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He wished things between thelad that he’d had the chance to know her, regardless of their past Wo oneup the phone and atching him with a suspicious frown "What?" she asked
Caleb couldn’t keep his distance, even though he knew that was the s to do Any excuse he could find to touch her, he took advantage of This was one of those times Caleb squatted down so he was on eye level with her She had theeyes, with so many shades of blue, that for a second he found himself distracted
Caleb blinked and focused on as happening He kept his voice low, though by now, it wasn’t a big issue if their listeners kneas happening The bugs would be gone within the hour "In a ht not like what they find, and I think it wil be easier on you if we go grab some food and let the to let coot finished cleaning up froers They’re withwith theo with you"
Lana shook her head "I’d rather stay"
"You sure? This can be hard to watch"
"I’ave her a smile and tucked some hair behind her ear "I know you are, but that doesn’t et out of here for a while Go see the kids at the youth center Get your mind off of it"
She went tense as if he’d slapped her, and the center of her eyes shrank to frightened pinpoints What the hel?
"What?" he asked her in a low, urgent voice
She sed and blinked, and just like that, the fear was gone, leaving behind a s"
"What are you afraid of?"
Just like that she shut down, and al the war to the youth center is a great idea I’l rabbed her backpack, tossed hi
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The youth center was stuffed ful of kids, their cheerful noise ricocheting off the high ceiling of the gy basketbals and squeak of tennis shoes filed one side of the gy tables lined the space, and several of the volunteers sat with kids, reading to the them with their ho in the joy she’d created It was a happy place, a safe place At least for everyone but her
Kara saw her coe room with Phil hot on her heels Kara wore a starched white shirt under her tailored peach pants suit Her hair was in an elegantly casual updo, showing off the sparkle of dia lady, it was hard to believe she was also a kiler
Lana felt Caleb’s wide hand shtened her shoulders and cleansed her expression of al e Caleb a scowl "We didn’t expect to see you today"
"I needed a break fro her voice wouldn’t shake
"I’ve heard Anything we can do to help?" asked Kara in that elegantly rich voice of hers that made Lana’s skin crawl
"No, thanks It’s under control"
"That’s not what I heard Is it true the hotel canceled?" asked Phil
Lana sed an ugly word Bad news traveled too fast, even for a city the size of Columbia "Yes, but we’l find another one"
The front door of the youth center opened and Lana’s sister, Jenny, stor her son, Taylor Lana flinched and tried to cover it before anyone could see
She didn’t want Jenny or Taylor anywhere near Kara She needed to get rid of the up inside her as she tried to figure out the best way to protect her family
From beside her, she heard Caleb say, "It’s under control" His deep, cal them
She could do this Al she had to do was act nor Kara didn’t even have to knoho Jenny was Hopefuly the faive theerly across the rooroup and bent down to catch hiht of her two-year-old nephew
"Kiss?" he asked, angling his cheek for the greeting he expected
Lana gave hiainst her so he could get down Lana didn’t let hio
Jenny stomped up to Lana Her dark hair was a h it Or possibly trying to pul it out
"Do you have any idea how much you upset Mo to her cry You’re going to go ho you there myself"
"I’m sorry I realy am I didn’t mean for you to be the one to deal with Moht about that before you told her you didn’t need her"
Taylor pushed hard against Lana’s neck in an effort to get down
"I didn’t mean for it to come out like that I orried about Stacie, and you kno she is in a crisis I couldn’t deal with her, too"
Jenny rubbed her teot to be more careful with her"
"Daet out of her arh "Let hi with the other kids for ahi what I have to say to you" Jenny puled Taylor from Lana’s arms and set him on the floor He toddled off toward the flurry of activity on the basketbal court