LITMIR.BIZ

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both know that type of unconditional love.

      Connor shook his head and chuckled. “If someone had told me a year ago that you’d be hightailing it home to change diapers I would have laughed myself silly.”

      “Go ahead and laugh,” Hank responded. “That little princess makes me happy just by looking in my direction.”

      “We know she does,” Gabe chimed in. “No one deserves happiness more than you, buddy.”

      “Right back atcha,” Hank responded.

      Hank saw a glint of sadness flickering in Gabriel’s eyes. Within seconds it vanished, replaced by his congenial smile. Hank felt a burst of sympathy for his friend. If things hadn’t unraveled with Rachel, he might have had his own child by now. Instead, Gabe was still nursing a broken heart.

      Connor sent Hank a look laced with meaning. He also understood Gabriel hadn’t yet moved past having his bride run out on him forty-eight hours before the wedding. It hurt Hank to even think about how devastated his pal had been to lose the other half of his heart three years ago.

      Rosie the waitress stopped by the table and poured coffee into Hank’s mug. When he opened his mouth to put his order in, she shook her head. “They already ordered for you.”

      He looked at Gabriel and Connor, then shook his head. “How did you know what I wanted to eat?”

      Rosie rolled her eyes. “Hank, you order the same thing every time you eat lunch here. Trust me, it’s not a national secret.”

      As Rosie walked away, both Connor and Gabe threw back their heads in laughter. Hank joined in and began chuckling right along with them. Hanging out with these guys always made him feel better.

      Both men were sought-after bachelors in Owl Creek. Connor, as the heir to the North Star Chocolate Company, was viewed as the ultimate catch, while most of the single ladies in town wanted to soothe Gabriel’s shattered heart. Neither seemed particularly interested in settling down, however. Not that he should talk. Although he had once dreamed of picket fences and the storybook happy ending, he hadn’t thought of those things in a very long time.

      “So how are you holding up?” Hank asked Connor. He could see the telltale signs of stress on Connor’s face. Slight shadows rested under his eyes and creases lined the sides of his mouth. Hank knew he had a lot weighing on his mind.

      Connor shrugged. “It’s been rough, particularly on my folks. No wonder Braden headed off to parts unknown. The anniversary is always intense, but this year it’s ten times worse with all the hoopla surrounding it.”

      Connor’s younger brother, Braden, hadn’t stuck around Owl Creek to endure the onslaught. He was off somewhere trekking in the Himalayas and seeking out adventures. Hank felt a surge of anger toward Braden for deserting his family during their hour of need. But he knew it wasn’t right to judge the situation since he hadn’t walked in his shoes. Being a sibling to a kidnapped and missing baby hadn’t been easy on either Connor or Braden. The ripples of the kidnapping were far-reaching and complex.

      Hank sat up straight in his booth when Sage walked into the diner. He watched as Piper came from behind the counter and greeted her with a big hug. It would have been impossible not to notice Sage in her hot-pink coat and matching beret. The sight of her gave Hank a little boost on an otherwise humdrum day. He felt his mood soaring.

      He couldn’t help but notice a few other men in the diner looking in her direction too. A feeling of possessiveness rose up inside him. An attractive woman showing up in Owl Creek was rarer than a comet sighting. It made him feel a little grumpy to know other guys might be interested in Sage, which was ridiculous since he wasn’t in the market for romance...

      “Hank? Hank? Earth to Hank!” Connor said, waving a hand in front of his face.

      “Sorry. I got distracted,” he muttered, managing to drag his gaze away from Sage.

      “I see who has your attention and she’s quite the looker,” Gabriel drawled, his eyes alight with merriment. “I don’t blame you one bit.”

      Connor turned around and craned his neck. Hank kicked him under the table.

      “Ouch! What did you do that for?” Connor asked as he reached down and rubbed his shin.

      “Because I don’t want Sage to think we’re staring at her,” Hank grumbled.

      “Even though we are,” Gabe said with a good-natured chuckle.

      “Sage? Who is Sage?” Connor asked, glaring at Hank.

      “She’s just arrived in Owl Creek from Florida and she’s staying at my mom’s inn,” Hank explained. He didn’t bother talking about how gorgeous she was or how she piqued his interest as no other woman had in quite some time.

      “Please tell me she’s not a journalist,” Connor said with a groan, his expression mournful. “I’m a little sick of them shoving microphones in my face and taking my picture.”

      “Not even close,” Hank answered. “She’s a second grade teacher.”

      “Good!” Connor picked up his mug of coffee and took a long sip.

      Hank swung his gaze up just in time to see Sage being seated at the booth diagonal to where they were sitting. She looked surprised when their eyes met. He lifted his mug up in greeting and waved to her with his other hand. She nodded in his direction and smiled.

      Although Hank went back to his conversation with his best friends, he had a hard time focusing on chitchat when Sage was so close. She was proving to be a beautiful distraction, one Hank couldn’t allow to disrupt his tranquil world.

      From the moment she’d walked into the Snowy Owl Diner, Sage had felt as if she was on display. The stares and whispers of the townsfolk didn’t escape her notice. She wasn’t entirely certain if she was being treated with suspicion or mere curiosity. Was it possible they recognized something about her? Perhaps she was simply being paranoid. It was a bit awkward to walk around town harboring an explosive secret that could change the lives of several people in Owl Creek.

      The diner was cheery and bright, with red leather booths and lemon yellow walls. The countertops were white marble and the floors were a black-and-white parquet. A five-foot bubble gum machine sat on display by the hostess stand.

      As soon as she’d spotted her, Piper raced to her side, which had been a huge relief to Sage. The vivacious young woman had quickly whisked her over to a table and taken her order, reminding her that it was on the house. She felt thankful for Piper’s presence. It felt a bit disorienting to know such a small number of people in town, and once again, she asked herself if coming here had been a colossal mistake.

      “Don’t worry about the stares,” Piper said in a reassuring tone. “This is a small Alaskan town where everyone has known one another since the cradle. You’re a novelty.” Piper winked at her. “And a pretty one at that. You’re going to get noticed.”

      You’re going to get noticed. Her stomach sank upon hearing Piper’s words. In actuality it was the last thing Sage wanted. Going under the radar had been her goal. She was beginning to realize it might be almost impossible in a town this size.

      When Sage saw Hank seated a few feet away from her, there was no mistaking the little butterflies racing around in her stomach at the sight of him. Thankfully, the menu had provided a nice distraction from his close proximity, and she’d ordered herself a delectable lunch.

      “Here’s your bison burger with a side of rosemary fries,” Piper announced as she placed Sage’s plate down in front of her. “Take a bite and tell me if you like it.”

      Sage nodded and dug in. Piper was staring at her with barely contained excitement. Clearly, she wanted to know Sage’s opinion about her culinary offerings.

      The burger was juicy and

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