His Unexpected Twins. Carrie Nichols

as doctors’ offices, an insurance agency and an attorney’s office, but some were still single-family residences.

      The manicured common space boasted a restored white gazebo that doubled as a bandstand for concerts and picnics in the summer. Homes soon gave way to brick-fronted businesses, and the white Greek Revival church where they held the weekly lunches. With its black shutters and steeple bell tower, the church anchored the green at one end.

      No doubt the town was picturesque, but she recalled how, when she was sick, the women of Loon Lake had worked year-round to keep the Hardings’ refrigerator full of casseroles and sandwich fixings. In the summer, the men had made sure their lawn was mowed. In the winter, the men plowing for the town had been careful to keep the end of their driveway relatively clear.

      He pulled the truck into one of the angled parking spots in front of the pub-style restaurant. “I’m assuming you’ve been here before, since you said you liked the burgers.”

      “Yeah, I’ve been a few times with some of the people from work.”

      He turned the engine off and opened his door. Ellie opened hers and was getting out when he came around to her side. He put his hand under her elbow to steady her as she scrambled out. His touch sent sparks up her arm...straight to her core.

      You’d better be listening, she cautioned her heart. Liam and I are hanging out, nothing more. Unlike Angelo’s, this wasn’t a romantic date place. Since this wasn’t a date, she had no right to feel disappointed. And she certainly had no right to be using or thinking the word romantic in context with anything she and Liam did.

      They strolled across the sidewalk to the entrance, his hand hovering over the small of her back, not quite touching. How was she supposed to read the mixed signals he was sending? Maybe it was all her fault for trying to read things into his actions and words that weren’t there. Your fault because you wanted this to be a date and it’s a let’s-hang-out night. She swallowed the sigh that bubbled up.

      He turned his head toward her as they made their way toward the restaurant. “Something wrong with Hennen’s?”

      Had he picked up on her confusion? She shook her head. “No. It’s fine.”

      “Hey, I’m not such a guy that I don’t know what ‘fine’ in that tone of voice means.” He held the glass entry door open.

      After stepping inside, she glanced up at him, her eyebrows raised. “And what does ‘fine’ mean?”

      The outer door shut, leaving them alone in the restaurant’s vestibule. A small table with a bowl of wrapped mints and stack of takeout menus stood off to one side. Muffled sounds—music, conversations and clinking of dishware—came from beyond the inner door.

      “I’m thinking it means there’s something wrong and I’m expected to figure it out.” His light blue eyes darkened.

      Lost in those eyes, she had to swallow before she could speak. “And have you figured it out?”

      “No, but I have an idea how to fix it.” He took a step toward her, his intense gaze on her lips.

      “Oh? You can fix it without even knowing what it is?” All thoughts of why she was even upset flew out of her head. Liam’s sexy and oh-so-kissable lips took up all available space.

      “Uh-huh,” he said, and lowered his head. “I was thinking of kissing it and making it all better.”

      She noisily sucked in her breath. Were they really going to do this? Here of all places?

      “Are you in?” His voice was hoarse, his expression hopeful as his gaze searched hers.

      She rose on her tiptoes, placed her hands on either side of his face, pulling him close enough she smelled breath mints. “Does this answer your question?”

      He dipped his head until his lips latched onto hers. The kiss was gentle, probing but firm. Her sigh parted her lips and his tongue slipped inside. The kiss she’d been waiting for her entire life was even better than she’d thought possible. It was sexy enough to send heat to her most sensitive areas and yet sweet enough to bring tears to her eyes. Make-A-Wish, eat your heart out.

      She wanted it to last forever, but cooled air and noise from the restaurant blasted them as the inner door opened. Someone cleared their throat and Liam pulled away so quickly she swayed. His hands darted out, coming to rest around each side of her waist and lingering for a moment before dropping away.

      “Ellie?” a familiar voice inquired.

      Liam stepped aside and she came face-to-face with Brody Wilson. She groaned inwardly. As if getting caught kissing in public wasn’t embarrassing enough, it had to be by someone she knew, someone who would tell his fiancée, Mary, who would tell Meg. Trying to salvage the situation, Ellie plastered a smile on her face, which was probably as red as the ketchup on the tables inside.

      “This is, uh...a surprise.” She turned toward Liam. “Have you two met?”

      Brody juggled a large white paper bag into the other hand, then reached out to shake. “We met very briefly at Meg and Riley’s wedding.”

      “Speaking of weddings, you must be the groom.” Liam shook hands. “I met the bride a couple days ago.”

      “Yes, Mary mentioned that.” Brody nodded, his assessing gaze darting between them.

      “Are Mary and Elliott with you tonight?” Ellie glanced through the glass door to the restaurant.

      “No. They’re at home.” He held up the bag. “I stopped to grab burgers on my way back from checking in on Kevin Thompson.”

      “Checking on Kevin?” Ellie touched Brody’s arm. “Did something happen?”

      Kevin Thompson was a local youth who could have headed down the wrong path if not for Loon Lake’s caring residents. Ellie knew Riley and Meg had encouraged Kevin to stay in school, and Brody and Mary had boosted his self-confidence by having him interact with the kids at their summer camp for children in foster care.

      The camp had been Mary’s dream. When she and Brody became a couple, they’d started a nonprofit and made her dream a reality. Their farm on the edge of town was the perfect spot.

      Brody nodded. “Yeah, he sprained his wrist yesterday.”

      “Oh, no. Wasn’t he your helper for the carnival preparations?”

      Brody sighed. “With Riley working on their house and picking up overtime hours, I hate to ask him, but I may have to if we’re going to be ready on time.”

      Liam quirked an eyebrow at her. “What’s this about a carnival?”

      “I help out with a childhood cancer survivor group,” Ellie said. “We counsel survivors and those going through treatment. Plus, every year we put on a carnival as a fun activity for the kids.” She enjoyed giving back to a group that had been so helpful when she’d needed it. “We have as much fun as the kids and it’s important for them to see they can get through sometimes grueling treatments and enjoy life.”

      “What sort of help do you need?” Liam asked Brody.

      Brody stroked his chin with his free hand. “Mostly muscle and someone to assemble wooden booths. You good with a hammer?”

      Liam bobbed his head once. “Sure. I’d be happy to help out.”

      The inner door opened and Brody stepped aside to let a couple pass through. “Ellie, why don’t I give you a call later and we can make arrangements.”

      “That sounds good. You might want to get home before those burgers get cold or you’ll be in trouble with Mary.”

      “Yeah, we don’t want that.” Brody laughed and winked.

      * * *

      Liam’s hand found the small of Ellie’s back as if magnetized. He licked his lips at the cherry taste that lingered