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055866f
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Hey, Jack," John said. "Why don't you go ahead. I'm right here. Go ahead, bring her out." "No way, man," he said, backing away. "Come on--you know you want to. Might as well. You did the hard part. You put up with this for nine months." "Hey!" Mel objected. "Excuse me?" But Jack got a funny, dreamy look on his face and said, "Yeah. Let me bring her out. Let me. Since you're right here..." All these months of insisting this wasn't what he wa..
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Robyn Carr |
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90e9930
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He pulled off the gloves and ran a couple of fingers along Mel's cheek, then over the baby's head. She turned her watering eyes up to his face. "You're getting pretty good at this," she said in a weak whisper. "I am, huh. So are you. Mel, she's gorgeous. Positively gorgeous. She's going to look like you." He leaned over the baby to put his lips against hers. He moved over her mouth lightly. "God, I love you." "She's smaller than David," Mel..
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Robyn Carr |
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4c6c3d5
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You gonna wake up?" She lazily opened her eyes and jolted awake, scooting up on her elbows. "What? What?" "Easy. It's okay. Sort of." She blinked a few times and then her eyes were wide. "Where am I?" "I brought you inside. I had to. You were on your way to freezing to death. You must not have a brain in your head." She squinted at him, pursing her lips. "Oh--I have a brain. I'm just not real experienced in mountain life." She struggled to ..
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Robyn Carr |
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7a546bd
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Huh?" she said. "What's this?" "I think you have a fever. Might be from damn near freezing to death, might be from something else. First we try aspirin." "Yeah," she said, taking them in her small hand. "Thanks." While Marcie took the aspirin with water, he fixed up the tea. They traded, water cup for mug of tea. He stayed across the room at his table while she sipped the tea. When she was almost done, he said, "Okay, here's the deal. I hav..
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Robyn Carr |
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f6fc0b4
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Well, you don't follow instructions very well, do you?" she asked. "I don't know what came over me," he lied."
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Robyn Carr |
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491efc0
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He chuckled and, leaning over to pull off his boots, said, "You'll get a good night's sleep now. I'm staying the night." "Oh," she said nervously. "I don't think that's such a good idea...." "Relax, mija. Don't I know everything you're going through trying to get your life back? You can't honestly think I'd do one thing to make you feel threatened." "Well..." "Don't insult me," he said. "I've done a lot of unforgivable things, it's true, bu..
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Robyn Carr |
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4af667c
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I was looking forward to coming back here for some fun. Before this happened to me, I'd been planning all the many ways I could break your heart." He cocked his head and smiled at her. "Had you, now? That sounds interesting. Now I have something to look forward to." "I was thinking you'd be devastated. Wiped out," she told him. "Ah. Are you willing to share any details?" "Not a chance." "I'm already devastated."
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Robyn Carr |
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d2eb601
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He hoped it didn't show on his face that just looking at her in the dim firelight was a treat, a delight. Her hair all mussed from bed, her feet bare, her cheeks pinked up from anxiety, she almost took his breath away. He knew she was skittish around men to the point that she couldn't even go to a coed gym to work out, and he didn't delude himself that he was exempt from that category, not even after all the time they'd had together. Oh, pe..
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Robyn Carr |
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9f2ae73
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I'm being too pushy, aren't I?" Ellie shook her head. "I don't deserve you," she said in a whisper. "I think you're the best friend I've ever had. At least since my gramma..." Jo shrugged. "Honey, you're my only shot at something that resembles a daughter and grandchildren. And I intend to nurture the opportunity. I'm just saying--this is your home for as long as you want it." *"
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Robyn Carr |
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9157891
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There was a soft knock at the door and she glanced at the time on the bedside clock radio; it was after ten. She opened the door and smiled at Noah. "Never do that again," he said sternly. "We don't really know how far we can trust Arnold." And then he brushed past her to enter. "I knew it was you, Noah," she said, closing the door. "I could hear Lucy panting." "You thought you knew it was me. It could have been Arnold panting. I don't thin..
