The Soldier's Secret Child by Lee Tobin McClain

Author:Lee Tobin McClain
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Love Inspired
Published: 2017-09-05T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Lacey looked at the handsome man across the table from her and tried to ignore Vito and Daisy being seated practically right behind them.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t ignore what she’d heard. “You’re a beautiful woman,” Vito had said to Daisy.

Which was true, and she didn’t begrudge Daisy the praise, but the way it stung alerted her to something she hadn’t quite realized before: she wanted Vito for herself.

“Hey,” Dion said. “What’s going on?”

She shrugged and toyed with her water glass.

“All of a sudden you’re not comfortable,” he said. “Is it something I said?”

“No! No, you’re fine. What were we talking about?” She laughed nervously. “I’m sorry, I’m a little intimidated.”

His forehead creased. “Intimidated? Why?”

“You’re kind of known for your wisdom,” she said, “not to mention that you’re the police chief.”

“Which is all a nice way of saying I’m an old man,” he said, “who’s fortunate to be out with a fine-looking young woman.”

The words were gallant, but Lacey could tell Dion wasn’t interested in her in that way. Rather than feeling insulted, she felt relieved and suddenly more comfortable. This was a little awkward, especially with Vito and Daisy so close, but at least she knew she wasn’t misleading Dion.

“I’m the fortunate one,” she said. “I might pick your brain about some Bible stuff. You’re said to know everything there is to know.”

“Who says that?”

“Angelica’s husband, Troy. He thinks you’re the font of all wisdom. And my brother’s a fan, too.”

“Don’t you be thinking I’m perfect,” he warned. “Nobody’s perfect. Nobody’s even close, right? That’s what the good book says.”

“See, you’re making my point for me, quoting scripture at the drop of a hat.” She frowned. “Anyway, of course, you’re right. But I’ve spent my whole life trying to be good. Trying to be perfect.”

“We all try,” he said, “and that’s not bad.”

She did her best to ignore the rumble of Vito’s voice behind her, but it played along her nerve endings like an instrument. She forced it away, forced herself to talk with Dion about her brother, with whom he’d had a good deal of official contact until Buck had dried out and they’d become friends. She forced herself to rave over the delicious, beautifully presented food: Dion’s prime rib, her own organic grilled salmon.

“That was great,” she said when they’d pushed away their plates.

“Yes, it was,” he said, “but let me ask you something. Are you in this matchmaking thing for real?”

She looked at him and slowly shook her head. “Not really. I’m just doing it for Nonna. You?” She only asked the question to be polite, because she was pretty sure of the answer. “I always heard you were with Daisy.”

“Everyone thinks that,” he said, smoothly changing the subject. “You’re a newish widow. It makes sense you’re not ready to do a lot of dating.”

“Yeah. I...I really loved my husband.”

Dion didn’t say, “He was a good guy.” That would normally be the remark you made, wouldn’t it? But instead, he said, “That’s obvious. Gerry was blessed to have you.

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