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beba1e7
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money can't buy love. Love buys love. And hard work is admirable. But loss is inescapable.
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Robyn Carr |
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ce5c5b5
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My best advice is this--by the time you meet your Maker, and may it be a long, long time from now, I hope you can close your eyes on a life where you did your damn best and tried your damn hardest. It's not winning that's really winning. It's never giving up.
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Robyn Carr |
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2650e80
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I've been trying to think of the best way to get in touch with you. I found your address, but no phone number, and I--" "You know where I live?" He looked around a little nervously; she made it sound as if he was some ax murderer or something. "Let's not get loud here," he suggested. "I needed to find you. I looked you up on the computer. You bought a house." "Oh, for God's sake," she said, rubbing her temples. She seemed to gather herself ..
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Robyn Carr |
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976da92
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Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. --LAO TZU
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Robyn Carr |
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6c90af8
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weeks, by the end of June it had stretched to almost
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Robyn Carr |
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1d54b83
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me. If you come down here one more time I'm going to call Allison and suggest she have you committed." "Seriously,"
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Robyn Carr |
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700bc32
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Life was precious and not to be taken for granted,
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Robyn Carr |
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7eee2fb
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I needed a purpose greater than myself.
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Robyn Carr |
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37b46cc
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Would you like to talk about it now?" "I'm pretty worn out." "Would it help to pray about it?" he asked. "I could--" And she laughed a little, shaking her head. "If it's all the same to you--" "Sometimes it really does help," he said. "Not today," she said. Then she sniffed. "Look, I'll be fine in the morning. I just need some rest. I'm sorry if you were worried." "I didn't mean to put that on you--I have no business waiting for you to get ..
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Robyn Carr |
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60d1385
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Is there anything I can do to help? Right now?" "Yeah, boss. You can let me get up the stairs and shake this off. This isn't your problem." Oh, but it was, he thought. It wasn't that he took on pain and suffering like an addict. He barely knew her and yet he was completely enmeshed in this crisis; his throat ached from remembering the sound of the children's voices when they were in his backseat. "You're right," he said. "I'm sorry to get i..
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Robyn Carr |
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bde45d3
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Given the fact that Luke and Shelby had been together about a year, Sean didn't feel as if he was interfering with the honeymoon by hanging around. All that lovey-dovey stuff was not so much about them sealing the deal, as it was about them still being hot to trot, as if they'd just met. And there was a lot of talk about baby making, something that surprised Sean about Luke. However, Luke's willingness to step up and try to nail that egg, n..
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Robyn Carr |
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9c91f84
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A gentleman I met while I was here for Luke's wedding happens to be visiting again and we ran into each other at that little Virgin River bar. I pretended I couldn't remember meeting him. I don't know why I did that. Probably because he was coming on a little strong." "Strong?" Viv asked. "Did he make a pass?" "God, no, I'd have had a coronary! He hadn't even started flirting, thank goodness. But I could tell he was happy to run into me aga..
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Robyn Carr |
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13e3883
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You and I come from such completely different backgrounds, Viv. I was planning to be a nun!" Viv's eyes widened in shock, but very briefly. "Well, you'd have been some kick-ass nun, that's for sure. I've seen you with your boys--they don't even sass. But something obviously changed your mind about the convent..." "Patrick Riordan, Sr., my husband. He hounded me until I gave in and dated him, then married him. And he's been the only man in m..
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Robyn Carr |
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1773871
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I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Sean asked. "Are you kidding?" Luke said. "Shelby's already asleep. She feels like shit." "Again?" Sean asked. "Jeez, what's the deal?" "You haven't guessed? She doesn't want to tell anyone yet, but she's pregnant." "Luke!" came Shelby's loud, strident voice out of the background. "It's just Sean!" Luke yelled back. "I thought you were asleep!" Sean chuckled into the phone. "Well, kind of seems like you..
