Family Ties. Bonnie K. Winn

would be.”

      Katherine’s smile, however, was enigmatic. “She probably doesn’t, either.”

      The kitchen door was pushed open again. Without looking at Flynn, Cindy walked over to the oven.

      “They looked almost done when I checked them,” Katherine offered.

      “Thanks.”

      Katherine nodded, then left the room.

      The remaining silence was a palpable thing.

      Flynn felt forced to end it. “Katherine says you make killer crab puffs.”

      “Yeah, well, Katherine tends to be a bit prejudiced.” Cindy withdrew the baking sheet, transferring the appetizers to a porcelain tray. “We’d better get back in there.”

      “Cindy?”

      She didn’t meet his eyes. “Yes?”

      “I seem to have a way of irritating you on a daily basis. I guess I’m just not used to someone taking control of things, offering so much. It was really great of you to arrange this party tonight.”

      This time, she did raise her eyes, her green eyes darkened to the color of sheltered, unlit forests. “So what else is new? I’ll never be like Julia and everything I do is a daily reminder of that.”

      “That’s not what I meant.”

      Cindy walked toward the door, one hand on the old wood, prepared to push it open. “Yes, it is. Even if you don’t want to admit it.”

      Flynn followed her slowly. Why did Cindy think he would want her to behave as Julia had? Julia was his wife and Cindy was…Cindy.

      Walking into the crowded parlor, he was immediately swept into the group of people. Michael made a point of including him in his conversation with Tom Sanders.

      It was a friendly gathering. Everyone seemed genuine, most made hospitable offers ranging from baby-sitting services to help on the house he was building. It was rather amazing.

      “We start softball practice this Saturday,” Michael was telling him.

      “I’m not sure I have time to—”

      “We don’t take no for an answer. Just ask Michael,” Tom Sanders added.

      Michael’s grin was wry. “I can vouch for that. It’s a lot of fun. And we can always use another player.”

      Flynn looked from one determined face to the other. “Why don’t we see how Saturday shapes up? I don’t want to dump the kids on Cindy for the day.”

      “Are you kidding?” Tom asked. “She’s nuts about your girls.”

      Puzzled Flynn stared at him. “And you know that…how?”

      “She talks about them constantly,” Tom replied. “She’s as proud of them as any parent.”

      Unconsciously Flynn stiffened. “She’s their aunt.”

      Tom shrugged. “I wish I’d had an aunt like Cindy, someone who makes everything seem like a treat. I think Cindy could make fun out of a pile of sticks in the rain.”

      Flynn studied Tom, wondering if the man had more than friendly feelings for Cindy. “So, you and your wife have been friends with her for a while now?”

      “I’m not married,” Tom replied. “Not anymore.”

      Which meant he and Cindy could well be more than friends. Funny, he didn’t seem like her type. Flynn shook away the thought. It wasn’t any of his business whom Cindy chose to date. Yet he found himself observing Tom, evaluating the other man.

      As the evening drew to a close, all the departing male guests reminded Flynn of the upcoming weekend softball game. And, oddly, he was tempted to go.

      When the door closed behind their last guest, Flynn watched as Cindy began to quietly collect bowls and trays. He joined her, filling his hands with the delicate china Cindy treasured. “So what do you think about their insistence that I play softball?”

      “I think you should do what you want to.”

      Flynn angled his head. “That doesn’t sound like you.”

      She turned briefly. “How would you know?”

      “What?”

      “You don’t know me at all. How could you possibly think you would recognize when I’m being myself?” Not waiting for an answer, she disappeared into the kitchen.

      Flynn was left holding the delicate china, as deceptively fragile, it seemed, as Cindy herself.

      The softball field was much like Rosewood itself, old-fashioned and appealing. A small shack sold ice-cream cones, canned soda and homemade hot dogs.

      Cindy made sure the triplets held hands, an uneven line of rambunctious little bodies. She’d been surprised that Flynn had agreed to come to this first practice. Reluctant to the point of reticence, she had expected him to find a thousand excuses not to go.

      She wondered if Michael’s unscheduled, unexpected visit the previous night had made a difference. Busy with the triplets, she hadn’t heard their discussion. And then this morning, Flynn had announced his intention to attend the game.

      Seeing her friend, Cindy waved at Katherine, who waved back while angling her head in Flynn’s direction.

      No need to be subtle, Cindy wanted to shout. But Flynn hadn’t seemed to notice. Relieved, she walked the girls around the small field.

      Tom approached with a grin. “So, how are the four most beautiful women in town?”

      Cindy winked, recognizing Tom’s harmless teasing.

      He responded by tugging her pert ponytail, making the girls giggle.

      Since Tom was much like a brother, she only shook her head in bemusement.

      He knelt down, bringing his gaze eye level with the triplets. “So. You going to clap and cheer for Daddy or for me?”

      “Daddy!” they chorused loyally.

      He whistled. “Tough crowd.” Standing back up, Tom reached for Cindy’s cooler. “I’ll carry this over to the bleachers.”

      “Thanks. That gives me at least one free hand.”

      “Cute kids, Cindy.”

      “Yeah, they really are.”

      Tom glanced down, seeing that the girls weren’t paying attention. “Lucky break Flynn decided to move to Rosewood.”

      Cindy withheld the sigh that had been building inside since Flynn’s first mention of relocation. “Yeah, lucky.”

      Tom slowed his steps. “Everything okay, Cin?”

      She met his concerned gaze. “I finally have some family here. It’s spring. What could be wrong?”

      He hooked his arm with her free one. “Remember, you can tell me if something’s wrong. I have a sturdy shoulder.”

      She glanced up at him with a heartfelt smile. “So you do.”

      “Cindy?” Flynn snagged her attention.

      Startled, she glanced at him, not aware he’d walked over to their little group. “Yes?”

      He glanced at her arm, still loosely linked with Tom’s. “Are you sure you can handle all the girls by yourself?”

      Tom discreetly dropped her arm and self-consciously she pushed at the hair that fell across her forehead. “Of course. Why?”

      Flynn glanced once again at Tom. “They can be a handful.”

      She shrugged. “I brought treats.” She motioned with her head to the swing set, slide and seesaw in the park beside