Free Never Let Me Go (Welcome To Redemption) by Donna Marie Rogers Page B

teased. “Though she may take exception since you said the exact same thing about her chili.”
    “It’s in my best interests to keep your mother happy, Sharlet.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “If you get my drift.”
    “Oh, God, please,” Shar begged. “No visuals.”
    Chase chuckled. “And on that note, we’re going to get out of your hair. Have a good evening, Russo family.”
    John shook his hand and in an exaggerated conspiratorial whisper said, “Tell Carrie I’ll be by tomorrow for some of that chili.”
    Shar gave her father an eye roll before smiling up at Chase with a look he wasn’t sure he wanted to know the meaning of.
    “Night, Sheriff . Hannah, I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”
    “Sounds good.” The friends exchanged one last meaningful glance before Hannah preceded him out the door.
    At her driver’s side door, she turned and said, “I’ll meet you there.”
    “You sure about that?” he teased.
    She gave him a playful shrug. “Guess you’ll just have to have faith.”
     
    * * *
     
    “Still mad at me I take it?” Chase asked her once they’d been seated at a table in Coffee To Chai For , his sister’s coffee-slash-bakery-slash-sandwich shop. He’d meant it as more of an observation than a question.
    Hannah shot him a look of surprise, but quickly returned her gaze out the window. “No, just…a little embarrassed.”
    “Because…?”
    “Really? You going to pretend like yesterday didn’t happen?”
    “You have nothing to be…Listen, if anyone should feel embarrassed it’s me. I acted like an asshole, and I’m sorry.”
    She shrugged. “You were honest. I can’t be mad at you for that. Rather, I can’t stay mad at you for that.” A reluctant grin settled on her beautiful face.
    Chase waged an inner war between his head and his heart. Hell, ‘honest’ is the only thing he hadn’t been. “Hannah, I—”
    “Hey, big brother, I’m glad you stopped in today,” Carrie said as she approached the table. “Hi, Hannah.”
    Chase smiled at his baby sister, unsure whether she’d saved him from making the situation better—or worse.
    Behind his sister came her waitress, Jenny Adams. The shy brunette greeted them with a warm smile, and he couldn’t help but notice the difference in her demeanor now that she’d left that loser husband of hers. It was beyond him how a nice girl like that could fall for a total dickhead like Roy Adams. Chase would love a reason to lock the abusive prick up and throw away the key, but it seemed he’d been keeping his nose clean since Charlie broke it last year.
    Hannah smiled and said hello to both women.
    Chase gave the menu a cursory glance. “Hey, Care, you got any chili left? I’ve had a taste for it all day.”
    “You’re in luck. I have just enough to scoop you up a big bowl.”
    “Great. Bring me a ton of crackers on the side, a large lemonade, and a huge slice of banana cream pie.”
    “Got it. Hannah, can I get you anything?”
    “I would love a cup of your vegetable chowder, and a chicken Caesar wrap—extra dressing on the side, please.”
    “And to drink?”
    “I’ll have lemonade as well. A small glass.”
    “I’ll get their drinks for you,” Jenny said and hurried off.
    “And I’ll be back in a few minutes with your food,” Carrie added as she finished writing down their orders.  
    As soon as she left, Hannah whispered, “Jenny looks great.   And I don’t think I’ve ever seen Carrie happier.”
    “I’d have to agree with you there. Matt’s a great guy. He’s the only one who’s ever been able to handle that temper of hers.”
    She grinned. “That’s because his is just as bad. I hear they argue almost every day. In fact, that’s why Marv started eating his breakfast here Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Delivery days are rumored to be the best times to catch a fight.”
    Chase shook his head, though he knew as well as anyone what Hannah said was true. Carrie and Matt were as volatile as a