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Robyn Carr |
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76864af
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My world is so huge right now--when a Wide Iwish Rose puts her arms around my neck and calls me a silly daddy, my heart almost doesn't fit in my chest. That Rosie--she isn't just an idea. She's more than I could have imagined if my imagination had gone into overdrive." Franci was quiet for a moment. Then she put a spoonful of ice cream to his lips. "I know," she said. "You've turned yourself into a wonderful silly daddy." He swallowed the i..
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Robyn Carr |
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2dad204
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There are very few reasons for identity theft, Ellie. One is to profit from the victim's bank accounts. The other is to hide who you really are because who you really are is not lawful. Since Dr. Gunterson never suspected his identity was borrowed, I assume there was no theft. I bet our Arnie has priors. He's done something wrong somewhere and needs to be someone else. And if he's hiding, he's probably hiding from the police. And if he's hi..
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Robyn Carr |
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5ebc717
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I just want everything to go smoothly for you and Vanni, and for the children. I want Hannah to be content. And..." She paused for a moment. "And I want you to get one of your own, like you and Vanni were planning, and yet I don't want Vanni to be overwhelmed. This thing you've taken on--it's a huge undertaking. And I'm so proud of you both." He grinned at his mother. "It's going to be a houseful. And me and Vanni? We're not that young. Not..
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Robyn Carr |
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2b61f90
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She must have wanted to kill you for bringing an old girlfriend's baby home." "Pretty much," Paul said. "Mom, I liked Terri, but it wasn't out of affection for her that I took Hannah home. Have you held that little girl? Let her put her arms around your neck? Who, in their right mind, could have left her behind?" Marianne put her hand against Paul's cheek, leaving a trail of flour there. "You're a good boy, Paul. I don't know where you got ..
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Robyn Carr |
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573c7b6
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Vanni had the kids on the bed with her. She was lying on her back with Matt curled up against her on one side and Hannah on the other, both of them sleeping with their mouths open. Vanni was sound asleep, but there was the smallest smile on her lips. She had her arms around them, holding them close, one of Marianne's afghans pulled over them. And Paul fell in love all over again.
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Robyn Carr |
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e3c8103
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Ellie had quite a few questions for the man who was creeping into her bed night after night, questions she was not planning to ask. What should we do about us? was first on her list. When he said he loved her forever, that he loved her with his whole heart, that her children were his priority, too, was that a suggestion that they marry? There was no way she'd ask him. And waiting to see what Noah would do next was almost as hard as waiting ..
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Robyn Carr |
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0645bc0
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Luke put his elbow on the kitchen table and lazily leaned his chin into his hand, watching. Amused. And so glad some other Riordan male was taking the heat. Sean
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Robyn Carr |
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c89cd61
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Stop!" Noah shouted from the side doorway into the sanctuary. "Don't take another step. Back away from her. I mean it!" Arnie stopped. He grinned at Noah. "You again?" Ellie skittered to stand beside Noah and Lucy. Noah slipped his arm around her waist, pulled her against him and said, "Ellie gave you excellent advice. Find a lawyer to help you. Get some help for yourself. You're done here." "This is about me and Ellie," he said. "It has no..
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Robyn Carr |
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d4f31fd
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She wanted to get married," he said. "She said, either we at least get engaged and plan to get married, or I walk. Those were her words." He made a slash in the air with his finger. "Line in the sand. Ultimatum." "Really," Shelby said with a questionable tone. "After only two years of practically living together?" "Okay, now you're just making fun of me," Sean said in a pout. "I admit, I shouldn't have let her go. But I was younger. I was c..
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Robyn Carr |
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5aa6bc1
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Right inside the front door in what must be the living room, who should be standing at a circular saw cutting planks but George Davenport. She let out a breath. Well, avoiding him wasn't going to work. She'd tried to give him a wide berth at the wedding party on Friday night, but he'd singled her out, complimented her, made small talk and even kissed the back of her hand! There seemed to be only two options to deal with the man. Face him he..
