Renewed Faith (CSA Case Files 3 / Military Romance) by Kennedy Layne

knee. She’d seen him do that from time to time, but never really thought anything about it. If Jax was right about the extent of the damage, she would have thought he’d be in more pain. “My mother and father will dote on you. Just accept it and everything will be fine. As for my three brothers and little sister, they’ll try and see exactly how important you are to me. I have no doubt that you can stand your ground, but you might want to have something at the ready so they aren’t constantly hounding you. My two nieces will finagle a way to get their hands on you for a makeover. As for my nephew, well, he’s only six months old. As long as somebody’s holding him, he’s content. It’s a good thing you have a predilection for sweaters. He’s still on his momma’s breast and he might get overfriendly if you show him yours.”
    Elle’s mind tried to keep up and suddenly, the cab of the truck once more felt a little warm. This talk of family meant they’d be in their company quite a bit. She never really thought to ask where they were staying and now it looked as if she might be holing up in a hotel by herself. She quickly calculated what she had in savings. As long as it was only two nights, it was doable. He was making it hard for her not to ask the questions that she wanted and found herself on the losing end.
    “Um, you are planning to tell them that I’m just a friend, right? Look upon me as a substitute for Ethan. They wouldn’t be asking him those kinds of questions, would they?”
    Again, Kevin belted out a laugh. His reaction was starting to irritate her. This wasn’t a funny situation as far as she was concerned. Elle twisted in the seat slightly so that she was facing him. She’d had enough of this playing around.
    “Seriously. Your brothers and sister wouldn’t ask something like that about Ethan. So we’ll tell them that I’ve come in his place for emotional support. I really won’t be around them that much, so it shouldn’t be a problem. As for children, I’m sure they’ll be wary of a stranger. I’ll attend the service and anything that might be held afterward in honor of your grandfather. I’m not going to intrude on your family time, so when it’s time to head back home, just swing by my hotel room and pick me up. See? There’s no reason to forewarn me.”
    Elle didn’t like the way he was smiling, but she felt like if she continued she’d be prodding a hibernating bear and that just wasn’t on her agenda. He didn’t argue with her, which should have made her feel better, but instead ended up doing the opposite. Regardless if things went smoothly, at least she could say she’d paid it forward. That should give her comfort.
    “Can we get back to the investigation? I know Bee was brought in, but not the outcome.” Elle remained with her back more against the door than the seat. She liked being able to study him without him doing the same to her. His gray eyes were focused on the road and she would do what she could to keep the conversation from getting too serious. Talking of the investigation would get his mind off of his grandfather’s death. It was a win-win for both of them. “Rachel shared with me that he’s unhappy his girls are being given an out by Reformation. Throw on the fact that she ratted him out, well, I’m worried about her.”
    “Taggart checked into it and is keeping tabs on Bee’s whereabouts. The interview went as expected and according to Bee, he wasn’t anywhere near the warehouse. Until the police can prove otherwise, their hands are tied. As for the other rapes and murders, he can’t pinpoint where he actually was during the time they were committed.” They were behind a semi and it didn’t surprise Elle when Kevin turned his signal on. He was confident in his driving, regardless that the snow was coming down at a faster pace. “I watched the recording of his interview and you’re right. Bee’s not too happy with Eric and Cam Bennett.