Page 60 of Healing Love

Cam pulled it out as the other men were gathering around. “Luke, see what you can get out of this,” he said.

Luke was a handsome, dark-haired man, not nearly the size of Cam, but Miriam easily recognized his strength in his lean, muscular body. He shook her hand as well and then disappeared down the hall.

Bart, Blaise, Monty, and Marc had all met her before, each kissing her cheek in greeting, before they followed Luke.

The last man walked over, a huge smile on his face. “I guess I’m the last one to meet the lovely and, from what I hear, very brave Ms. Delaro. I’m Chad.” Of all the men, he seemed the one that would smile the most, easily cracking a joke or just enjoying himself with friends.

“It’s nice to meet you, too,” she said sincerely, then watched as he also followed the others.I wonder what’s down that hall?Before she had time to think too long on it, she heard soft footsteps coming from the right. Turning her head, she saw a long, heavy, wooden table in the dining area and just then a beautiful woman came from the kitchen carrying a tray.

“Here, babe, let me get that,” Jack said, walking over to take it from the woman. While he moved to set it on the coffee table near the large sofas, the smiling woman rushed over and engulfed Miriam in a hug.

“I’m so glad to meet you,” she exclaimed. “I’m Bethany.” By this time Jack had returned and, with his arm around Bethany, pulled her front into his side.

“Hi,” she answered, smiling at the warm greeting. Unsure what to do next, Miriam glanced up at Cam who caught her expression of uncertainty.

“Jack and I are going to head down to where we all meet and work on finding out who called and where the threat is coming from. You and Bethany will have a chance to get to know each other and then we’ll come back and probably have some questions for you.”

Nodding, she said, “That’s fine. You go do…whatever it is that you do.”

Laughing, he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss before following Jack down the same hall.

The two women made themselves comfortable on the sofas, finding that they could easily curl their legs up under them with all the room.

Bethany grinned as she said, “I’m just getting used to living in a house with what I call giant furniture.”

Laughing, Miriam nodded as she looked around the beautiful room once more. “I’m glad to hear you say that. Whenever I meet one of Cam’s friends, it seems as though they are all as big as him! I feel like a shrimp!”

“I hear you,” Bethany smiled. “Me too!”

“Cam told me a little about you, but I didn’t know that you two had gotten together.”

“That’s right. I met Cam when he was working on a case with Jack and then he left to go get you just before the other case was solved.”

“Is it weird, having Jack’s business right here in his home?”

Laughing, Bethany exclaimed, “Oh, not at all. I own the Mountville Cabin rentals and wedding venue on the property next to Jack’s and so I’m used to living where my work is also. And I’m safer when he’s traveling.”

Seeing Miriam hesitate, Bethany also added, “And let’s face it, I’ve got the best eye-candy to look at when they’re here meeting!”

Unable to contain her laugh, Miriam nodded, “Oh, yeah. I noticed that.”

After a few more minutes of casual conversation, Bethany asked, “I understand that you’re a nurse?”

“Yes. Well, an unemployed nurse at the moment.” She watched the other woman cock her head to the side in question, so she continued, “I turned in my notice at the large hospital. I was just burned out and have decided to find a position that seems right for me.”

“I think that’s wise,” Bethany agreed. “Do you have something in mind?”

Taking another sip of coffee, Miriam responded, “My sister-in-law’s mother had a stroke and needed some in-home care for a while. I did that in the evenings just to help out and discovered that I really enjoyed it. I actually like working with geriatric patients and so I might see what’s available.”

“You know, my grandmother is in a memory care nursing home near here. She was just placed there a little while ago and I visit several times a week. She still remembers me most of the time…unless she thinks I’m her sister, Helen. You ought to visit with me sometime. I know they’re looking for nurses.”

Miriam felt a spark of interest that she had not felt in several weeks. “I’d like that…a lot, actually.”

22

Downstairs in the large conference room, the men sat around the table, faces grim at the news from Luke.

“It’s definitely from a stateside phone,” he said. “Burner. No trace.”

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