Hot Item (Hot Zone 3)

She laughed. “You need more compliments? Seriously, Yank. You raised them to be strong and independent. They may have had issues from losing their parents, but all three were brave enough to overcome them in the end and go after what they wanted. It’s a credit to you.”

“She’s right, Uncle Yank,” Sophie said, joining them.

“She’s always right,” Micki said.

“Always has been,” Annabelle added.

His whole family surrounded him. Could he get any luckier than he’d been in his life? Yes, yes, he could, Yank thought, an idea coming to him and he laughed aloud.

“What’s so funny?” Sophie asked.

Yank smiled. “I’m just wonderin’, where are all your men at?”

“Why?” all three sisters asked warily, as if they didn’t trust him.

“Because I wanted to ask ’em when you’re all gonna give me a bunch of grandchildren to bounce on my knee. Now that my hip is working better, and all.”

Sophie groaned. “I’m out of here,” she said, blowing him a kiss as she made her way across the grass.

“Ditto,” Micki said. “I love you, but you’ve got to find yourself a hobby.” She took off, too, leaving him with Lola and Annabelle.

“Don’t you even look my way, Uncle Yank. I’ve done my duty,” Annabelle said and she, too, disappeared.

He shook his head. “Now what’d I do to make ’em run off that way?”

Nobody answered. “Lola?”

“I’m gone,” she called, her voice sounding distant.

He hadn’t even realized she’d taken off along with the girls.

Yank laughed and glanced up, letting the sun warm his face the way all his women warmed him. They might grouse and complain at his meddling ways, but he just knew he’d have grandchildren on the way from each of them by year’s end.

Family, he thought, grinning like a fool. A lucky man like him didn’t need one single thing more.