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out." He flicked one of the little girl's long blond braids over her shoulder. "You have the longest pigtails I've ever seen. Haven't you ever had your hair cut?"
    Kari shook her head. "Wendy wishes her hair was long." She stared up at him. "How come you make her get it cut so short?"
    Maggie glanced at Wendy, who was sitting quietly eating her pancakes. The little girl's boyishly short bowl cut was not particularly flattering to her small, thin face. Maggie had long thought that Greg probably took Josh, Wendy, and Max to one barber who gave all three identical cuts.
    "Wendy, you never told me you wanted your hair long," Greg said. He seemed bewildered by Kari's pronouncement. "You don't have to have it cut if you don't want to."
    Wendy said nothing. "Mom, Josh and I are starving," complained Kevin. "Where's our pancakes?"
    "I'll make yours next, right away," Maggie promised, smiling as Josh rolled around on the floor in a dramatic bout of mock hunger pangs. "I'll make yours a double batch."
    "Better hurry, Mom. I don't know how long these poor starving fellows will last without food," kidded Greg. He fastened his hand around the nape of Maggie's neck and pointed her toward the kitchen. "Forward, march!"
    Maggie's heart seemed to lurch, then ricochet wildly against her rib cage. The feel of the warm hand

    on her neck, the touch of his fingers against her skin, had an alarming effect on her senses. The blood drummed madly in her head and she took a deep, steadying breath. What on earth was the matter with her? she thought. Greg was joking with her; he meant nothing by his casual touch.
    But her physical response to that casual touch grew stronger. The taut fluttering in her abdomen was unmistakably sexual arousal, something that she hadn't experienced for ages. And a quick glance down at the front of her nightgown confirmed what she already knew. Her nipples were tingling and tightening and clearly visible under the thin cotton.
    "Mom!" Kristin ran down the stairs, petite and cute in a pale blue leotard and jeans. Her hair, an auburn several shades lighter than Maggie's, was pulled into two short ponytails and tied with blue ribbons. She came to a screeching halt in front of her mother and Maggie had to stop suddenly, causing Greg, who was walking closely behind her, to collide with her.
    The impact of his hard frame sent shock waves of sensation through her already sensitized body. His hand slid from her neck and both arms came around to encircle her in an attempt to restore their balance. Maggie felt the strength of his chest against her back, the muscular thighs against her bottom, his strong arms around her waist. He might be trying to balance her, but she had never felt more off balance in her entire life.
    "I'm off, Mommy. Wish me luck," Kristin said blithely, seemingly oblivious to the sight of her mother in a man's arms.
    But then, she wasn't really in Greg's arms, Maggie tried to assure herself. She had stopped suddenly and he had crashed into her. And being a gentleman—and a doctor and a father, she added in an attempt to calm herself—he had helped her to regain her equilibrium. That was the sight Kristin

    saw. The Wilder kids' dad lending support to her mom.
    "Where are you off to, Kristin?" Greg asked pleasantly. He had not yet released Maggie. He remained close behind her, their bodies touching, his arms firmly around her. He locked his hands together over the slight swell of her stomach. Her head didn't quite reach his shoulder and his breath ruffled her hair as he spoke.
    "I have a gymnastic meet at ten," Kristin replied shyly. "But I'm leaving early to practice at the Community Center."
    "Gymnastic meet, hmm? Who are you competing against?" he asked. Maggie wriggled slightly in an effort to break free, but he didn't release her. His big hands were warm against her abdomen, causing a throbbing within. There didn't seem to be a part of her not touching him. Her nipples were aching and became more pronounced,