Ain't She Sweet Read online

  “Ahhh, I like that,” Elmer said with a big grin. “It’s like I’m haunting you.”

  Linc’s bark of laughter had others looking over to see what was so funny. “The meeting was about the catalog and distribution center. I’m gathering information before I go to the kids with it.”

  “Keep me posted on that. You know you have my support. I think it’s a brilliant idea, and something we probably should’ve done a long time ago.”

  “We agree on that.” Linc smiled up at Megan as she ran by, putting a glass of ice water on the table for him as she went. “What’s all that?” he asked of the papers spread out on the table.

  “It’s an accounting of our efforts on behalf of the kids.”

  Linc took a subtle look around to see where Megan was. “You’re sure it’s a good idea to do this here?”

  “No one needs to know what we’re talking about.” He shuffled the papers around so Linc could see them. “Now that I’ve successfully got Charley about to move in with Tyler—”

  “Wait just a minute. You’re taking credit for that one, too?”

  “You bet I am. Whose idea was it to tell Charley about the running club?”

  Linc glowered at him. “Yours,” he said begrudgingly.

  “And what brought those two happy kids together? Oh wait, was it an accident while they were running together?” Elmer put his hand to his ear so he wouldn’t miss Linc’s reply.

  “All right, all right.” Linc scowled, acknowledging he’d been bested yet again in their little competition.

  The poor boy had no idea that he was up against the master.

  “I took the liberty of making a list of who’s left and who’s available. I’m a little concerned about Wade, who seems to have his heart set on a woman he can’t have.”

  “And how do you know that?”

  “I’m not at liberty to reveal my sources.”

  “You do know that Wade is my son, and as such, I have a right to know these things.”

  Elmer howled with laughter that drew more attention from other diners. This was too much fun. “You have a right. Whatever. As much as I’d like to say I know everything I need to know about the situation with Wade, I don’t. So I propose we both try to find out a little more about what’s going on there. I made lists for Lucas and Landon, but I think we’d both agree that they’re not ready to be set loose on the world quite yet.”

  “Totally agree. They’re like a couple of untamed circus animals ninety percent of the time.”

  Elmer chuckled at that description, but didn’t disagree. “They’re hilarious circus animals.”

  “Granted, but they’re not ready for prime time. Not yet.”

  “And Max . . . Our poor boy has been dealt a blow that he’s still reeling from. But between you and me, it’s sort of a relief to know that Caden will grow up here with us to help guide him—and his dad.”

  “Totally agree, although I hate to think of Chloe not being in the baby’s life at all.”

  “Maybe she’ll come around in time.”

  “I hope so.”

  “That leads me to Grayson.” Elmer pushed forward a sheet of paper that had Grayson’s name printed across the top of the page with just one name written below it—Emma Mulvaney. To emphasize his point, Elmer had put a series of stars before and after her name.

  “Subtle,” Linc said.

  “You saw it as much as I did over the holidays—there was a spark between those two, and I like that gal. She’s quieter than Lucy, but she’s every bit as strong and lovely. And that little girl of hers melts my heart.”

  “Mine, too. Molly and I loved having them stay with us for Christmas. It was so nice to have a little one around on Christmas morning again.”

  “They have something in common, too, although it’s an unfortunate thing. His father left. Simone’s father apparently isn’t in the picture from what Ray tells me.”

  Linc hesitated before he said, “But once again we’re looking at significant geographical challenges with this pairing.”

  “Did that stop us with Will and Cameron or Colton and Lucy? It did not.” Elmer loved to answer his own questions. “I see no reason whatsoever why we’d let it stop us this time.”

  “So Grayson and Emma, huh?”

  “That’s my proposal. Are you game?”

  “What do you have in mind?”

  Elmer leaned in closer so he couldn’t be overheard. “Here’s what I’m thinking.”

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  Thank you so much for reading Ain’t She Sweet! I hope you loved Charley and Tyler’s story as much as I loved writing it. Charley was a tough nut to crack, as we knew she would be, but I like that she got her happy ending without sacrificing the things that were important to her.

  As always, a huge thanks to the incredible team that runs my business so I can do almost nothing but write: Julie Cupp, CMP, Lisa Cafferty, CPA, Holly Sullivan, Isabel Sullivan, Cheryl Serra, Nikki Colquhoun, Ashley Lopez and Courtney Lopes. What a blessing it is to have each of you in my life and part of this wild ride. It’s so much more fun to ride the roller coaster with friends and family holding my hand as I scream my head off. Major kudos to my husband, Dan, who keeps things relatively under control on the home front so I can write, and to my kids, Emily and Jake, who keep me humble with their sarcasm and wit. Love you guys so much!

  Thanks go to my fabulous team at Penguin Random House and the Berkley Publishing Group, led by my friend and editor Kate Seaver. Kate, you’re the best. That’s all there is to it. Erin, Erica, Jeanne-Marie, Jessica (does your arm still hurt from the loud slap heard round New York last summer?) and everyone on the Berkley team—I appreciate your hard work so much. My agent, Kevan Lyon, has been with me for so long and has become such a great friend and supporter. Thank you for all you do, Kevan, and for being on that roller coaster right along with me. Special thanks to my beta readers, Anne Woodall, Ronlyn Howe and Kara Conrad, for all you do to help me.

  To my readers—I say this all the time, but I never get tired of telling you how much I truly love you all and your amazing support of my books. I’m always happy to hear from you at [email protected], and please make sure you join the Ain’t She Sweet Reader Group at facebook.com/groups/AintSheSweet6/ when you finish the book to dish about the details with spoilers allowed and encouraged. You also want to make sure you’re a member of the Green Mountain Reader Group at facebook.com/groups/GreenMountainSeries for updates about upcoming books and other series news.

  Happy reading!

  xoxo

  Marie

  Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, including the Gansett Island series, which has sold more than 2.2 million books, and the Fatal series from Harlequin Books, which has sold more than one million books. In addition, she is the author of the Green Mountain series from Berkley Books as well as the new erotic romance Quantum series, written under the slightly modified name of M.S. Force.

  Her goals in life are simple: to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can, and to never be on a flight that makes the news.

  Join Marie’s mailing list on her website at marieforce.com for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook at Facebook.com/MarieForceAuthor, on Twitter @marieforce, and on Instagram at instagram.com/marieforceauthor/. Contact Marie at [email protected].

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