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Robyn Carr |
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6fe2a1e
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What did you say?" he asked. "To who?" "Whom," he said, and then he almost kicked himself. "To Miss MacIntyre, for example." She studied his face for a second and then, with a hand on her hip, she said, "I said, 'You're damn skippy he'll do a wedding--he needs the work!' What do you think I said? I took her number and told her I'd have you call her back. The same to all of them. Except the nurse--I told her she was scraping the bottom of th..
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Robyn Carr |
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8b18051
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Aw, Noah. That's nice." "I've been trying to tell you, I am nice." She dried her hands on a towel. "Yeah. Watch out for Gloria, toots. I think she's looking for more than nice." *"
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Robyn Carr |
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9606b10
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When do you suppose you're due?" "How did you guess?" "I've never seen Luke act like this--hovering, protective, sweet." "Annoying, cloying and paternal. I don't have a date--I haven't been to the doctor yet. But I suspect it happened on the wedding night, just as Luke planned." Aiden laughed. "You're going to want to watch that. Unless you want six of them." "Oh, I might have two, but not six." She grinned. "Snip, snip." "Have to admire a ..
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Robyn Carr |
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89ef136
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troubles aren't worth the paper they're written on, but that doesn't mean writing them down won't help you get a fix on 'em.
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Robyn Carr |
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79addda
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God respects you when you work, but he loves you when you dance.
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Robyn Carr |
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7805140
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Thinking about Noah made it difficult to remember that there would never again be a man in her life. Ever, ever, ever. She'd been hurt by men too often. Okay, there hadn't been many, but the three major contenders had been totally horrible. Death, prison and weirdness. If there'd been even one lucky break where love was concerned, she might consider another stab at it down the line a bit, but not likely. She had already proven she didn't kn..
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Robyn Carr |
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072c6ad
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So, what brings you to town?" Sean took a sip of his beer. "Burning off some leave. Visiting my brother. I have a little over six weeks of leave left. I used to hit the bars with my brother, but his running days are over." "War injury?" the bartender asked. "Battle of the sexes. He just got married." The bartender whistled. "My condolences." Tonight"
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Robyn Carr |
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4baf18a
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As Sean watched the proceedings he missed her so bad he ached with it. Letting her get away was one of the great tactical errors of his adult life. He should have found a way to convince her they'd be fine together without marriage, without a bunch of ankle-biters. But at twenty-eight, pumped up on his fighter-pilot prowess, he'd been overconfident. He had especially not been ready for some woman to be calling the shots. Now, at thirty-two,..
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Robyn Carr |
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70e22f4
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If she looked his way, even once, he'd have to think of something clever to say. He'd have to smile, walk confidently across the room to their table, say hello and get friendly. He'd have to make them laugh and like him, because he couldn't let her get out of here without finding out where she lived. She might be visiting one of those women, which meant that after she left, she'd be totally gone again. He couldn't let that happen. He needed..
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Robyn Carr |
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a42f9ef
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Why don't you go over there? Say hello?" the bartender asked. He looked up at his new friend. "Yeah...well... The last time we talked, I wasn't her favorite person." The bartender laughed. "Hard to imagine," he said. Sean"
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Robyn Carr |
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68c463a
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He made up his mind and it took him less than fifteen seconds to decide--he really needed to see if he could get things straightened out with Franci. They should be together. He just hoped she would see it that way. He actually said a prayer. There had to be a patron saint to ignorant, immature playboys, right? Saint Hugh? Saint Don Juan? Whomever...give me a break here and I'll change my ways. I swear. I won't be overconfident; I'll be sen..
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Robyn Carr |
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e8f0c58
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Now that he'd seen her, he knew what he'd long suspected. He was far from over her. *
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Robyn Carr |
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bbca58b
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Can I foster her until my wife and I have had a chance to make a final decision?" The lawyer shrugged. "I don't see why not. Terri had you in mind anyway." Paul held little Hannah close. "Vanessa is going to string me up by the balls and take strips of flesh off me with a dull blade...." Scott laughed in spite of himself. "That would be Mrs. Haggerty?" "Today she is," Paul answered. "Should"
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Robyn Carr |
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bccbab2
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Let me ask you something--does Mrs. Haggerty like children?" "She wants a houseful. I was really looking forward to starting on that." "Did you ever discuss a possible adoption?" "No. And we sure never talked about adopting an ex-girlfriend's offspring." Paul sighed heavily. "She's going to kill me," he muttered."
