Free Redemption Bay (Haven Point Book 2) (Contemporary Romance) by RaeAnne Thayne

ulcer in the few hours since Ben had told her the reason behind his return.
    Whatever Aidan and Ben might eventually decide about the new facility was completely beyond her control but that didn’t stop her from fretting about all the possible ways she could help sway him toward Haven Point.
    “I know. She’s not vicious anyway, just sometimes a little...opinionated,” she answered, which was a little like saying the surrounding mountains received a little snow during their legendary winters.
    “She might be angry at Ben but she’s not stupid,” Devin said with that calm rationale McKenzie envied so much. “She won’t do anything to screw up this chance if it means a single dollar more profit for the boutique she loves.”
    “I suppose you’re right.”
    “She’s definitely right,” LG chimed in. “Anyway, enough boring talk about the fate of Haven Point. Let’s talk about me.”
    “A far more interesting topic,” McKenzie agreed.
    Lindy-Grace grinned. “I know. You’re still taking my kids Sunday night, right? I know it’s a huge favor and terrible timing, right after Lake Haven Days, but I can’t tell you how desperately Mac and I need some alone time, if you know what I mean.”
    “No. I have no idea what you mean,” she said with studied innocence.
    Her sister snorted. “That’s because you need to get out more. When was the last time you went to dinner with anybody besides the city council?”
    “You’re one to talk. Have you even had a date since medical school?”
    “Yes. I’ll have you know, just last week Archie and Ed bought me breakfast at Serrano’s. Apparently they like the way I fill out a lab coat.”
    “Who doesn’t? You’ve always been a big hit with the over-seventy crowd.”
    “A girl’s got to take what she can get sometimes. So. Operation Charm Ben’s Socks Off. What do you need me to do?”
    For some weird reason, the idea of Devin charming socks—or anything else—off Ben bothered her far more than it should, but she told herself she was being ridiculous.
    “If I end up siccing my vicious dog on him because he’s driving me crazy next door, you can stitch him up for me,” she suggested.
    Devin laughed and ruffled Rika’s curly head. “Sounds like a plan.” She glanced at her watch. “If you need me to do anything else, you know where to find me. I’d better run. I’ve got a hundred errands to run on my first day off in weeks.”
    “Okay. See you. Thanks for making time today for the emergency summit.”
    “No problem.” Devin hugged her and McKenzie wrapped her arms around her sister, deeply grateful for the bond between them. When McKenzie showed up out of the blue all those years ago, Devin could have been cold and distant, resentful and embarrassed about having an illegitimate half sister thrust into her world.
    Instead, Devin had literally and physically embraced her from the very beginning and had never been anything but kind and loving.
    “So you didn’t answer me about next weekend,” LG pushed after Devin left.
    “Yes. I am planning on your two wild children staying at my place. I can’t wait.” LG’s boys were completely adorable, even though McKenzie was exhausted just thinking about entertaining them for thirty-six hours. “We’re going to have a fabulous time. I’m stocking up on all the sugary sweets I can find and fully intend to send them back to you with an epic sugar high bordering on illegal.”
    Lindy-Grace laughed, though it didn’t mask the worry in her eyes. McKenzie suspected by a few things her friend let slip that her marriage wasn’t completely rosy. Mac Keegan could be a jerk sometimes, loud and annoying with a tendency to drink a little too much on the weekends and ignore his hardworking wife and cute kids.
    If dinner and a night away at the small romantic boutique inn where Eliza Hayward used to work would help reignite their burners, McKenzie was more than willing to help out.
    Now, if only she could help her