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b52480f
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Salads?" he said. "I don't usually make a lot of salads." "I know this," she said wearily. "But we need to make a couple of changes. Just minor changes. Buy some low-fat, whole-wheat bread for sandwiches. Don't do pastas, breads and potatoes at every meal. Make salads, stock fresh fruit." "There's plenty of fruit around here," he said. "Yeah, and it's all in the pies." "You have pie almost every day," he pointed out. "You love my pies. You ..
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Robyn Carr |
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6607e1e
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Mel was just here. She's complaining about the food." "Huh?" Jack answered. "Mel?" "Yeah. She says my food is making her fat." Jack chuckled. "Oh, that. Yeah, she's making noises about that. Don't worry about it." "She didn't make it sound like I shouldn't worry about it. She was pretty much loaded for bear." "She had two babies in fourteen months, plus a hysterectomy. And--she doesn't like to be reminded about this--she's getting older in ..
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Robyn Carr |
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85472aa
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Oh Jesus, you think I'm letting you come over and pester me all the time because you're the only available man in my age group!" He lifted one black bushy brow. "But am I?" "That's so irrelevant! Chasing a good-looking thirty-year-old was never beneath me!" She made him laugh. That was the linchpin--she always made him laugh. "That doesn't surprise me. Not that there are many of those, either." "Walt, for God's sake, I have my own transport..
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Robyn Carr |
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56bd92d
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Do you suppose we'll be doing that again?" he asked. "That kind of kissing?" "Beats the hell out of those little pecks and pats, don't you think?" she asked. "I have to agree with that, yes," he answered. Leave it to some aging starlet to bring a tough old general to his knees. In fact, he thought he felt his knees wobbling and a slight vibration under his skin. Given a little more time, he was going to feel something else; something he did..
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Robyn Carr |
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f53492f
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Now, can we please have some of Preacher's brisket? You've been a little high maintenance tonight. Not like you. And I'm starving!" He ran his big rough hands through her soft blond hair. "You're starving? When we met, you didn't eat anything but celery and hummus." "Yeah, I know. And hanging out with you is starting to show on my rump." "Looks damn fine to me, Muriel. Light the candle and load up your plate." And he smiled. *"
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Robyn Carr |
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80bba9b
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They wanted the scoop, but didn't want to be a tabloidlike invasive. Of course, they wanted to know things like, who was the sexiest man you ever slept with? "You can't ask that!" Shelby said with a gasp. "Of course not," Vanessa agreed. "Try to think if there's a way to ask her which big Hollywood hunk turned out to be the biggest dud?" Giggles erupted from both of them. Walt listened to a lot of this from the kitchen. He had insisted he w..
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Robyn Carr |
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4de09f5
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I wouldn't let myself think ahead! I remember when my sister said, 'I know widows who have remarried, and are happy.' I almost took her head off. I was appalled. I wasn't at all hopeful life could go on." "It sure went on for you," Vanni said. "Boy howdy. I came here absolutely determined to live out my days lonely and miserable, but that damn Jack--he ambushed me. I think I fell in love with him the minute I met him, but I fought it. As th..
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Robyn Carr |
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1bc6dc9
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Her relationship with Paul went back much further, of course. It wasn't as though they became friends because of Matt's death. In fact, that night long ago when she met Matt, it had been Paul across the room who'd first caught her eye. He was so tall, his legs so long and hands so big, it was hard for him not to stand out in a crowd. There was that willful, sandy hair that had to be kept short because it would defy any kind of styling. Not ..
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Robyn Carr |
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ed594c6
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You know, you could ask Preacher to come up with some meals that don't stir up that heartburn so much...." "Why would I do that? He's a dream in the kitchen." "Well, I've asked him for some low-fat meals. He was very agreeable, for Preacher. I've put on some weight since I got here." He lifted his glasses to his forehead and peered at her lower half. "Hmm," he said. "You did not just do that!" "Did I say a word?" he asked, letting his glass..
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Robyn Carr |
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6ae91d8
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Jack's. He'd only been there a minute, waiting for someone to come from the back to serve him, when Mel struggled into the bar, baby against her chest, toddler in hand, diaper bag slung over her shoulder. Right inside the door, the toddler took a tumble down onto his knees and sent up a wail. "Oh, punkin," she said. She spied Luke and said, "Oh, Luke, here." She thrust the baby into his hands so she could stoop to lift up the boy. "Oh, you'..
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Robyn Carr |
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ec1b853
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This young Shelby was so transparent, she left little doubt as to what she wanted. Needed. She'd like to wrap her emotions around a man and tether him right up against her heart, breaking him in half. Then, in making his getaway, he'd hurt her bad. Annihilate her. Leave her young, tender heart in shreds and spoil everything for the guy who might come along later to do right by her. The
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Robyn Carr |
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70b3f7c
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She looked up over Paige's raised knees and saw a most stunning sight. Big old Preacher was resting his lips against the baby's head and crying his eyes out. Huge tears ran down his cheeks and dropped onto the newborn's head. He slipped a meaty arm under his wife's shoulders, holding her and the baby as one, and sobbed. Remarkable. Paige just smiled and touched her husband's face with gentle, loving fingers. Mel was moved almost to tears he..
