The More Mavericks, the Merrier! by Brenda Harlen

Author:Brenda Harlen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-08-14T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

He never should have agreed to this.

When Fallon had asked him to attend Presents for Patriots with her, Jamie should have declined the invitation. Instead, he’d said yes, partly because he’d long been a supporter of the event and partly because he had a hard time saying no to Fallon.

The original plan had been for him to pick her up so they could drive over together, but as he’d been getting ready to leave the house, Fallon had sent him a text message suggesting they meet at the community center because she was already out running errands.

Now he was here, but he didn’t see her anywhere. He felt obviously and awkwardly alone and uncomfortable. Since the birth of the triplets and the death of his wife, he’d avoided trips into town as much as possible. Bella accused him of being an antisocial recluse, but he didn’t agree with that assessment. If he chose to stay close to home, it was because of the responsibilities that he had there. It was also a convenient excuse to avoid the hushed whispers and pitying glances that seemed to follow his every step whenever he walked down Main Street.

Bella had been pleased when he’d told her that he would be attending the gift-wrapping event, and she’d immediately offered to stay home with HJK. While he appreciated her willingness to babysit and knew that his children adored Auntie Bella, he couldn’t help thinking that he should be at home with them. Of necessity, much of his day was spent away from his kids so that he looked forward to spending any free time he had with them. And considering that the community center was rapidly filling up with volunteers, he didn’t think he’d be missed if he decided to slip out the door.

Except that he’d promised Fallon he’d be here. And he was—but where was she?

He looked around again, but he still didn’t see her. Of course, there was already quite a crowd gathered. It seemed that every year, there were more and more people who came out in support of the event. He recognized Tessa Strickland, looking pretty and pregnant, with her fiancé Carson Drake, and Dr. Jon Clifton with Dawn Laramie, obviously and happily in love.

Then a glimpse of copper hair snagged his attention, and he automatically turned. The color was exactly the same as Fallon’s, and he’d never known anyone else whose hair was as pretty and shiny as a new penny. The woman was about the same height as Fallon, too, with the same slender build, but the similarities ended there. Instead of Fallon’s tumble of curls, this woman’s hair was straight and sleek; instead of Fallon’s customary—and eminently practical—jeans and flannel shirts, this woman was wearing a short denim skirt with high-heeled boots and a soft green sweater that molded to her distinctly feminine curves.

Definitely an out-of-towner, he decided. Because no Montana native would venture out on a frigid December night without long underwear. But even while

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