Bikinis in Paradise (Tj Jensen Pardise Lake Mysteries) by Kathi Daley Read Free Book Online Page B

you to be part of Justin’s life under any circumstances. Now that you’ve opened the door to having a presence in his life, you just need to convince her that the life you share should be here. Piece of cake.”
    Dylan smiled. “I really hope so.”
    “I was thinking that we should plan a picnic on the beach next week. Dad and the girls will be home. It might be fun to introduce Justin to Ashley. Maybe she could show him around.”
    Dylan hesitated. “I’ll have to let you know.”
    “And based on what you’ve told me about your sister, I bet she’ll love Jenna. We could invite her and her family as well.”
    “We’ll see. I really need to go. I’ll call you in a few days.” Dylan quickly left, even though he still had a good half hour until he needed to leave for Reno. She watched him stop to chat with her grandfather, who continued on to the Grill after Dylan walked away.
    Ben poured a cup of coffee , then sat down across from Tj. “What was he in such a hurry about?”
    “He’s on his way to Reno to pick up his sister,” Tj explained.
    “Ah.”
    “I get the feeling he’s pretty worried about how this visit will go.”
    “Lot at stake, I guess,” Ben reasoned.
    “The buffet is set up inside , if you’re hungry.”
    “I guess I could eat. I’ll make a plate in a few minutes after I have my coffee and bring it out here. It’s really not too bad by the fire.”
    “I heard we can expect afternoon temperatures in the midseventies all weekend,” Tj informed her grandfather.
    “That should make the Tropical Tan people happy.”
    “I didn’t hear you come in last night. Late night with the guys?” Tj asked.
    “Actually , I was home early. I noticed Hunter’s car in the drive, so I came in the back so as not to disturb you,” Ben replied.
    “It would have been fine to disturb us,” Tj informed him. “I called to see if I could worm some information out of him concerning the medical examiner’s report. When he realized that I was home alone after such a harrowing experience, he offered to come by to keep me company. There wasn’t anything going on that couldn’t be interrupted.”
    “There was a time you would have ranted for days if I’d walked in on your date with Hunter,” Ben reminded her.
    “Perhaps,” Tj acknowledged. “But I’m no longer sixteen, and Hunter and I are no longer dating.”
    “I realize that . I guess I just continue to hope that the two of you will rectify that situation. You know he still cares about you.” Both Ben and Hunter’s grandfather, Jake, were campaigning for them to reunite and provide them with great-grandbabies.
    “ He broke up with me ,” Tj reminded him.
    “That was a long time ago. Things have changed. You’ve both changed.”
    “I know,” Tj admitted. “I love Hunter. I’ve always loved Hunter. But things aren’t as simple as you and Jake want to make them.”
    “Perhaps you’re right.” Ben placed his hand over Tj’s. “Any word on the missing model?”
    “Not so far.”
    “Normally , I wouldn’t be overly concerned, since she seems to have left on her own terms, but after what happened to Tonya Overton . . .”
    “Yeah, I’m worried too,” Tj said. “I thought I’d go into town and show her photo around. If she’s still in the area, someone must have seen her.”
    “She does look familiar,” Ben commented
    “Her bio lists Serenity as her hometown,” Tj informed him. “She didn’t go through our school system or I’d know her, so I’m guessing she only moved to the area recently or was homeschooled.”
    “More and more folks doing that these days.”
    “I thought I’d show Jenna her photo. I need to go by the Antiquery to pick up the cookies she made for the snack bar. She sees a lot of people come through the restaurant.”
    “Sounds like a good idea. And as long as you’re at the Antiquery, maybe you can put one of the help-wanted flyers I worked up on the community bulletin board. The resort is almost