Melting the Ice by Loreth Anne White

Author:Loreth Anne White [White, Loreth Anne]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Suspense
ISBN: 9781426880995
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2010-10-30T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

“B onsoir, Hannah, how lovely for you to come. I have not seen you in Ma Maison for, oh, it seems like years already.”

The buxom woman hugged Hannah, squeezing the breath from her. She scrunched her eyes in pain as those large arms crushed her injured rib.

“Isabelle, they’re going to have to put you on the wrestling team.” Hannah’s laugh was breathless. “Got a table for two?”

Isabelle gave Rex the once-over, approval registering in her twinkling eyes. She threw Hannah a knowing grin and obvious wink. “Mais, oui. It is good to see you out with a date, Hannah. Come this way. I have a nice secluded spot for your evening.” She led the way through the tables to a little alcove set in a bay of windows overlooking the herb-filled courtyard.

Rex guided Hannah through the tables, his hand at the small of her back. He could feel her muscles move along the base of her spine as she walked.

Isabelle gestured to the table. “And how is Daniel?”

Hannah went rigid under his hand.

“Uh…he’s well. Everyone is well. Thanks, Isabelle.” Her tone brooked no further discussion.

“Well then, I will leave you to enjoy your dinner, bon appetit.” Isabelle gave Rex a warm, conspiratorial smile and turned and made her way back to the door to greet an older couple.

Rex pulled out a chair for Hannah. “Who’s Daniel?”

She sat, placing the bag of Amy’s belongings carefully beside her on the floor. Her eyes were wide gold pools, picking up the flicker of the candle flame on the table. She looked like a wild animal, cornered.

“He’s…he’s family.”

She was hiding something. Not trusting him. But then, who was he to talk about being open. Trusting Hannah, telling her the whole truth, would mean betraying the Bellona Channel and the men and women who upheld its values. He’d shared too much already.

But it ate at him. Was Daniel a lover? He took a seat opposite her, shelving the subject, for now.

“So you’ve dined here before? I’ve been eyeing it since I arrived in White River.” Rex opened the menu. “What can you recommend?”

Her eyes softened in relief at the change of topic. The mellow candlelight played on the velvet of her skin. Sitting there, across from him, she was just as she had come to him in his dreams.

“I haven’t eaten here in ages, but the seafood is still supposed to be excellent.”

Who brought you here to Ma Maison last, Hannah? he wanted to ask her. What are you doing in this ski town in the Coast Mountains? Why did you leave CNA so suddenly? Who is Daniel? What mysteries was she harboring? Rex figured from what Isabelle had said, Hannah hadn’t been on a date for a while. He’d hoped she would’ve moved on after he left her in Marumba. Found someone, settled, had a family. He wished for her the things he didn’t dare to wish for himself. She was a woman who deserved the best, deserved it all. But a secret part of his soul was guiltily satisfied she hadn’t.

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