Tempting Fate (The Blake Boys Book 9) by Rhonda Laurel Read Free Book Online Page A

may still be a sore spot for her. Everyone barely came out of that alive. They were the ‘it’ couple after all, then it all imploded, and everyone scattered to their corners.”
    “She came to Seth and Morgan’s wedding. I thought she was past it. Hell, Morgan and Penny are even civil to each other.” He sighed.
    “People heal in their own time. How do you feel about her? Emma, I mean.”
    “Like she’s trying too hard. She went to New York, and since that new life didn’t pan out for her, she wants to come home to reliable, old C.J.” He gripped the wheel.
    “If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my relationship with Eden is that friction is not always a good thing. Yeah, it’s exciting and can be sexy at times. But when two people want different things, there’s nothing you can do about it except evaluate whether you want to spend your life at odds with each other. Don’t waste years like I did.”
    Channing nodded. “So what are your plans for the evening?”
    “I’m going to have a nice quiet dinner with Jack and Samantha Jane. After he has his bath and settles in for the evening, we’re going to look at a missing person’s case she’s working on for the justice network she helps in her spare time.”
    “I gotta hand it to you. I thought once the baby came, you and Sam were going to go at it like gladiators over her continuing to work.” Channing laughed.
    “She’s passionate about her work. I’d be an idiot to fight her on doing something she loves. But I won’t waver on her taking a safer position with Regency. I don’t intend to raise our son alone, and she knows that.”
    “I’m amazed at your maturity. I know your instincts must be screaming for her to be out of harm’s way.”
    “Are you kidding me? I get brownie points with my wife for being so understanding.” J.J. flashed a cheesy grin.
    Channing pulled up to J.J.’s house a half hour later. “Do you mind if I come in and say hi to Jack and Sam?” He didn’t want to intrude on them.
    “Of course not. Jack loves getting visits from his Uncle C.J.”
    As soon as Channing entered the house, he took Jack into his arms. The baby cooed in response to his uncle’s kisses. “Jack, you’re getting so big. Did you gain a pound since I saw you the other day?”
    “He loves to eat, just like his father,” Sam said as she gave J.J. a kiss. “Channing, won’t you stay for dinner? I made chicken parmesan.”
    Channing took a good whiff. “It smells delicious but I have an appointment to eat some major crow.”
    She patted his shoulder. “I heard about that incident with Cassidy and Emma. I hope you can get things straightened out.”
    Channing shot his brother a look.
    “What?” J.J. shrugged. “I tell Samantha Jane everything.”
    “Stay for dinner. Maybe we can come up with something to get you back in Cassidy’s good graces.”
     
    * * *
     
    After dinner with J.J. and Sam, Channing felt much better. He told Sam he contemplated asking her to find out where Cassidy had been during the time she dropped out of sight. She pointed out that people don’t disappear from pretty good lives unless they had a good reason to do so.
    Sam suggested he give Cassidy some time to process it all. They hadn’t even dated, and they were already dealing with an issue of trust. Investigating her would surely send her running for the hills if she ever found out.
    Sam asked him why he liked her so much, and he launched into a tirade. Cassidy was beautiful, intelligent and had a good sense of humor, but she was also generous and philosophical. She always rooted for the underdog, even if she took flak for it. Her ideals were unwavering, and he respected that. He’d had enough debates with her to know that once she stuck with a position, a stick of dynamite couldn’t move her, but she was rational and willing to hear the other side of an argument. She loved art and found beauty in things that most people would overlook. He loved how she saw