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.So let’s move on to something else.I’d like for you to be my best man.”“If I can’t talk you out of it, I guess I’ll walk you to your fate.”Jake grinned.“Don’t worry, you’ll get your turn.”“I don’t plan on it.”“The second bit of gossip is that you left Penelope Lear and headed for church.”“Man, this is about to do me in.Why in the world would I want to stay in a town that has spies on every corner?”“Because it’s a great place to be.” Jake got up to refill his cup.“Because living here changes a man.It settles you.Everything isn’t a rush, another case, another deal.”“Family values and happily-ever-afters.”“Sarcasm and chronic indigestion is so much better.” Jake sat back down.“Oh, sorry, did you want more coffee?”“I’ve had enough.” He’d had more than enough.“Yeah, but I’m not done.I’m here to see if you need to talk to a friend.Yeah, I know that church is a great place to unload some troubles, but I thought—”“That I’d share so you could go back and report what you learned.”Jake had the good sense to look a little sorry.“Whatever you tell me is between us.”“Yeah, I know that.I’m just a little tired of my life being up for debate.Gage was here last night quizzing me.I’m thankful for friends, but sometimes space is good.”“Right.I’m sorry about that.” Jake sat back in the chair.“Are you getting things wrapped up here?”Tucker was able to smile.“My dad was a pretty savvy investor.I’ve found things I hadn’t expected.”“Yeah, I kind of figured that.He would share from time to time.”He hadn’t shared with Tucker.“I should have called him more often.”“You didn’t know.”“That isn’t an excuse.Man, Jake, I didn’t get to tell him goodbye.Every single day I wake up thinking about that and wondering if he knew that I loved him.But we were so busy being men, we couldn’t let go of our stubbornness.”“Men do that sometimes.” Jake didn’t smile.“Look at my struggles with my own kid.She had me pretty twisted up with worry, but she’s doing great now.We’re both doing great.We stopped being angry and we—” he cleared his throat “—we realized it was okay to be loved.”“I’m glad you’ve found that.” Tucker leaned his chair back and thought about the changes in his friend.It wasn’t all bad, a family coming together, finding some happiness.Tucker’s dad had been his hero—and they’d fought like crazy.“What about you?”Tucker set the chair back down on all four legs.“I’m going to be okay.I called Anna’s family last night.I explained who I was.I don’t know why I called.I’m not sure if they had ever given me a thought, but I needed to tell them how sorry I am.”“Did it help?”“Yeah, it did.I also decided to take a big chunk of Dad’s savings and start a scholarship for children who have lost a parent to a drunk driver.”“That’s pretty great, Tucker.Let me know if I can help.”“I will.”Jake glanced at his watch.“I have two ladies waiting for me to take them shopping.Are you going to be at the practice tonight?”“Practice?”“For the Christmas pageant.I’m sure we could use your bass voice.”“I don’t think I’m up for that.It’s been a long time since I’ve sang.” Especially in church.“Yeah, well, we could use you if you decide to show up.Don’t worry, I’ll protect you from the swarms of single women who are going to flock you.Dressed like that, they probably think you’re one of the locals and not one of the burnt-out businessmen types that they’re trying to escape from.”“I’ll wear a suit and tie.”“Right, throw ’em off the scent.”Tucker walked Jake to the front door.His truck was idling in the driveway.“Give Penelope my regards.” Jake laughed as he walked away.“Don’t slip on the ice and break your stinking neck.” Tucker walked back inside, but he couldn’t get his mind back on the work he needed to do.Instead, he pulled out pictures of his dad, of the two of them.And his mind kept returning to Penelope.He was staying far away from that pageant practice.The room grew crowded as people gathered for the Christmas pageant practice.It was almost too warm with so many people.Penelope pulled off her coat and carried it under her arm.As she glanced around she smiled.She was starting to look like a local.In her boot-cut jeans, sweatshirt and insulated boots, she fit in.She loved fitting in.Joleen moved through the crowd wearing her heavy faux fur coat and cap.And Joleen fit in, in her own special way.She probably looked just as out of place in her small Tennessee town as she did here.She was just her own person.Which was what Penelope was becoming.People started to group up.Penelope hadn’t been to a practice before.At first she’d been new to town and hadn’t felt like she should.Then she had taken her little trip into the woods.She refused to call it “getting lost.”Today Amy had invited her to join them.It had been another step in becoming a part of Treasure Creek.She’d even looked at a little house on the edge of town.She had driven past Tucker’s dad’s house and watched Tucker loading a few things in the back of his truck.He probably wouldn’t be here long.She told herself it didn’t matter.He wasn’t the reason she was staying here.She was staying because she wanted to be from Treasure Creek.It was no longer about finding someone to spend her life with.She wasn’t worried about her dad trying to pick a husband for her.She’d refuse.She was almost twenty-seven, and she wasn’t going to allow her life to be arranged that way.Why in the world had it taken her so many years to realize she didn’t have to hide who she was or what she wanted?She moved to a corner and watched the crowds of people.She watched Joleen turn away from Harry, like she hadn’t seen that he was heading her way.Oh, big mistake.As soon as she could get Joleen alone, she’d try to help her.Poor Joleen, she was either coming on too strong or making poor Harry think she didn’t like him at all.“What are you doing over here in the corner? Don’t tell me you’re a wallflower?” The husky voice was familiar and set a shiver loose down her spine.She smiled up at Tucker.He was wearing a heavy, flannel shirt and jeans.Every single woman in the place appeared to be eyeing him.“I am a wallflower.It’s easier to watch people from the sidelines.And you’re trying to blend in, but instead you’ve made yourself a target for every single woman on the hunt for a rugged bachelor from Treasure Creek.”“Which is why I’m hanging with you tonight.It’s simple.I stick close to you and they all think I’m taken.”“But you’re not.” Her heart ka-thumped in a funny way.“No, I’m not [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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