The Sheriff's Pregnant Wife. Patricia Thayer

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СКАЧАТЬ smiled brightly. “Did I tell you this is where Holt brought me on our first date?”

      “Yes,” the other three women said in unison.

      Leah pouted and her mother patted her hand. “It’s okay, honey, we’re just teasing you. We love hearing about it all. You’ve found a wonderful man and you’re going to be married soon. You should be beaming with happiness.”

      Tears filled Leah’s eyes. “Oh, Mom, it’s just that I’m so happy. I love Holt so much.”

      Paige had to turn away. She was glad for her sister, but another side of her envied Leah’s happiness. It was something she would never have with her baby’s father.

      Paige released a long breath as she picked up the menu and scanned it. That didn’t mean she couldn’t make a good life for her and her child. She didn’t need a man to make a living. She was determined to give her baby enough love to make up for his or her father’s absence. And it was time she started.

      Paige closed the menu and placed it on the table. “I have an announcement, too,” she said, drawing the three women’s eager attention. “I’ve decided not to return to my job in Denver. I want to open a law office here…in Destiny.”

      “Oh, Paige…that’s wonderful.” Leah jumped up, pulled Paige to her feet and hugged her. “We’ll all be living here.”

      Paige caught Morgan’s smile, too. “We’re glad to have you back home. So you’re going to take the storefront in the town square?”

      Morgan and Claire exchanged a look. “You knew about this?” she asked.

      Paige held up a hand. “When I talked with Morgan yesterday I hadn’t decided yet.” She turned to Leah. “I kept quiet because I didn’t want anything to overshadow your wedding.”

      “Oh, Paige. I don’t care. I’m just so happy you’re moving back.”

      Paige felt relieved to have shared at least part of her news. “I know. I’ve missed the family so much.”And I’m going to need all of you when the baby comes, she cried silently.

      “We’ve all missed you,” her mother said as she squeezed Paige’s hand. “Your father is going to be so happy.”

      “What am I going to be happy about?”

      They all turned to see Tim Keenan approaching the table. The big man was dressed in a dark blue sport shirt and taupe colored trousers.

      Claire slipped her arm around her husband’s waist. “Tim, Paige has some wonderful news.”

      Holt walked up behind Tim and went to his excited bride-to-be then hugged her. “What news?” he echoed.

      Paige felt herself blush at the attention. She hated that she hadn’t told her family the entire story. Before she could say anything, another man approached the table. Reed Larkin. He was wearing a wine-colored shirt with dark trousers. She’d had no idea he was going to be here, but she was suddenly glad.

      Paige gave him a pleading look. He seemed to read her thoughts and went to her side of the table.

      “Don’t keep us in suspense.” Reed smiled.

      “It’s not that big a deal,” she began. “I’ve decided to try private practice…here in Destiny.”

      “Oh, lass,” her father cried and came around the table to hug her. “I’m so happy. Now, I have all my girls home.”

      “I love you, Daddy.” She hadn’t called him that since she was a little girl. Tim Keenan had always made her feel so loved…and so special. The last thing she ever wanted to do was disappoint him.

      “It looks like we have a lot to celebrate tonight,” he said as he sat down beside his wife.

      “Let’s just focus on the wedding for now,” Paige said. “I took a month’s leave from my job so I could think about my decision. I have plenty of time to help Leah with the preparations for her day.”

      Reed sat down in the only available seat right next to hers. Paige couldn’t help but wonder if her sisters had arranged for that to happen. She hoped not.

      Reed didn’t need to be involved with her and all her baggage. Besides, she’d given up all chances with him many years ago. She stole a glance at him. He was definitely more handsome as a man than he’d been as a boy. Darn her hormones for making her notice, for making her feel something. She didn’t need another complication right now.

      But more came when the waiter arrived to take their drink orders. Paige ordered a ginger ale with lime, hoping no one questioned her passing on alcohol. No one did, especially when Reed ordered the same, saying he was on duty later that night.

      After the waiter left, her father asked, “Have you decided where you want your office?”

      “Yesterday I looked at the vacant storefront next to the real estate office. That’s where I ran into Reed. He thought I was a vandal.”

      Everyone turned to Reed. “You can’t be too careful.”

      Holt chuckled. “Yeah, we’re overrun with crime in Destiny.”

      Before Reed could comment, Tim asked, “Doesn’t Lyle Hutchinson own that building?”

      Paige wasn’t surprised. The Hutchinson family owned a lot of property in town square. It was well-known that Billy Hutchinson’s son, Lyle, wasn’t the best landlord.

      “If you want any work done on the building,” Morgan said, “you’d better plan to do it yourself.”

      “The place isn’t so bad,” Paige said. “It’s a perfect space for what I have in mind, and there’s even an apartment upstairs.” She shrugged. “I don’t mind the work. And I have a lot of family to help paint.” She glanced at Holt. “And a brand-new brother-in-law.”

      Holt groaned. “Leah already has me working on the ranch house.” He glanced at his friend. “Reed’s the expert on remodeling. You should see how he’s redone his mother’s house.”

      Reed noticed Paige tense at Holt’s suggestion. He didn’t take it personally. What with a new career and…a baby on the way, her life was complicated enough. But he couldn’t help but feel protective of her, wanting nothing more than to get a hold of the jerk that had deserted her. He’d like to teach him a lesson or two.

      “Hey,” he said. “If you find you need help, I can paint walls and sand floors.”

      She looked at him. “Thank you, Reed. First I have to discuss the rental agreement with Lyle. I might not be able to afford the place.”

      Her mother laughed. “If you handle Lyle like you did Billy this morning, he’ll probably agree to your terms without argument.”

      Reed frowned. “You talked with Billy Hutchinson?”

      “Only for a few minutes,” Paige said, suddenly feeling guilty. “My mother saw him in the lounge when we left Sally’s room. I just stopped by to say hello.”

      “Billy СКАЧАТЬ