Free Double Exposure by Rhonda Laurel Page A

this Zoe and I want to be able to say I found her mother’s killer.”
    “You’ll get your answers. I will not stop until I neutralize the threat against you.”
    “ThanksBillie. So what’s the name of this new enterprise?”
    “I was thinking about Vendetta, Inc.” Billie winked at her.
    As Chris made his way back to the house, Kate plastered on a smile. She hoped that Chris would understand all of this. Their lives were going to get even more complicated. They were parents now, something they talked about for the future, but now thanks to Jack it was anautomatic reality. Billie went down the stairs and headed toward Zoe and Scar. Athena was jogging back toward the house with Merlot in tow. It was sheer calamity in the beach house these days, but it strangely felt like a family.
    “Hey.” Chris kissed her when he reached the top step. “What do you want for dinner?”
    “Something light. I know you have to read through the pile of scriptsbefore Stan comes over here and sits on you.”
    “They’ll be there in the morning.”
    “I know but time waits for no man. You could do a short project while waiting for Jack’s film to start shooting.”
    “I’ve been thinking. Maybe I could take some time off and take care of Zoe.”
    Kate shook her head. “You don’t want to lose your hot commodity momentum. Besides, we agreed to shareresponsibilities. I am revamping my work schedules as we speak.”
    “I think it would be good practice for when we have our own little one. And I could help Billie get the agency open. Maybe put the word out about their services.”
    Kate raised an eyebrow. “You really did get a jolt from that rescue of Darwin.”
    “I can’t lie.” Chris laughed. “There was a twinge, and we saved his life.”
    “OK. Take your break, but you have to promise me that if you’re helping out Scar you will be careful. I’ve seen things go horribly wrong just stopping to get gas with her.”
    “There’s never a dull moment with her.”
    “You be careful. I mean it. I think someone’s out to ruin me and I think they’re willing to hurt you to do it.”
    “I will. You know I love you, right?” He caressedher cheek.
    “I know. I love you too.” She smiled.
    “Nothing is more important to me than you and our crazy family.” He pointed out to the gang constructing a massive sand castle.
    Kate grabbed ahold of Chris and squeezed tight. She knew he meant what he said about taking time off to care for Zoe. That’s just the kind of guy he was. She loved his optimism, kindness, and his big heart.The person who was trying to wreck her life was on that list she’d shared with Billie. There was one name she’d been surprised to see and if it were true, there would be a war coming. Marvin’s death was the reason he’d become bold enough to step up his assault on her and if he turned out to be culprit, she’d strike back to keep her family safe. But for now she’d enjoy dinner with her unconventionalfamily. She liked that Billie had opened up to her and although she seemed OK, the detective agency was a way of keeping her mind off Dominic. She’d had such a hard life, Kate had hoped her marriage to a great guy was a turning point for her cousin to forget all that pain. She was a wounded bird, just like Scar and Athena. They were all mysterious women who were strong, but there was a lotof heartache there. Maybe this was her chance to get better acquainted with her guardians.
    “I’ll help with dinner.” She smiled and kissed him.
    “I’d like that.”
    Kate and Chris headed into the house. No matter what happened in the land of make believe, it was nice to know what they had was real.

 
     
     
    ~ About the Author ~
     
    Rhonda Laurel is a contemporary interracial/multicultural romance writer whose two great loves are writing and landscape photography. She uses both as a vehicle to convey the complexity of the human spirit and the beauty of the world around her. Ebb Tide , For the Love of