Her eyes were glittering at the thought of getting the inside story on future events. Devin stood his ground. "Being an uncle suits me." Without a ~tualm, he tossed his Sistertin-law to the wolves. "Regan has little Nate with her at the shop today, I saw him a couple hours ago.

"Does she?"

"She mentioned Savannah might be coming by, with Layla."

"Oh, my!. Well..." Being able to corner both MacKade women, and their babies, was such a coup, Mrs. Metz nearly trembled with the idea. "Hurry on up there, Sarah Jane. I've got errands to run."

"Hold your horses now, I've got 'em for you right, here." Sarah Jane handed over the canvas bag Mrs. Metz had brought it, now pregnant with books. Moments later, when Mrs. Metz puffed her way out, Sarah Jane smiled. "You're a smart boy, Devin. Always were."

"If Regan finds out I headed her over there, she'll skin me." He grinned. "But a man's gotta do what a man' gotta do. Nice seeing you, Miss Sarah Jane."

"You find that copy of The Red Badge of Cour age, Devin MacKade. Books aren't meant to be wasted."

He winced as he opened the door. "Yes, ma'am." For all her bulk, Mrs. Metz moved quickly. She was already pulling out of the red zone and into the sparse traffic. Congratulating himself on a job well done, Devin told himself he could take a quick ride down to the MacKade Inn.

Just needed to check and make sure there wasn't anything that needed his attention, he told himself as he walked up the street to his cruiser. It was his brother Rafe's place, after all. It was his duty to check on it now and again.

The fact that Cassie Dolin managed the bed-and-breakfast and lived on the third floor with her two children had nothing to do with it.

He was just doing his job.

Which was, he thought as he slipped behind the wheel of his car, a huge and ridiculous lie.

He was, however, doing what he had to do. Which was to see her. At least once a day, he simply had to see her. He just had to, no matter how much it hurt, or how careful he had to be. More careful, he reminded himself, now that she was divorced from that bastard who had beaten and abused her for years.

Joe Dolin was in prison, Devin thought with grim satisfaction as he headed out of town. And he would be there for quite some time to come.

As the sheriff, as a friend, as the man who had loved her most of his life, Devin had a duty to see that Cas-sic and the kids were safe and happy.

1 ~

And maybe today he could make her smile, all the way to her big gray eyes.