EJ teased, “You are so going to have your hands full when those two get older.”
Ian looked up, more content than he ever imagined being. “You look like your hands are pretty full now, my friend.”
EJ held Jared, who wiggled and pulled at his dad’s police hat, and EJ set it on his son’s head, obscuring his face completely. Everyone laughed, heading toward the round dinner tables set with pristine white linen cloths, crystal and gleaming silver. Cloth napkins were folded into roses, and expensive sprays of flowers—arranged by Charlotte’s recently opened shop—completed the festive decorations.
Jennie ran a finger along the edge of a lily blossom, smiling at Charlotte. “You’ve outdone yourself, cara.”
Free of holding onto Jared, Charlotte basked in the praise and squeezed Jennie’s hand in thanks. Jennie had become such a close friend over the years, practically an aunt to Jared, as well as to Ian and Sage’s girls, but Charlotte wished Jennie could find happiness with children of her own.
For whatever reason, Jennie shied away from serious relationships, even though Charlotte was sure Nathan was interested. Charlotte knew Jennie had secrets she never spoke of, and Charlotte didn’t push. She wondered absently if Nathan would be that polite, though, watching the young man’s eyes turn hot as they took in Jennie’s sensual beauty. Time would tell.
“How’s Ronny doing, Charlotte?” Sarah asked as she picked hungrily from a tray of appetizers. Charlotte grinned and heeded Logan’s earlier warning. Sarah was only two months along and still getting used to the idea of her pregnancy. Even though she and Logan had been trying for over a year, the reality was still settling in.
“He’s doing pretty well. He’s been working on his college degree in youth counseling, course by course, and should be eligible for parole next year.”
“That’s fabulous. You’ve done so well standing by him like you have. Not everyone has that kind of family love around them. I can’t imagine how he wouldn’t make a go of it.”
“Well, I had EJ’s support. EJ and Ian used their clout to keep him close to home so I could visit, and I think that meant a lot. It hasn’t been easy for Ronny, and he still has a way to go, but he’s grown a lot.”
“That’s good to hear.”
They all took their places at the head table, settling in as servers in white uniforms began to deliver the first courses, and Ian picked up a crystal flute of champagne, lifting it to his team and their families.
“To new beginnings,” he said, his eyes locked on Sage’s sparkling gaze.
“To new beginnings,” EJ and Sarah chimed in, echoed by all the others as glasses clinked and the celebration went forth.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5439-2
FLIRTATION
Copyright © 2006 by Samantha Hunter.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and TM are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
www.eHarlequin.com
*The HotWires
*The HotWires
Flirtation Page 18