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But it had taught her a few things.
Life really was too short for regrets.
They could have been anyone out there on that highway that night.Anythingcould have happened to her. She wouldn’t always be able tocontroleverything. All she could do was make the decisions she made—and face the consequences of them when she had to.
And she was good with that.
She still hadn’t figured out what she wanted to do about the vet clinic or the inn, but she wasn’t as conflicted as she was before. Change was inevitable. She was going to have to remember that.
Benwas the biggest change.
She was going to see just how much that man would change everything.
Dusty was looking forward to it. As soon as her shifted ended…
That man washers.
Someone waswatchingher. Dusty could almost feel the eyes.
She looked up.
Right there. Next to the hostess stand, was the man with Nikki’s grin and Tyler-blue eyes. There was a look in those blue, blue eyes. A look of hunger.
She didn’t think he was there for thefood.
“I’m going to go seat your brother,” she told Nikki. “You want custody of him now?”
“Well, notreally.But if you’re too busy to Ben-sit, then I suppose he can join our celebration. At least for a little while.”
Dusty walked over to him. His eyes darkened. He put one finger on her chin. Until she looked right up at him. “Hey, baby. Miss me yet?”
“Behave. Your sister is watching.” Dusty wanted him to kiss her. Right there in the middle of the dining room. More—she wanted to stretch up and kiss that man right where he stood. “What do you need tonight, Mr. Tyler Bennett, sir?”
“Food. Woman. In that order. Think you can meet my needs?”
“I think I’m probably the only woman in the world who can.” He kissed her on the forehead. They both knew it was just a substitute for what he really wanted to do.
“Then as soon as you are finished being Lady of the Inn tonight, I’m going to hold you. For as long as you’ll let me.” He shot her that grin again. “In the meantime, feed me, baby. I’m going to need the calories.”
And he walked right over—and plopped himself down at the table with his sister.
Of course, he pushed a chairbetweenNikki and Hunter’s so the two couldn’t wrap around each other like plastic wrap again.
He wasBen,after all.
Dusty returned to the hostess podium, feelinghappierthan she had in a long time. She had work to do now.
There would be time for Ben later.
56
Arthur's bloodfroze in his veins when the two men walking across the parking lot became more visible and he saw the young woman being almost dragged along behind them.
That washisgirl. And from the way she held herself and without the glasses, he knew which daughter it was. Which of his baby girls. “Those bastards!”
Geena followed his gaze. She cried out. “Devaney. They have our baby. They have our baby.”
Arthur knew immediately what Jason Smith and the other man intended. “They're using her as bait. I just don't know why they brought herhere.”
