LITMIR.BIZ

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he was dressed he checked his phone, surprised to find that it was almost four o’clock. He’d slept for nearly eight hours. Far more than his typical five or six. And it was a deep restful kind of sleep that usually evaded him.

      Must have been the sex.

      He dialed Clare, and she answered her phone saying, “You had better not be snooping.”

      He smiled and shook his head. “Houston, we have a problem.”

      “What’s wrong?”

      “You know how you thought your aunt was still out of town?”

      “Uh-oh.”

      Uh-oh was right. “Yeah, well, she’s not. She’s here.”

      He could feel her cringe over the phone line. “Tell me you weren’t still on the couch.”

      “I wish I could.”

      “Naked?”

      “As the day I was born.”

      She made a noise and it took a second for him to realize what he was hearing. “Oh, my God, are you laughing?”

      “No, of course not,” she said, clearing her throat. “She’s not holding you at gunpoint, is she?”

      He knew she had guns! “Not yet, and frankly, she’s scary enough without one.”

      “Yeah, she can be,” Clare said, and he could hear the mirth in her voice. Was she enjoying this?

      “This isn’t funny. Stop laughing.”

      “I’m sorry, but the mental picture...”

      Okay, maybe it was a little funny. “I take it my name has come up before.”

      There was a slight pause, as if she were choosing her words carefully. “A time or two, yes.”

      “You don’t seem too upset that our secret is out.”

      “Aunt Kay won’t tell anyone. I trust her absolutely.”

      “She said that you were right, they would have a field day. What’s that supposed to mean?”

      “Long story,” she said. “And I’m sorry she walked in on you like that. I really had no idea she would be home early.”

      “Are you coming back?”

      “Not for another hour or so. I’m volunteering at the free clinic.”

      “So basically I’m on my own?”

      “Yeah, sorry.”

      “You promise she’s not going to hurt me?”

      “If it makes you feel better, she’s never actually shot anyone.”

      Oh, yeah, that made him feel so much better.

      “However...” she said.

      “What?”

      “She might give you a hard time.”

      “Might? She already did!”

      “Well, it’s probably not over yet. Aunt Kay is very protective of me.”

      Swell.

      “Did you see Ja—I mean Maddie?” he asked her. “I didn’t get a page so I’m assuming things are good.”

      “I did see her, and she’s doing really well. Logan and Hadley were there with Maggie. She’s so much bigger and healthier, it’s hard to imagine that they’re the same age.”

      “Maddie will catch up.”

      “I’m going to miss her, but I know this is for the best. And I’m so glad to know that she has family.”

      “Did Logan say if he was able to contact his brother?”

      “They left messages for him but so far they haven’t heard back. Won’t he be surprised to find out that not only is he a father, but to twins no less.”

      “And one with special needs. He’ll have his hands full.”

      “Hold on a sec,” Clare said, and he heard her talking to someone, then she was back. “Parker, I have to go. Can I call you later?”

      He was hoping she would. “Of course.”

      “Okay, I’ll talk to you then. And, Parker?”

      “Yeah?”

      “Good luck.”

      She seemed to be enjoying this a little too much.

      He hung up and stuck his phone in his pocket, then folded the blanket he’d been wearing and opened the door. Clare’s aunt was standing in the kitchen, sipping on a bottle of beer. She gestured to an open bottle in front of a bar stool at the kitchen island and said, “Have a seat, Parker.”

      “I should really get going,” he said.

      One brow rose slightly, and she gave him a look that said compliance was not optional.

      Wow. She was tough. And a little scary.

      No, she was a lot scary.

      He handed her the blanket and did as he was told, feeling like a teenager meeting his girlfriend’s parents for the first time. “I guess I can spare a few minutes.”

      “What are your intentions with my niece?”

      Talk about getting right to the point. But who knew, maybe he would glean some insight on what made Clare tick. “I find her utterly fascinating,” he said. “From the minute we were introduced I was drawn to her, and though she won’t admit it, I think the feeling is mutual.”

      Kay neither confirmed nor denied it. “Clare is not as tough as she likes people to think.”

      “I know.”

      “She’s a little broken.”

      “Who isn’t?”

      His answer seemed to satisfy her. “You’re a smart man, but I’ll be keeping my eye on you.”

      No surprise there, and he couldn’t help but respect her for it. “Aunt Kay,” he said, “I would expect no less.”

       Eight

      It was just starting to get dark when Clare pulled in the driveway. Parker’s car was gone, and she realized that deep down she had been hoping he was still there. Which was completely ridiculous. He had better things to do than hang around all day waiting for her.

      But it would have been a little cool if he had. And a little terrifying.

      She parked her aunt’s car in the garage and stepped inside the house. “I’m home!”

      “In here!” her aunt called from the living room.

      Aunt Kay sat in her recliner, a book in her lap. She loved murder mysteries and psychological thrillers. The darker and gorier the better.

      “So,” Clare said, setting her purse down on the coffee table. “Is he buried in the backyard in a shallow grave?”

      “Oh, please,” her aunt scoffed. “There are much more effective ways to get rid of a body. And a car.”

      Clare gave her a look.

      “I’m kidding. I like him.”

      Huh? Aunt Kay never “liked” anyone without getting to know them first, and that process could take weeks, and sometimes even months. “Just like that? You like him.”

      She shrugged. “Sometimes you just know. I would think you of all people would realize that.”

      “What’s that supposed

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