Read Online Unleashed by Shadows (By Moonlight Book 10) by Nancy Gideon - Free Book Online
Authors: Nancy Gideon
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hoisting the two bottles. “Can’t have these getting warm.” He turned and headed through the small dining area toward the back of the house.
Blushing when Tina caught her ogling the tight fit of his jeans, Kendra murmured, “I miss him like crazy, but I love watching him leave.” She waved her hand in front of her face. “Whew. Maybe I do need that fan. We haven’t seen each other for three weeks. Let me know if we get too embarrassing.”
Tina smiled. “I think it’s an enviable problem.” And just before she turned back to the sink, Kendra caught an unmistakable sadness in her dark eyes. “I wasn’t kidding about the halo. From the way he talks about you, I was expecting a cross between Saint Theresa and Saint Joan.”
“Such a high bar. Sorry to disappoint you.”
Tina glanced over her shoulder, eyes softening. “You don’t. You’re perfect for him.”
How that simple statement from a stranger pleased her.
“Cale did lead you astray in one thing. I have no domestic skills. None, other than popping something in the microwave and ordering off a take-out menu. I never had the chance to learn or anyone to teach me.” Her voice hitched painfully, but instead of expressing sympathy, Tina pressed a wooden spoon into her hand and gestured to one of the pans.
“Taste that and tell me what it needs.”
Kendra obliged and moaned, “It needs to be on my plate. Right now.”
“Then set them on the table and get an ETA on the steaks.”
As Kendra gathered up the inexpensive stoneware dishes, Tina touched her arm lightly.
“Welcome to the family.”
An unexpected wad of emotion had her looking away before the other woman could see how greatly her gentle comment impacted. Her hands were a bit shaky as she dealt the plates around the table. Until she glanced through the living room to see Cale on the other side of the open slider, and everything steadied. He was leaning back against the patio rail while Tina’s husband turned their dinner. His beer was almost to his lips when his glance caught hers and held. His smile spread wide as he lifted the bottle in a toast before taking a drink and responding to whatever he and Alain Babineau were discussing.
Love for him hit like an unexpected blow, stealing her breath with a powerful crush about her ribs.
She moved through the tiny living room where a flat screen dominated one wall and a cushy sectional draped with inviting pillows and crocheted blankets the other, and stepped out onto the small patio.
“Here’s my much, much better half. Hey, mama.” Cale scooped her up close, the heat from his body almost as great as that from the grill. “This is Alain Babineau, detective and rescuer of lost souls.”
Had one of them been her mate’s?
Alain Babineau was, in a word, a doll.
Mega-white teeth flashed as he put out his hand with an offer of, “Pleased to meet you, Kendra.” Any female with ovaries couldn’t help but respond to that smile with a sudden explosion of estrogen. Mainly because he was so unaware of the effect he had on the Y population.
There was nothing slick or tailored about him, from the loose tee shirt skimming his long, fit torso to baggy cargo pants and tennis shoes. He was surfer blond and tanned with blue eyes that hit with flood lights of warm, healthy energy. Next to Cale’s head-on-collision directness, he was all snuggly puppy and hand-in-hand walks in the moonlight. The kind of man you wanted as a best friend and to marry your sister. Apparently, Cale thought so.
“Tina wanted to know if the steaks were done.”
“Be on the platter in a minute or two. Go ahead and wash up,” he prompted Cale. “I’ve got this under control.”
“Good.” Cale sighed in relief. “I’m hungry enough to eat one of your neighbors.”
A moment of cautious hesitation proceeded Alain’s laugh. He pointed over the back fence with his fork. “I’d suggest Mr. Miller. His dogs bark all night, and he’s too free with his
Blushing when Tina caught her ogling the tight fit of his jeans, Kendra murmured, “I miss him like crazy, but I love watching him leave.” She waved her hand in front of her face. “Whew. Maybe I do need that fan. We haven’t seen each other for three weeks. Let me know if we get too embarrassing.”
Tina smiled. “I think it’s an enviable problem.” And just before she turned back to the sink, Kendra caught an unmistakable sadness in her dark eyes. “I wasn’t kidding about the halo. From the way he talks about you, I was expecting a cross between Saint Theresa and Saint Joan.”
“Such a high bar. Sorry to disappoint you.”
Tina glanced over her shoulder, eyes softening. “You don’t. You’re perfect for him.”
How that simple statement from a stranger pleased her.
“Cale did lead you astray in one thing. I have no domestic skills. None, other than popping something in the microwave and ordering off a take-out menu. I never had the chance to learn or anyone to teach me.” Her voice hitched painfully, but instead of expressing sympathy, Tina pressed a wooden spoon into her hand and gestured to one of the pans.
“Taste that and tell me what it needs.”
Kendra obliged and moaned, “It needs to be on my plate. Right now.”
“Then set them on the table and get an ETA on the steaks.”
As Kendra gathered up the inexpensive stoneware dishes, Tina touched her arm lightly.
“Welcome to the family.”
An unexpected wad of emotion had her looking away before the other woman could see how greatly her gentle comment impacted. Her hands were a bit shaky as she dealt the plates around the table. Until she glanced through the living room to see Cale on the other side of the open slider, and everything steadied. He was leaning back against the patio rail while Tina’s husband turned their dinner. His beer was almost to his lips when his glance caught hers and held. His smile spread wide as he lifted the bottle in a toast before taking a drink and responding to whatever he and Alain Babineau were discussing.
Love for him hit like an unexpected blow, stealing her breath with a powerful crush about her ribs.
She moved through the tiny living room where a flat screen dominated one wall and a cushy sectional draped with inviting pillows and crocheted blankets the other, and stepped out onto the small patio.
“Here’s my much, much better half. Hey, mama.” Cale scooped her up close, the heat from his body almost as great as that from the grill. “This is Alain Babineau, detective and rescuer of lost souls.”
Had one of them been her mate’s?
Alain Babineau was, in a word, a doll.
Mega-white teeth flashed as he put out his hand with an offer of, “Pleased to meet you, Kendra.” Any female with ovaries couldn’t help but respond to that smile with a sudden explosion of estrogen. Mainly because he was so unaware of the effect he had on the Y population.
There was nothing slick or tailored about him, from the loose tee shirt skimming his long, fit torso to baggy cargo pants and tennis shoes. He was surfer blond and tanned with blue eyes that hit with flood lights of warm, healthy energy. Next to Cale’s head-on-collision directness, he was all snuggly puppy and hand-in-hand walks in the moonlight. The kind of man you wanted as a best friend and to marry your sister. Apparently, Cale thought so.
“Tina wanted to know if the steaks were done.”
“Be on the platter in a minute or two. Go ahead and wash up,” he prompted Cale. “I’ve got this under control.”
“Good.” Cale sighed in relief. “I’m hungry enough to eat one of your neighbors.”
A moment of cautious hesitation proceeded Alain’s laugh. He pointed over the back fence with his fork. “I’d suggest Mr. Miller. His dogs bark all night, and he’s too free with his
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