“I sent him after her,” he insisted. “Now take Micki and Damian. Who arranged it so Micki had to be the one to go on down to Florida to handle the Renegades’ publicity?” Lola nodded. “You did. Where she was set up and ended up in a strip joint. Admit it, Micki and Damian had some real issues standing between them. That they came together is a credit to them not you.”

Yank groaned at her stubbornness. He opened his mouth to speak but she cut him off.

“And before you go saying you’re responsible for Sophie and Riley being together, that had everything to do with Spencer running off to Florida and nothing to do with you.”

The woman wouldn’t give him credit for a dang thing.

“But there is something you get one-hundred-percent credit for,” she said, her voice softening as she leaned in close.

He inhaled, enjoying having her near. He might not be able to see her so well, but he knew every last thing about her and that was all that mattered.

“Is that a new perfume you’re wearing?” he asked, enjoying the sexy scent.

“Why yes, it is,” she said, her voice rising with pleasure.

He nodded with satisfaction. Women liked it if a man noticed the little things, he’d learned. It had only taken him almost thirty years to get that through his thick skull, not that he’d admit what a slow learner he was to Lola.

Besides tonight his attentiveness might get him some action with his loving wife.

“Now pay attention,” Lola chided. “Don’t you want to know what I’m giving you credit for?” she asked.

“Yes, yes, I certainly do.”

“You raised three absolutely wonderful young women. Caring, kind, smart, strong, beautiful and, most importantly, brave.” Lola lovingly caressed his cheek with her soft hand.

His stomach flipped like a kid’s at Christmas. Instead of her impact on him diluting since they’d been married, it had only grown stronger. Her approval meant so much to him, but he no longer let it scare him. Instead he accepted it as the way things were.

“Go on,” he said gruffly.

She laughed. “You need more compliments? Seriously, Yank. You raised them to be strong and independent. They may have had issues from losing their parents, but all three were brave enough to overcome them in the end and go after what they wanted. It’s a credit to you.”

“She’s right, Uncle Yank,” Sophie said, joining them.

“She’s always right,” Micki said.

“Always has been,” Annabelle added.

His whole family surrounded him. Could he get any luckier than he’d been in his life? Yes, yes, he could, Yank thought, an idea coming to him and he laughed aloud.

“What’s so funny?” Sophie asked.

Yank smiled. “I’m just wonderin’, where are all your men at?”

“Why?” all three sisters asked warily, as if they didn’t trust him.

“Because I wanted to ask ’em when you’re all gonna give me a bunch of grandchildren to bounce on my knee. Now that my hip is working better, and all.”

Sophie groaned. “I’m out of here,” she said, blowing him a kiss as she made her way across the grass.

“Ditto,” Micki said. “I love you, but you’ve got to find yourself a hobby.” She took off, too, leaving him with Lola and Annabelle.

“Don’t you even look my way, Uncle Yank. I’ve done my duty,” Annabelle said and she, too, disappeared.

He shook his head. “Now what’d I do to make ’em run off that way?”

Nobody answered. “Lola?”

“I’m gone,” she called, her voice sounding distant.

He hadn’t even realized she’d taken off along with the girls.

Yank laughed and glanced up, letting the sun warm his face the way all his women warmed him. They might grouse and complain at his meddling ways, but he just knew he’d have grandchildren on the way from each of them by year’s end.

Family, he thought, grinning like a fool. A lucky man like him didn’t need one single thing more.

About the Author


Carly Phillips started her writing career with the Harlequin Temptation line in 1999 with Brazen and she's never strayed far from home! Carly has since published more than 15 books and hit the New York Times bestseller list with her famous "Reading with Ripa" pick, the first romance ever chosen for a nationally televised book club, The Bachelor, and its sequel, The Playboy.