if you'd have to choose, though there was quite a bit of interference. Perhaps even danger.
If a guy falls for two women, he's asking for trouble.
And Nathaniel was content,
at least for the moment, to have no females in his life. Women simply didn't come without expectations, and he planned to fulfill none but his own.
And since my
heart already belongs to you...
He got up to go to the stove and kiss her cheek.
The tornado blew in without warning. The kitchen door slammed open, and three shrieking whirlwinds spun through.
Aunt Coco! They're here!
Oh, my.
Coco pressed a hand to her speeding heart.
Alex, you took a year off
my life.
But she smiled, studying the dark-eyed boy beside him.
Can this be
Kevin? You've grown a foot! Don't you have a kiss for Aunt Coco?
Yes, ma'am.
He went forward dutifully, still unsure of his ground. He was enveloped against soft breasts, in soft scents. It eased his somewhat nervous stomach.
We're so glad you're here.
Coco's eyes teared up sentimentally.
Now the whole
family's in one place. Kevin, this is Mr. Fury. Nate, my grandnephew.
Nathaniel knew the story, how the scum Baxter Dumont had managed to get some
naive kid pregnant shortly before he married Suzanna. The boy was eyeing him now, nervous but contained. Nathaniel realized Kevin knew the story, as well or part of it.
Welcome to Bar Harbor.
He offered his hand, which Kevin took politely.
Nate runs the boat shop and stuff with my dad.
The novelty of saying
my dad
had yet to wear thin with Alex.
Kevin wants to see whales,
he told Nathaniel.
He
comes from Oklahoma, and they don't have any. They hardly have any water at all.
We've got some.
Kevin automatically defended his homeland.
And we've got
cowboys,
he added, one-upping Alex.
You don't have any of those.
Uh-huh.
This from Jenny.
I got a whole cowboy suit.
Girl,
Alex corrected.
It's a cowgirl, 'cause you're a girl.
It is not.
Is too.
Her eyes narrowed dangerously.