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hand. “It was nice to meet you, Mr. O’Hara.”
    Major rose and shook the kid’s hand. “You, too. Please don’t hesitate to call me if anything like this happens again.”
    “Will do.” Sevellier moved away then turned back. “Oh, I hear congratulations are in order.”
    Major frowned. “For what?”
    “You mother has been telling everyone for weeks that her son is getting married.”
    Ma! “She’s mistaken—she just wishes I would get married and is trying to force me into it.”
    “Oh.” Doogie Howser blushed. “Sorry.”
    “No problem.”
    Major shrugged into his coat and exited the center into the frigid, pouring rain. He pulled the collar up around his ears and ran toward Kirby. His cell phone vibrated against his waist, and as soon as he climbed into the vehicle, he unholstered the phone and flipped it open. “Hello?”
    “Hey, Major. It’s Forbes.”
    His best friend’s voice came as a welcomed relief. “Hey. What’s up?”
    “Wondered if you might have time to get together one day this week.”
    His mind still occupied with his mother and her issues, Major couldn’t think clearly. “I think I should be able to get free one day, now that Steven’s handling lunch service. But I’ll have to check my calendar once I get back to the office tomorrow to let you know for sure.”
    “Okay. Good. I’ve been reviewing the paperwork you gave me on your restaurant idea, and I wanted to talk to you about it.”
    No more bad news. Not today. Major slumped forward until his forehead pressed against the top of the steering wheel. “My restaurant proposal?”
    “Yeah. I don’t really want to get into it over the phone. Let’s just try to get together as soon as possible next week.”
    “Sure. I’ll shoot you an e-mail tomorrow to let you know when.”
    “You all right?”
    “Just exhausted. You know, the event last night...” He wasn’t really lying to his friend—just not divulging the truth.
    “Why don’t you come over and watch football with us this afternoon—Dad and the boys and me—over at Mom and Dad’s house?”
    “Thanks for the invite, but ... I’ll be at the open house for a few minutes; then I’m going to head home for some peace and quiet.”
    “I gotcha. I’ll talk to you later.”
    After they disconnected, Major tossed the phone into the passenger seat. “Lord, why did I get out of the bed today?”

CHAPTER 4
    You’d better not mess up my car, buddy-boy.
    The puppy thumped its tail a couple of times against the floor then put its head back on its paws. The veterinarian at the quick clinic had said the little guy would be out of it from some of the shots.
    Meredith pulled her jacket over her almost-dry hair and dashed across the small lot to the store’s front door.
    “We close for lunch in thirty—oh, hey, Glamour Girl.” The proprietor rounded the sales counter and shook Meredith’s hand. “To what do we owe the honor of your visit today?”
    One of the things she loved about Robichaud’s Hardware was the fact that no one cared if she arrived in paint-splattered clothes, wearing no makeup, and looking no better than that puppy had when she’d pulled him out from under the porch.
    “Since you’re having your big New Year’s Day sale, I figured I’d come in and clean you out of the rest of that paint stripper. And I need some wood epoxy, as well. Same aisle?”
    “You know where stuff is in here better than I do, gal.” He handed her a shopping basket. “If you think of anything else you need, or if I don’t have exactly what you’re looking for back there, give me a holler.”
    “Thanks, Rob. Will do.” Meredith dropped her wallet and keys into the basket and headed for the painting supplies section in the back of the store. Her work boots thudded slightly on the wide-plank pine floor.
    She breathed deeply and let it out as a sigh. The smell of wood and metal and turpentine and hard work welcomed and embraced her. She was certain she could get what