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Robyn Carr |
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ec75523
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George, I probably owe you an apology," Maureen said. "I don't think I was as friendly as I could have been when we ran into each other at Jack's a week or so ago. The fact is, I do remember meeting you at Luke's wedding. I don't know why I was acting as if I couldn't remember you. It isn't like me to play coy like that." "I knew that, Mrs. Riordan," he said. She was stunned. "You knew?" He smiled gently. Kindly. "I saw it in your eyes," he..
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Robyn Carr |
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4cfae66
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Do you date a lot?" "I suppose you could say I do," he answered. "There are women I'm friendly with and we share certain interests. There's a neighbor woman I've known for years who is a food critic for the newspaper, and sometimes she invites me along to restaurants she's reviewing--what an opportunity! She doesn't listen to a word I say about the food, but I love the whole experience. I have a colleague I can invite to those college parti..
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Robyn Carr |
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8d6960a
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I wasn't ready to get married," Sean said. "I didn't like getting pushed up against a wall and we both walked away mad. Six months later I was thinking, I might not be ready to get married, but I'm not ready for this to be over, either. I thought I could compromise if she could. So I called her cell phone. I left a couple of messages and she never called back. A few more months and I thought, all right--if it takes marriage to make her happ..
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Robyn Carr |
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3c435eb
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Now look," he said. He felt the back collar of his shirt and jacket clutched in an iron grip and he whirled on the giant, hitting him square in the jaw with his fist. He suspected he'd broken his hand, but no way was he letting on. He did wince in pain, however, while the very large man merely turned his brick of a face to the side. "You shouldn't'a done that, little man," the guy said. It took him roughly one second to draw back his fist a..
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Robyn Carr |
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2a509be
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Right about then, Sean attempted to stand and reclaim his manhood, only to slip on some slimy melon guts and crash into the floor again. He didn't exactly pass out, but he was on the nether edges, half listening to the conversation going on above him. "He threw the first punch," a voice said. "You threw him in the melons!" Franci yelled. "He was grabbing your arm after you told him to go away and leave you alone! Shoot me for trying to lend..
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Robyn Carr |
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19f716c
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He called and asked where she was and she said, "I decided to just come home tonight." "Why?" "Because there was no one to talk to at the bar," she said. "But I'm here." "Exactly," she said. And then she said goodbye. Of" --
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Robyn Carr |
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4a81d7c
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Mel came into the bar, the baby on her hip. She passed the baby right across the bar to Jack. Jack hefted the baby and said, "Mr. Hadley, meet David, your future student." David laughed, put a finger in his mouth and farted, bringing a big laugh out of Jack. "Yeah, he's just warming up. He's going to be one of the fun ones, I can tell." Jack"
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Robyn Carr |
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7a20d87
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Jack had no idea what she might be thinking, but he thought, Don't turn and run just because you got kissed. Things could be worse. After
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Robyn Carr |
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df8e40c
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Zach leaned over the bar and looked past Mike and Mel to Doc. "Dr. Mullins?" he questioned hopefully. Doc lifted his one whiskey of the day along with a bushy white eyebrow. He sipped, put the whiskey down and said, "In your dreams, young man." Zach picked up his beer and said, very good-naturedly, "That went well." "You know what you got yourself here, young man," Jack said. "You got yourself an excellent place to have a beer." "How about ..
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Robyn Carr |
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d96bc7c
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What have you got in the truck? What's that awful smell?" "A bear. Wanna see?" he asked, smiling. "A bear? Why on earth...?" "He was really pissed," Jack said. "Come and see--he's huge." "Who shot him?" she asked. "Who's taking credit or who actually shot him? Because I think everyone is taking credit." He slipped an arm around her waist and walked her the rest of the way. She began to pick up the voices. "I swear, I heard Preacher scream,"..
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Robyn Carr |
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121d533
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What have you got in the truck? What's that awful smell?" "A bear. Wanna see?" he asked, smiling. "A bear? Why on earth...?" "He was really pissed," Jack said. "Come and see--he's huge." "Who shot him?" she asked. "Who's taking credit or who actually shot him? Because I think everyone is taking credit." He slipped an arm around her waist and walked her the rest of the way. She began to pick up the voices. "I swear, I heard Preacher scream,"..
