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3028569
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This sounds like an incredible young woman." "She is that. Very mild mannered--hard to guess she could have that kind of conviction. Stubbornness." "Strength," Aiden added. "Commitment." "Well, you'd have to be strong to do that, right? Yeah, she's very strong, but she seems fragile." Then he grinned. "Unless you see her on a horse. She's a hundred and ten pounds, and on a horse, she's Annie Oakley." Again"
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Robyn Carr |
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3627979
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Shelby put in her time, did the right thing, took good care of her mom, and now it's her turn. She's going to go back to school. She says she's going to be a nurse, but you watch--she'll end up a doctor or something. She's quiet, but scary smart. She has money from selling a paid-off house--so she can travel all over the world, pay for a dozen years of college. You know how important that is, we've been all over the world and it's worth see..
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Robyn Carr |
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81e1cc4
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Could someone like me get into that? Small town like that?" "They have a midwife and everyone loves her." Luke laughed. "You'd have some stiff competition." "What I mean is, could someone younger than thirty-eight want that life? Or do you have to be this crusty, beat-up old grunt?" Luke got the point and his lips went back into that firm, nonnegotiable line. "Do you suppose young women ever choose that life over Ph.D.s or world travel? Thi..
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Robyn Carr |
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29f623d
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Well, not exactly. Thing is, I need to talk to someone who's not a member of my family. About Luke." "Gosh," Muriel said. "I'm honored. I would've expected you to go to Mel. The two of you are awful close." "True. But she's got a lot of family in town right now," Shelby said. "And I just thought, maybe...I don't know, Muriel. Maybe you can tell me something I don't already know. About...you know...men." "You do realize I've been married fiv..
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Robyn Carr |
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289e7e4
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I have some bad news, my sweet girl. One--you can't change people. If he doesn't change himself, you're flat out of luck. And two--you want what you want. Need what you need." "I keep looking for a compromise..." "Shelby, there are many compromises in relationships. You learn to live with men's underwear on the floor just shy of the hamper, toothpaste spit on the mirror, and you learn to keep your mouth shut while he drives around in circle..
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Robyn Carr |
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68f86d7
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What am I to do?" "Oh, you'll know what to do. Don't be hasty, sweetheart. But don't wait too long. There will be a moment of clarity, my little darling, and it will come to you that it's time to take care of yourself. You don't have to give up your dreams, Shelby. Never take scraps. Never."
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Robyn Carr |
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bea1cb4
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This doesn't have anything to do with any of our, ah, mutual friends, does it?" "No, Mel. This has nothing to do with Vanessa." Shelby's eyes grew very round and Cameron looked at her. "Before Paul got smart and told Vanni how much he loved her, I had a couple of dates with her. That's all--a couple of dates. She disappointed me when she picked the other guy--but she didn't break my heart. No worries." "Shew," Mel said. "Had me worried ther..
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Robyn Carr |
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84fc51a
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By the time they got there, Matt was fussing and demanding dinner. Before she could get to him, Cam had him out of the car seat and was jiggling him against his chest. Cameron had the diaper bag slung over his shoulder as well, taking charge. It was nice, having a man do that. Not just any man could--it would take someone special to be so confident with a baby. At that moment Vanni realized she'd been feeling so alone, even with her dad's c..
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Robyn Carr |
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5cb22e4
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You don't have to run." She jumped in surprise and whirled around, her face ashen. "How did you get in?" "The key under the flowerpot," he said. "Same place I always kept mine. Pretty unimaginative. And pretty rare, this door locking in Virgin River. Abby, it's too late for you to run." She lifted her chin, but her eyes were moist. She put a protective hand over her tummy. He stepped into the bedroom doorway. "What are you so afraid of, Abb..
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Robyn Carr |
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9905492
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You should have called me. I could have helped." "I was afraid to get involved with someone I didn't know. I already screwed up on that once. You could be a lunatic for all I know." "I could be, but I'm not." "I"
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Robyn Carr |
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fb0befb
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You have to promise you're not going to run away," he said. "We'll act like we just met, you don't even have to tell Vanni you knew me before. You're not my patient, it's not a problem for me to want to get to know you. I'll see you around. You'll show up at Jack's sometimes, and I get dinner there. And if I see you there sometimes, maybe we'll be friends. That's why I was trying to get in touch with you. Just to see you again. Give it a ch..
