Michelle directed Garret and Joseph to the shed first, eager to look through the wares

But it was hard to keep her attention on shopping, or anything really, except for theopenly with her now, spouting off jokes and shooting her devastatingly handsoht after the parade Joseph iddy with nerves

That was in stark opposition to the feelings Joseph gave her as he was helping her pick out a hand-painted wooden sign for her new apartment in Kansas City He was a steady presence He listened patiently whenever she spoke and seemed to understand her even when she acted flustered The few tin had set her skin afla effect that made her peek at hi her way

What was going on with her?

“What do you think of this?” Garret pointed to a sign with a piece of holly painted on it and the words Dear Santa, Define Naughty? He guffawed and pulled it off the wall, offering it to her “I think you need this one”

“Right” She raised an eyebrow and gave hi for”

“Coet better than that”