Page 13 of Edge of Steele
The other guy with Reid looked up.
Colin!It was Colin.
She sped up to where they’d set up a pair of tables and were now unloading other items from the truck bed.
“Steele,” Colin said, a smile she couldn’t see behind his mask lighting his eyes. “Long time no see.”
“Hey, Colin,” she said so Finn and Tobias would know who she was talking to. “Nice to see you.”
Colin set down a box of individual packages of potato chips. “Russ said you were here when they found the body, but I didn’t expect you’d still be on scene.”
She stopped by the tailgate loaded with food and drinks likely for the firefighters. “We’re waiting to talk to Ryan, but then we planned to come see you.”
“Me?” His large brown eyes widened.
“I have a favor to ask,” she said. “But why don’t we help you get this set up as we talk? I assume it’s for the firefighters.”
“It is.” Colin cast a quizzical glance at Tobias and Finn, who stopped next to Ryleigh.
Reid stepped closer. “Ryan called to say the blaze was contained, and the guys could use a meal.” His piercing blue eyes fixed on Finn. His look could cut right through a person if he wanted, but he was a kind, Christian man underneath. The contrast had always made him most interesting to watch. “Ryleigh and Tobias are old family friends, but I don’t know you.”
Finn didn’t balk under Reid’s intensity but held out his hand and introduced himself to Reid and Colin. “Ryleigh mentioned you both.”
Reid relaxed, but only a fraction. “I was sorry to hear about Felicia’s passing.”
Finn flashed a wide-eyed look at Reid. “You knew her?”
Reid nodded. “My daughter Jessie attends elementary school with Avery.”
“Right,” Finn said. “I need to remember how small Shadow Lake is and that everyone knows everyone.”
“Not everyone.” Colin’s sarcasm wasn’t even mildly hidden. “But as an outsider, I can say it sure feels like it. Not that people haven’t been friendly. Maybetoofriendly if you get my meaning.”
On the summers Ryleigh had gone into town with the Maddox boys, she’d witnessed the local gossips in full force. “Have you been fixed up on blind dates yet?”
Colin snorted. “Man, have I, but I’ve managed to put them off. So far, anyway. You too, Durham?”
“I’ve met my share.” Finn’s voice was strained.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re introduced to all the single women with kids in school by the end of the month.” Colin’s eyes crinkled above his mask.
Finn shoved his hand into his hair. “Avery and I have enough casseroles in the freezer for a month of dinners. I appreciate the food. Just not sure I’ll appreciate the offers that will come when I give the dishes back.”
Ah yes, he was reluctant. Not a surprise. He’d always made a point of ignoring women who threw themselves at him. One of the reasons he’d been so interested in her. Sure, she was impressed that he’d survived the sheer torture to become a SEAL, and she liked that he was a hero, but she worked with heroes every day and came from a family of them too. So why put SEALs, in particular, on a pedestal?
Reid shifted and toed the dirt. His wife died a little over a year ago, and the single women were likely starting to approach him too. He waved a hand over the bed of his cherry red Ford truck and looked at Colin. “If you’ll get things unloaded and the tables set up, I’ll go tell my brother we’re here.”
“We can help.” Finn grabbed a bin of disposable dishes and silverware and took them to the table.
“You’re in charge.” Reid nodded at Colin as he passed.
Colin gave a mock salute and looked back at the others. “Let’s get to it. These guys are bound to devour this stuff.” He picked up a cooler and carried it toward the table.
Tobias followed Reid, and they stopped to talk. Ah yes. He was putting that pressure on Russ that Tobias said he would exert.
Finn picked up a large platter of sub sandwiches in an open cardboard box and headed for the table by Colin. “So you work in the Maddox resort that Ryleigh used to come to in the summers.”
Colin set down the cooler. “Not hardly a resort anymore. “
