In a little while, he heard Erin call his name. Luanne's lilting voice joined in. He strolled around back to them, followed by the cat.
“I see Max has made a friend,” Luanne said. She was a little more composed, but only a little. “He has good taste. So you're the famous Bannon, huh?”
“Guess so. What has she been saying?” He gave Erin a wary look.
“Only good things. Champagne or lemonade? I have both in the fridge.”
Bannon looked into Erin's wet eyes and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. “Lemonade for me. I think we should save the champagne for later.”
“Tell you what,” Luanne said brightly. “You two can take the bottle and have a picnic on the beach at sunset all by yourselves. This celebration is just beginning. You aren't going home until tomorrow, right?”
“That's right. And a picnic sounds good to me,” he said to Erin. “What do you think?”
She laughed and went into his open arms, resting her hand over the buttoned pocket. Erin looked up at him, then to her mother, who was leading the way into the house. The screen door closed behind Luanne.
“Bannon, what is that?” Erin murmured. Her finger traced the circle in his pocket until he caught her hand by the wrist.
“Um, that's the little thing that keeps falling off the other thing on the dashboard thing. I put it in my pocket while you were sleeping.”
Erin gave him a dubious look. “I have no idea what you're talking about.”
“That's because it's the first time you've been in my car. And you were asleep practically the whole way.”
“Butâ” she began. He touched his lips to hers. She tried again. “It feels like aâ”
Bannon bent down and kissed her until she stopped asking questions. Then they went up the steps with their arms around each other's waists, a little flushed and a lot happy. Luanne let the door swing wide, not minding the frosty pitcher of lemonade that sloshed in her other hand.
“My goodness.” She chuckled. “Maybe I shouldn't say this, but you two certainly look like a couple.”
“We are,” Bannon said.
Erin pinched him on the side. He didn't bat an eye.
“Really?” Luanne looked delighted. “I couldn't be happier. Come on in and tell me more.”
They went inside, laughing.
If you liked this Janet Dailey book,
don't miss
TO SANTA WITH LOVE
!
Coming this October!
SOMETIMES YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU NEED
Summer's over and the leaves are falling . . . and free-spirited Jacquie Grey plans to head west and start a whole new life. Her solo road trip is going greatâuntil she collides with rancher Choya Barnett in Arizona. Good thing that no one's hurt. But she can't afford to fix her car until he proposes hiring her to take care of his little boy and his house. Too bad it's only temporaryâthe tall, handsome Choya is a
serious
temptation. . . .
Â
Â
Â
UNTIL YOU FIND IT . . .
Â
Jacquie and Choya begin an unlikely friendship, fueled by a fierce, unspoken attraction and a desire to find something real they can each hold onto. Before they know it, Christmas and all its joys are around the cornerâalong with the wonderful gift of lasting love. . . .
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
Â
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Â
Copyright © 2011 by Janet Dailey
Â
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
Â
Â
Â
Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
Â
Library of Congress Card Catalogue Number: 2011927357
ISBN: 978-0-7582-5576-1
Â
Â