Page 22 of Protected By Duval
Beside her, Finola chuckled a little. “You should see how much food they can put away. I swear they just vacuum it in.”
Noelle watched as the two put the trays down a fold out table.
When Jack pulled back the foil top on one of the trays, Noelle craned her neck to see what was in it. It looked like a whole mess of sandwiches.
Before she could get a look at the second tray, McCrae walked up to the table and reached in for a sandwich.
Noelle didn’t intend to stare.
She didn’t even intend to look, but leaning over, one hand braced on the tabletop, McCrae King was a marvel of human perfection.
“Wow.”
When Finola started to chuckle beside her, Noelle realized she’d said it out loud.
“See?” Finola tittered with laughter. “I knew it.”
Noelle wanted to hide her face in her hands, but she was already embarrassed. She didn’t want to make it worse and give Finola more rope to hang her with.
“It’s okay,” Finola gave her a little nudge shoulder to arm, “I get it… He is handsome. There’s no denying that.”
Noelle took a bite of the sandwich and started to chew, hoping that she wouldn’t have to answer another question.
“You don’t have to worry about telling me how handsome he is.” Finola took a sip of her own iced tea and leaned into half-whisper. “After all… I made that.”
Oh boy.
* * *
DUVAL
Blue sat down and looked over at him.
“Where did Miss Garcia go?”
Duval pushed the bite he was chewing on into the corner of his mouth to answer. “Inside with my mom.”
The only person who reacted out loud was Jack.
She thought it was hilarious.
“Your mom? That spitfire with a sweet tea accent? That’s got to be driving you nuts, Duval.”
He saw Blue give her a little shake of his head. Oxy laughed out loud.
If everyone had been present, there would have been more mocking and humor.
Duval looked up at Jack and lifted his chin in her direction. “Bite me, Jack.”
She pursed her lips and gave him an air kiss.
He gestured over his shoulder at the dig. “Noelle said that she normally sees the skulls in a controlled environment.”
Colt gave a half shrug, holding his can of Dr. Pepper in the other hand. “Makes sense. She’s an artist. I doubt she’s much of a digger.”
Oxy pointed over at Colt, grinning. “He’s got a point. She’s not Indiana Jones.”
Blue turned his head frowning. “Did Indiana Jones ever dig in one of the movies?”