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Robyn Carr |
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6936658
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So. That's all you got? A wrecked SUV and a bear? Must be a little anticlimactic for you," she said. "You calling that bear anticlimactic? Baby, that is a huge frickin' bear!" There must have been about twenty-five men, they all smelled bad, and they were filing into the bar. Mel sniffed Jack's shirt. "Whew," she said. "You smell almost as bad as the bear." "It's going to get worse before it gets better," he said. "Now we'll have beer, food..
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Robyn Carr |
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4985ebb
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The hunters exchanged looks, then slowly stood. They began to move away from the table, having left no money to pay for their drinks, which was a sure clue trouble was coming. The one in the group closest to Mike whirled suddenly, landing a blow right to Mike's face. It sent him skittering backward, his hand to his lip, ending up against the bar. He said, "Oh, you're going to hate yourself." He wound up and hit back, left-handed, sending hi..
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Robyn Carr |
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ba6220e
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her over onto her back and, looking into her eyes, said, "Mel, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I'm going to make you so happy, you won't be able to stand it. You're going to wake up singing every morning." "I already do, Jack." *"
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Robyn Carr |
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9fd9c65
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I want to tell you something," he said. "I asked your sister all about your husband. Mark." "You did?" "Yep. I understand he was a great man. A brilliant man--and kind. He did a lot of good in the world, and he was good to you. I have a lot of respect for him." "She didn't tell me this." "I've been trying to figure out how to say this to you. I might muck it up, but you have to listen. A couple of weeks ago I let you cry alone, because I wa..
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Robyn Carr |
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7db0dc1
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The cabin in Virgin River might be ready, but Mel sure wasn't. The baby at Doc's was keeping her in town for now, but it was impractical to think of her caring for Chloe out at the cabin--there was only the one Plexiglas incubator, no car seat for traveling back and forth, no phone. Of course, it was no punishment to have her living right across the street. But he wanted her in the cabin he'd renovated, he wanted that real bad. Charmaine wa..
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Robyn Carr |
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dd1ab7d
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Thing is, I've decided what I'm going to do next. I have to go back to the university, of course. Next semester, I'm cutting back my schedule. I need more freedom. I'm going to transition out, sneak up on retirement. I'm going to get myself one of these!" he exclaimed, smacking the steering wheel. "Mary's sons are married and have children--they're great kids, superior stepsons. One lives in Texas, one in Florida. I'm going to put my house ..
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Robyn Carr |
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7890fa6
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Right then, Mel came into the bar, hung her jacket on the peg inside the door and jumped up on a stool in front of her husband, elbows on the bar, leaning toward him for a kiss. "Holy shit," one of the men said. "Look at that one. Talk about a doe I'd like to bag." Jack straightened before meeting his wife's lips. The look on his face wasn't a pretty one. "You know," Mike said, laughing uncomfortably, "about our women. You boys don't want t..
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Robyn Carr |
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f0c7905
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Jack scowled blackly as Nick came up behind her. He couldn't see what was happening through the crowd, but he noted that a smile grew on Nick's face just as Mel's chin rose up, her eyes grew round and startled and she threw a panicked look in Jack's direction. Jack pushed himself off the bar and was making fast tracks to the other side when Mel reacted. Mel felt a hand run over her bottom and inch between her legs. She was stunned for a mom..
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Robyn Carr |
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ea641e3
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She realized uneasily that she hadn't really known as much as she should have about T.J., but she knew everything about Sean. She knew his strengths and weaknesses. He had never lied to her. When she first saw Sean a month ago, she thought he'd reappeared to screw up her life. She'd literally wanted to rearrange his face. Now, she ran into his arms for comfort and support. Her best friend. A man she knew she could trust.
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Robyn Carr |