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Robyn Carr |
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ff80045
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He'll be okay now, I think." "Poor John. That was harder on him than me." "The bigger they are..." Mel laughed. Her"
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Robyn Carr |
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01103a7
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Because, shit for brains, she'd like you to disappear and leave her alone. I'm sure she'd like to stuff you in a hole, but since that isn't going to happen, second choice is you go home to your new wife and leave her the hell alone. You get that?" Greg"
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Robyn Carr |
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8c72e9f
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Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us. --Voltaire
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Robyn Carr |
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facf2a5
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When he saw her, he leaned the ax up against the stump and went to her. She smiled and walked into his arms. He crossed those arms under her bottom and brought her up to his face. "It was perfect," she said. "I love the way those babies light you up." She kissed him deeply and his arms tightened under her. "How are they doing?" "Preacher's a little wobbly, but Paige and the baby are great." "He's been looking forward to it for so long," Jac..
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Robyn Carr |
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e37e7fb
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Nikki, I'm sorry. That was bad, what he did. He should've been honest." "Yeah. And then there was you. In five minutes I knew you were more honest and straightforward than he was, but I doubted the signals. I wanted to fall for you--but I don't know you." He reached a hand toward her shining black hair. So soft. "By morning, there wasn't an inch of me you didn't know." "You have a big mole on your butt," she said. "You should probably get t..
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Robyn Carr |
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b2b5a7d
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I'm not interested in one night. I want it all. If that's too much for you, tell me right now. If it's going to scare you off, I want to know." "All?" "I want to go to bed with you, and wake up with you." He kissed her. "Then I want to do that again." He kissed her. "And again. And again." "Okay," she said breathlessly. "I'm an idiot, but I'm in love with you." "How do you know?" "Because I've never felt this bad before." "Isn't it supposed..
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Robyn Carr |
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4095c8a
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We could talk about it." "Talk about what?" "Why you look like someone shot your dog. Shelby, I assume." "Nah," Luke said, taking a drink. "That's not serious." "I guess that has nothing to do with your sleeplessness or your mood then. Trouble with the cabins? The town? Your tenant/helper?" "Aiden, there's nothing bothering me, except maybe that I've been working my ass off for three months getting a house and six cabins rebuilt and furnish..
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Robyn Carr |
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2955f21
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Even though I don't stand a chance with Vanni, I have to come clean about how I feel. It's still too soon after Matt. You gotta believe me, I never wanted anything bad to happen to Matt." Joe gripped Paul's biceps. "Of course you didn't. But this business with Vanni? You owe it to yourself to know where you stand before you borrow all this trouble." "Yeah," he said, hanging his head. "I'm sure she'll just try to let me down as easy as she c..
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Robyn Carr |
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3b4ece1
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Vanessa," he whispered. She moved in her bed. She sniffed. "Cameron?" she asked. "What is it?" he whispered. "Nothing, it's nothing," she whispered back. He went to her bed and sat on the edge. He looked down at eyes that, even in the darkness of her room, were filled and overflowing, her nose pink. "God, Vanessa, if I made you cry, I'll hate myself." "It's not your fault. You're completely innocent. You've been wonderful. I think too much ..
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Robyn Carr |
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d87c423
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Just because you're poor doesn't mean you have to be poor in spirit. "Just because you've lost faith doesn't mean you can't learn to trust again. "Just because you're afraid doesn't mean you're doomed. "Just because you're angry doesn't mean you have to live in rage. "Just because you've been wronged doesn't mean you can't forgive, often forgiving yourself first. "Just because you're hurt doesn't mean you won't heal. "Just because you fell ..
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Robyn Carr |
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5c0e302
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No self-respecting man invades his buddy's territory.
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Robyn Carr |
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da6775c
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If you stay away from the wrong foods you'll live longer," Maggie reminded him. "I probably won't. But it'll damn sure seem longer." Cal"
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Robyn Carr |
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1c58acd
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You know, there's this little rule about opinions. They're only good when someone actually asks you for them." "He"
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Robyn Carr |
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9eb856f
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Things have been really interesting in your little bar," Mel said. "A little tense and steamy." He laughed. "Think someone should take Luke aside and warn him about this place?" "I thought you'd finally learned your lesson," she teased him. "You've been in the business of almost every romantic relationship in this town...." "Yeah, but this one's different. The second Shelby saw him, it was a target lock on. She wants him. Can you see the st..
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Robyn Carr |
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d6f9346
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And that's when he learned that for women, all things are possible, and for men, time is required. There was recovery involved. Women, apparently, could just hop back on that bus, while the men were left to deal with a flat tire. He committed that to memory--these gorgeous creatures needed no time to get ready again.
