Page 2 of Devlin

A knowing gleam entered his eyes. "Because he wouldn't want you to fight his battles for him."

"He's not fighting; that's the problem. He drank half the night at the Vault, and I don't think he sleptat all. He's like a shadow of himself. I'm worried."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I really am."

"Then do something," she said, waving her hand in frustration. She couldn't stand that Devlin was so calm. Actually, she couldn't stand that he was so attractive.

How was it possible that he'd gotten more attractive with age?He was thirty-one now; he should be graying or balding orputting on weight, but his light-brown hair was thick and wavy, his brown eyes flecked with sparkling gold, his body looking fit and toned in his T-shirt and faded jeans.

All the Blackthorne brothers and cousins were good-looking guys, but Devlin's grinning, charismatic smile, his wind-blown brown hair, often sunburned face, and his love of the sea had always made him incredibly attractiveto her.

Not that he'd ever looked in her direction. He was five years older than her, and after her parents had divorced when she was twelve, she'd only been in King Harbor for a few weeks every summer. Back then when she'd seen Devlin, he'd usually had some cute girl or two by his side.

Her gut tightened, and she wanted to stop looking at him, but she couldn't seem to pull her gazeaway—not until a flicker of amusement entered his eyes.

Then she forced herself to clear her throat and glance toward the window. She could see a boat on the lift, ready to be lowered into the water. "Is that theWind Warrior—this year's entry in the Southern Maine Sailing Invitational?"

"Yes. She's ready for a test run."

"A run my father should be making. Do you really thinkyou can win the race without him? He's been on every winning boat you've ever sailed. Even though your family keeps the trophy, it's as much his as it is yours."

Devlin stared back at her. "You've got a massive chip on your shoulder, Hannah."

"Your family put it there." She wasn't just talking about her father's recent termination. Her resentment of the Blackthornes ran deep. Eventhough it probably wasn't fair, she blamed them for the break-up of her family. If they hadn't put such tremendous demands on her father, he wouldn’t have had to work all the time.

"I am sorry about what happened," Devlin said.

"Then talk to your dad. Get him to change his mind."

"I will do that."

"When?"

"I'm seeing him tonight for my mom's sixtieth birthdayparty. But I have to tell you that our fathers are as obstinate as they come. Neither one ever wants to back down. What you or I want probably isn't going to factor into this situation."

She couldn't say he was wrong about that. "My dad can be bullheaded, but it's that stubbornness that also drives his perfection at work."

A loud crash reverberated through the building, and Devlinwinced. "I need to get back to work." As he came around the desk, he added, "Frank said you're in real estate now."

"Yes. I work as an agent in my mother's firm."

"I remember how much you loved being on the water. When you came to visit your father in the summers, you always wanted to be out on a boat."

"Yes, I did." She was surprised he remembered that, and as their gazesclung together, an odd tingle ran down her spine.

She'd come into his office full of fire, but the sparks were changing from anger into something else…something she should not be feeling. Devlin was her father's boss; she could not forget that.

Clearing her throat, she said, "You will speak to your father?"

"I said I would. How long are you staying in town?"

"I'm notsure. It depends on what happens with my dad."

"Why don't I walk you out?"

"I can find my way," she said, as they moved toward the door. "Although, it seems busier here than I remember."

"We've been expanding the last several years," he said, waving her through the doorway.

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