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Robyn Carr |
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c834d7b
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I should've called her," he told Hannah. "That was stupid, not calling. It would have given her a good four hours to think. But see, when I thought about taking you home, it was obviously a bad idea. Just didn't fit into our family plan. All that made sense, until I saw you. Until you blew raspberries on my neck." Hannah took the bottle out of her mouth and belched loudly. "Good one!" Paul said, praising her. "Drink the rest of that bottle ..
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Robyn Carr |
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f37bc08
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I saw your daddy tonight," Franci whispered. "There's a reason you're so beautiful."
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Robyn Carr |
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af165ee
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So you had a little hissy and said, 'Fine, just go, then.' Is that it? Kind of like, 'My way or the highway,' huh?" "Aw, come on, Shelby," Sean said pleadingly. "You know I'm not a guy with a temper! I'm a sweetheart. I'm not a fighter, I'm a lover. And I don't have any problem seeing myself with one woman. You know? It's just the whole marriage thing--it was not for me. Marriage scared the hell out of me. A couple of my brothers tried it a..
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Robyn Carr |
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45dcd53
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You don't understand," he said. "But your real problem is, I do," Shelby said. "You didn't realize how much she meant to you until she was gone." Luke drained his coffee cup. He put it on the table. "When you have time, Sean, you should take a little course from Shelby. She's seen every chick flick ever filmed. She knows things about this you and I have never thought of." Sean swallowed. Looking down he said, "Real quick, from a girl's poin..
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Robyn Carr |
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aa082c5
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Dear God. I'll pedal if You'll steer.
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Robyn Carr |
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1b64ae1
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She took one look at me and fireworks shot out of her ears. I think she hates me. At least, she's still mad. But it could mean she still cares," he added hopefully. "If I knew where to run into her again, I could try my persuasive charm on her without crowding her. I might've tried something like that the first time around. Like being at the officers' club every time I thought she'd be there, till she got so sick of me shadowing her, she ga..
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Robyn Carr |
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692b26c
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Did you keep looking for her?" Luke asked. "No. I figured it would pass eventually. The second I saw her I realized it wasn't going to pass. I think, in a way, this is my fault. Well, I thought for a few years it was her fault--that she was bossy and impatient and that no woman was going to tell me how the hog eats the cabbage. Now, I think there's a good chance I was an idiot." "Ya think?" Luke asked. When Sean glowered, he chuckled and sa..
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Robyn Carr |
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d4c6d8d
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Sure. Of course. And, Mel? This is awkward, but there being no drugstore in Virgin River... Would you happen to have condoms on hand?" She frowned and tilted her head. "Condoms?" His face took on a red stain. "You pulled Vanni's IUD, right? She told me if I get her pregnant on top of all this, she can't be responsible for her actions." "Oh!" Mel laughed. "Sure, I'll fix you up. But for future reference, Connie keeps some under the counter a..
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Robyn Carr |
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6cc0ba3
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He grumbled something. And grumbled and grumbled. "What's that, sweetheart?" she asked. "I said, you've gone from the nun wannabe prude who wouldn't have a date in twelve years to a crazy woman who plans to take off in a Winnebago with an old man none of us knows and live in sin, and all he has to recommend him is that he's the friend of some Presbyterian minister! And you expect me to sell this idea to my brothers?" She couldn't help it, s..
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Robyn Carr |
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dc0ee41
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Let me give you just a half glass more since we're in for the night." "Good idea," Maureen said, extending the glass. "Because I have a few questions. And some of my good friends from way back call me Mo." "Really? You don't look like a Mo at all. I can't wait to hear the questions." "Why don't we start with, how can a man of any age be attracted to a woman whose naked breasts hang down to her lap? Good God, that's a reasonable question!" "..