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Robyn Carr |
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81773ae
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What's so funny?" he asked. "In the end, you begged." He sighed. "I did. I begged. I'm sorry--I swore to you I'd never beg." "I'm okay with it now," she laughed. "I don't think you'll have to beg again." "That's a relief."
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Robyn Carr |
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ace1f5c
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After all, Jack had gone into war five times and the only really bad injury he'd sustained was a pretty miserable shot in the ass. Not everyone who went to war came out crippled.
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Robyn Carr |
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d083eeb
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How would your family feel about a fast wedding?" He chuckled. "Relieved, believe me. My mother's secret fear is that I'll die a lonely old man." "Paul, you can't tell your family that one woman is having your baby and you're marrying another all in the same sentence." "I know. I'm going to get the facts as soon as possible--but, Vanni, the bottom line will be the same, whether it comes in one sentence or one month. I'll take care of them, ..
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Robyn Carr |
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e7df14b
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You're very presumptuous, you know," she said, but she smiled. He smiled right back. Confident. "You're very beautiful, you know." She"
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Robyn Carr |
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c0c3fd0
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She could feel Cameron move up behind her; the warmth of his body was right there, though he didn't touch her. Then one hand caressed her upper arm while the other pulled her hair away from her ear. "This is the first time I've ever driven two hundred miles to see a woman I've barely met, Vanessa," he whispered. Vanni bit on her lower lip. She'd been sleepless last night, thinking. She knew Cameron was interested in her, but that wasn't eno..
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Robyn Carr |
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3e405b2
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He stared down at the baby for a second in awe, in wonder, and then he lifted his eyes to Brie's and broke into a huge smile. "She doesn't feel like anything!" he said softly. "I know. It takes some getting used to." She sat down right beside Art, just in case he needed her. "Can I get you something to drink, Luke?" Mike asked. "And Art, when you're done holding the baby?" "I'll hold the baby," Art said. And then very quietly he said to her..
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Robyn Carr |
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3cad261
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Oh, for God's sake," she spat out. "Just say it. You're involved with someone and it doesn't work into your plans to spend time in Virgin River!" "That's not it," he said nervously. "You know everything about me! Yet you couldn't even casually mention you were seeing someone at home?" "It's not like that. Listen, I just need some time on this. Some patience. Because I really intend to do better by you than I have. I know I haven't been here..
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Robyn Carr |
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5b7feed
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If he was going to be a father he would be an involved father. He was more than committed to taking on little Matt and he hoped...no, he prayed, Vanni could accept his child as part of the package. But he had no idea how to go about telling her. Vanni scared him to death. She had a helluva temper. It
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Robyn Carr |
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bb4ef3b
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He doesn't really care for kids that much," she said. "Therefore he doesn't treat them like kids, but rather like short adults. Seems to work like a charm." Lief"
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Robyn Carr |
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82d5b31
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She wanted to be whole. She wanted a man. *
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Robyn Carr |
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a9107b3
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the night, Charlene made the long ride
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Robyn Carr |
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80842f2
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No one deserves cruelty of any kind. Not on their worst day." Just"
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Robyn Carr |
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5c800c6
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for the past several years,
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Robyn Carr |
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a037aa7
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I gotta call Vanni tonight, and tell her. I've got her all confused and totally furious..." "Paul, you can't tell her on the phone," Jack said. "But--" "Paul! She's gonna hang up on you! And then the next time you show your face, she's going to put a bullet in your head. And Walt will help her line up her shot." "Well, what am I gonna do? Huh? She thinks I have a woman back home--she wouldn't give me a chance to explain any--" Mel appeared ..
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Robyn Carr |
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010962d
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I have a feeling I might need some child-care assistance at the house," he said. "If Paige needs Mel during the night, can you and Mike come out to my place, stay with the kids, so I can stay here with Christopher? When Mel's working at Doc's, I like to be close by." "Sure. How's Paige doing?" "Early labor. She's been trying to rest to save her strength, but I think Preacher's driving her crazy," Jack said. "Aw, he's excited." "Excited does..
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Robyn Carr |
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d963f0f
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Mel arrived, carrying Emma and holding David's pudgy little hand as he toddled in the door. He spied Jack and said, "Da!" When Jack saw her, his eyes grew warm. It hadn't changed for him since the first day she'd walked into his bar. She was so damn beautiful, so sexy, even with a baby on her shoulder and a toddler in hand. And though she was still complaining about her figure since Emma was born, the jeans she was wearing sure didn't look ..
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Robyn Carr |
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6482f0c
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Preacher was pacing. "What took you so long?" he asked. Jack looked at his watch. "We're right on time, Preach." Paige stood up from the table. "Jack, I'd like you to pour John a shot." "No, baby. I want to be alert." "John, you're way beyond alert. And I don't think I can take another minute. Do as I say!" Jack went behind the bar. "My man, when a woman is having a baby, you do everything she says, and you do it fast." He brought down a bo..
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Robyn Carr |