Page 62 of Tough as Steele

Nate pulled out the nearest chair for Londyn and waited for her to sit, then pushed it in.

“Oh, swoon,” Ryleigh said, a dreamy look in her eyes. “A modern day gentleman.”

Heat rose up Nate’s face.

“And he blushes too.” Ryleigh looked at Londyn. “If you don’t end up dating him after all of this is over, can I call dibs?”

Londyn rolled her eyes. “Speaking of not having a filter.”

“Hey, I’m young.” Ryleigh laughed freely.

Artie snorted. “That’s my girl. Use it until you can’t get away with it anymore, then embrace it again when you get to be my age.”

Eloise entered the room with a basket of the promised crusty bread cut in thick slices and a butter dish. “Don’t encourage her, Artie.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned up at her.

She set down the plate and butter, then kissed the top of his head. “Quit playing around now and say grace. And be sure to add Mimi Vandervoort to that prayer.”

He reached out his hands, and his granddaughters took them, then joined with the others. Londyn held out her hand to him on one side and Eloise on the other as she sat. Her skin was papery soft, and Londyn’s was young and smooth and vital. And warming his heart to such a degree that he almost failed to pay attention to the eloquent prayer offered by her grandfather.

Nate had never had an experience like this. Sure, Clarice was a strong believer, and he’d held hands with her while they prayed, but Charles and Mimi didn’t often participate.

When Artie finished the prayer, Nate silently added Charles and Mimi, that their faith would grow in this situation. That they would be this thankful for what God provided.

Eloise let go of his hand, but when Londyn started to release his, he clasped it tighter and made eye contact with her. He didn’t know what he wanted to say or how to act. He just knew he wanted to keep holding on. Even here in front of her whole family. She didn’t seem to be opposed to it either, and her willingness to keep hold in front of her family shocked him so much that he let go.

Eloise stood and grabbed the large spoon in the pot and held out her hand to Nate. “Let me serve you.”

He swallowed away his connection with Londyn and handed over his plate. She ladled a large chunk of beef and piled the plate with vegetables before pouring rich brown sauce over it all.

His stomach rumbled again.

She chuckled as she handed him the plate, then grabbed the bread and passed it to him. “Dig in.”

He took a slice of the bread and passed the basket to Londyn, whose expression was such a mixture of emotions that he couldn’t place a single one. He turned back to the bread and put a thick slab of butter in the middle but waited to eat as Eloise dished out plate after plate.

“Go ahead, son,” Eloise said to him. “I appreciate your manners, but we don’t stand on formalities here.”

With everyone looking at him, he took a bite of the melt-in-your-mouth beef. He resisted groaning, but it had been a very long time since someone had made him a home-cooked meal. Not since his mom died, in fact. Clarice had a cook, as did Mimi. Their meals were superb, but this simple fare made with love rather than a paid chef was far better than the five-star meals he’d eaten with Clarice and Mimi.

Love.That was what made the difference. He felt it in the room and could almost feel it in the food.

When everyone had their plates loaded, Artie looked at Londyn. “Okay. I’ve been kept in the dark long enough. Update me on what’s happening with Mimi.”

“During the meal?” Eloise asked.

“I’d rather not,” Londyn said. “But we don’t have time to waste and should get moving on our update.”

Eloise held her butter knife over her bread. “I understand, and in this instance, we’ll talk business while we eat.”

“Thanks, Gran.” Londyn gave her grandmother a loving smile. Just as quickly it vanished, and she updated Artie on the investigation.

“Hmm.” Artie took a long sip of water. “The odd part to me is who this Gaskin fella is and why kill him and leave him in the house. The killer, if the guy shooting at the three of you when you arrived was the killer, had plenty of time to dispose of the body if he’d remained on the property the whole time.”

“Which says to me that they wanted us to find Gaskin,” Nate said. “But why? Maybe to put our focus on Gaskin and lead us away from the real evidence?”

Londyn looked down the table. “Peyton and Mackenzie. How are you coming on your interviews? Any mention of Gaskin?”

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