Way of the Warrior (Troubleshooters #17.5)(99)

“Alisha,” said Julie. “Are you hungry?”

Alisha glanced over her shoulder at her best friend.

Julie gestured for her to come over.

Shaking her head in the negative, she went back to what she was doing. Yep, Alisha told herself, I do have to stand by as my best friend Julie hugs and chats amicably with Jonah. She wanted to shout “traitor,” but that would get her exactly nowhere.

Picking up the proper sized brush from the pileup on the floor, she walked past the chatty bunch and into the kitchen. The trim only needed to be painted in a few spots, and then it would be her version of a Van Gogh. Well, if Van Gogh had been an interior designer.

She could hear the happy camaraderie from the other room.

“I know what Alisha likes. Pick up the fettuccine Alfredo with a Greek salad and dressing on the side, and I’ll have the same. Why don’t you two go pick up the food, and I’ll help Alisha finish up in the kitchen? I know she has a lot to finish before the night is over.” Julie sounded upbeat, happy even.

Alisha gritted her teeth. I wish that didn’t sound delicious, but it does. Will I have the stomach to eat with him? She put the paint down and looked at her friends. She wanted to interrupt and offer them money. They’d never take it. But, she wasn’t taking a cent for her materials and time either. That’s what friends did…watched out for each other. So, why did Kevin befriend Jonah? Was there something she didn’t know about him?

“I’m kinda tired. How about I stay here, and you two go,” said Kevin.

Julie nodded. “Of course. Let me get my purse.” She leaned down and kissed her husband.

“How are you doing?” asked Jonah, his tone serious.

“I’m going to need another surgery. Julie doesn’t want to talk about it. The wives of the guys from my support group seem to be helping her out some. Mostly, she relies on Alisha. I don’t know what we’d do without her.” Kevin’s voice was low.

“She’s something special,” Jonah agreed.

Alisha had ducked back behind the doorway. They hadn’t seen her, and she didn’t want to let on that she was there. She was trying not to listen, but they weren’t exactly whispering.

“Are you going to talk to her…about that night?” asked Kevin.

Jonah sighed. “I don’t know. How can I tell her how much I like her in one breath and why that was precisely the reason I abandoned her in the next.”

“Seriously, man, chicks dig that stuff. It’s called romance.”

“Riiiiiiiggghhhht,” Jonah scoffed. “If she ‘dug’ me, I’d have heard from her over the years instead of me holding some damn torch for her Highness.”

“I’m ready,” said Julie, coming abruptly back into the room. “Let’s go. I’m starved.”

“Get the antipasto, too,” added Kevin.

“On it,” said Jonah as they headed out the front door.





CHAPTER 3


Clouds filled the sky. The wind had picked up, swirling dust and debris into the air, and the temperature had cooled, making it look as if it might rain at any minute. But, the weather genie in Julian was fickle, and it didn’t storm unless the winds stilled and then, and only then, would a deluge occur.

“Have you seen your family?” asked Julie.

“Nope. They don’t even know I’m here yet.”

“Oh, God, your sisters are going to freak when they find out you’re in town. You grew up here, right?”

“Yep, and I couldn’t wait to run away. Funny thing is…when I really grew up…I couldn’t wait to come back.” Jonah held open the passenger door of his truck. “Your husband spent most of his holiday breaks here with me and fell in love with the town.”

“I’ve heard the stories enough times to recite them by heart.” Julie hopped inside. “Thanks,” she said, before he closed the door behind her.

He walked around the truck. His eyes strayed to the large front picture window where he could see Alisha and Kevin talking.

His lips drew into a thin line. Alisha. She was passion personified, and the woman drove him bonkers!

Opening the driver’s side door, he slid behind the wheel, fastened his seat belt, and turned on the truck. As he pulled onto the empty road, he noticed that Julie was staring at him.

“Don’t look at me like that! You know I’ll stop by and see my folks and siblings tonight or tomorrow. My priority is to spend time with you and Kevin. Okay?”

“I appreciate it. He does, too. Things…are better when you’re here. It’s hard…at times.” Julie admitted.

“I’m always just an email away. The minute I get it, or can get away from what I’m doing, I’d be here for you both. There are times I go dark, but Kevin has the emergency contact. I can be reached…eventually.”

“Thanks. We know that.” Julie hesitated. “I don’t want to bring it up, but you know I’m going to…”

“What?” he asked.

“You like her. Why are you such a dick to her?”

His shoulders tensed. “Seriously! A dick? Thanks for the feedback.”

She smiled. “Maybe that word is too harsh. Those three weeks we all spent together before the wedding, that’s when it happened, you fell for her.”