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Robyn Carr |
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d19b5c7
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I should get out of here before there's trouble...." "No, you can't go," he said calmly, firmly. He really didn't want to play hardball with her, but he shouldn't have to tell her what she would be able to put together after she thought about it a while--he'd turn the earth upside down to find her if she was carrying his children. Cam had the DNA to prove he was the father. "You have to give this a little time. I have a vested interest here..
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Robyn Carr |
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8c23b23
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I just want you to remember one thing," he said softly. Then he lowered his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. Then he pulled back, smiling into her eyes. He kissed her again, again gently. And then he came down on her lips in a more serious kiss, moving over her mouth carefully, sensually, until her arms slowly and reluctantly encircled him, her eyelids dropping closed. He stayed on her lips until she kissed back, letting him open her lips. He..
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Robyn Carr |
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7915e4d
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You would have been impressed, Luke. She never flinched. She knew all the right things to do and remained perfectly calm. Efficient, skilled, confident." Mel smiled. "She's going to be an incredible nurse. You should be so proud of her." "I am," Luke replied. "And not at all surprised." He draped an arm around her shoulders. And Shelby thought, Oh God. I have to get this over with. She didn't need advice from Mel or anyone else. She'd given..
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Robyn Carr |
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14c8b19
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She didn't need advice from Mel or anyone else. She'd given him every chance, but he never said a word about how he felt about her, not a syllable about wanting a life with her. She had to make herself move on before she couldn't.
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Robyn Carr |
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b3a16c7
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You don't have to tell me, but does Luke have anything to do with this?" "No. No, of course not." "You sure about that?" She turned away from her uncle. "I've been thinking about things and..." She turned back. "Listen, it's tempting to just stay here, like this, forever. I could travel from here, go to school from here... There's no future in it, that's all. I'm thinking like a boxer--I want to go out a winner." "Has he hurt you, Shelby?" ..
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Robyn Carr |
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d6fb753
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Am I enough?" she asked. "Way more, you always were," he said. "I want you so bad, I never wanted you to go. I don't know if this is fair to you--" "Here's the deal--I decide what's fair to me, you decide what's fair to you. We stop deciding for each other. The idea is to work together. You're a little controlling...." "I'm flawed in many ways." "All I want is that you love me enough to make a life with me. It doesn't have to be tomorrow yo..
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Robyn Carr |
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1da8bf0
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Isn't this kind of sudden?" "Oh--I've known for a while this was coming. This was the best I could do. But I wanted to tell you a couple of things. It just matters to me that you know.... I don't have any regrets," she said. "I know I didn't give you much of a choice--I was so determined that you were going to be the one, my first man, my first love. And I was mostly right--you made everything perfect. I don't think I'll live a day without ..
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Robyn Carr |
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2e0e70e
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I knew in the end I'd hurt you, and I never wanted to hurt you. Shelby, I want everything for you." "I believe you. I absolutely do. You couldn't have loved me the way you did if you didn't care, if you weren't sincere. If I'm hurt, it's just because you're so damn hard to give up. And I'm so damn in love with you."
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Robyn Carr |
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be2591b
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He stood there in the blistering cold until her private jet took her away. He watched it until it was out of sight. All he could think was, what if she doesn't come back? What if she really does get that Oscar and is lured into one more and one more and one more? A private jet came for her and she didn't even have to pack. And having her own jet didn't make her the least intimidated or uncomfortable. This was Muriel's real life. What the he..
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Robyn Carr |
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9d06858
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So. She left you." "What are you talking about?" "I'm talking about the perfect nymphet, Shelby. She left you and you're going down the shitter." He took a drink of his beer. Luke silently and meanly glared at his brother. "She left you, you're miserable and completely fucked up. I had to come all the way up here to make sure your ten-day-old dead body wasn't in this house and you're not being at all cooperative or hospitable." "No one aske..
