Page 88 of Beneath the Blue Moon
“A woman who appreciates true beauty.I thank you, madam,”Michael says as he approaches her.
He bows low before her, and she curtsies, a soft giggle flowingfrom her lips.
“That would be Michael,” I tell her.
“It is an honor to meet you, my lady.”
“And I, you, kind sir.”
“Funny, Michael.”Josh steps forward.“But I think she wasreferring to me.”
She smiles and offers him her hand as I introduce him.Imove next to her and place my arm casually around her waist.
“That’s Andrew and Taylor.”I point to them.
“It’s nice to meet you.And, for the record, I was referringtoallof you,” she says.
“Boys, this… is Casey.”
I watch happily as she’s passed from brother to brother,getting the life squeezed out of her.Then it occurs to me they might hurt herif they underestimate their strength.
“Careful,” I warn.
“It’s okay, Ethan.I’m not made out of porcelain.”
“Yeah, Ethan, chill!”Taylor says with a grin.
I look at Taylor, but they know my warning applies to themall.“You hurt her, I kill you.”
“For a sheriff, you sure have some murderous tendencies,”Casey mumbles.
“When it comes to you, I do.”
I wonder what she would say if she knew I’ve already killed forher.She walks back to me and wraps her arms around my waist.
“I know.”
“Will you look at Ethan McKenzie?Never thought I’d see theday.”
“Shut up, Michael,” Josh warns him.
“Nah, I’m sure Casey knows of his philandering ways.”
“Actually, I don’t.I’ve never seen that side of him.”
“Really?”Andy says, his eyes wide.
She smiles at Andy’s shocked outburst.“Really.In fact, hemademewait.”
They all get a big laugh out of that.Great.Now I’mnever going to live that down.
“It’s okay, boys.He was worth it.”
Ahh, sweet redemption.
***Casey***
He was right—they love me.Well, they seem to.Everyoneexcept his mother.She hasn’t said a word to me all evening, even when I triedto talk to her, so I’ve decided to steer clear of her for now.Ethan has triedto keep me glued to his side all day.The few times I snuck away, he came tofind me.The last time, he pulled me away from the karaoke machine when hisUncle Rob and I were about to do our rendition of “Endless Love.”Before that,he dragged me from the poker table during my winning streak.Now, in the middleof a conversation with his brothers, his voice is coming through the speakers.
