Page 61 of It's Always Been You

He would try his best. But for the greater good, some lives were collateral damage.

10

Travis threwthe NY strips on the scorching hot grates and closed the top of the grill. Six-hundred degrees on his dad’s new Webber should sear the steaks nicely. It was the first weekend after Caitlin’s freedom from the sights of the Russian mob.

“Got the steaks going?” Daniel walked up to his son. “How do you like my new grill?”

“Heated up pretty quick,” Travis replied. “I still prefer charcoal.”

“Get off your charcoal horse, son. When you’re as old as I am, you like less cleanup.”

Travis grinned at his dad. Daniel Blake didn’t look his sixty years of age. He’d put most men in their forties to shame. Though his father didn’t have a clearly defined six-pack any longer, he kept in shape by working around the house and running regularly. Travis’s eyes gazed beyond the grill in the direction of the pool in his parents’ backyard. His heart warmed as it always did whenever his eyes landed on Caitlin. She was in a one-piece swimsuit, legs dangling in the pool, chatting with Emily as she lazed on an inflatable raft. Caitlin finally got over her hang-up about exposing the scarsthat ran along the length of her right leg. It helped that she wasn’t a vain woman. Her scars never detracted from her beauty, which really came from within her eyes. He’d seen strangers, both men and women, get mesmerized by their unusual hazel color. The natural wave of blonde hair that hit right in that delicate arch of her back made him want to wrap his hands around in it, dig his fingers in and pull her head back to—

“I want mine rare,” Nate piped in behind him, thankfully breaking the direction of his lascivious thoughts. The last problem he needed was a hard-on in front of everyone. Travis turned as his friend handed him a beer. Ed Shephard chimed in, “Mine as well, the bloodier the better.”

“I guess all the guys do,” Travis muttered.

“Thought I’d save you from burning the steaks,” Nate murmured beside him. “Seeing that you can’t seem to take your eyes off your wife long enough to cook dinner properly.”

“Shut up,” Travis grunted. “Beatrice here yet?”

“Almost, she’s a few minutes out. I think she likes her steak on the medium-well side.”

“These steaks shouldn’t take too long. Bee always had perfect timing when it came to food. Dad, are the sides ready?”

“Baked potatoes are about done. Just need to toss the salad,” his dad replied.

The men were in charge of dinner tonight. The women weren’t allowed in the kitchen, and weren’t allowed to lift a finger. They were ordered to relax and chill by the pool. Lillian didn’t like being banished from her own kitchen, and even as she was lying on a lounge chair, she continually cast worried glances toward the house.

“Mom’s worried you’re going to burn down her kitchen, Dad,” Travis said with a laugh.

“How hard could it be to bake potatoes?” his dad grumbled.

The men chuckled and knocked their beers together.

Dinner was underway.Beatrice arrived just as everyone was settling into their seats. Travis opened the door to the redhead and gave her a peck on the cheek.

“Do you have a steak radar?” Travis teased. “You seem to be able to smell them when they’re about done and just show up.”

“It’s one of my talents.” Beatrice grinned and swept into the house.

“Hey, sweetie, you missed hanging in the pool with us,” Emily said.

“Emily, how long have you known me?” Beatrice said. “Redhead and laying under the sun? Not a good combination. I’d burn, which is why I hate summer.” She glanced over to Caitlin. “Our lovely blonde over here is sporting a delightful tan. You know I’m hating you right now, Kincaid?”

“You can’t have all the luck, Porter,” Caitlin quipped. “We can’t all be redheaded goddesses.”

Beatrice preened. “You’re so good for my ego. Now why can’t you guys be that way?” She looked pointedly at Nate and Travis.

“See that can of worms you opened, Caitlin?” Nate groaned. “Bee has enough ego to fit the dome of the U.S. Capitol. She’s got enough men drooling all over her. She doesn’t need Travis and me.”

“You were my best friends,” Beatrice sniffed as she sat down beside Caitlin. “But now I have a new best friend.” She tucked her arm into Caitlin’s, who smiled indulgently at her.

Travis sighed, “Fine. You be friends with my wife. But I don’t want you dragging her to some girls’ night out without me.”

“Uh . . . if it’s a girls’ night out”—Caitlin eyed Travis as hesat down on the other side of her— “you’re not supposed to be with us.”

“Babe, this is how it’s gonna be,” Travis said. “You can go have your girls’ table. I’ll be sitting back somewhere—you won’t even know I’m there—I’ll just make sure all the assholes stay away.”

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