Charlene’s eyes widened. “Youset it up?”
So condescending.“I helped,” Evangeline interjected. “Girl power and all, Charlene.” A half smile made her lips twitch. “You know all about that, don’t you?”
The server returned with two glasses of water on a silver platter as a tall, good-looking man swung into Evangeline’s peripheral vision. Evangeline loved men. And she especially loved admiring a handsome one. She loved kissing them…and, on occasion, whatever else might follow.
“Ahhhh, here he is!” Charlene’s face split into a smile so big, Evangeline did a double take. “JT, come and meet my daughter, Hannah.”
Evangeline almost choked on her water.Daughter?
“My friends call me Joey.” He shook both women’s hands and Evangeline found herself holding his gaze too long. Every strand of his carob brown hair was combed into place, his chiseled cheekbones were a definite selling point, but his smile was filled with a mouthful of teeth that crowded his too-small jaw.
“JT—Joey—is a pastoral counselor,” Charlene gushed. “His mega church is in beautiful Asheville, but he’s spending the holidays in the area, sharing his deep love of Christmas.”
I could use that alcohol right about now.
“I’m here doing charity work,” Joey explained before setting his sights on Hannah. “I hear you’re giving Charlene her first grandson next month. Congratulations.”
As the small talk continued, Evangeline’s thoughts floated back to the night before. Aside from losing her only solid lead in a time-sensitive case, she’d gotten an eyeful of Sinclair Develin in action. While she hadn’t been able to hear their conversation, she was pretty good at reading body language. Develin was callingallthe shots.
“Where’d he take that baby?” she murmured under her breath.
“No one can hear you when you mumble,” Charlene scolded, snapping her from her thoughts. Facing Hannah, she fastened on a smile. “I hope you’ll play tour guide while JT’s in town.”
A fair-skinned man with flushed cheeks and a Santa hat tapped Charlene on the shoulder. Beside him stood a beautiful woman with ebony skin. “We have to head out.”
“Meet my daughter,” Charlene said. “Hannah, this is Maya and Craig Fields, two of my closest friends in the world.”
“When’s the big day?” Maya asked Hannah.
“January fifteenth,” Hannah replied laying a soft hand on her belly.
“How are you feeling?” asked Craig.
“Great. I’m slower than I used to be, what with the extra forty pounds.”
“Take good care of yourself,” Maya added.
“Of course,” Hannah replied. “This little guy is my top priority.”
“I’ll be in touch,” Charlene said before the couple squeezed by on their way out.
“Charlene told me you’re a teacher,” Joey said, resuming his conversation with Hannah.
“I teach the most adorable kindergarteners.”
“How ‘bout you?” Joey asked Evangeline.
“Evangeline works for Justice,” Charlene replied.
“Nice.” Joey nodded. “What kinda work do you do?”
“I live in New Jersey, but I’m here on temporary assignment for a few months.”
“Lucky for me,” Hannah interjected. “Evangeline’s my birth coach.”
Nice job, Hannah.She shot her sister a little smile.
Joey shifted his attention to Hannah. “Maybe you’ll be able to show me around during your winter break. I hate to sightsee alone.” His warm smile touched his eyes. “In exchange, I’ll cook you dinner. I make a mean fish taco.”
