Read Online The Pregnancy Plot (Brothers In Arms: Retribution Book 2) by Carol Ericson - Free Book Online

“Yeah. How about you?”
    His brown eyes darkened to black as he stared past her. “I thought I did.”
    “I’ve been there, too.” She sighed and picked up her fork, aiming it at his plate. “You don’t like mushrooms?”
    “No.”
    “Sorry. I should’ve asked.”
    He brushed off her apology with a wave of his fork. “No problem. This is a good omelet with all the other stuff in it.”
    “What’s up after the fence?”
    “Thought I’d start clearing some of the weeds in the front and maybe do some repairs on that deck.”
    “I’ve got a guy lined up for the gardening, but I’d love to have that deck back online. My parents loved sitting out there in front of a fire and watching the bay.”
    “I can see why. It’s a great spot.” He shook his empty coffee cup. “Do you think our ruse was enough to get you off Lou’s radar for now?”
    “Maybe. Again, I apologize for the drastic measures. I just wanted to let her know that I wasn’t alone, that I had someone...on my side.”
    “I am on your side, Nina.”
    “Why, Jase?” She planted her elbows on the table and rested her chin on her folded hands. “Why have you been so helpful to a total stranger?”
    He cocked his head. “I think it’s just the circumstances. I was there when your boat sprang a leak, and I was there again when you ran into your evil stepsister and her creepy companion. I’m not here completely out of the goodness of my heart. This is the perfect place for me to set up shop for a little while.”
    “Are you saying if I didn’t have this B and B, you’d have let me sink in the bay?”
    “I wouldn’t have let anyone sink in that bay—including Lou and Kip.”
    “I’m just teasing. You have some natural protective instincts, just like...”
    “Your stepfather?”
    Her stepfather’s only protective instincts had been toward his wife, but Simon had wanted to save everyone. Until he couldn’t save himself.
    “Yeah, my stepfather was pretty protective.”
    “Maybe it’s a military thing.”
    “Yeah, a military thing.”
    “Are you going to be working around the B and B, or do you have other plans for the day?”
    “I’d like to head across the bay today like I was trying to do yesterday, to get some supplies.”
    “Are you going to take the ferry?”
    “I am.”
    “Are you going to be able to haul back everything that you need?”
    “Not as much as I could with a boat, but I’ll manage. The mainland provides carts for the islanders, especially now with the storm on its way.”
    “Do you want me to come along?”
    “When do you write?”
    A muscle in his jaw twitched. “I’ll do some writing tonight.”
    “I can go it alone.” She pushed back from the table and grabbed their empty plates. “You have your work cut out for you here.”
    “Do you need a ride to the ferry dock?”
    “I was just going to drive and park, unless you think you need the truck for something.”
    “I might need it, if that’s okay.”
    “Sure, I’m sorry I didn’t think of it.”
    “That’s not why I offered to drive you.” He plucked the keys from the hook on the cabinet. “Never mind. It’s a good enough reason.”
    There it was again. He’d been looking out for her. She might as well accept it and go with the flow.
    When Jase pulled up in front of the dock, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. “You could use a few things for the yard unless your gardener had it covered, that is, if you have room in your cart.”
    She took the slip of paper from his fingers and dropped it into her purse. “I’m sure Brian’s going to need supplies and tools for the yard. He’s not really a gardener, just a dropout from U-dub, and there will be plenty of room on the cart. People do this all the time. Not everyone has a boat, believe it or not.”
    “I’d hate to be stuck on an island and dependent on the ferry to get off and on.”
    “Lots of people do it, but Mom and Dad always had a boat.” She popped