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  “Oh, I’m not. I was over here at Dad’s, taking care of a few things while he’s at an appointment. He got some new foster kids in, and when I heard the discussion about eggs, I came outside. That’s when Judd handed me his phone and said I had to talk to you. You got the wedding invitation?” she asked.

  “I did.” He left it at that, hoping she’d fill in the blanks of the questions he wasn’t sure how to ask.

  “We couldn’t change Rosy’s mind about using that picture of Billy in the veil. Trust me, we tried.”

  Callen found himself smiling. A bad combination when mixed with arousal. Still, he could push it aside, and he did that by glancing around his office. He had every nonsexual thing he wanted here, and if he wanted sex, there were far less complicated ways than going after Shelby. Buck probably still owned at least one good castrating knife.

  “I called Rosy, but she didn’t answer,” Callen explained.

  “She’s in town but should be back soon. She doesn’t answer her phone if she’s driving.”

  Callen couldn’t decide if that was a good or bad thing on a personal level for him. If Rosy had answered, then he wouldn’t be talking to Shelby right now. He wouldn’t feel the need for a cold shower or an explanation.

  “Rosy should be back any minute now. You want me to have her call you?” Shelby asked.

  “No. I just wanted to tell them best wishes for the wedding. I’ll send a gift and a card.” And he’d write a personal note to Buck.

  “You’re not coming?” Shelby said.

  Best to do this fast and efficient. “No. I have plans. Business plans. A trip. I’ll be out of the state.” And he cursed himself for having to justify himself to a woman who could lead to castration.

  “Oh.”

  That was it. Two letters of the alphabet. One word. But it was practically drowning in emotion. Exactly what specific emotion, Callen didn’t know, but that gut-punch feeling went at him again hard and fast.

  “Shelby?” someone called out. It sounded like the whiny girl. “Never mind. Here comes Miss Rosy.”

  “I guess it’s an important business trip?” Shelby continued, her voice a whisper now.

  “Yes, longtime clients. I do this trip with them every year—”

  “Callen, you need to come,” Shelby interrupted. “Soon,” she added. “It’s bad news.”

  Don’t miss LONE STAR CHRISTMAS by Delores Fossen, available October 2018 wherever HQN™ Books and ebooks are sold.

  www.HQNBooks.com

  Copyright © 2018 by Delores Fossen

  ISBN-13: 9781488039089

  Christmas Angel

  First published in the COMING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS anthology by Harlequin Books in 2014

  Copyright © 2014 by Nauman Living Trust.

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