A Case for Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

at him. “You did?”
    Heat climbed his throat toward his face. “I did. We haven’t set it up yet.” Because he had to figure out how to get her number from his sister without telling her Alaine hadn’t been forthcoming with that information.
    “Hey, are you two coming?” Major reappeared in the hall that connected to the kitchen.
    Meredith joined her husband. “Guess what. Forbes asked Alaine out.”
    Major’s eyes widened in surprise. “Alaine Delacroix?”
    Forbes nodded, wishing they wouldn’t make this a big deal.
    “Congrats, man.” Major grinned shamelessly. “She’s a great gal.” He looked down at Meredith. “Speaking of great gals, you ready to face your family?”
    A hollow feeling that had nothing to do with the fact he’d skipped breakfast this morning filled Forbes at the look that passed between Meredith and Major.
    He didn’t want to be Bonneterre’s Most Eligible Bachelor anymore.
    ***
    Alaine kept her sunglasses on after entering the restaurant, despite the dim interior. One of the many things she’d learned from her sorority sisters when they’d made her over was to emit an aura of mystery. If people couldn’t see her eyes, it created mystery, right?
    Well, even if it didn’t, it kept her from having to make eye contact with the burgeoning, Sunday-lunch crowd at Market Street Grill, Daddy’s favorite restaurant. Even though she would usually feel comfortable in her black capris and black-and-white, graphic-print halter top in the casual bistro, the fact almost everyone surrounding her had just come from church made her feel underdressed. And if they recognized her, they’d judge her: Alaine Delacroix doesn’t go to church!
    Holding her head higher, Alaine crossed the main dining room, her low-heeled sandals clipping with authority as she headed toward the glassed-in porch in the rear. She went to church—to the Saturday night service that most of the other young professionals attended. Which left her free to sleep in on Sunday mornings. And to dress casually to meet the family for lunch—though usually at her parents’ home.
    Her brother Joe waved from the round table in the far corner when Alaine stepped down through the doorway. She slid her glasses on top of her head, pushing her bushy hair back from her face. Curly hair and humidity. Thanks, God.
    When she got to the table, she leaned over to give Joe a squeeze around the shoulders. “Hey, Joe.” She edged behind his wheelchair to hug her sister-in-law. “Hey, Nikki.”
    “Hey, Alaine.” Even though the creamy-skinned redhead had been around since Alaine’s early teens, Alaine never failed to have a momentary feeling of being a child when next to the woman with the Amazonian stature. “Did you have fun with all those bachelors Friday night?” Nikki’s blue eyes twinkled.
    Alaine groaned and slid into the chair beside her.
    “I see that blush, Al.” Joe waved a roll dripping butter at her. “Tell.”
    “Only if you promise not to call me Al any more.”
    “What? You don’t-a like-a being part of the three Italians—Joe, Al, and Tony?” Joe did a horrible Italian accent.
    “Considering that we’re half Cajun and half Portuguese? No, I don’t particularly want people to think I’m a mafioso from Jersey.” She melted into a smile when Joe ducked his chin and raised his brows at her. When they were kids, she could yell and scream at him and hold a grudge forever. But since he’d come home from Iraq six years ago with a severed spine, she’d made it her purpose in life to indulge him. Even if it did drive Nikki crazy. “Okay, fine. Whatever. Call me Al.”
    “You’d better tell us before Mother and Daddy and Tony get here, if you want to save yourself the full-family embarrassment.” His triumphant look did still grate on her after all these years.
    “Yes, I had a good time Friday night at the dinner. I met several very handsome, very eligible bachelors. With most of them, it’s quite easy to