Page 27 of Shadowed Witness

Bryce grunted and wiped the meat thermometer on a not-so-clean towel.

Eric shoved his hands in his pockets. “Seriously. Your sister is way out of my league.”

“Yes, she is. But I haven’t met a guy yet whoisin her league.”

He supposed he could give him that. Allye was special, no doubt about it.

“And she likes you.”

“What?”

“Allye had a crush on you back in high school, and she still does, if I’m not mistaken. But don’t you dare tell her I told you.”

Allye had a crush on him?

Bryce studied him, then shook his head. “Man, you really are oblivious. Just think about it. And if you decide you’re interested, I’d be all for you two getting together.”

“Hmm...” That was a curve ball he hadn’t seen coming. The idea held more appeal than he would have expected. But considering Allye’s current situation, he wasn’t sure a relationship was a good idea for either of them. She was ... vulnerable right now. And possibly unstable, though he hated to even think it.

His friend shook a spatula at him. “But whatever you do, you better not hurt her.”

“That’s the last thing I’d want to do.”

Allye returned then, balancing an armful of glasses and plates. She stumbled, and Eric moved quickly to steady her.

“Let me,” he said quietly. He took the plates from her and set them on the table, then returned to help her safely off-load the drinkware.

“Thanks.” Her hands held a slight tremble, but she quickly buried them in her pockets and offered him a too-bright smile. “I should know better than to carry that many breakable things.”

He eyed the polka-dotted scarf she’d arranged in some sort of decorative knot that obscured any lingering bruises on her neck, but before he could think of a response or ask how she was doing, the back door opened. Hailey and Jenna emerged with the salad, followed by Corina, who was balancing two serving bowls with a plate of rolls resting across their tops. Eric moved to close the door, glad for an excuse to get out of the way as the ladies descended on the table.

As he started to pull the door shut, he noticed the waiting pitcher of iced lemonade and a stack of napkins next to the baby dishes. He gathered up the lot of them and stepped back outside.

Wesley had rejoined the group and now held his daughter in his arms as he traded jokes with Bryce. Eric stationed himself beside them. No way was he pushing his way into the beehive of activity at the table where the three women were arranging sides and distributing plates and glasses.

Allye started back toward the kitchen. When she saw the items he held, she aimed herself his direction instead. “I’ll take those.”

He allowed her to claim the napkins and baby dishes, but when she reached for the large glass pitcher too, he shook his head. “I’ve got this.”

She shrugged and turned back to the picnic table, but not before he caught the look of relief in her eyes. He’d made the right call. Even if it did mean having to wade into the synchronized table-setting dance that he didn’t know the steps to. He quickly deposited the pitcher and retreated.

But the ladies were practically finished. A few seconds later, they all stood back, nodded simultaneously, and laughed.

Corina pressed her hands against her lower back and fixed her eyes on her husband. “Steaks about ready, Bryce? Everything else is.”

“About to pull them off now.” He made quick work of transferring the rib eyes to a serving platter and headed their way.

13

Allye found herself next to Ericat the table. Bryce and Corina sat on the opposite side, with Hailey and Wesley across from each other on the end closest to Jenna’s high chair.

Eric slipped a small chunk of meat from his plate and held it under the table. Houston inhaled it, his tail loudly thumping against Bryce’s leg as he enjoyed the treat.

“You’re spoiling my dog,” Corina said.

“Is that a problem?”

She shifted sideways to look at the German shepherd. “I guess not.” She turned her eyes to Bryce. “Not like my husband hasn’t been spoiling him since we returned from our honeymoon.”

---