Private Rogue

Chapter 92

The sound of the tray crashing to the floor set Beth’s heart racing. She hadn’t been the same since the abduction, but she was getting better. She looked at Josh, who smiled and reached across the table to take her hand. They were in Al’s BBQ Shack, a family restaurant in Shrub Oak that was popular with parents because there was an indoor play area and ball pit. It wasn’t Beth’s idea of a great restaurant, but the kids loved it and were off playing with some friends they’d bumped into.

Loud chatter filled the air, along with the clatter of cutlery and the sounds of people eating. Beneath it all, a bedrock of music that never stopped. It was a brash, loud place and all Beth wanted was peace and quiet, but right now she thought the kids deserved every treat they could get.

“My head is ringing,” Josh said with a smile.

“Tell me about it,” Beth agreed.

“I love you,” he said.

Suddenly none of the crashing noise or hustle and bustle seemed quite so bad. The thought of never seeing him again, the memory of what had happened to them, that was true horror. Every day since then had been bliss.

“I love you too.”

The kids came running over and pointed out an approaching waiter.

“Is that our food?” Danny asked.

“Looks like it,” Josh replied. “Shuffle in.”

Maria slid into the booth next to Josh and Danny sat beside Beth. She beamed at her family, feeling the warmth of contentment precisely because she knew how close they’d come to losing everything that mattered.

“Looks good,” Josh said, as the waiter served their meals.

“Two burgers, a hickory chicken and two large ribs.”

“Ribs, here,” Floyd said. “Beth’s having the chicken, and the kids have got the burgers.”

“And the last ribs?” the waiter asked.

“Those are mine,” Ted Eisner said, sidling up behind him. “Don’t you just love it when that happens? You come back from the bathroom and the food is right there. Shift up, youngster.”

He nudged Danny along the bench and the waiter set the platter in front of him.

“You’ve got sauces and wipes, so you should be all set.”

“Thanks,” Floyd responded as the waiter withdrew. “Dig in, everyone.”

“Thanks for inviting me,” Ted said. He popped a French fry in his mouth. “I hope I’m not cramping your family outing.”

“Not at all,” Floyd assured him.

“Besides, you’re paying,” Beth added with a smile.

“She’s kidding,” Floyd said. “It’s on us. It’s the least we can do after—”

“Don’t even go there,” Ted interrupted. “You’d have done the same, and the insurance paid out for a brand new car, so we’re all square.” He sucked at a rib. “This is good.”

Beth nodded and smiled at Floyd. “It really is. As good as it gets.”