I'd say you're on target there, Coco. Got myself a business, a house on land, retired my seabag.

No, this phase is more personal.

She wiggled her slim brows.

It has to do with

Venus.

He grinned at that.

So, are you going to marry me?

She wagged a finger at him.

You're going to say that to someone, quite seriously, before the summer's over. Actually, I saw you falling in love twice. I'm not quite sure what that means.

Her forehead wrinkled as she considered.

It didn't really seem as

if you'd have to choose, though there was quite a bit of interference. Perhaps even danger.

If a guy falls for two women, he's asking for trouble.

And Nathaniel was content,

at least for the moment, to have no females in his life. Women simply didn't come without expectations, and he planned to fulfill none but his own.

And since my

heart already belongs to you...

He got up to go to the stove and kiss her cheek.

The tornado blew in without warning. The kitchen door slammed open, and three shrieking whirlwinds spun through.

Aunt Coco! They're here!

Oh, my.

Coco pressed a hand to her speeding heart.

Alex, you took a year off

my life.

But she smiled, studying the dark-eyed boy beside him.

Can this be

Kevin? You've grown a foot! Don't you have a kiss for Aunt Coco?

Yes, ma'am.

He went forward dutifully, still unsure of his ground. He was enveloped against soft breasts, in soft scents. It eased his somewhat nervous stomach.

We're so glad you're here.

Coco's eyes teared up sentimentally.

Now the whole

family's in one place. Kevin, this is Mr. Fury. Nate, my grandnephew.

Nathaniel knew the story, how the scum Baxter Dumont had managed to get some