Read Online Stargazing (The Walker Family Book 2) by Bernadette Marie - Free Book Online Page B

brother Tyson standing behind her.
    “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.” He gave her a wink and sat down in the seat next to her. “Where is my sister?”
    “Showing Pearl around.”
    “My mom seems to have worn off on her. Now she wants to invest in everything.”
    “This is lovely,” Susan said. “She has a good eye for properties.”
    “It’ll be good for her. She needs to prove to my grandfather that she’s as successful as she is strong willed. He still seems to be a bit of a chauvinist, even though I think she’s already proved that she is a woman that can do anything she wants.”
    Pearl and Lydia hurried toward the table.
    “This place is wonderful. And did you see that they do a high tea?” Pearl said enthusiastically as she pulled out the chair between Tyson and Susan. “Brides will eat that up for bridal showers.”
    “That’s what I’m hoping,” Lydia said taking the chair next to Eric. “In fact, I think we girls should do tea next week. Invite your sister Audrey,” she said directly to Pearl. “And, Susan, you should invite Glenda,” she mentioned Eric’s step-mother.
    “She would adore that,” Susan sighed.
    Bethany looked around the table and noted the empty chair next to her. “Are you expecting someone else?”
    “I’m sorry I’m late,” a voice came from behind her.
    She turned to meet the equally as surprised glance of Kent Black looking at her.
    “Hi,” he said directly to her.
    She wasn’t sure if she’d even replied. It had never crossed her mind that he’d be joining them. And just as quickly, she remembered, that it didn’t matter. He hadn’t been the one to make her uncomfortable that afternoon.
    She smiled and he pulled out the chair next to her and sat down.
    “Kent, I’m so glad you could join us,” Lydia lit up as she spoke. “You know Susan. This is my cousin and her fiancé Eric. My brother Tyson. Bethany’s sister Pearl. And you know Bethany.”
    He was looking at her. “I do.” He broke his gaze. “It’s nice to meet you all. Thanks for having me join you for dinner. I’ve eaten everything on the menu at the diner next to my hotel. This will be a treat.”
    “How long are you in town?” Susan asked.
    “As long as it takes. Or as long as I want. Right now I’m luckily homeless,” he said as he crinkled up his face.
    “Luckily?”
    “Looking for that right place to call home. A perk of my job, I suppose. I can do it anywhere.”
    Pearl picked up the glass of wine in front of her and toasted him. “I like that idea.”
    The conversation continued about Kent’s job and him in general. Quickly Bethany found herself easing back in her seat, enjoying family, a meal, and learning about the man to her side.
    He was normal.
     
    Kent was eagerly telling Susan about his sister’s children. “Cole is five. He thinks he’s Thor.” That got a chuckle from the beauty next to him, but he didn’t acknowledge her with a glance. He was keeping his cool. “Sara is two and also has an identity crisis. She thinks she’s Elsa.”
    “Who is Elsa?” Tyson asked and looked around the table as if he were the only one not knowing. However, Kent thought Eric’s look of confusion equally matched Tyson’s.
    “She’s from Frozen.” No recognition. “Disney Princess movie.”
    They both gave a nod, obviously accepting the fate that they had no clue or cared about.
    “And her youngest is only fourteen months. Alyssa. So far she seems to know just who she is,” he joked and Bethany laughed again.
    This time he gave her a glance and a smile, which she returned.
    It stopped his heart for a moment. She was exquisite. He couldn’t help himself but want to get to know her better. This was the start to that opportunity. If he didn’t somehow gum it up, that was.
    “Do you see them often?” Susan asked.
    “Every night.”
    “They live here?”
    He smiled and shook his head. “Texas. We Skype every day. I read the kids bedtime stories. She helped me