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Robyn Carr |
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84c4066
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Brother, you give me no credit. You think I took emergency leave to come up here and save your life without knowing anything? I called that bar--that sweet little bar you like so much? Where they haven't seen you in a long time? I talked to Jack a while, got Walt Booth's number and talked to him, too. Here's what happened--Shelby went to Maui for a warm, sunny vacation before heading to San Francisco to get an apartment for school that's no..
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Robyn Carr |
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b97774f
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Aiden was stunned silent for a minute. His mind was whirring. Then he was slowly overcome by a sly grin. "Oh man," he said. "You wouldn't be able to keep yourself from answering the phone if it rang, hoping it could be her, so you unplugged it." "You're out of your mind..." "You'd"
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Robyn Carr |
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e79a3d3
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I thought I explained this," Luke said, sounding annoyed. "She's a beautiful young girl. She might be a chronological twenty-five, but subtract a few years of her being tied to an invalid. She would be carded in most bars. I was almost her first flirt! She should do things! Experience things! She's been patient and dedicated a long time--she has to get out there and..." "And not take a chance on you and then realize in a couple years that s..
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Robyn Carr |
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3d209ce
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Luke was ready to put down roots. He was just scared to death to ask anyone like Shelby to take that on. Because she might change her mind. And that would kill him. So
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Robyn Carr |
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f81b040
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Go after her, Luke. Tell her the truth, that it scares you to death but you want her." Luke"
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Robyn Carr |
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f8c5c4d
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Walt looked over his shoulder at a sound and both men watched as Vanni opened the corral gate, mounted Chico and rode away from the ranch, down along the riverbank. "Well, she's getting away from you. If you have a case to plead and don't want to do it in front of her father and brother, I guess you'll have to go after her." Paul put his still-full cup of coffee on the patio table. "Can I borrow a horse, sir?" "Knock yourself out," the gene..
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Robyn Carr |
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79006e3
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ahead. He urged the horse a little faster and when he was within her hearing, he whistled. The piercing sound cut through the air and Vanni turned her mount toward him. She took one look at him, turned and kicked Chico's flank, taking off. "Goddammit!" he swore. So, this was how it would be--not easy. He was going to have to take off the gloves. He risked being thrown by giving Liberty a snap with the end of his rein. The stallion reared. P..
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Robyn Carr |
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0e79a59
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He urged the horse a little faster and when he was within her hearing, he whistled. The piercing sound cut through the air and Vanni turned her mount toward him. She took one look at him, turned and kicked Chico's flank, taking off. "Goddammit!" he swore. So, this was how it would be--not easy. He was going to have to take off the gloves. He risked being thrown by giving Liberty a snap with the end of his rein. The stallion reared. Paul hun..
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Robyn Carr |
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354edbc
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Vanessa, you have the worst goddamn temper." "I..." "And you're the bossiest woman I've ever known. I want you to listen to me--I can't change what I feel, what I've felt for years. I tried, because I never thought I'd have any kind of chance, I never imagined that we'd lose Matt. And even with you in my arms, finally, I'd give anything to have him back. But we can't, Vanni. It's going to be you and me now. That's all it can be. Now stop al..
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Robyn Carr |
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ba7b502
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He opened the door and saw the Jeep. She stood in front of it, leaning against the hood, arms crossed over her chest, getting wet in the freezing drizzle. His heart lurched. Almost three weeks since he'd seen her and his feelings hadn't given him a break. He still wanted her so bad it hurt. "You"
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Robyn Carr |
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fceede4
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Vanni, I want to marry you, take care of you and Mattie." She frowned slightly. "Wait a minute--is there anything else you should tell me before you propose? Any other little secret stuffed in the back of your closet?" "Honest to God, that's it. Until very recently, I had the most boring life in Grants Pass!" "You're sure about that? Because until last week, I thought I knew everything about you. I mean, I've known you for years, lived with..
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Robyn Carr |
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3c13717
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It isn't that funny." "Are you kidding? It's hilarious!" She laughed a little more and finally said, "Paul, he's a trained interrogator. You walked right into it!" "I don't see the humor..." "Well, if you don't have a sense of humor, I don't know if I can--" She was cut off by his mouth finding hers. In fact, he kept her from laughing for a long time, covering her with his body. They kissed and held on to each other. Finally he released her..
