LITMIR.BIZ

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honored that he’d asked.

      “I have a suggestion, Liam,” Rosie said.

      “What do you have in mind, Rosie?”

      “Why not let us go first? Then you don’t have to worry that we’ll give anything away, and we get to see her reaction, too.”

      “Okay, that’s better. Go on ahead.” After everyone else had left the cabin, he looked over at Hope. “Let’s give them a little lead time. Grady’s excited about this moment. He’s been envisioning it ever since he got the wedding invitation.”

      “I never in a million years expected something like this.” Phil took a deep breath. “Sure, I thought he might decide to give us something small for the coffee table, but never a large piece worth... I don’t even want to think what it might be worth.”

      “But Grady doesn’t think in those terms,” Liam said. “He’s astounded at the kind of money people are willing to pay for his work. He’d sell it for less, but the galleries don’t want him to undervalue it and cut into their profits.”

      “Considering he made it for you and Damon as a gesture of gratitude,” Hope said, “I’d say it’s priceless.”

      Phil nodded. “Definitely.”

      “I agree,” Liam said. “Ready for your special moment?”

      “So ready.”

      “Then here we go.”

      Hope slipped out the door after them and took Phil’s other hand. Once she was on the porch, she could see the sculpture. She swallowed the gasp that Liam had forbidden.

      Damon had chosen the perfect site, a level area that wasn’t blocked by trees. He and Phil would be able to see it easily from the porch swing. She knew the materials were recycled metal, but looking at the piece, no one would ever know it.

      Set on a wide base, polished metal thunderclouds rose skyward. Above them soared a pair of eagles, their wingtips separated by mere inches. The image brought tears to her eyes. She blinked them quickly away, because blurred vision wouldn’t help her guide Phil down the steps and over to the sculpture.

      Liam didn’t speak as they walked carefully toward the people grouped in a semicircle on either side of it. Grady stood on one side and Damon on the other. Hope couldn’t decide which one of them looked more joyous, the creator of the piece or the man deeply in love with the woman about to see it.

      “That’s good,” Grady called out. “She can take off the blindfold now.”

      Phil whipped off the bandana, gaped at the sculpture and burst into tears. “It’s beautiful!” she gulped. “Oh, my God, so beautiful!” Cameras and phones clicked as everyone recorded a moment they’d all remember for years.

      Phil mopped her eyes with the bandana. Then Damon came over to give her a big hug and a passionate kiss, which brought catcalls from the rest of the guys. Eventually Damon slipped his arm around her waist, and they walked over to thank Grady for what would probably be their most spectacular wedding gift.

      “I’d say it’s a hit.”

      Liam’s voice startled Hope. She’d been so engrossed in the scene that she hadn’t realized he was still standing beside her. “It’s definitely a hit. Was that dramatic enough for Grady, do you think?”

      “I’m sure. I doubt he’s ever reduced someone to happy tears.”

      “Phil and Damon are the perfect people to give something like this to. They appreciate what goes into it more than most since they’re both carpenters.”

      “I’m sure that’s true. They seem really happy together.”

      “They do.” She viewed their devotion the way she’d admire a rare jewel. It was a precious gift enjoyed by a lucky few but out of reach for the majority.

      “I’m glad you’re here for the wedding, Hope.”

      She glanced up at him. “So am I.” Oh, yeah, he was sending all kinds of signals with those electric blue eyes. Love might be an impossible dream, but if she set her sights on lust, she wouldn’t have far to look.

4

      LIAM HAD NO idea why, but Hope had gone from wary to welcoming. Hell, it didn’t really matter why. He had a shot, and that was the important thing.

      Because everyone wanted to hang around and admire the sculpture, they’d all worked together to bring out lawn chairs, several picnic blankets and a cooler for the beer. Bowls of chips and bottles of wine had come next, and finally the party was ready to settle down near the base of the sculpture.

      Liam grabbed a beer and used one of the smaller bowls Phil had brought out to scoop up some chips. Then he waited until Hope chose a blanket before walking toward it. “May I?”

      “Sure. Anybody bringing chips is my new best friend.” Her smile was friendly as she made room for him.

      It was a smallish blanket, so nobody else decided to sit there. Or maybe people had figured out that he would like to have a semiprivate conversation with Hope. In any case, his fortune had changed for the better.

      But the conversation he’d been planning was postponed while family and friends offered toasts—to the sculpture, the sculptor, the happy couple and life in general. Grady’s grand gesture had been properly appreciated, and for that Liam was grateful. His brother might not care how much money he made with his art, but he cherished every kind word.

      And kind words were flowing this afternoon. The toasts went on so long that Liam had to get another beer for himself and a refill for Hope’s wineglass. When they emptied the chip bowl, he fetched more of those, too.

      She thanked him for waiting on her. Then she smiled. “You know what? You’re a pleasure to have around.”

      He knew that could be the wine talking, but he appreciated the comment nevertheless. And her smile made him catch his breath. She’d been subdued after the cops left, sure, but he sensed something deeper troubled her, something that had cast a shadow over her soul.

      He was thrilled to see the sunshine peeking out. “I’m not such a bad guy when you get to know me.”

      “I’d like to get to know you, Liam Magee.”

      He almost choked on his beer. Before she’d seemed welcoming. Now she’d rolled out the red carpet. Talk about a dramatic turnaround. But he knew his lines. Carefully swallowing the mouthful of liquid, he held her gaze. “I’d like to get to know you, too.”

      “That may not be so simple. In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re in a crowd of people.”

      “I noticed.” Her gray eyes were soft and dreamy, possibly compliments of the wine, but they were inviting him in. “A little quiet time together would be great, but I don’t know if that’s in the cards.”

      “You never know. It might be. Where are you staying?”

      “Since the Thunder Mountain Academy students are on break for Fourth of July, Grady and I are bunking in our old cabin. It’s been remodeled, but I’m sure it’s not that different. It’ll be nostalgic but it’s not...exactly set up for entertaining.”

      “I’m staying at the ranch house in one of Rosie and Herb’s guest rooms.”

      So close, and yet so far. “Then I guess I’ll see you at dinner tonight.”

      “I’ll be there.” She laughed. “Along with a cast of thousands.”

      “Yeah, that’s the thing about weddings. Lots of people.” Then inspiration hit. He’d have to clear it with Rosie and Herb, but moonlit horseback rides had been one of his favorite things when he lived at the ranch. “Do you ride?” If she didn’t, his plan wouldn’t work. He didn’t want to

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