The Right Side Of The Law Part 23

"I am not burning dinner. Not yet, anyway. Here." Kristie watched Ry hand over the spoon to his

partner. "It's supposed to be some kind of creole, I think. There's rice under that cover, and shrimp in the oven. Where did you get that beer?"

"It's on the porch. Brodie brought it."

"Hewitt's here already?"

"He came with Mort a few minutes ago. Rose is here, too." Jackson's gaze found Kristie. "She came with your grandpa." He took a step in her direction and kissed her on the cheek. "How you doing, sweet thing?"

Kristie blushed. "I'm doing fine."

"So the Devil's still treating you all right, or do you need me to take him out behind the house and teach him a lesson or two?"

Laughter came from the window. "You teach Blu a lesson, ha!" The laughter grew. "That, I'd pay to

see." Ry moved up behind his wife and swatted her small behind. "Come on, let's get out of here. Kristie, you come, too. Jackson will let us know when dinner's ready." Kristie followed both Margo and Ry onto the veranda. "There you are, Kris." Rose appeared and hugged Kristie.

"Hi, Rose. Jackson said you came with Grandpa?"

"Yes. Perch said it was silly for me to take a cab when he was driving right by. Say, Bessy's going to be gone to her sister's next week. Do you think you can help out at the store for a few days?"

"Sure."

"I could help out."

Kristie glanced behind her and found her grandpa standing close by. Surprised by his offer, she asked,

"You could?"

"Why not? I know the fis.h.i.+n' business inside and out."

"I would have to agree with that," Rose replied, smiling.

"Then I'll let you two discuss it while I check on my daughter." Kristie stepped off the veranda and

crossed the backyard to the swing where Blu sat with Amanda on his lap.

She had selected a light blue sundress to wear to dinner, and had left her hair loose to move against her bare shoulders. There was a gentle breeze, and she could smell jasmine in the air. Blu looked so handsome holding Amanda, his shoes off and his long, jeans-clad legs stretched out in front of him. He

looked sinfully s.e.xy and tough as nails. And she was so in love with him that this past week had seemed like a dream.

"Hi, you two."

"Hi, Mommeee." The minute she sat down, Amanda launched herself at Kristie and hugged her, then

pointed to Brodie Hewitt, where he stood on the veranda talking to Ry and Margo. "What's dat in Unck's hand?"

"Brodie's thirsty." It was Blu who answered.

"Me firsty, too, Da." Suddenly Amanda wiggled down and set her sights on Brodie. "Unck, me firsty."

She was pointing to his can of beer. Both Blu and Kristie said at the same time, "No!"

Brodie grinned, then moved away from the railing and produced a can from the cooler. Holding it high, he yelled, "I brought Mandy and Rose root beer. Come here, darlin'. Unck will fix you up."

As Amanda trotted off toward the veranda, Kristie felt Blu tug her close and put his arm around her.

"So, do you think you're going to like being married to the Crew?"

"Married?" Kristie gazed at him. "What are you saying?"

"Go fis.h.i.+n' in my s.h.i.+rt pocket."

Kristie slipped her hand into the pocket of Blu's sleeveless white T-s.h.i.+rt and when she pulled it out, she was holding a sparkling diamond ring. Blu took it from her, sat up slowly, and slipped it onto her finger.

"There."

Kristie glanced at the diamond ring. They hadn't talked about marriage. Oh, she would love to marry Blu. She couldn't think of anything more perfect. Only... "It's beautiful..."

"But?"

"Are you sure you want an instant family so soon? Maybe you should get used to us in small doses for a while. That way if you change your mind-"

"Perch says I can't have you living with me the way things are."

"He what?" Kristie pulled back and frowned. "Is that why you haven't let me stay over on theNightwing this past week?"

"He's right. We should get married."

Kristie was speechless.

"What, you want me on my knee? Is that what you're waiting for?"

"No. Well, not unless you want to."

Blu glanced at the crowd on the veranda. They were all laughing, busy talking. All except Rose and Perch. Blu locked gazes with the old man. Perch smiled, then gave a nod. His silent approval put Blu on his feet, then down on one knee. Kristie suddenly felt shy. She fidgeted on the swing, straightened her skirt. When she finally looked at Blu, she found him smiling, staring at her mouth. "What are you looking at?"

"I sure do love that mouth of yours and how you use it."

Kristie blushed. "Blu, stop teasing."

He gestured to his knee. "Well, here I am. On my bad leg, too. Is this what you want?"

Kristen shook her head. "You're all I want. But I'll take the Crew, too, if that's what it takes to spend every night in your arms."

He grinned. "Will you marry me?"

"In a heartbeat, Blu duFray."

The applause from the veranda warned them both that their audience had grown. Blu got to his feet and pulled Kristie off the swing. Then, in front of the Crew-and her grandpa-he kissedhis Angel like a man in love.

Kristie was still enjoying Blu's warm lips when Jackson appeared on the veranda and declared dinner was on the table.

end.