The Girl Least Likely To & The Deputy Gets Her Man: The Girl Least Likely To... by Dorien Kelly

Author:Dorien Kelly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

14

COUSIN ALTHEA stood in the front hallway with her bags at her feet. “My job is done.”

“It was done the day you tried to make me eat tofu lasagna,” Hallie’s dad said. He picked up one of Thea’s duffel bags and slung it over his shoulder. “Is Thor going to be okay getting down on his own?”

Thea’s smile was placid. “I hope so, since none of us are large enough to help him.”

“Let me get the other bag,” Hallie offered. She wondered if she sounded as numb as she felt. She’d slept alone in her old pink gingham room last night. Alone had never felt quite so lonely before.

Thea took Hallie’s hand and clasped it between hers. “Everything happens for a reason, Hallie. If Steve isn’t ready to open his life, it simply means that…” Frowning, she trailed off. “There’s something different here. Your aura—”

“Will do just fine without you, love,” a voice boomed from the top of the steps.

“Hey, Cousin Thor, good to see you out of bed,” Hallie called up the stairs.

“Not half as good as it is to be out of bed. I’ve cleaned the town out of poker money and eaten about all of Thea’s fruits and vegetables I plan to. It’s time to leave.” He winced as one size thirteen athletic shoe hit the first step. His enormous hand tightly gripped the oak banister. Everybody on the landing held their breath and moved back.

He grinned. “I haven’t crushed anybody in years.”

Step by step, he worked his way to the bottom. When he made it, Thea gave his long blond ponytail a playful tug. “You’ve been milking this back thing, haven’t you?”

“Nah, I was just giving you time to feel comfortable about leaving Hallie and Bud.”

Thea took Hallie’s hand again. Eyes closed, she opined, “Stronger. Much stronger.”

“Funny, I don’t feel all that strong.”

Thea opened her eyes. “Your father says you insist on riding the family float in the parade. That’s plenty strong.”

Hallie thought about that. “You know, you’re right. Considering everything that’s happened, I never thought I’d be saying this, but thanks for luring me home. I guess it’s been worth it.”

Cousin Thea squeezed her hand, then released it. “Now you can look to the future without feeling bound by the past.”

Hallie’s dad shifted the weight of the duffel bag. “Didn’t I hear that on a rerun of that kung fu series?”

Thea remained unruffled. “And you, Bud, are you ready for your new adventure?”

“Well, after I do my stint as Grand Marshal in the parade, I figured I’d just keep driving off into the sunset.”

Hallie smiled. “I like that. Maybe we can travel as the Brewer convoy. That is, if I won’t be cramping your style.”

“If you’re set on leaving, we might as well go together,” her father said. “Now let’s get this show on the road.”

Hallie said her goodbyes to Thor and Thea, who were going to watch the parade, then head back to Wisconsin. After they were settled in their microbus and on their way to town, Hallie hopped into her dad’s ’Vette and made ready for her own grand exit.

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