LITMIR.BIZ

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Matt’s eyes locked onto hers. “Enjoy being a guest, since this is your first day home and all. The next time, Jep will probably put you to work.”

      “I think he already has,” she admitted. “He’s put in an order for pies.”

      A half smile crossed Matt’s face, and he shook his head. “He’s got zero filter. You two will get along great. His hearing is going fast, so he’s not yelling at you. He just talks loud.”

      Matt disappeared through the French doors, and Emily breathed, took everything in. It was a lot. It wasn’t enough. It was...fabulously perfect.

      Looking out over the rising tide of the Back River over Morgan’s Creek, she drew in the air. Salty and delicious. Had she been back only a few hours? How she wished Reagan was here, too.

      Before long, the Malone men shuffled from the kitchen and onto the veranda, their arms laden with supper stuff. Roasted chicken was laid out on a platter; Jep’s mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and rolls accompanied the main course. Nathan set a basket of silverware and napkins down, along with heavy green plates and glasses to match. Eric opened a bottle of soda and Jep set down a pitcher of iced tea.

      “We’ll say grace now,” Jep announced.

      Eric pulled off his hat, and Jep began.

      “Dear Lord, thank You for this day, and thank You for not only bringing my hardheaded grandson back home safe from Afghanistan, but also for bringing little missy back to Cassabaw. It’s been a while since I had good pie. Amen.”

      Emily grinned as she opened her eyes and when she lifted her head, Matt was watching her. Intense. Steady.

      It nearly knocked the wind from her lungs.

      “All right, let’s eat!” Eric said.

      Over the next half hour, everyone ate, and the Malones made idle chitchat, asking about Emily’s life in Bethesda.

      “So what’s your little sister up to these days?” Owen asked.

      Emily swallowed a mouthful of potatoes and wiped the corner of her mouth. “She’s enlisted. The air force. Afghanistan right now.”

      “Are you serious? Little Reagan? The air force?” Eric said, and nodded. “Impressive.”

      “You got a fella, missy?” Jep blurted.

      Emily’s gaze slid to Matt’s, then back to Jep. She shook her head. “No, sir. Not anymore.”

      Everyone in the room went dead quiet for several seconds. Then Owen spoke. “Well, he’ll never know what a treasure he’s missed out on.”

      “Thanks, Mr. Malone,” she answered with a grin. “It wasn’t awful or anything. We were just...too different, is all. His family is heavily into the political scene on the Hill. And I’m—” she grinned and shrugged “—a little saltier than that.”

      “Salty, you say?” Jep repeated. “I like salt. Makes your spine straight and your legs anchored.”

      Emily grinned. “Yes, sir, it does.” She turned to Nathan. “So have you always worked the trawler with your dad and Jep?”

      Again, the veranda grew quiet. Nathan slowly shook his head. “No, that’s a fairly recent development,” he explained. “I just left the Coast Guard last year. Alaska.”

      Emily could tell by the sad light in Nathan’s eyes that something tragic had happened. Had something gone wrong with a rescue? She wasn’t about to scratch open any fresh wounds, and from the looks of it, no one was willing to talk about it.

      “Well, I’m sure your dad and Jep are glad to have you home.”

      Nathan simply gave her a smile and a nod. “Yes, ma’am, I suppose they are.”

      “And now it’s like a damn summer camp around here again,” Jep said. “Three boys moved out. Three boys moved back in.”

      “You missed us, Jep,” Eric accused.

      Jep grumbled something unintelligible, possibly Irish Gaelic. Emily remembered he’d used it now and then when they were growing up. The thought made her smile.

      “Jep, I’ve got to work on Emily’s Jeep for a few days,” Matt finally said. “I told her it’d be okay if she used your truck until I had hers running again.”

      Jep’s gaze immediately darted to Emily’s. Green eyes gleamed as they narrowed, the weathered skin at the corners crinkling. His face was filled with lines of years and sun and wisdom and mischief. He didn’t hesitate. “You know what that means, don’t you, missy?”

      Emily smiled and gave a nod. She didn’t miss a beat, either. “Pies.”

      Jep winked. “You’re catching on fast. I like that.”

      “Jep’s old truck is three on the tree—”

      “Manual transmission, Emily. Stick shift, three gears,” Eric clarified with a grin.

      Matt shook his head. “A little stiff to shift into gear,” Matt continued. “If you want to run over to the Windchimer, I’ll ride with you. Make sure you can shift it okay.”

      Another ride in an enclosed area with the mysteriously quiet ex-marine Matt Malone. She supposed she could withstand it again. “Yeah, that would be great. Thanks.”

      Emily helped clear the table, but the guys shuffled around her like a military base camp. Everyone seemed to have their duties, and they did them well. It was beyond impressive—especially since Trent and his family had servants to do their chores. And when Trent had visited Emily at her apartment? He’d obviously forgotten that she didn’t have servants. He’d sit back and allow her to handle everything domestic. It had been sort of fun at first—cooking for him, taking care of him.

      Nadine, an older woman from work, had scoffed at Emily, saying it was because she was a nurturer. As if that was a terrible, awful disease. Now that she thought about it, though, the way Trent allowed her to nurture him annoyed the absolute bull mess out of her. That would definitely be something to chalk up to lessons learned. Not that Trent had been a bad guy. He’d actually been very sweet and thoughtful.

      Before long, the veranda was back in order, dishes were stacked in the dishwasher and she and Matt were headed out. The sun hovered over the river, and shadows stretched long across the yard. The chorus of frogs and crickets pitched and echoed through the pines.

      “Don’t be a stranger, now,” Owen called to her. “This side of Morgan’s Creek is awful glad to have you back.”

      Emily’s heart melted a little. What a sweet man. She threw her hand up and waved. “Thanks again, Mr. Malone. I sure won’t.”

      Eric and Nathan followed her and Matt down the steps and around the back of the house to a smaller lean-to. Matt disappeared, an engine roared to life and within seconds an old faded blue Chevy pickup began backing out.

      “That thing is a beast,” Eric said, grinning. He stood beside her, arms crossed over his chest. “You sure you can handle it, Emily?”

      Emily liked Eric’s easygoing, somewhat cocky character. He hadn’t changed much in that department.

      “I can handle it,” she assured him.

      “A girl with confidence,” Eric said, and clapped her on the back. “I like that.” He leaned close to her ear. “Do you like younger men? I’m definitely open to dating older women.” He flashed a toothy smile. “What do ya say?”

      Emily laughed. “You’re still a ham, you know that?”

      Eric smiled wider. “That’s no answer.”

      Emily waved. “Bye, Eric.”

      He just laughed and shook his head.

      When Matt stopped the truck, Emily walked to the driver’s side and waved

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