Page 14 of Shadowed Witness (The Secrets of Kincaid #2)

Allye stuck her tongue out at him. “Not my fault this time. I got stuck behind a tractor. Hey, Wesley.” She lifted a pie in greeting, then turned toward the table and caught sight of Eric. “Oh, hey. I didn’t realize you were here.” She shot him a quizzical look.

Right. He was still on the ground. He stood and brushed his hands on his jeans. “I was playing with Houston.” The German shepherd returned with his tennis ball, but instead of offering it to Eric, he dropped it in the grass and jumped onto the patio to greet Allye.

She held the pie plates high. “Good afternoon to you too.”

Eric clicked his tongue, and Houston dashed back to him.

He ruffled the thick fur around the dog’s neck, distracting him long enough for Allye to place her offering safely on the table and disappear back inside.

With one final scratch behind Houston’s ears, he straightened and rejoined Bryce and Wesley on the patio.

“That animal has some energy.”

“No kidding. He doesn’t show his age, that’s for sure.”

Wesley finally pocketed his phone, but as soon as he stuck it in his pocket, it rang. “Ugh. Sorry, guys.” He shot them an apologetic look before stepping away to take the call.

Bryce stuck a thermometer into one of the steaks. “Almost done.” He thumbed over his shoulder toward the house. “You know, Eric, you should ask her out.”

“Who?”

Bryce gave him an are-you-being-serious look. “Well, I’m sure not talking about Corina or Hailey.”

So much for this not being a blind-date setup.

“You know I’m not much of a dater.” He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d asked anyone out, and it had been years since he’d had a serious girlfriend.

That breakup had been completely unexpected, but in retrospect, Rachel’s claim that he was too “emotionally unavailable” had probably been all too accurate.

She’d found someone else and was now living her happily ever after.

He was glad for her. She’d deserved better than he could offer her.

So did Allye. “Allye could do a lot better than me.”

Bryce grunted and wiped the meat thermometer on a not-so-clean towel.

Eric shoved his hands in his pockets. “Seriously. Your sister is way out of my league.”

“Yes, she is. But I haven’t met a guy yet who is in her league.”

He supposed he could give him that. Allye was special, no doubt about it.

“And she likes you.”

“What?”

“Allye had a crush on you back in high school, and she still does, if I’m not mistaken. But don’t you dare tell her I told you.”

Allye had a crush on him?

Bryce studied him, then shook his head. “Man, you really are oblivious. Just think about it. And if you decide you’re interested, I’d be all for you two getting together.”

“Hmm...” That was a curve ball he hadn’t seen coming.

The idea held more appeal than he would have expected.

But considering Allye’s current situation, he wasn’t sure a relationship was a good idea for either of them.

She was ... vulnerable right now. And possibly unstable, though he hated to even think it.

His friend shook a spatula at him. “But whatever you do, you better not hurt her.”

“That’s the last thing I’d want to do.”

Allye returned then, balancing an armful of glasses and plates. She stumbled, and Eric moved quickly to steady her.

“Let me,” he said quietly. He took the plates from her and set them on the table, then returned to help her safely off-load the drinkware.

“Thanks.” Her hands held a slight tremble, but she quickly buried them in her pockets and offered him a too-bright smile. “I should know better than to carry that many breakable things.”

He eyed the polka-dotted scarf she’d arranged in some sort of decorative knot that obscured any lingering bruises on her neck, but before he could think of a response or ask how she was doing, the back door opened.

Hailey and Jenna emerged with the salad, followed by Corina, who was balancing two serving bowls with a plate of rolls resting across their tops.

Eric moved to close the door, glad for an excuse to get out of the way as the ladies descended on the table.

As he started to pull the door shut, he noticed the waiting pitcher of iced lemonade and a stack of napkins next to the baby dishes. He gathered up the lot of them and stepped back outside.

Wesley had rejoined the group and now held his daughter in his arms as he traded jokes with Bryce. Eric stationed himself beside them. No way was he pushing his way into the beehive of activity at the table where the three women were arranging sides and distributing plates and glasses.

Allye started back toward the kitchen. When she saw the items he held, she aimed herself his direction instead. “I’ll take those.”

He allowed her to claim the napkins and baby dishes, but when she reached for the large glass pitcher too, he shook his head. “I’ve got this.”

She shrugged and turned back to the picnic table, but not before he caught the look of relief in her eyes. He’d made the right call. Even if it did mean having to wade into the synchronized table-setting dance that he didn’t know the steps to. He quickly deposited the pitcher and retreated.

But the ladies were practically finished. A few seconds later, they all stood back, nodded simultaneously, and laughed.

Corina pressed her hands against her lower back and fixed her eyes on her husband. “Steaks about ready, Bryce? Everything else is.”

“About to pull them off now.” He made quick work of transferring the rib eyes to a serving platter and headed their way.