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Robyn Carr |
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bfa28cc
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Here's to me winning the game I didn't even know I was playing." "To you," Paul said grudgingly. After having a sip, Walt said, "I know you pretty well, Paul. Before today, I never had a doubt about you. So, I'll only ask once--you plan to treat my daughter well?" "Like solid gold, sir. Despite everything." "If you're her choice, that's good enough for me." And he raised the glass again. "Thank you, sir." "But really," he said, chuckling. "..
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Robyn Carr |
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29a52b0
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I think I'm the only woman you've loved in forever. And you were going to pitch me out that fast, just because I make you nervous. I thought you didn't trust me, but now I think you don't trust yourself." She shook her head. "I don't want a man like that. I need a man with guts, who's sure of himself. Confident enough to stand by me. I need a man who's not afraid to take a risk or two for something important." "I've taken a risk or two," he..
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Robyn Carr |
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d46cddb
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Paul lay awake for a long time, just listening to her breathe, drinking in her scent. Holding her like this, naked against him, it was like a miracle. You don't just go to sleep on miracles. You savor them, give thanks for them. It
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Robyn Carr |
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b74b7ff
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I retired from the army." Her eyebrows shot up. "Like my uncle!" "No, not like your uncle. Like a warrant officer, helicopter pilot. Jack said your uncle is a retired three-star. A whole different thing, kid." She grinned at him, but her cheeks took on a little flush. "Just remember, he's retired. He really isn't in charge anymore." He"
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Robyn Carr |
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83b11a4
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Vanessa had no trouble imagining how the general could look scary as hell to his troops. But this morning, at the kitchen table with just his daughter and grandson, he was soft as a puppy. She reached across the table and patted his hand. He played with the baby's foot with his other. "You're not losing me, Daddy. Not ever." "It's okay, Vanni. You're a young woman in your prime. Paul's a fine young man, despite the fact that he's fathering ..
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Robyn Carr |
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21063fd
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It was so wonderful for Paul to be with you when this one was born. He talks about it." She laughed. "Does he tell you about how hard he tried to get out of it?" she asked just as Paul came back onto the deck to hand her a beer. He stood behind her chair and that hand was again on her shoulder. "He doesn't admit to that, but it doesn't surprise me," his mother said. Vanni reached up to caress the hand that possessed her. And it wasn't until..
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Robyn Carr |
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5604290
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But I guess we don't have much in common there, huh? There was no competition, except maybe Joe was competing with a rotten memory. If there was anything about him you thought was worth a damn, you never would have let him get away. So. I just hope you're right...." She whimpered a little bit. "It was one night...." "I think maybe the crazy fool loves you," Paul said. "That's impossible," she said, but there were tears in her voice. "Nikki,..
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Robyn Carr |
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22d942a
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Preacher's baby had arrived, and Joe liked babies--he'd been an uncle five times. He'd always thought that by now he'd have a couple of his own. The
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Robyn Carr |
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f65ab72
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You sure look wonderful for someone who just had a baby." "I've been very spoiled this week. Lots of help. When you need something, anything, this is the place to be." "You're feeling good?" "Fantastic. And she's a good little girl." He peered into the cradle. "Ah, then where is she?" "I'll give you three guesses. I can't get John to put her down." He chuckled. "Is he holding her while he's stirring a pot?" Joe asked. "Lord, I hope not. He ..
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Robyn Carr |
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a6101fe
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Here, honey--sit down. Tell me about it. Did you have an easy time?" "I had a very long time. It wasn't so much hard as it took forever. I was starting to think she'd never come. And John almost drove me out of my mind. After about twenty hours of labor, I was afraid he was going to go in after her." "He must have been pretty wound up," Joe said. "Is he pestering you for another one yet?" "Oh no, I think he's going to lighten up on all thos..
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Robyn Carr |
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7780bfd
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What brought you up here?" "Ah, long story. I was looking for a change. I was a nurse-practitioner and midwife in L.A. and took a job here--population just over six hundred. It was supposed to be for a year, but Jack got me knocked up." "We are married," he said, shaking his head at her. "Tell the woman you're happy about that, Melinda." "Perfectly happy. Jack worked out." She grinned. "Muriel"
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Robyn Carr |