Inherited Instant Family by Judy Christenberry

Author:Judy Christenberry [Christenberry, Judy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9781408903926
Publisher: Harlequin Mills & Boon Ltd.
Published: 2010-04-19T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

GEORGE’S CAFÉ was the only eatery in town. Downtown, it boasted good home-style cooking and a casual atmosphere. All the locals gathered there for oversize portions and neighborly chatter. That night was no exception.

The place was crowded when the Logan family and Sarah and the kids arrived. Brad insisted he and Sarah sit on one side of a big red booth with all three kids on the other. That left the other four adults to share a booth behind them.

Sarah leaned over to Brad and whispered, “Can Abby get in the booth? Maybe we should wait for a table.”

“No problem. Nick’s letting her sit on the outside so she can manage.”

Sarah turned her attention to the three kids. “Behave yourselves. If you do, maybe you can have ice cream for dessert.” The boys especially paid attention, as throughout the ride over they’d been giggling and shoving each other in the seat. Anna, sitting on the outside, just gave her sister a smile, but she frowned at the boys.

“Sorry, Anna, that you have to sit with the boys,” Brad said.

“It’s okay,” Anna said with a shy smile.

“Good girl. What are you going to order?”

Anna stared at him, her eyes wide.

Sarah hurriedly said, “They haven’t been to a restaurant before.”

“You’re kidding?” Brad asked.

Anna interrupted. “I get to choose what I want to eat?”

“Absolutely, sweetheart. Whatever you want,” Brad assured her.

“I—I don’t know. There are so many things.”

“True. Take a little time and decide.”

Anna read the menu to the boys and Sarah couldn’t help but feel so happy. She was giving her siblings a taste of a normal life. From the looks on their faces, they were thrilled, if not confused by the many choices. The more they changed their minds, the more Sarah smiled.

“And what are you going to have?” Brad asked her.

She shook her head. “I haven’t even looked yet.”

“I’ve noticed,” he said, reflecting back her smile. “Why don’t you let me make a suggestion?” At her nod, he offered, “The Green Enchilada Casserole. It’s Abby’s specialty.”

“Abby’s?”

“Yeah. Before she and Nick were married, she worked here as a waitress and helped George come up with some new recipes. It’s her best yet.”

Everyone ordered the dish, except Brad.

Sarah looked at him quizzically. “You tell me to get it, then you don’t?”

“What can I say? I’m a slave to a good steak.”

“Maybe you should sit at someone else’s table, then,” Sarah suggested.

“Nope, I’m staying here.”

Anna suddenly giggled.

“What’s so funny, sweetheart?” Brad asked.

“You two argue all the time, but you don’t get angry.”

Sarah ducked her head, saying nothing.

“Why would we get mad?” Brad asked.

Suddenly Anna looked sad. “I don’t know, but Mommy and Daddy always got angry.”

Sarah reached across the table to take Anna’s hand.

“I can’t get angry at Sarah. She’s too sweet,” Brad said, grinning at the child. “Kind of like you.”

Even though he didn’t smile at Sarah, she felt the impact of it all the way to her toes. Brad Logan was truly a nice man, sensitive and thoughtful. The real man she’d come to know was nothing like the bear of a man she’d first met.

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