Page 16 of Shadowed Witness (The Secrets of Kincaid #2)

Corina leaned into him. “I love you. You know that?” She kissed him. And stole a spoonful of pie from his plate while she had him distracted.

“I saw that,” Bryce murmured when the kiss ended.

Corina shoved the spoon into her mouth and dissolved into giggles. Hailey and Allye joined her laughter, and Jenna raised her hands and squealed, obviously enjoying the adults’ antics.

Wesley rejoined them, frustration creasing his forehead. “We’re going to have to go. There’s been an incident with one of my clients’ accounts.”

Disappointment settled over Hailey’s face, but she quickly cleared her expression. “Let me get Jenna cleaned up.”

Once the three of them had taken their leave, Allye tapped the edge of Eric’s empty plate. “Sorry. I got distracted. Did you want another slice?”

“I really shouldn’t.” He glanced from his plate to the pie dish. “But I think I will anyway. Just a small one, please.”

Satisfaction filled her. He really did like it. She quickly cut a slice that wasn’t quite as large as Bryce’s. It was definitely pushing the limits of what could be considered small though.

Allye settled back into her seat, grinning as the conversation and banter rose again. Eric was mostly quiet, but he was clearly amused and occasionally joined in too. She loved this. Family. Friends. Time spent enjoying each other’s company.

During a lull when Bryce had excused himself for a moment and Corina had stepped away with a phone call, Allye sneaked a look at Eric. He was petting Houston, but his expression indicated he was somewhere else—and judging by his frown, it wasn’t a good place.

“Everything okay?”

His hand stilled atop Houston’s head, and it took a second for his eyes to focus on her. “Sorry. Just thinking about a case.”

“You look bothered. Need to talk about it? I mean, I know you probably can’t share details—not with me anyway—but maybe talking would help? Or not.” She felt her cheeks flame as she backtracked. She didn’t know a lot about police work, but that was probably overstepping.

He didn’t quite smile, but his frown disappeared. “It’s okay.” Houston nudged him, and he resumed stroking the dog. After a moment, he said, “I’m worried about a missing teen. His mom OD’d a few days ago, and no one seems to have seen him anywhere.”

“Dion?” She covered her mouth. The alert hadn’t said anything about his mom. Poor kid.

Eric’s intense gaze shot to hers. “Yes. Do you know him?”

She shook her head. “Not really, but I saw an alert for him this morning, and I remember his face. He used to attend youth group, didn’t he?”

“He did. His brother, Lucky, still rides the church bus on Sunday mornings. Or did.” He sighed. “Not sure if he’ll be able to come now that he’s in foster care.”

“I didn’t realize those two were related.” She sometimes volunteered with kids ministry, but Lucky was in the class below the one she usually helped in.

Bryce rejoined them, and they let the subject drop.

Before long, it was time to clean up. The four of them worked together to get everything into the kitchen, dishes washed, and leftovers put away.

Once they were finished, Allye leaned against a wall.

Exhaustion pulled at her, but she refused to acknowledge it.

She still had to go to the park and search for her memory card.

She summoned what she hoped would pass for a cheery expression before launching into her request. “We’ve still got an hour or so of daylight left. Anyone want to go for a walk at Kincaid Lake?” She pretended not to notice the look Eric shot her. Instead, she fixed her gaze on her brother.

But he was already shaking his head. “Sorry, Allye. Corina and I have something we have to take care of. Wish we could.”

“Oh, that’s okay.” She smiled, though she didn’t feel it. She really didn’t want to go alone.

“You and Eric could still go,” Corina said.

This time, her gaze shot to Eric’s. Was Corina trying to...? She glanced back at her friend. Yep. There was a mischievous twinkle in her eye. A lump settled in Allye’s stomach.

She forced the smile to remain on her face as she pushed away from the wall and began gathering her bags. “I still nee—want—to go, but I’m sure Eric has other things to do.”

Corina turned to him. “Do you?”

Eric’s expression gave nothing away. “I do. But a walk first might be nice, especially after that meal.”

“You really don’t have to go,” Allye insisted. She was not going to let Corina put them on the spot.

He studied her for all of two seconds, then picked up her pie dishes. “Let me get this for you at least.” He nodded to their hosts. “Thank you for dinner. It was delicious.”

“Yes, thanks,” Allye echoed.

“Any time,” Corina said. She pulled Allye in for a hug and whispered, “Don’t be stubborn.”

Stubborn? About what?

But when her best friend released her and rolled her eyes pointedly in Eric’s direction, Allye knew exactly what she meant. She just shook her head. Matchmaking couldn’t happen. Not now. But she also couldn’t reveal why.

“I gotta go. Love you guys.”

“Back at you,” Bryce said.

Eric followed her outside, pie plates in hand. Once they were safely out of earshot of her family, he said, “Are you sure you don’t want company?”

No. She absolutely wanted company. But she didn’t want to invite more than friendship. She couldn’t. But she was too tired to figure out how to politely decline without lying to him. She kept walking toward her car.

“Allye.”

The way he said her name made her step hitch.

She took a deep breath. “It’s okay, Eric.

Really. You don’t need to feel pressured to go because of what Corina said.

” She popped the trunk of her Jetta and tossed everything but her purse inside.

She turned and grabbed the pie dishes he held. He didn’t let go.

“That isn’t what I asked.”

She stifled a sigh. “Fine. I would love to not go alone, but seriously, I’m a big girl. I’m used to going places by myself.”

He frowned. “Is that wise considering everything you have going on?”

“Are you saying you believe me now?”

“I believe something is going on, and you probably shouldn’t be out in the park alone just in case.”

Just in case her attacker showed? Or just in case she had another “episode”? She didn’t have the heart to ask for clarification. He’s right though. She knew he was. Whether she was in physical danger or going crazy, she didn’t need to be out on the trails alone. And she didn’t want to be.

“Are you okay, Allye?” he said quietly when she didn’t respond. “No offense, but you look exhausted. Maybe you should just head home.”

She tugged the empty dishes from his fingers and tossed them in beside her bags.

Her shoulders slumped as she faced him again.

“It’s not that I just want to take a walk.

I lost a memory card with an important photo shoot on it Friday.

I have to try to find it. If you have time”—she felt her shoulders drop a bit further—“I’d appreciate not being alone. ”

His gaze softened at her admission. “I have time.”