“You’re probably right. God knows, any objection he has wouldn’t be about what’s best for that girl. It will always be about what’s best for Preston.”

“He and Harold have that in common.”

“A lot of men in Last Chance do. If it makes you feel any better, I don’t think Luke is that type at all.”

“Oh, this isn’t a date. I mean, not that kind. Jeez, I’m still married.”

“To that.” Adelaide pointed to Harold, who was standing with his hand on Chastity’s back and grinning like an idiot.

“Still, I’m not ready for a relationship. I don’t know that I ever will be.”

Adelaide waved a hand in dismissal. “You’re not the kind who winds up alone. Someone will sweep you off your feet. You’re a good woman, Marina. Better than Harold ever deserved. And I have to say it tickles me that makeup can’t cover those bruises Avery left on Chastity’s face. That girl has a great punch.”

“I’m afraid I might have taught her that,” Marina said.

“Even better.”

Preston glanced up at them and then hurried across the room toward Chastity. Marina assumed to warn the happy couple that things weren’t going as expected.

“Uh-oh,” Adelaide said. “Big Daddy LeDoux is going to tattle to Baby Precious.”

“Maybe we should get downstairs and blend.”

Adelaide nodded and they headed into the crowd in the living room and sidled down the far wall toward the bar when Marina spotted Luke talking to the owner of the hardware store. They were halfway across the room when Marina almost walked right into Harold. She glanced around but Chastity was nowhere in sight. Probably off getting an earful from daddy dearest.

“Marina.” Harold’s eyes widened. Clearly he hadn’t expected to see her there. “You look great,” he said.

Marina felt a wave of dismay wash over her when she realized that he actually meant it. Talk about too little, too late.

“I’m going to puke,” Adelaide said. “I need alcohol. Stop talking, Harold. You’re creeping people out.”

“Thanks,” Marina said. “I see my date has a drink for me.”

Harold whipped around and spotted Luke holding a drink up and smiling at Marina. She flashed him a seventy-five-watt smile back and gave Harold a little wave and a glance. The look of shock on his face made the entire night worthwhile.

“It was worth putting on this dress just to see his expression,” Adelaide said as they approached Luke.

Luke smiled and handed her a glass of wine. “Looks like Harold was surprised to see you here.”

“The surprise was that I had a date,” Marina said, and laughed.

“He said she looked great,” Adelaide said. “It was all I could do not to kick him in the crotch.”

“Don’t do anything that can get you arrested or sued,” Luke said. “Especially in this house.”

Adelaide waved a hand in dismissal. “Do you know what the biggest advantage is to being the grouchy old lady?”

“Elastic-waist pants?” Marina guessed.