Redemption by Kate Douglas

Author:Kate Douglas [Douglas, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9781466871205
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 2015-12-27T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

Ben added the leaf to the round oak table. Agent Robinson—who had finally relaxed enough to tell them to call him Ted—joined the rest of them at the table. Marc opened a couple of bottles of his wine, Lola put a big platter of pot roast and vegetables out, and Mandy set out a basket of rolls she’d brought home from the coffee shop.

Conversation ebbed and flowed as the food disappeared. It ranged from Marc’s repaired Tesla and whether the wreck might be connected, to the investigation the FBI was pursuing, to Kaz and Jake’s wedding plans and the fact they had chosen to be married at Marc’s winery where they’d fallen in love. Jake glanced around the table, obviously missing his woman, and said, “It’s where I found her. It’s where I almost lost her. It’s where she promised she’d be my wife.”

Ted Robinson was the only one who missed the significance of Jake’s comment, so Jake gave Ted an abbreviated version of Kaz’s kidnapping and rescue. Ben caught Jake’s eye and the two of them shared a look that left Ben shaken. His brother and Kaz had been tested, and their relationship had come through strengthened by what could so easily have been a tragedy. Did he and Lola have what they needed to survive as a couple, not only to grow but to flourish? Jake and Kaz had been together less than a month, and yet what they had was rock solid.

Ben wanted that, but what did Lola want? He glanced her way as she reached for her wine glass, caught her steady gaze over the rim of her glass.

She smiled and took a sip, and then Mandy brought up the memorial Ben and Jake wanted to set up in honor of the woman and child who’d been killed so long ago. She, Kaz, and Lola had started researching some of the local women’s shelters and were narrowing down the list to a few that looked promising.

“We want to visit the top three and then we’ll feel better about recommending one of them,” Lola said. The discussion moved on until Ben raised his head, glanced at the huge amount of food disappearing from the table, and sent another glance at Lola.

“Lola, were you expecting a crowd tonight?”

“No.” She smiled at him. “Just you.”

“You cooked enough for an army.”

This time the smile was pure seduction. “You’re Army, aren’t you? I wanted to make sure you were well fed. Lots of protein for … strength and endurance.” She winked. “You’ll need it later.”

Ben glanced around the table and realized everyone was staring at the two of them. All of them smiling. “You may all leave at any time,” he said. Then he turned to Mandy. “Except for you. You I can send to your room.”

Ted Robinson shook his head. “This is the best pot roast I’ve had in years, and there is no way in hell I’m leaving.” His gaze on Ben, along with his comment, were totally deadpan.

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