Page 34 of Two Hearts' Ploy

“Aylin really wanted to thank you herself. She was very disappointed when we told her we needed to send her away with my daughter Desiree and her husband Marc.”

Ben frowned. “Are you sure she’s going to be safe with them? They’re entertainers. Right?”

Dad started coughing.

“Oh, yeah.” Ben smiled wryly. “I forgot that Dad might have mentioned that he was acquainted with them both from some past assignments.”

Mr. Broussard nodded his agreement. “Besides Aylin, no one in our family is quite who they seem to be. They’ve all had to grow up quickly because of some horrific circumstances that I can’t really get into.”

“Okay. So, this meeting must be about something else,” Ben said, glancing around the room. “Mom? You’ve been really quiet. What’s wrong?”

Mom sighed. “Your father’s worried that if these men do a little digging, they might just be able to discover that the person who rescued Aylin was you. Joe here was the first one to agree.”

Mr. Broussard nodded. “They could seek retribution. In fact, that’s been Ash’s primary goal since he teamed up with his uncle, who’s the main player in an Isil cell operating out of Turkey.”

“We don’t even know how Mr. Agha was able to enter this country, let alone find out so quickly and easily where Aylin was staying,” Dad said.

Ben nodded. “So, I gather you have plans for me?”

“Are you still interested in entering the service and eventually operating covertly in law enforcement, kind of like I do?” Dad asked.

“Yes. I want to do something meaningful but have every intention of returning here one day to run the Inn, when you and Mom are ready for semi-retirement. Crystal Rock is my home, and I love it here.”

Dad gave him a wry smile, patting him on the back. “Well, your mother understands why you need to experience a little more than life in Crystal Rock for a while. In fact, I didn’t return to restore the Inn until I was in my thirties. By that time, I was ready to settle down. So now what we need to do is decide which branch of the service you’d be best suited for. Okay? Luckily, you’re a good student, so we can arrange for you to finish school online and get your degree early.”

“Okay,” Ben agreed, definitely feeling dazed.

“Ben?” Mom said in an unsteady voice. “Whatever happens, just promise me that you’ll do everything in your power to not get hurt. I’ve seen what it takes for so many of our wounded warriors to get their lives back. And not just physically.”

Walking over to his Mom, who was staring through the window, he pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. “I can’t make too many promises Mom, but I can promise that I’ll try my best not to let anything happen.”

“That’s all I can ask,” she answered softly.

Chapter Eighteen

It was kind of strange how they’d run into each other twice, even outside of the studio, Jeff decided, giving their waitress a smile as they ordered. Especially considering she’d only been in town since yesterday.

He’d ordered an assortment of appetizers, and after he talked her into trying the chicken cordon bleu, which was new to the menu, he’d decided on a bacon wrapped filet for himself with a bunch of side dishes to go along with it.

“The portions are smaller here than they are at the Inn’s restaurant,” he admitted. “But I kind of like that. Then I can fill up on other stuff first.”

She groaned. “I really reallyreallyneed to start working out again.”

Jeff laughed. “Don’t forget to text me that list of equipment. I just took care of ordering some bedroom furniture for the master, since I’m not sleeping in there yet myself.”

She cocked her head. “Why not?”

He shrugged. “I did a complete demo on the kitchen, and I’ve been refinishing floors and woodwork, so I hadn’t got around to painting. Now, it can wait because of the situation. I lucked out tonight and found exactly the kind of bedroom furniture I’ve been looking for since I bought my house three years ago.”

She nodded, looking slightly surprised. “You’ve done all the restorations yourself?”

“I did, although sometimes I’ve needed a little help. But since my father owns the local construction business, it’s easy to find people who want to make a few extra bucks helping out. Everyone in our family has experience doing some type of demo or restoration work. Kelly’s about the only one who hasn’t. She’s doing some staging work for homes we’ve bought for flipping though. My sister Kate will be taking over the business one day.”

“Really?” Wren grimaced. “I’m pretty good with painting techniques and refinishing some kinds of furniture when I’m in the mood, but I wouldn’t have a clue about how to refinish a floor or design the footprint of a kitchen, even though I do know what I like.”

They talked about Jeff’s home for the next few minutes as Wren sampled the appetizers, which she appeared to enjoy. Soon, dinner arrived, and she definitely seemed to appreciate the chicken cordon bleu as well.

“You haven’t asked what I thought about your demos,” she observed as they drank some after dinner coffee.

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