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Chapter 17
Isabel didn’t hearhim coming up behind her, but as she finished piling the chicken on a serving platter, Travis was just there. Her heart jittered in her chest and she glanced up at him, felt her breath catch at the sight of him, and she wondered if she’d ever get used to it ... tohim.
“What was that all about?”
“Oh, nothing ... just a minor miracle,” Isabel said lightly. “Or what seems like one. I’ll tell you about it later. Although ... I’m wondering. Did you say anything to Brant?”
He slanted her a sidelong look. “Not much. Just mentioned that guys who pick on kids half their size are usually nothing more than assholes. Asked if that was who he wanted to be. Guess he decided.”
Isabel had a feeling it went deeper than that, but now wasn’t the time.
Jacob and Aaron were circling around each other with the same uneasy wariness she’d expect to see in fighters from warring factions and she didn’t want to take her eyes off of them for longer than a minute.
“Ms. Bella!”
Isabel looked at Brooklyn as the girl came rushing up, her Wonder Woman tiara toppling into her eyes as she skidded to a halt on the hardwood floors.
Travis reached out and fixed it, settling it back into place and Brooklyn beamed at him before focusing back on Isabel.
“Yes, Brook?”
“I’m hungry!” she all but shouted. “Can we eat?”
“Such sweet, dulcet tones,” Isabel said dryly with a sideways look at Travis.
“Yes, like a bird.” Aaron rolled his eyes as he took the plate of chicken from Isabel. “And when I say a bird, I’m talking something like a rooster ... or maybe a Canadian goose.”
Hooking her arm through Aaron’s, Isabel grinned.
“What’s dulcet?” Brooklyn asked.
“Gentle and soft,” Isabel said. Next to her, Travis coughed but she heard the strangled laugh he’d cut off. She didn’t dare look at him, focusing instead on Brooklyn. “Yes, sweetheart. We can eat. Why don’t you show Travis where he can sit down?”
The dinner was animatedchaos.
Travis settled back to observe and found himself smiling more than once. Also more than once, he found himself having to drag his gaze from Isabel. Her dress was a misty, soft green with a gathered bodice that highlighted her full breasts before nipping in her waist and then flaring out over round, lush hips. The soft color made her skin glow with warmth and he wondered how much time she spent out on the beach.
