Page 24 of Devlin

"Mrs. Varney?"

"Oh, my goodness—Hannah. You're back." Grace got to her feet and came around the counter to give her a hug. "How are you?"

"I'm very well, thanks. And you?"

"I'm great. Your father must be over the moon that you're home. Although, you probably don't still think of King Harbor as home, but we still think of youas one of us. Jessica would love to see you. How long will you be in town?"

"Probably until Memorial Day."

"You know what—we're having a birthday party for Jessica on Wednesday night in the banquet room here. It starts at seven. Why don't you come by?"

"I wouldn't want to intrude," she said hesitantly.

"You would not be intruding. You know how parties are at our house—themore the merrier. Please say you'll come. I won't take no for an answer."

She laughed. "Then I'll say yes. It sounds like fun."

"Wonderful. Now what can I do for you?"

"My dad and I have decided to race together Memorial Day weekend."

"Really?" Grace asked in surprise. "But won't Frank be on the Blackthorne boat with Devlin? They're the odds-on favorite to win againthis year."

"My father and I will actually be racing on another boat."

"Another boat? But why? Your father builds the Blackthorne boats. And from what I hear, theWind Warrioris top of the line."

"That's all true, but this year will be different," she said vaguely, quite sure her father didn't want her talking about the termination of his employment. Hopefully, he'd be backat his job before anyone heard about it. "Can we still enter?"

"Of course." Grace moved back around the counter, then paused, speculation in her eyes. "I've heard a few rumors about the Blackthornes letting Frank go, but I don't want to believe they are true."

"It's a complicated situation. I don't think my dad wants me talking about it."

"Well, I hope they work it out."

"Me, too, but in the meantime, I'm looking forward to racing with my dad."

Grace pulled a paper out of the file folder. "Here's the entry form. Fill it out, pay the fee and you're set."

"Great."

She spent a few minutes filling out the form, then handed over her credit card. While Grace completed the transaction, her gaze moved toward the window overlooking the docks.She stiffened when she saw Devlin talking to another man. He wore faded jeans and a T-shirt that clung to his broad shoulders, and her stomach did a little flip-flop at the sight of him.

Devlin laughed at something the other man said, then gave a wave and headed down the ramp.Was he going for a sail? Maybe taking out the Wind Warrior for a test run?Her father had mentioned that they'dplanned on putting the boat in the water this weekend.

After taking her receipt from Grace, she headed back down the stairs and outside. Instead of returning to the Palmer's boathouse, she moved around the building. If Devlin had theWind Warriorin a slip, she'd like to take a closer look. She told herself she was just sizing up the competition; it had nothing to do with wanting to seeDevlin again. But that was too big of a lie for even her to believe.

She found Devlin on the deck of a sleek and sophisticated boat. When he saw her, he gave her a sexy grin. "Well, look who's here."

"I was at the Yacht Club signing up for the race."

"I guess your dad found a boat."

"Yes. I hope you won't be too disappointed with second place."

He laughed. "You'revery confident, Hannah."

"Something wrong with that?"

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