Just The Way You Are by Barbara Freethy

and stepped onto the pavement. Sam joined her a second later, locking the car doors with his remote control. She smiled at him and shook her head in amazement.
    "What?" he asked curiously.
    "You, me. I can't believe I'm here. After all these years."
    "I can't quite believe it either."
    "Grams says Tucker's Landing is turning into a tourist mecca," she said as they began to walk toward the hospital.
    "That's right."
    "So your business is doing well?"
    "Yes, in fact … I haven't told anyone this, but I got an offer to sell out to a Japanese outfit."
    "Really? Are you going to sell?"
    "I don't know. It's an interesting offer, but completely impractical. What I should do is buy myself another boat and make it impossible for any outside operation to come in and take over my business."
    "But if you sell, you could do something else with your life." She paused. "I know you had to go to work, Sam, that it was the most logical move to make, but surely you've wanted something more, something else over the years. I don't remember you ever dreaming about growing up to be your father."
    "I'm not my father." He shrugged. "I'm a Tucker and I belong in Tucker's Landing. It's where my home is, my business is, and most importantly, where my daughter is."
    "Alli works at a gift shop, doesn't she?" Tessa asked as they moved toward the hospital entrance.
    "The Alley Cat. She doesn't just work it. She owns it with your grandmother."
    "Alli as a businesswoman; that seems strange, too."
    "She's actually very good at it."
    Tessa raised an eyebrow. "Defending the woman you're about to divorce?"
    "The divorce doesn't have anything to do with Alli's business capabilities. You know, you might find it hard to believe, but away from you, Alli actually acts like a grown-up most of the time."
    "You're right, I find it hard to believe."

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    Chapter 5

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    " F ive minutes around Tessa and I go from being a mature adult to acting like the nasty, jealous little sister I used to be." Alli tossed her purse down on the front counter of her store, thankful that the shop was still empty, because she needed to talk to someone before she exploded.
    Mary Ann Whitman was not only Alli's assistant, but in the past year she had become a dear friend. At thirty-five, the slightly pregnant, brown-haired Mary Ann was eight years older than Alli. Where Alli was emotional, Mary Ann was cool as a cucumber. Where Alli was spontaneous, Mary Ann had a day planner that was detailed to the last minute. And when Alli took chances, Mary Ann usually had a backup plan just in case things didn't work out.
    With such complementary strengths, they had developed a strong friendship and a good working relationship. And with daughters the same age, they also had the added advantage of sharing babysitting.
    "You have to stop reacting," Mary Ann said as she finished straightening a display of shell jewelry. "Tessa knows how to push your buttons, and I bet you're good at pushing hers."
    "To be honest, Tessa barely said a word. It was just her presence. God! She's so disgustingly beautiful. Megan already adores her. And Sam, well, Sam is probably thrilled she's back."
    "What do you think?" Mary Ann asked, motioning toward the display. "Kathleen really outdid herself with these necklaces," she added, noting the fine detail work of one of their local artisans.
    "It looks great," Alli said without much enthusiasm.
    "How is Phoebe?" Mary Ann pushed her constantly slipping glasses back up her nose and stared at Alli with concerned brown eyes. "Was she any better this morning?"
    "No. In fact, William just called me to say that the doctor said it's a matter of time now to see how much damage has been done. They've run several tests, but they'll have to see what happens in the next few days before they can determine the full extent of the stroke." Alli sat down on the stool behind the counter. "I've never seen Grams so still."
    "She's just getting her strength back."
    "I hope so. William is