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Robyn Carr |
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c5e2b93
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Ellie, I've been wanting to ask a question. It's not a real big issue with me, but I still should ask. You can say no and it won't make a difference, but just in case--" "For God's sake, Noah! Spit it out." He took a breath. "How do you feel about more children?" "Why?" she asked. He struggled for a moment. "Well...because if you wanted more...I could be talked into it..." She punched him in the stomach. "Never lie to me like that. Do you w..
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Robyn Carr |
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288cea5
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Are you good to go? Because I should get that nap or I'll be useless tonight." "Go," he said. "We're going to do stuff." "Now remember, always--" "Wear seat belts, make frequent bathroom stops, never let her out of my sight," he finished for her. "And never--" "Send her into the ladies' room. I will take her into the men's room with me, if necessary, make sure it's clean and private and, when possible, use the handicapped facility for priva..
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Robyn Carr |
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536a33b
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Daddy? Daddy, I know the baby is in the mommy's tummy and the baby comes out of the mommy's tummy, but, Daddy? How do that baby get in the mommy's tummy?" He stopped dead in his tracks in the parking lot, his daughter in the rider seat of the shopping cart, his bagged groceries in the cart, and stared at her dumbly. Time stopped. He tried to channel Franci, who seemed to do all this parent stuff with such ease, but nothing came. "Daddy?" sh..
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Robyn Carr |
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7223c68
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Death. I thought it would be gardens, perhaps. Beautiful countryside with cool streams. It's only blackness. Nervous and dark. There is no rest there.
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Robyn Carr |
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124d8e1
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Sean told her about the question Rosie had posed while they were in the parking lot of the grocery. Franci had to lean against the counter, laughing so hard she was doubled over, yet trying to keep quiet lest Rosie come running soaking wet to the kitchen to see who would dare have fun without her. "Yeah, funny," Sean said. "What would you have said?" She wiped her eyes. "Well, I have a special book about all that. It's right about time to l..
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Robyn Carr |
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caedc1b
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You should go. You have a lot to do in the morning." "I'm staying tonight. Put on my T-shirt and I'll sleep in my jeans in case someone's wandering in the night. But I'm staying." "Your mother will know you spent the night with me..." "I dare her to say one word to me," he said. "I want to be with you." Franci wanted to argue, but not really. She pulled on his shirt as he told her to and enjoyed the scent of him. She was vaguely aware of Se..
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Robyn Carr |
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9ea6b91
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When Franci walked in the house a few hours later, she encountered one of the biggest messes she'd ever seen. Newspapers were spread over the island in the kitchen, covered with pumpkin guts. She could see the spills on the floor--seeds that had gotten away--and three pumpkins were in the middle of the carving process on the dining room table. One huge, one large and one small. The pumpkin family. "Nuts," Sean said. "You're home early. We w..
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Robyn Carr |
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e1a981e
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There appears to be a large duffel bag in my bedroom." "I'm moving in for a while, unless you throw me out. My mom is at Luke's for the evening. She and I will spend tomorrow afternoon with Rosie while you're in Redding at work. I thought I'd take babysitting duty while you do your twenty-four-hour shift. If that's okay with you. Wednesday morning, while Rosie's at preschool and day care, I'm driving my mom to the airport. She's going home ..
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Robyn Carr |
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e8abdcf
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You're going to give up everything you've established here--the stability of your job, your friends, the option of a normal relationship with a man you can count on who will make sure your happiness comes first. And you're going to do that for some flyboy kid who wouldn't commit to you in the first place. You'll end up sorry. Unhappy and full of regrets. He let you down before and he'll let you down again." Ah."
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Robyn Carr |
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3a44e3b
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Our relationship was stable. This thing you're trading it for, it'll be a disaster because he isn't moving to Humboldt County. Even if he could, you and I both know he isn't the kind of man who will give up anything for you. Or for his daughter. You'll have to give up everything you value and go chasing him around the world if you want to be with him. Trust me, you'll be right back where you started. Abandoned." "Whoa,"
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Robyn Carr |