Page 15 of Return By Fire

“What was that, Jed?” Scott questions.

“Nothing. Listen, see what else you can find in this area.”

“I thought you were certain you were going to Hawaii,” he bitches.

“I was. I just found something intriguing in the area.”

“Ahh, you met someone,” he drawls, amused.

Not quite. Not yet. I think wistfully. Still, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared in the event I get to meet my best friend’s son. “Just let me know if you find something. I’m at lunch for the next few hours, but can be interrupted if it’s that interesting.”

“Listen, Florida’s not my specialty. Let me see if there’s a local agent who can show you around.”

“I’d appreciate it.”

“For this commission? No, thank you, Jed.” He disconnects without another word.

I slide my phone into my pocket and make my way back inside and past the host toward Kara. On my way there, I stop dead in my tracks.

Because in the time I’ve been gone, a man’s sat at the table and is smiling down at Kara like she’s the sun, moon, and stars in his sky as she whispers furiously to him. I curse inwardly, Jennings, you’re going to hate yourself for letting her go twelve years ago. I approach the table since I’m expected. Clearing my throat, I interrupt, “Sorry that took so long.”

Kara springs back from the stranger, and I find myself on the receiving end of a laconic, “So, taking it up the ass didn’t take all that long?”

My eyes narrow before I hiss out a lethal, “Excuse me?”

The man stands and stretches his hand across the table. In a quick head-to-toe perusal, I realize this is the guy in the jeans I was admiring from outside. Here he is hitting on Kara. Great, just fabulous. Then my world tilts on its axis when he says, “Dean Malone. Kara’s brother.”

I clasp his hand and tremors ricochet through my body. I have never felt anything like this, even when Kody hit dead center with an axe throw.

Or Jennings ran on the log roll the first time without not slipping.

Not even the time Nick stopped being an asshole long enough to learn how to climb the pole so Team Canada had a chance of beating Team USA.

I spent summers in front of crowds with my guys being adored, and I’ve never felt what I have in under a minute beneath Dean Malone’s scrutiny.

Somehow, I drag my gaze from Dean’s piercing one to find Kara gazing at us both quizzically in her no-nonsense way. I drag in a deep breath, expelling it partially before introducing myself. “Jedidiah Smith. Everyone calls me Jed.”

Dean’s lips curve, and I’m startled to see Kara’s distinctive smile on her brother’s face. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jed. What brings you to town?” He lifts a glass of water to his lips.

Deciding to see what kind of man Dean Malone is, I joke, “Well, you overheard me taking it up the ass before? That’s only part of it.”

Dean sputters his water into his glass. Kara howls. “Thank goodness some things never change.”

Dropping back into my seat, I launch into a more detailed discussion with the Malone siblings about my ideas of investing in a winter bar. To my surprise, Dean has some interesting suggestions about locations, information about police drive-by patrols, and some contacts in the health department.

I whip out my phone and document all the information. “I appreciate the insight.”

His golden gaze sweeps over me before he drawls, “I’ll accept any kind of thank you you’re inclined to give.”

I refuse to look down to see if my arms have goose bumps.

Holy hell, these Malones.

The rest of our lunch is superficial and enjoyable. By the time we part hours later, I know nothing more about Jennings’s son than I did walking in. But as I stand by the dock admiring the way brother and sister joke on their way back to their respective vehicles, I know one thing for certain.

I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Dean Malone again, just under very different circumstances.

CHAPTER TEN

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