“Sorry,” Kara said. “Didn’t mean to put you on the spot.” She wondered if Adam had noticed the same flash of pain in Abby’s eyes that she had seen. If Kara wasn’t mistaken, Adam was the only one who “wasn’t there yet.”

“This is a great party,” Adam said, seeming eager to change the subject.

“Thanks,” Kara said. “Typical Judith Ballard production. Nothing but the best.”

Dan returned in time to shake hands with Adam and kiss Abby on the cheek. “Glad you guys could come on short notice.”

“A McCarthy never misses a chance for free booze,” Adam said.

“I’ve heard Grant say that very thing a hundred times,” Dan said.

Jenny Wilks and Alex Martinez walked over with Alex’s brother, Paul, and another woman.

“Congratulations, guys,” Jenny said with kisses for Dan and Kara. “What a great party!”

“Thank you,” Kara said, leaning in. “Secretly, I think engagement parties are kind of stupid. They’re like pre-weddings. Same people, different day.”

“See?” Alex said. “That’s what I say, too. I’m glad you agree, Kara.”

“You don’t need to tell her that engagement parties are stupid when you’re at hers,” Jenny said, making Paul laugh at his brother’s distress.

“She started it,” Alex said with a cheeky grin.

“This is Hope Russell,” Paul said. “She’s come to save our lives by helping out with our mom. Hope, this is Kara Ballard and Dan Torrington, the happy couple suffering through this stupidly awesome party.”

“Nice to meet you both,” Hope said. “I was assured that crashers were welcome.”

“Always,” Dan said. “The more, the merrier around here.”

“Totally,” Kara said. “We’re glad you could join us. How are you liking island life so far?”

“I love it,” Hope said. “My son does, too, which is the best part.”

“Make sure you all get something to eat, or my mother will consider herself a complete failure,” Kara said.

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Alex said.

They headed for the buffet table while Kara and Dan introduced Blaine and Tiffany Taylor to her parents.

“Blaine is the island’s police chief,” Dan added.

“That must be a nice quiet job in a place like this,” Judith said to laughter from Blaine and Tiffany.

“In the winter it is,” she said. “In the summer, I hardly see him.”

“And what do you do?” Judith asked Tiffany.

Kara choked on her champagne as Dan nudged her.

“I own a lingerie store in town,” Tiffany said. “Naughty & Nice. In fact, that beautiful dress of Kara’s came from my store.”

“The naughty side,” Dan added.

He would pay for that later, Kara thought, not daring to make eye contact with her mother.

“I’ll have to stop in to see your place,” Judith said.

“Any time,” Tiffany said, giving Kara a saucy wink.

“I’d like to be there for that,” Kara said.