“I think that’s covered by has kids, doesn’t want any more. How are your pre-vasectomy kids?”

“Not bad. Hunter’s soccer team won on the weekend and he got MVP for the match.”

“He’d be pumped about that.”

“Bouncing more than usual you mean?” Harry’s lips quirked into his elusive smile. “By the way, I should have called and thanked you for involving Holly in the winter solstice thing. She loved it.”

Alice shuddered involuntarily.

“What?” Harry’s smile vanished. Suddenly he was the concerned parent again. “Was there a problem? Did the kids do something? Misbehave? Get upset? You should have told me!”

“Breathe, Harry.” Alice was now used to his warrior parenting style. “I would have told you if there was a problem. Holly was a huge help and Hunter was surprisingly good with the little kids.”

He frowned. “Then why do you look like someone just kicked you?”

Twin loyalty made her deflect. “You’re what, mid-forties? Sounds like it’s time to get your eyes tested.”

“Even if I was half blind, I’d have noticed. You wear your emotions on full display.”

“I do not!”

“Yeah, you do.” He sipped his coffee. “If you want to talk, I’m happy to listen.”

With her family divided over what had happened at the winter solstice celebrations, Alice found herself wanting an impartial opinion, even if it was from Harry, whose mood she could never quite predict. “There was a bit of an incident with the woman who had the baby with my brother-in-law.”

His emerald eyes widened. “That’s the reason for the marriage problems? Jeez, no wonder he looked like hell that day on the pier.”

“Oh yeah.” Alice sighed. “Jess brought her son into the butterfly tent and that was fine. I mean, I don’t choose to socialize with her, but she has a right to take part in a publicly funded community event. Anyway, Nick arrived with Indi—”

Harry quirked a brow.

“—one of his daughters. He and Libby have two girls. Nick maintains he had no idea Jess was at the event or in the tent and I saw his face drain of color when he laid eyes on her. I totally believe him. Apart from responding to her hello, he virtually ignored her.”

Harry’s shoulders squared. “What about the kid?”

“Leo? He was excited to see Nick. Then Libby found out and made a beeline for the tent.”

“Let me guess. A good KB citizen texted or called her.”

“Goes without saying. Anyway, Libby stormed in and now she’s pissed off and refusing to talk to me.”

“Why’s she angry at you?”

“Apparently, I should have prevented the meeting.”

“That’s crazy thinking.”

“Sure, but it’s her thinking. When it comes to Jess, Leo and Nick, seeing reason isn’t something she’s capable of right now.”