Free Ride the Fire by Jo Davis Page A

aspects of the man’s personality would never change. “Where’s Grace?” she asked him.
    “Going over notes for a big trial she’s working. Her client is innocent, blah, blah.”
    “Aren’t they all?” Sean took his Coke from the serving girl and set it in front of him.
    “Yeah. She’s damned good at her job, though.” The note of pride in his voice was something to hear. The man had worked his tail off to win Grace over, and nobody had ever seen him happier.
    Eve grabbed her beer and was about to ask Jules a question when a familiar and much-welcome voice dispelled the thought.
    “Is this a private party or can anyone join in?”
    All eyes swung toward the newcomer—and the young, blue-eyed blond man was definitely no stranger.
    “You made it! Good to see you, amigo.” Jules shook his hand and then pulled him into a manly hug. The others did the same, exclaiming how glad they were he’d been able come. Even Sean, who in the past had been quite reserved about showing any sort of affection in public.
    Eve waited for her turn, hugged him tight. Then she drew back and eyed the scar bisecting the right side of Tommy’s handsome face, as well as the one circling his right wrist, unable to see them without recalling the horrible day they’d almost lost him.
    “Figured I’d better show since I got, like, eight messages on my answering machine. Dang, it’s only been two weeks since the barbecue, but you guys are acting like you haven’t seen me in years,” he said good-naturedly. “Not that I’m complaining about the reception. I’m an attention slut like that.”
    “You’ve got that right.” Shea Ford, Tommy’s lady love, a cutie with curly brown hair and big brown eyes, stepped forward and waved at the group. Another round of hugs ensued, and when it was her turn to get one from Eve, she laughed. “Wow, a girl could do worse than getting hugged by five gorgeous studs. You are so lucky to work with these guys.”
    “Six,” Tommy corrected, arching a dusky brow. “And hugs are all they’re getting.”
    “Right, six.” She gave him a kiss, which soothed her man’s ruffled feathers.
    Shea took a seat between Tommy and Eve. As much as she loved the guys, Eve was glad another woman had shown up at the gathering. It gave her a break from their macho bull and constant teasing, and a chance to talk with someone who didn’t sport a penis.
    Eve leaned close to the other woman. “So how are plans for the house coming?” Like Julian and Grace, Tommy and Shea were planning to build. The younger couple’s home, however, would be built on a piece of land on the Cumberland that was owned by Shea and her police-detective brother, Shane.
    “We’re still looking at plans, but we know we want something with a wide covered porch overlooking the river, and plenty of bedrooms for future Skylers.” The last was said softly, with a dreamy smile on her face.
    “Have you set a date yet for the wedding?”
    “Another work in progress. Tommy’s still getting settled in his new position in Arson and has to pass the state certification, so we’re not rushing things. I don’t want him under too much stress all at once.”
    “I can understand that, after what you two have been through. I’ve heard getting married is one of the most stressful periods in a person’s life, not that I’d know.”
    “Me, either. But with any luck I’ll soon find out. Want to shoot some pool?”
    “I’d love to.”
    “Great! Get us a table while I grab a beer and the pool cues.”
    They played three games, giggling because it was a clear contest of who sucked the least. Neither of them stood a chance of becoming a pool shark. While they played, Eve became aware of a tingling on the back of her neck. A couple of times, she caught Sean staring in her direction with undisguised heat darkening his gaze. He either didn’t know or didn’t give a damn that the others, not just Six-Pack, had started to notice.
    The room suddenly