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His soul.
The mother of his child.
His sweet seductress and his life.
And for the first time in his life, he was complete.
EPILOGUE
Two Weeks Later
“That is so not fair, Dad.” The teenager’s voice could be clearly heard outside the office door as Zoey Mackay pushed into the Mackay Marine Convenience store from the rental and fuel office attached to it.
Whatever her father said was muffled, but there was no mistaking the edge of frustration in the quieter response.
“I’m fifteen, not a baby,” Annette Mackay cried out. “And you don’t let me do anything.”
Zoey winced as she turned to Annette’s mother, Kelly Mackay, to see her propped back on a stool behind the sales counter, sneaker-clad feet resting on the counter, arms folded beneath her breasts, a look of long-suffering patience on her face.
Whatever Annette’s father, Rowdy, said in reply to the accusation had his daughter jerking the door open moments later and stomping into the store, tears turning her summer-green eyes the color of brilliant jewels, though not the first drop fell to her suntanned cheeks.
Shoulder-length, ribbon-straight black hair was pulled into a ponytail, her pretty features set into an expression of stubborn teenage fury, her fists clenched at the sides of the white sundress she wore over her bathing suit.
“Momma, you have to do something with him,” Annette cried out, her heart shattered into a million pieces if her voice was anything to go by. “He’s being completely unreasonable.”
Kelly dropped her feet from the counter, slid from her barstool, and glanced at the open doorway where her husband stood, amusement gleaming in his eyes, before her gaze moved to her daughter.
“Unreasonable? Again? Not your father, Annie. Such an idea shocks me.” And she sounded shocked too, Zoey thought as she ducked her head and moved behind the counter to join Kelly.
“It isn’t funny, Momma.” Annette was obviously within seconds of stomping her delicate little foot if her expression was anything to go by.
“Of course it’s funny.” Her father stepped out of the office, his expression mocking as his daughter turned to him with a look of such teenage disgust he stopped and narrowed his eyes on her. “The very fact that you actually believed I’d give you permission to go is the funniest part. I’m still laughing.”
Zoey smothered a smile as Kelly gave a little sign while throwing her husband a chiding look.
“You are just like Uncle Natches,” Annette cried out furiously, her face flushing in anger. “You would just lock me up until I’m fifty if you could.”
Rowdy seemed to consider the accusation. Bracing his hands on his hips he stared down at his delicate teenage daughter, the look on his face thoughtful.
“Fifty’s going a little far,” he finally retorted. “I’d settle for thirty. Maybe by then I’ll be so senile that the shenanigans you and your cousins get into won’t bother me near so . . .”
He stopped.
Zoey watched curiously as his head jerked up, his eyes meeting his wife’s as she seemed to choke before turning her back on him.
In Kelly’s eyes was such a wealth of laughter that Zoey was suddenly dying to know the private thought they’d obviously shared.
“Aren’t you supposed to be helping your cousins outside?” Rowdy gave his daughter a “daddy” glare, arms going across his chest in a display of pure male command. “Get to it now, before I start checking out those convents your uncle Natches keeps finding.”
“You are ruining my life,” Annette cried, the tone of pure teenage drama causing her mother to choke on her laughter again.
Tossing her thick black hair Miss Annette Theadora Mackay lifted her determined little chin and stalked out the door, pausing outside only long enough to slip her feet into colorful sandals before stalking along the side of the building.
“God.” Rowdy plowed his fingers through his hair in disgust. “I’m starting to repeat the same crap Dad used to yell when he was arguing with me, Dawg, and Natches.”
Kelly turned to him with a laugh. “Better lock the windows tonight. She was more determined to attend this party than the last few she’s demanded to go to.”
Rowdy’s look was filled with disgust. “She thinks she wants to go dance with that little brat that’s been hanging around the marina the last few weeks.” He turned his head to glare at the door before stepping closer and peeking out to check to be sure the brat in question wasn’t there. “He’s going to keep it up I’m going to call Natches.”
