“Bought the first one ’bout thirty-five or so years ago. Fixed it up a bit, sold it for a profit. Bought another one. Even rich people who can afford houses out here fall on hard times every now and again. Took a few off their hands like the one I sold ta Mac.” He shrugged again. “Didn’t plan it. Just kinda happened, ’tis all.”

“Who’s the real Ned? The cab driver or the real estate tycoon?”

He winced at the word tycoon. “Both, I suspect. Ya got a problem with it?”

She was still trying to process it all. “No, no problem.”

“Francine,” he said, reaching for her hands and bringing her closer to him. “Money is nice to have—”

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never had any.”

“It’s nice to have,” he continued, “but it can’t buy happiness. Being with you again these last coupla days has made me happier than all the money I’ve made with my houses ever could.”

“It has?” she asked, her voice suddenly squeaky.

He nodded. “Come ’ere and gimme a kiss.”

Her face went hot, and her mind went stupid. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Tiffany scurrying away.

Ned stood to his full height and gave her hands a little tug that had her almost tumbling into his chest. He caught her, wrapped his arms around her, and before she could anticipate his next move, his lips were on hers, sweet, gentle and persuasive. His beard was soft against her face, and somehow her arms found their way around his neck to encourage him to keep kissing her.

It had been a long, lonely time since a man had kissed her so tenderly. Maybe since the last time she’d kissed Ned.

He finally broke the kiss. Looking as stunned as she felt, he stared at her for a breathless moment. “Let’s get you home.”

Since Francine didn’t trust herself to speak, she let him guide her into his cab for the ride home.

Luke insisted on driving them to dinner at her parents’ house. After spending much of the day with his foot elevated and on ice, he was going stir-crazy. But that was the least of his concerns. Ever since the night before when she’d arrived with Thomas, Sydney had been distant. Something was clearly bothering her, but he couldn’t get her to sit still long enough to talk to her about it.