Page 139 of Deadly Revenge

“On disarming the bomb or this?” He nodded toward the beach towels they were sitting side by side on.

“Both.” She turned and grinned at him. “You’re a handy man to have around—always prepared.”

He laughed. “Iwasa Boy Scout. But you’ll have to thank my niece for the beach towels—she left them in the truck the last time I took her and my nephew water-skiing.”

“You water-ski?” Her eyes widened. “I love water-skiing. And rock climbing. And riding horses ...”

Max held her gaze, his heart beating against his ribs. He’d neverfelt this way about a woman before. Jenna had totally captured his heart. “I think it’s going to be fun learning about each other ... don’t you?”

He held his breath, waiting for her answer.

She leaned close and kissed him lightly on the lips before she pulled away. “It’s going to be interesting for sure.”

“That was a teasing kiss.”

“There’re too many people around for arealone.”

“There’s no moon and no one even close by.” Max pulled her back into his arms. She slid her arms around his neck as his lips claimed hers, tentatively at first, then his world narrowed to everything but the way she responded.

They broke apart just as a whistle split the air. He looked up at the night sky as an aerial exploded in glowing embers that flickered as they fell back to earth, followed by a rocket exploding in a star pattern.

The fireworks had started.

78

ONE WEEK LATER

Jenna zipped up Alex’s creamy white dress. Today Alex was her friend, not her boss. “You look ...”

“So not like me.” Alex smoothed her hands down the knee-length sheath and turned to see the back of the dress.

“Actually I was looking for a better word than amazing, but it fits perfectly.”

Alex raised her eyebrows and looked at her in the mirror. “Flattery won’t get you a raise.”

They both turned as the door to Dani Bennett’s bedroom opened and she entered with the bouquet. On her heels were the grandmothers—Judith Stone and Mae Richmond.

Judith handed her granddaughter a veil she’d made and kissed her on the cheek. “You look so beautiful.”

“Thank you, but I’d feel better in a pair of jeans. Nathan won’t know me.”

They all laughed. Jenna scanned the faces in the room. These were her friends. Why hadn’t she come home earlier?

Dani handed Alex the bouquet. “Is this what you had in mind?”

The bride took a swift intake of breath and pressed her fingers to her lips.

“It’s beautiful and exactly what I wanted.” Alex lifted the bouquet to her nose. “It smells heavenly.”

Dani had mixed her grandmother’s lavender roses with magnolia and gardenia blossoms.

“Dani!” The name came out more of a gasp from Alex. “What do I see on your hand?”

Dani beamed. “I wasn’t going to wear it—I don’t want to steal any of your day—but I couldn’t take it off!”

She held up her hand, and Jenna admired the beautiful emerald-cut diamond on her finger.

“Don’t you dare take it off!” Alex said. “What? Where? When did Mark propose? Spill it, girlfriend.”

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