Page 78 of While We Waited

“You’re not hiding a group of five men under our table.”

“Spoilsport.”

The smugglers decide to hide under another table. They’ve barely had a chance to conceal themselves before the door bangs open again and a group of policemen enter.

“It’s Weston.” I wave at Sophia’s brother. “Hey, Weston!”

He saunters toward me. “Have you seen any smugglers this evening?”

I widen my eyes and feign surprise. “Smugglers? Here in theSmuggler’s Coverestaurant in the town ofSmuggler’s Reston the island ofSmuggler’s Hideaway.Why would there be smugglers here?”

“You’re obviously hiding them.”

I waggle my eyebrows at him. “Do you want to look under my table?”

“No one’s looking under our table,” Hudson grumbles.

“This is cause for suspicion. Lift up the tablecloth or I’m hauling you into the police station.”

“You can try,” Hudson growls.

I clasp my chest. “Oh no, Hudson. This will be your third offense. You’ll never get out of prison in time for the birth of the baby.”

I bat my eyelashes at Weston. “Can you let him go this one time?” I place a hand on my belly. “I’m pregnant.”

Weston scowls at Hudson. “You knocked up an innocent woman. And you haven’t married her to salvage her reputation. You are a criminal.”

I jump to my feet. “Just look under our table. I promise we didn’t do anything wrong.”

Hudson stands and moves behind me. “Don’t touch Nova, or we’ll have problems.”

“What kind of problems?” Weston asks.

I flip the tablecloth up to reveal the empty space. “See? No smugglers here. In fact, we haven’t seen any smugglers at all. The town and island are not living up to their reputation. I’m mighty disappointed.”

Weston glares at Hudson. “I’ll let you off this time but if you step out of line again, I can guarantee you won’t be free when your baby is born.”

I clutch Hudson’s hand. “He won’t step out of line. I’ll make sure of it.”

Weston tips his hat to me. “He’s lucky to have you.”

He saunters away to continue the search for the smugglers and we settle back into our chairs to watch.

“This is too much fun.”

“I need to start a bank account for all the bribes and bail money I’m going to need with you around.”

“I promise to behave.” I wink.

“I don’t.”

My panties dampen at the growl of the promise of those words.

“I’m going to hold you to those words.”

My worry about the future is completely forgotten as his eyes flare.

I’ll worry about the future tomorrow.

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