Page 89 of Lost Trust

Marina looks down at him. And I have to give the kid credit. He widens his blue eyes and gives her his best pleading face.

“Please?”

She glances at me and raises her eyebrows.

“Please, Mommy?”

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.

Her eyes narrow.

Ryder adds, “Pretty please?”

Marina looks down at him and back to me. She mouths the words, I’m going to kill you.

I’d enjoy her trying.

I stand and give her a slow grin. “I’ll take my chances.”

She rolls her eyes.

And before she can answer the question, Grandma Evelyn walks into the room. “Dinner’s ready.”

Ryder immediately forgets about his begging and takes off toward the dining room.

Marina reaches for his hand before he gets far. “We’re having dinner at home.”

“You all stay,” Grandma says.

“Oh, no. I don’t want to impose,” Marina says.

Grandma waves her off. “Nonsense. There’s more than enough food.”

Marina opens her mouth but is cut off with another wave.

“My pot roast could feed half the county around here. And all my girls are scattered now.”

I glance at Marina. “Yeah. Stay.”

She looks at me and back to Ryder, who’s nodding enthusiastically.

“I helped cook.”

“He did help me knead the biscuit dough.”

He raises his hands and wiggles his fingers. “It was squishy.”

“Well, now you have to stay,” I say.

Marina sighs. “Okay. We can eat here tonight,” she says. “But we’re eating at our house from now on.”

“Okay, Mommy.”

Everyone starts moving toward the dining room. I hang back just enough that Marina has to pass me.

She brushes by my shoulder and lowers her voice. “I see you weren’t able to talk anyone into having dinner with you.”

I smirk. “I just did.”