Heath parked in the drive next to Molly’s SUV, which had Tigger sunshades suction-cupped to the glass. He shifted his weight and tucked his keys in the hip pocket of his khaki slacks. He wore them with a designer polo and another of his TAG Heuer watches, this one with a brown crocodile strap. Annabelle felt a little underdressed in gray knit drawstring shorts, aqua tank top, and J. Crew flip-flops.

She saw the exact moment when he spotted the multitude of pink balloons tied to the spindled railing that surrounded the old-fashioned front porch.

He turned to her slowly, a python uncoiling for the strike. “Exactly what kind of party is this?”

She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and tried to look adorable. “Uh, funny you should ask…”

His grim green eyes belatedly reminded Annabelle that he had no sense of humor when it came to business. Not that she’d exactly forgotten it.

“No bullshit, Annabelle. Tell me right now what’s going on.”

He’d trample her if she tried to stage a retreat, so she attempted a chipper sort of savoir faire. “Relax and enjoy yourself. It’ll be fun.” She didn’t sound convincing, but before he could crush the life out of her, Molly appeared on the front porch with Pippi at her side. Both of them sported glittery pink tiaras, Pippi’s accessorized with a strawberry pink princess gown, Molly’s with bright yellow capris and a Daphne the Bunny T-shirt. Heath’s already grim expression grew even more forbidding.

Molly looked startled, then laughed as she spotted Heath. He shot Annabelle a life-threatening glare, plastered a smile on his face for Molly, and stepped out of the car. Annabelle grabbed her tote and followed. Unfortunately, the knot that had begun to form in her stomach came right along with her.

“Heath? I don’t believe it,” Molly said. “I couldn’t even talk Kevin into helping out today.”

“Is that so?” he replied slowly. “Annabelle invited me.”

Molly gave her a thumbs-up. “Cool.”

Annabelle forced a smile.

Heath walked toward Molly, projecting an air of amusement Annabelle knew he didn’t feel. “Annabelle neglected, however, to tell me exactly what she was inviting me to.”

“Oops.” Molly’s eyes sparkled.

“I would have if you’d asked.” Annabelle’s words sounded lame even to herself, and he ignored her.

Molly leaned down to her daughter. “Pippi, tell Mr. Heath about our party.”

The three-year-old’s tiara wobbled as she jumped and gave an ear-splitting shriek. “Princess party!”

“Ya don’t say,” Heath drawled. Slowly, he turned to face Annabelle. She pretended to examine the climbing rose next to the front porch.

“It was Julie and Tess’s idea,” Molly said. “Annabelle volunteered to help out.”

Annabelle thought about explaining that Julie and Tess were the Calebows’ oldest children, fifteen-year-old twins, then realized Heath wouldn’t need an explanation. He’d have made it his business to know all about Dan and Phoebe’s four children: the twins, twelve-year-old Hannah, and nine-year-old Andrew. He probably knew their favorite foods and when they’d had their last dental checkups.