If only there were a way to get ahold of Max.

I dont want you to go, Lane said roughly. Its too damn much.

Miss Aurora stayed silent until they got to the base of Easterlys hill. Speaking of leaving, she said, I heard that Chantal moved out.

Yes, Im ending all that.

Good. Maybe you and Lizzie will finally get on track. Shes the one for you.

You know, Miss Aurora, I agree. Now I just have to convince her.

Ill help.

Ill take it. He glanced over. She said to tell you hello, by the way.

Miss Aurora smiled. Was that when you left her this morning?

As Lane sputtered and turned red as that Mercedes hed bought her, Miss Aurora laughed at him in a kind way.

Youre a bad boy, Lane.

{ 352 }.

I know, maam. Thats why you have to stay here and keep me straight. I keep tellin you that.

Instead of stopping in front, he went around to the back, because it was closer to her quarters. Pulling up to the rear door, he hit the brakes, cut the engine . . . and didnt get out.

Looking over at her, he whispered, Im serious. I need you to help me here, on earth" in this house, in my life.

God, it was impossible to ignore the fact that three days ago she had been barking at him that she wasnt going anywhere, but now, some- thing had changed. Something was different.

Before she could say anything, the garage door went up and the chauffeur came out with the Phantom, that five-hundred-thousand- dollar car proceeding by them as it headed around to the front of the house.

He is evil, Lane said. That father of mine . . .

Miss Aurora lifted her palms. Amen.

Where the hell is he going this morning?

Not to church.

Maybe hes going after Chantal.

The instant he spoke the words, he cursed.

What are you talking about?

Lane shook his head and got out. Come on, lets get you inside.

Not the way it went. When he went over and opened her door, she just sat there with her purse in her lap, and her gloved hands folded one over the other. Tell me.

Miss Aurora"

What did he do to you?

This is not about me.

If its about bringing back that horrible wife of yours, you bet your fanny its about you.

Lane fought the urge to bang his head on the Porsches hood. It really doesnt matter"

I know she got rid of your baby.

As those dark eyes stared up at him, he cursed again. Miss Aurora.

{ 353 }.

Dont do this. Leave it. There are so many other things worth worrying about.

All she did was cock that eyebrow.

Lane sank down on his haunches. God, he loved her face, every crease and crinkle, each curve and all the straightaways. And he loved how she was as lady- like as they came, but strong as a man.

She and Lizzie were so alike.

There are some things that arent worth knowing, maam.

And others you shouldnt keep to yourself.

For some reason, he found himself dropping his eyes, as if he had done something he should be ashamed of. Shes pregnant, Miss Aurora.

Its not mine.

Whose is it, she demanded.

The rest of the story was communicated silently" and the funny thing was, she didnt seem totally shocked.

Are you sure? she asked in a low tone.

Thats what she said. And when I confronted him? It was in his face.

Miss Aurora stared straight ahead, her brow furrowed so low, he could no longer see her eyes. God will punish him.

I wouldnt hold your breath for that. He rose up and offered her his hand. Its getting hot out here. Come on.

Miss Aurora looked back into his eyes. I love you.

It was her way of apologizing for what she knew they had all been through with their father. Not just this Chantal ugliness, but those de- cades of what had gone before, back when they were children.

You know, he said, Ive never thanked you. For all those years of being there, I never . . . you held us together, me especially. You were always there for me. You are always there for me.

God gave me that sacred job when he crossed my life with yalls.

I love you, Momma, he choked out. Forever.

{ 354 }.

FORT Y- ONE.

T he sound of the chainsaw in Lizzies hands was so loud, she didnt hear the car approach. And it wasnt until she let up on the gas and the things engine fell to a mutter that a very sexy male voice announced she was no longer alone: You are the hottest woman I have ever seen.

Twisting around and looking down, she found Lane leaning back against his Porsche, arms crossed, feet planted, expression intense.

From her vantage point on the mangled roof of her Yaris, she lifted the chainsaw over her head and pumped it a couple of times. Hear me roar.

Hear me beg.

She had to laugh as she jumped off to the ground. Ive made some good progress, dont you think"

Lane cut her off by putting his mouth on hers, the kiss getting so hot, so fast, that he ended up bending her nearly backward. When he finally let up a little, they were both panting.

So . . . hi, he said.

Did you, by any chance, miss me?

{ 355 }.

Every second. He straightened them up. God, I love y" I love the way you handle that chainsaw.

It was impossible not to catch his slip" and she had to stumble in her own mind as an instinct to float out an ILY struck her as well.

Lane covered up the awkwardness with aplomb, however. So I re- ally did bring dinner. Takeout from the club. I got you that salad you hopefully still like, and a crap load of tenderloin" you know, just in case we need it to recover.

From what, she drawled as she put her chainsaw down.

Oh, you know what. Except then he frowned. Unless youre . . .

you know, sore from last night.

Lizzie shook her head. No.

Pity.

Excuse me?

Coming in close, his mouth lingered on hers and he licked at her lips. I was thinking I could kiss it and make it better.

You can do that anyway.

As he pivoted her around and eased her against his car, she felt her heart start to soar" and figured, what the hell, she might as well let herself go. A tree had killed her car, her front yard was a mess, and there was a small forest of limbs down all over her property . . . but Lane was here, and hed remembered she liked that Cobb salad, and damn it, he was the best kisser on the planet.

Tomorrow, she would put her game head back on. Tomorrow, she would remember to watch herself"

Lane eased back. Tell me, how do you feel about sex in the open air?

She nodded over at the three cows who were standing by her porch.

I think our audience is going to double when my farmer buddy discov- ers those nice ladies have gone exploring again.

Then were heading into the house right now before I go insane.

Far be it from me to stand between you and mental stability.

Hed even brought an overnight bag, she thought as they carried everything in.

{ 356 }.

So I have news, he said as he closed her front door.

Whats that?

Chantal moved out this morning.

Lizzie stopped and looked at him. He was dressed in his casual, warm weather uniform of Bermuda shorts and an IZOD, the Gucci loaf- ers on his feet, and his Ray Bans, and that Cartier watch making it seem like hed walked out of an Instagram picture entitled Handsome & Rich.

Even his hair was slicked back, although that was because he was fresh from a shower and it was still wet.

Her heart fluttered with a momentary fear because, looking as good as he was, he seemed like the poster boy of someone you shouldnt trust, especially about women who were like Chantal"

As if he could read her mind, Lane took his sunglasses off and showed her his eyes. In contrast to everything external about him, they were clear, steady . . . calm.

Honest.

Really? she whispered.

Really. He came over and turned her toward him. Lizzie, its done. That whole thing with her is done. And before you say it, its not just for you. I should have put a bullet into that marriage long ago. My mistake.

Looking up into his face, she cursed under her breath. Im sorry, Lane. Im sorry that I doubted you, its just"

Shh. He silenced her with his lips. I dont live in the past. Its a waste of time. All I care about is where we are now.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she bowed her body into his.

Soooooo . . . I wasnt able to make the friends thing stick, was I.

And that is perfectly okay with me.

T hat was quite possibly the best dinner I have ever had.