Page 23 of PenPal Hero

Bonnie was pretty quiet while they waited for their dinner to be served. Though he continued to share tidbits about his job, she merely nodded and answered in monosyllables. It was clear to him that she dreaded the coming visit with her family.

Shayley arrived with their plates. “Here you go.”

“Thanks. Everything looks great.” He narrowed his gaze at her. “You look familiar. Have we met?”

“I don’t believe so.” She looked amused by the question.

He shook his head at her retreating figure, wondering why she looked so familiar if they hadn’t met.

“Would you like to say grace?” Bonnie’s soft voice reclaimed his attention.

“I, uh…” He wasn’t a regular church attendee, but it sounded like she was.

“It’s okay,” she demurred. “I’ll say it.” She bowed her head and blessed their food.

Right as she said amen, his phone buzzed with an incoming call. According to the caller ID, it was Foster Kane.

Holt gave Bonnie an apologetic look. “Sorry, but I’ve gotta take this. It’s work.” He hoped like crazy it wouldn’t take long.

“No problem.” She pushed a bite of lettuce around her salad bowl with her fork.

Holt accepted the call and lifted the receiver to his ear as he stepped away from the table. “Holt speaking. I’m headed toward the rear exit.”

“Don’t.” Foster’s voice stopped him in his tracks. “Meet me in the kitchen instead.”

Holt glanced over his shoulder at the silver swing door their waitress had been coming in and out of. “How did you know?—?”

“I’m married to Shayley.” Foster’s voice was dry. “Thought you knew that already.”

The only Shayley Holt could think of was the woman who’d taken their orders this evening. “You mean our waitress?” He felt like slapping his forehead. No wonder she looked so familiar. He’d seen her in the family photo on Foster’s desk.

“That’s the one.” Foster’s voice held a laughing note.

Bonnie didn’t seem to notice Holt changing directions. She continued to blindly push her salad around with her fork as he skirted the far side of the room. He reached the Authorized Personnel Only door and pushed it open.

Stepping inside the kitchen, he was assailed with too many delicious aromas to name.

Foster was waiting for him at a granite bar surrounded by stools.

Before Holt reached him, Shayley flew up to him to deliver a kiss on the lips. “Are you working late tonight?”

“Not if I can help it, darling.” Foster kissed her back and watched her whirl away to fill her next order.

Holt awkwardly cleared his throat as he finished closing the distance between them.

Foster waved him onto a stool across from him. “Under normal circumstances, we don’t exploit the resources at K&G Security for personal reasons. It was in the fine writing on your contract.” As usual, he was in his company uniform — a black shirt, cargo pants, and combat boots. This evening, he’d added a black ball cap.

Great. Holt reached for his wallet, instantly knowing they were talking about the request he’d sent to the covert ops team about Bonnie’s adoption. He was embarrassed that he hadn’t read his employment contract more closely. “I’ll pay whatever it costs to get the information my girlfriend needs.”

“Put away your wallet.” Foster waved it away. “It’s your lucky day.”

“Doesn’t feel like it on my end.” Holt didn’t like his boss’s expression.

“Turns out your woman is right smack in the middle of a case we’re assisting in. I apologize in advance for what I’m about to tell you, Holt.” Foster drummed his fingers on the counter between them.

Holt’s shoulders tensed as he waited for him to continue.

“It’s true that she’s adopted.”

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