LITMIR.BIZ

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pulse skipped, wondering how this nice-looking man escaped getting caught up in wedding bells. She often wished she’d made a wiser choice. “I don’t think marriage is for everyone.”

      His eyes narrowed slightly until he shrugged. “Maybe, but in my case life got in the way, I suppose.”

      Digesting his words, she realized life had got in her way, too. “And you have Kimmy to care for. You must be a special uncle.”

      “Not really. Love motivates.” He looked downward as if embarrassed. “Speaking of Kimmy, I hope she’s at Angie’s. I forgot the beans and went inside for a few minutes.” He shrugged.

      “She was playing ringtoss in the front yard.”

      He craned his neck to check for himself. “She’s in good hands. When you go back would you ask her to come home? It looks about time to eat.”

      “Sure will.” She turned toward El, noticing he had a card table sitting with two chairs on his front lawn.

      El smiled as she arrived.

      “Angie asked me to invite you down to her table to eat.”

      He gave her a wink. “Tell her thanks, but I’ve already made plans with Birdie. Angie’ll understand.”

      “Birdie?”

      He grinned as if she were in on a joke.

      “Okay, I’ll tell her. See you later.” She headed back to Angie’s, curious about El’s sudden friendship to Birdie.

      When she told Angie, her eyes widened like a full moon. “You are kidding.”

      “No. He said you’d understand.” She anticipated an explanation, but Angie only stared at her with her mouth agape.

      Finally Angie chuckled. “Birdie has been one of those neighbors everyone’s tried to ignore.” She released a long breath. “But you realize El has a loving heart. One day, he asked me to befriend her because he suspected part of her problem was loneliness.”

      “He asked you?”

      “Me.” Angie rolled her eyes.

      “Why?”

      She shrugged.

      “I’m not sure since I was the one who called her a gossip. I felt ashamed, but I did it because he asked. I baked cookies, of all things, and went to visit, but she wasn’t home. I praised the Lord for the reprieve.”

      Nina couldn’t help her chuckle. “And then what?”

      “Birdie appeared at my door a couple days later saying she’d heard I’d been snooping around. When I told her why I’d come, she actually apologized in her own way, and softened a bit. She even had a bounce to her step when she left.” She lifted her shoulders. “Maybe she’s been thinking about her behavior and realizes she’s chasing people away rather than making friends. I have no idea but something happened.”

      “Good for you.”

      “Have you met Rema?”

      Nina checked the direction of Angie’s gaze and spotted a woman heading their way. “No, I don’t think so.”

      “Then it’s time you two meet.” Angie flagged her over. “I thought you were missing the party?”

      “No, I goofed. I thought my casserole was warming in the oven.” She shook her head. “But I’d forgotten to turn it on.” She lifted the cover. “I hope I’m not too late.”

      “People have just begun to eat.” Angie motioned toward Nina. “Rema, I don’t think you officially met Nina Jerome.”

      Nina extended her hand, and then recalled Rema was holding a heavy casserole so she let her hand drop. “I’m glad to meet you.”

      Angie rested her hand on Rema’s shoulder. “If you have no other plans, please join us. We have lots of room here.” She motioned to the picnic bench and the long table she’d butted up next to it.

      “No plans. I’m just being neighborly.” She gave a shrug. “Thanks for the invitation.” She tilted her head toward the food. “I’d better get this to the table before everyone’s eaten.” She turned and hurried down the street.

      Nina eyed the food line and spotted Doug standing alone in front of his house. A lonely feeling crept through her. She’d been doing the same thing since Todd had turned his back on her. Alone. Her memory kicked in, and she snapped her finger. “Doug asked me to tell Kimmy to go home so she can eat.”

      Angie eyed the line and then turned toward Rick. “Time to eat.” She pointed down the street.

      Carly bounded across the grass with Kimmy on her heels. “Can Kimmy eat with us? We have room.” She gestured to the long folding table.

      Angie looked down the road. “Kimmy, you need to ask your uncle Doug first. If he says yes, tell him we have plenty of room at our table and he’s invited, too. I don’t want him eating alone. Okay?”

      Kimmy nodded, and Carly jumped in on the task.

      Angie grinned. “Okay, you can both go, but wait down there. We’re going to get in line, too.”

      “I’ll go with them.” Before Angie responded, Nina followed behind the children. As she neared Doug, she scrutinized him in a way she hadn’t before. When they met earlier, she’d noticed his good looks but not his physique. He had to be nearly six feet with a lean waist and a great set of shoulders. She liked his executive haircut that seemed to have a mind of its own.

      Doug stood as she neared, and she hoped he hadn’t noticed her steady gaze. By the time she arrived, the girls had already given him the invitation.

      “I’m sorry, Doug. I almost forgot to deliver your message, but here she is.” She chuckled, hoping he would smile. “You might as well join us.”

      He hesitated, a thoughtful expression growing.

      “I’m sitting with them, too. Makes it more of a party.”

      “Please, Uncle Doug.” Kimmy’s plaintive urging did the trick.

      “Why not?” He shrugged, and again his hands vanished into his pockets.

      Nerves or a habit? She longed to know which.

      When Angie arrived, the kids joined her, and then she and Doug fell into line.

      When Nina spotted Doug’s baked beans, she took a big spoonful and he gave her a smile. Surprised, she grinned back, liking that he’d finally let her see a new side of him. The man was too attractive to not smile. She completed her plate with a slab of ham, but chuckled when the girls headed for the hot dogs. Kids and hot dogs.

      “I’ll check out desserts later.” She tilted her head toward the array of goodies and maneuvered her way back to Angie’s table with Doug’s smile the sweetest treat of all.

      * * *

      Doug stared at his plate, wishing his appetite would return. He’d become overwhelmed by too many things. He’d always been a responsible person, sure of his decisions and able to roll with the punches. Not lately. He’d weighed the reasons, and the best answer he found was Roseanne’s accident and feeling unprepared to be a temporary father figure. Though he could handle a multifaceted career, he had no idea how parents kept up with a child’s energy and needs. No wonder he’d hesitated looking for a wife.

      He looked at Nina. Something about her captured him. Although nice looking, she wasn’t a woman most men would call beautiful, yet he saw a kind of beauty. He admired her long wavy hair, the color of a chestnut, sort of brown with hints of red. She tied it back, and he longed to see it flowing around her shoulders. Her eyes tilted downward, and though she held a direct gaze, something in her eyes seemed haunting. She had an appeal that went deeper than physical beauty.

      Delving his fork into pasta salad, he stopped his

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