Read Online Caught in the Current (Pacific Shores Book 2) by Lynnette Bonner - Free Book Online Page A

over the next few weeks.
    “I love you too, son. And don’t you forget it.”
    Reece’s throat felt thick, and he stood before he got too emotional.
    When he stepped out onto the patio, Dan Jackson was standing next to Marie with Alyssa in his arms. Of course Mom would have invited him. He and Dan had been on the high school basketball team together. But that didn’t mean he wanted to see the guy looking all family-like with Marie and Alyssa.
    He swallowed and turned to his right to avoid the sight.
    Kylen Sumner eyed him from behind the grill, his focus bouncing from him to Marie and back again. But to his credit, all he said was “Hey, welcome home. Can I get you a burger?”
    Reece had suddenly lost his appetite, but he nodded anyway. “Sure. Thanks for manning the grill tonight.”
    Kylen split open a bun and laid a patty dripping with cheese onto it. “Not a problem. You going to be around for a while?”
    Reece’s gaze traveled of its own volition to the living room he’d just left, and then swooped over the grounds of the place and finally landed on Marie, before he jerked it to the burger on his plate. “Yeah, it appears that way. I plan to contact my boss tomorrow afternoon to let him know I won’t be back after my six months of leave are up.”
    “I’m sorry about your dad.”
    “Thanks.” Reece felt a rock settle into the pit of his stomach and swallowed.
    “I sometimes need help with investigating now that I’ve gone private. Are you interested?”
    “I appreciate the offer, but I think I’m going to be a little busy around here. Feel free to ask if something comes up, and I’ll feel free to say no if it doesn’t work. How’s that?”
    Kylen nodded. “Sounds like a deal.”
    “Reece Cahill!”
    Reece turned at the distinctly feminine voice.
    Dakota Trask strode toward him, her long blonde hair swinging around her shoulders. He hadn’t seen her since the day of graduation. She’d been serving in Africa with Convoy of Hope last he’d heard.
    “Dakota!” He held out his hand to give her a handshake.
    She spurned his hand and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You can’t shake my hand, you! It’s so good to see you again!”
    Over her shoulder he met Marie’s gaze and gestured her over. She would want to see Dakota. They’d been pretty close in high school and probably would have been more so if Marie had been serving the Lord. Marie could surely use a good Christian friend now.
    He returned his attention to Dakota. “How long have you been back in town?”
    “Not long, actually. I just got home last week.”
    As Marie and Dan walked toward Reece and Dakota, Marie felt a strange mix of excitement combined with dread. Dakota had tried to befriend her in high school, but Marie had always held her at arm’s length. She was excited to see her and hoped they could be friends, but her dread came from the fact that she was looking at the exactly perfect woman for Reece.
    She swallowed and stuffed the feeling back down deep inside where it hopefully would never rear its ugly head again. She had no right to care about Reece getting together with another woman. Especially not when she was walking beside a man who’d asked her to marry him only last week. Guilt pinched her heart. How could she be having any sort of feelings about Reece when she was seriously considering marrying Dan?
    Dakota caught sight of them and gave a little squeal. “Marie!”
    She threw her arms around Marie’s neck, much to her surprise. But she recuperated quickly and hugged her back. “Dakota, so nice to see you again.”
    Dakota actually gave a little bounce. “I’m so happy to be home!” Her sparkling blue eyes turned toward Dan, who still held Alyssa in his arms. “And Dan! You two got married? I hadn’t heard! Congratulations!”
    “Uh…no.”
    Marie spoke at the same time Dan said, “I’m still working on her.”
    Marie hid a cringe. Shouldn’t a woman considering marriage to a man be a bit more